SilverStreak
02-18-2005, 11:46 AM
I was at the BMW dealer where I got my ZHP looking at beaters for a 3rd car, etc. The Leasing Mgr is an old family friend. I spotted a new black 645 Coupe with a 6 spd manual and a Mineral Silver 645 Vert with an auto.
The Vert was easier to get to, so we took it out first. I have heard many a gripe about iDrive is just about every car magazine known to man. But I have to say, while my friend went and fetched a dealer plate, I fiddled with it.
You guys know me, I'm not exactly a tech-savvy guy, some might even call me a tech-moron. I figured it out pretty quick, was flying thru menus for the climate control and stereo in no time. Not as bad as I had heard, I guess...
Anyhow, the interior was very nicely adorned with brushed aluminum looking trim, supportive seats and typical BMW ergonomics (which is to say, very good).
Between the power seats and the power steering wheel (up, down, and telescopic), just about anyone could find a comfortable driving position, I'd imagine.
I was impressed with the large back seat for a 2 door convertible. My wife has a 2003 Acura CL-S, also a mid-size 2 door, and the 6er's back seat was downright large by comparison, and even with that sloping roof line and cloth top, it had decent headroom.
From the outside, the rear window looks tiny, but from the driver's seat, rear visibility isn't bad. The C pillar is wide, as expected in ragtops, but no worse than my old Z3 or my old Z28, as far as what is blocks out and the blindspot it creates.
We fire up the engine and immediately the V8 rumble is detectible from the exhaust note. Very nice. This car had the sport package with active steering, etc. I flipped on the sport button on the center console and off we went to rape some backroads near by.
I grew up not far from this dealership, so I was quite familiar with the twists and turns ahead. I pushed the car thru the twistys and really gave the suspension a work out over the less than perfect roads that Winter had chewed up by this point.
We chit-chatted about the steering. I'm not sure how it would react at the Auto-X, but then again I'm not sure how many folks will take their brand new $83K MSRP 645 Vert to the Auto-X anyway. It was very direct, smooth, and felt spot on at all times.
Despite my efforts I could not upset the chassis. It came shod with huge rims and low profile tires, so much so that one would expect a harsh ride. Not so. The car maintained it's poise, absorbed bumps gracefully and never felt abusive to the driver's spine.
It also did all that while handling quite well, considering it's a 2 ton coupe. The brakes were superb. Between the brakes, handling, steering, and V8 thrust, the one word that kept coming to mind was: confidence. This car inspires confidence in it's capabilities.
Oh, and while we chatted, I completely forgot we were in a convertible. It's THAT quiet with the top up. We spoke at regular volume at 50 mph over nasty pock-marked roads, no need to raise your voice.
The other thing that made me forget we were in a convertible was the lack of cowl-shake one comes to expect with a ragtop set up. Only the slightest twist detectable in the chassis when turning quickly to the right and up a hill on a near 90 degree turn, and even then, you'd have to be looking for it to notice it.
Having owned a Z3 and having driven many a Z4, the 645 was a nice tight set up. Nice little touch was the windows drop a bit when the door is opened and then when shut, it reseals. That should help deter leaks on rainy days.
We put the top down with the touch of 1 button at about 15 mph. There's that exhaust note again. Awesome. The cabin is very well isolated, the rather large/thick bulk head does a great job of keeping the wind from disrupting things too much, while letting enough air into the senses to experience the elements as God intended in a ragtop.
The auto trans shifted smoothly and downshifted appropriately when the right foot demanded it. One of the better autos I have driven. Very linear, and enough ratios to keep you happy in most situations, if you must have an automatic, you could do a lot worse than this one.
We got back to the dealership and I begged to drive the sportier 645 coupe with the 6 spd manual. Oh, am I glad I kept asking. This car also had the sport package. I had gotten used to the vert, the route we took, etc, so I was feeling more frisky by this time.
I noticed the more rigid set up as we left the dealer lot on a sharp curve on a downward angle. The cabin is more secluded as well, as one would expect. But the big difference was my ability to control the gears I wanted to be in, and for how long, the ability to hold it near torque peak exiting a corner, etc.
I really got a feel for this V8 engine. Smooth, torquey, pulls all the way to the top, breathes well, and has the musclecar-esque snarl that makes little boys dream about sports cars.
I'll admit, I was on a mission with this one. We started down the back road again, but this time I had an idea of what the car would do, so I was pushing it. Try as I could, I could not get the DSC to cut in.
Taking corners, downshifting mid-corner, rev-matching and letting the clutch fly... nothing. The chassis is THAT well sorted out. Bravo BMW!
The shifter was a tad longer throw than I like, but not obnoxiously so. The clutch had a nice feel, very predictable. The 6 spd really transforms this car from the Boulevard Cruiser/Bruiser that 645 Vert is, into BMW's pony car.
I kept thinking back to my Camaro days. Big V8 up front, rwd, 6 spd tranny, V8 rumble out back, 2 huge doors, etc. But that's about where the comparison would end. The level of refinement can actually be justified in the price difference.
But the fun factor is there, just like it was with the Z28. Ripping thru the gears on the back roads, the immediate throttle response of a 325 hp NA V8 under the hood when you exit a corner and stab the throttle.
But the interior, the ride quality, and absolute balance found in the chassis and suspension tuning between sporty and comfort, is pure BMW. The exhaust note screams Detriot, but the cockpit replies, "Nein!" with a confident smirk on it's face.
Speaking of the face, let's discuss the looks. Clearly, it's not for everyone. The trunk is... weird. The headlights... complicated. The overall shape of the car is sleek and beautiful, but if there's a subjective flaw in that beauty it's all the little complexities/details in the design.
But I will be honest with you, though. The freakin' ear to ear grin I had plastered on my face while being seated inside the car truly negated any shortcomings on what some other folks might see on the outside of the car as I flew past them... and rumbled off over the horizon...
:buttrock
The Vert was easier to get to, so we took it out first. I have heard many a gripe about iDrive is just about every car magazine known to man. But I have to say, while my friend went and fetched a dealer plate, I fiddled with it.
You guys know me, I'm not exactly a tech-savvy guy, some might even call me a tech-moron. I figured it out pretty quick, was flying thru menus for the climate control and stereo in no time. Not as bad as I had heard, I guess...
Anyhow, the interior was very nicely adorned with brushed aluminum looking trim, supportive seats and typical BMW ergonomics (which is to say, very good).
Between the power seats and the power steering wheel (up, down, and telescopic), just about anyone could find a comfortable driving position, I'd imagine.
I was impressed with the large back seat for a 2 door convertible. My wife has a 2003 Acura CL-S, also a mid-size 2 door, and the 6er's back seat was downright large by comparison, and even with that sloping roof line and cloth top, it had decent headroom.
From the outside, the rear window looks tiny, but from the driver's seat, rear visibility isn't bad. The C pillar is wide, as expected in ragtops, but no worse than my old Z3 or my old Z28, as far as what is blocks out and the blindspot it creates.
We fire up the engine and immediately the V8 rumble is detectible from the exhaust note. Very nice. This car had the sport package with active steering, etc. I flipped on the sport button on the center console and off we went to rape some backroads near by.
I grew up not far from this dealership, so I was quite familiar with the twists and turns ahead. I pushed the car thru the twistys and really gave the suspension a work out over the less than perfect roads that Winter had chewed up by this point.
We chit-chatted about the steering. I'm not sure how it would react at the Auto-X, but then again I'm not sure how many folks will take their brand new $83K MSRP 645 Vert to the Auto-X anyway. It was very direct, smooth, and felt spot on at all times.
Despite my efforts I could not upset the chassis. It came shod with huge rims and low profile tires, so much so that one would expect a harsh ride. Not so. The car maintained it's poise, absorbed bumps gracefully and never felt abusive to the driver's spine.
It also did all that while handling quite well, considering it's a 2 ton coupe. The brakes were superb. Between the brakes, handling, steering, and V8 thrust, the one word that kept coming to mind was: confidence. This car inspires confidence in it's capabilities.
Oh, and while we chatted, I completely forgot we were in a convertible. It's THAT quiet with the top up. We spoke at regular volume at 50 mph over nasty pock-marked roads, no need to raise your voice.
The other thing that made me forget we were in a convertible was the lack of cowl-shake one comes to expect with a ragtop set up. Only the slightest twist detectable in the chassis when turning quickly to the right and up a hill on a near 90 degree turn, and even then, you'd have to be looking for it to notice it.
Having owned a Z3 and having driven many a Z4, the 645 was a nice tight set up. Nice little touch was the windows drop a bit when the door is opened and then when shut, it reseals. That should help deter leaks on rainy days.
We put the top down with the touch of 1 button at about 15 mph. There's that exhaust note again. Awesome. The cabin is very well isolated, the rather large/thick bulk head does a great job of keeping the wind from disrupting things too much, while letting enough air into the senses to experience the elements as God intended in a ragtop.
The auto trans shifted smoothly and downshifted appropriately when the right foot demanded it. One of the better autos I have driven. Very linear, and enough ratios to keep you happy in most situations, if you must have an automatic, you could do a lot worse than this one.
We got back to the dealership and I begged to drive the sportier 645 coupe with the 6 spd manual. Oh, am I glad I kept asking. This car also had the sport package. I had gotten used to the vert, the route we took, etc, so I was feeling more frisky by this time.
I noticed the more rigid set up as we left the dealer lot on a sharp curve on a downward angle. The cabin is more secluded as well, as one would expect. But the big difference was my ability to control the gears I wanted to be in, and for how long, the ability to hold it near torque peak exiting a corner, etc.
I really got a feel for this V8 engine. Smooth, torquey, pulls all the way to the top, breathes well, and has the musclecar-esque snarl that makes little boys dream about sports cars.
I'll admit, I was on a mission with this one. We started down the back road again, but this time I had an idea of what the car would do, so I was pushing it. Try as I could, I could not get the DSC to cut in.
Taking corners, downshifting mid-corner, rev-matching and letting the clutch fly... nothing. The chassis is THAT well sorted out. Bravo BMW!
The shifter was a tad longer throw than I like, but not obnoxiously so. The clutch had a nice feel, very predictable. The 6 spd really transforms this car from the Boulevard Cruiser/Bruiser that 645 Vert is, into BMW's pony car.
I kept thinking back to my Camaro days. Big V8 up front, rwd, 6 spd tranny, V8 rumble out back, 2 huge doors, etc. But that's about where the comparison would end. The level of refinement can actually be justified in the price difference.
But the fun factor is there, just like it was with the Z28. Ripping thru the gears on the back roads, the immediate throttle response of a 325 hp NA V8 under the hood when you exit a corner and stab the throttle.
But the interior, the ride quality, and absolute balance found in the chassis and suspension tuning between sporty and comfort, is pure BMW. The exhaust note screams Detriot, but the cockpit replies, "Nein!" with a confident smirk on it's face.
Speaking of the face, let's discuss the looks. Clearly, it's not for everyone. The trunk is... weird. The headlights... complicated. The overall shape of the car is sleek and beautiful, but if there's a subjective flaw in that beauty it's all the little complexities/details in the design.
But I will be honest with you, though. The freakin' ear to ear grin I had plastered on my face while being seated inside the car truly negated any shortcomings on what some other folks might see on the outside of the car as I flew past them... and rumbled off over the horizon...
:buttrock