"DrScientist" (DrScientist)
02/11/2016 at 14:45 • Filed to: None
3
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"DrScientist" (DrScientist)
02/11/2016 at 14:45 • Filed to: None | 3
| 9 |
there, i said it. the e64 is a good (looking) car.
what was for me, one of the most anticipated launches/relaunches in all of automobile-land, the resurrection of the bmw 6 series turned out to be the death knell for bmw in my book, the final nail in the coffin, the proverbial straw... hell, this was no straw, it was an iron cast of a bushel of hay on that poor camel. i’m sure like many, i had appreciated bmws, their design and their dynamics, right through the e46-e39-e38 era. and not to sound cliche, but they lost me with advent of the more egregious bangle designs.
and because i had been such a fan of the e24, the e63-e64 6 series relaunch, was to me, (together with the rapidly advancing perception of bmw owner/drivers) reason enough to close the book on the brand. i just couldn’t get past those dopey headlight clusters, the overall heavy appearance, and do we need to discuss the trunk?
well, times change, preferences change, and here a decade on, as the vitriol has diminished, i had the opportunity to spend some time with this e64 650i convertible.
i’ve had the car since saturday, will be giving it back tomorrow, and have put several hundred miles on it cruising around southern california.
and dammit... i like it.
it has presence. it has curves. that “weighty”appearance is actually more solid than obese. the shoulder line blends seemlessley into the trunk from the front 3/4 views. (more about the trunk later.) the (ugh i hate using this word when describing cars) muscular fenders describe exactly how the car behaves when driving. i’m not typically a convertible fan, but the way this car looks with the top down is quite impressive. long and straight and sleek.
as far as questionable traits of the exterior design, the car appears frightfully undercooked with anything smaller than a 19 inch wheel (murdered black wheels probably unnecessary). and dark colors, especially black, hide some of the malignancy of the trunk lid.
one thing about that trunk lid... with a simple stretch of the tail light cluster across the bottom of the trunk lid, the perception of its bulk might be somewhat reduced. why mr bangle? why?
nonetheless, perhaps from living with the car for nearly a week, even the trunk has lost some of its offensive nature.
now, the car is not without faults. the model i have is equipped with the automatic transmission, without paddle shifters. and when not in “sport” mode, or when not using the steptronic “manual” gear selection, its sluggish at best. the car is heavy. it hunts for higher gears. and perhaps i’m used to a more nimble car, but finding that small opening when youre trying to exit a busy southern california freeway is not particularly confidence inspiring.
and like any luxury car manufactured from about 2005 through 2010, the infotainment system is a disaster—a complete and total disaster. yes, this has the original (or maybe 2nd gen) idrive. yes, that idrive that everyone lambasted when it debuted in the 2002 7 series. and for once, they were all right. its horrid. if the computer was not controlling every last aspect of the car, engine and suspension, i’d very quickly rip it out and just velcro a modern tablet to the dash.
but... it sounds great, even with the stock exhaust. (keeping the top down probably helps.) and when you have roads like this...
to play around on, you quickly forget that there’s no “back” button on the controller.
It’s a bit on the heavy side for true canyon carving, but it held its own. and that headsup display is much more useful than you might imagine.
highway cruising is where this car shines. it would be very easy to make 1-2 hour highway commutes in this car. the miles just go by, and you feel like you’ve been sucked into outrun.
anyway, i’m happy to say the 6 series is back on my good side. perhaps my interest in overweight, overly complicated luxury coupes has helped.
it’ll never be the prom queen. but its actually somewhat good looking. it could pass as the prom queen’s less fortunate sister. it has presence, and drives like you would expect from a big, six figure 2 door. and when i get home i think i’m going to have to test drive one with the manual, or maybe the one with 10 cylinders.
StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
> DrScientist
02/11/2016 at 14:53 |
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I’m not saying you’re wrong, but without the V10 they are kinda funny looking.
Now the E60........now we are talking!
gin-san - shitpost specialist
> DrScientist
02/11/2016 at 14:57 |
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The front has a bit of a funny face but I like it overall, especially this generation M6. Two doors plus a high-revving V10? Yes!
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DrScientist
> gin-san - shitpost specialist
02/11/2016 at 15:15 |
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right. naturally aspriated v10. i will definitely be giving one a test drive when i return home.
also, look at this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1317161805…
currently 21k with no reserve?
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DrScientist
> StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
02/11/2016 at 15:16 |
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they’re kinda funny looking WITH the v10. but the v10 (and even the v8 somewhat) makes up for it.
either way, they’re growing on me...
(waiting for the “like a cancer?” response)
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gin-san - shitpost specialist
> DrScientist
02/11/2016 at 15:38 |
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Did you see the vehicle report attached to the auction? Looks like it was a total loss as of last summer with a salvage title. Lists front-end damage which caused the write-off - I'd be very wary of such a purchase.
JR1
> DrScientist
02/11/2016 at 15:41 |
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Nice! Glad I'm not the only one that likes them around here. That's awesome you have had it for almost a week that is great.
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DrScientist
> gin-san - shitpost specialist
02/11/2016 at 21:11 |
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Ah... No I didn't see that. I'd be so wary as to steer completely away.
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StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
> DrScientist
02/12/2016 at 07:53 |
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“Like a cancer”?
Sorry, I had too.
The 6 I never felt was too bad looking, but the newer ones are MUCH better. The old one’s front is kinda droopy and sad, and then the trunk.......
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DrScientist
> StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8
02/12/2016 at 10:52 |
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it’s honestly much better looking in real life than in photos.
but then again... there are some cars that are beautiful in photos AND real life.