new Car & Driver: BMW is losing it (645Ci comparo)

[lemming]

.....they compare (UNFAIRLY) the 645Ci to the Maserati (hello, didn't i call this one?) and the CLK55. now, this isn't exactly fair since maserati is borderline exotica and the CLK55 is an AMG car.

first, let me say that this should be revisited when the M6 comes out.

they love the new v8. they also love the new v8 and the 6 speed in the 545 reviewed later in the magazine. however, they hate iDrive (who doesn't?) and they do not like active steering at all.

when i write "regressing" --> i mean coming back to the field. the 645Ci, and the comparison article articulated this also, is the largest car in the field but has the least useable seating space in the rear. it's also the heaviest car and this again makes no sense to me because i thought the maserati was a porker, but NO. for all of that lightweight hype and massive EXTERIOR dimensions, it loses in the weight department and "..A 190.2 inch long coupe lacking enough headroom in back for the average adult doesn't seem to be enlightened engineering to us."

re: active steering --> "Let's just say BMW accompanies a new and admirable level of NVH isolation with unprecedented aloofness".

On the one hand, you can discount this as a sampling of n=1, but on the other hand, they did compare the car to its presumed competition and they do review cars for a living.

[FC]

All I can say is that to me, I'm as interested on the 645Ci articles as I am on the "Short Takes" on cars like the Kia Rio, etc. I read it still, and predictably, I was very dissapointed.

Man, that 645Ci could not be less appealing on paper. The engine is seemingly awesome, and I am a big fan of smooth, powerful, rev-happy V8's. But that's it.

[elbert]

I think the CLK was a fair competitor. The price difference between the 645 and the CLK is "only" $4k--or about 5% (645 was $76k and the CLK was $80k).

Instead of the Masarati, they could have brought in an XKR (or if it's too much, an XK8) but that car is ancient and wouldn't stand a chance.

I can't think of any other GT's in that price range.

[elbert]

Man, that 645Ci could not be less appealing on paper. The engine is seemingly awesome, and I am a big fan of smooth, powerful, rev-happy V8's. But that's it.

I plan on getting another E46 of some sort this summer. I am starting to wonder if it will be the last BMW I'll ever buy, based on the recent track record of BMW straying from its hardcore audience.

For those who haven't read the article, C/D compared the 645's steering to a "simulator." Since when is steering feel an issue on a BMW?! I'll try it myself this weekend, but they were pretty adamant...

[lemming]

Man, that 645Ci could not be less appealing on paper. The engine is seemingly awesome, and I am a big fan of smooth, powerful, rev-happy V8's. But that's it.

I plan on getting another E46 of some sort this summer. I am starting to wonder if it will be the last BMW I'll ever buy, based on the recent track record of BMW straying from its hardcore audience.

For those who haven't read the article, C/D compared the 645's steering to a "simulator." Since when is steering feel an issue on a BMW?! I'll try it myself this weekend, but they were pretty adamant...

to be honest with you, i'm really afraid that the e46 will be the last one that i'd truly want to own also. i'd almost buy an e46m3 if the e90 previews are anything close to looking like the e60 and if they come with all of these gadgets like iDrive and active steering. 'grab one while you can.

[elbert]

to be honest with you, i'm really afraid that the e46 will be the last one that i'd truly want to own also. i'd almost buy an e46m3 if the e90 previews are anything close to looking like the e60 and if they come with all of these gadgets like iDrive and active steering. 'grab one while you can.

That's the plan :devcool:

[lip277]

Getting to the title of this thread.....

IMNSHO.....

BMW lost its way years ago (like the mid 90's if not earlier.....)

But then again - Look at the cars I favor.

:lol:

[lemming]

after thinking about it, it is decent that the 645Ci is still competitive in "base" form to keep up with the Maserati and the CLK55 car.

I think the part which is the most worrisome to me is that compared with the e60, the interior seems relatively decontented but the asking price is more. i know that while counterintutive, this is usually the case for coupe-pricing.

this is incredibly subjective, but it doesn't have outright speed and it's not classy enough for a plebe like me to choose it over a jaguar, a maserati or an MB. i still see those cars, including the 911, as still the standard for classy GT autos.

[elbert]

this is incredibly subjective, but it doesn't have outright speed and it's not classy enough for a plebe like me to choose it over a jaguar, a maserati or an MB. i still see those cars, including the 911, as still the standard for classy GT autos.

I think a lack of "class" is a big problem with the 645, not the lack of content (which can be optioned, but really should be standard). If I'm going to spend that much on an automobile, I want snob appeal. The CLK has it and then some; I don't think the 6er will. If it's driving satisfaction, a 996 will do nicely.

[FC]

I was just at the dealership this morning and saw a 645Cic. Ugly car. Fat butt, and TINY rear seats. Interior looked cheap.

That is all I could tell from a car that was locked.

On the other hand, inside the showroom they had a silver E39 M5 with black/gray interior. :DROOL: $58K. Looked immaculate. I didn't see the year nor mileage.

Of course, right behind it they had a new 530i. :roll: Not a wise decision if you ask me. The older car looked/felt SO much better in and out. And the price was about the same.

[elbert]

I drove a 645 slushbox today.

Driving hard (as much as can be done on a street), the steering did feel a little odd, but I think C/D was maybe a little harsh. "Very well isolated" is how I'd describe it. It felt very overboosted, sorta like a Buick, which probably didn't help matters.

What bothered me more were the brakes--it has something like that Mercedes electric brake system, where the car will add braking power a split second later if the car thinks it knows what you need more than you do. I'm smooth on the brakes (I've been told this by my instructors, not my opinion!) and this definitely causes a bit of a lurch.

However, at 5/10ths driving, the car is perfect. The V8 sounds great and accelerates (once the tranny kicks down a gear) with gusto. It looks mean in black. The overboosted steering makes parking easy. Brakes are strong. It has a fat steering wheel. The sunroof (which only pops up, does not retract) is huge.

I hate to call it a gran turismo because that would give this car a lot of credit by putting it in the same category as a Ferrari 575. But it's the "BMW of luxo-cruiser coupe touring cars," a car for poseuring, not driving. A pimp ride. Unfortunately, I think a CLK is better choice for pimping.

[lemming]

I drove a 645 slushbox today.

Driving hard (as much as can be done on a street), the steering did feel a little odd, but I think C/D was maybe a little harsh. "Very well isolated" is how I'd describe it. It felt very overboosted, sorta like a Buick, which probably didn't help matters.

What bothered me more were the brakes--it has something like that Mercedes electric brake system, where the car will add braking power a split second later if the car thinks it knows what you need more than you do. I'm smooth on the brakes (I've been told this by my instructors, not my opinion!) and this definitely causes a bit of a lurch.

However, at 5/10ths driving, the car is perfect. The V8 sounds great and accelerates (once the tranny kicks down a gear) with gusto. It looks mean in black. The overboosted steering makes parking easy. Brakes are strong. It has a fat steering wheel. The sunroof (which only pops up, does not retract) is huge.

I hate to call it a gran turismo because that would give this car a lot of credit by putting it in the same category as a Ferrari 575. But it's the "BMW of luxo-cruiser coupe touring cars," a car for poseuring, not driving. A pimp ride. Unfortunately, I think a CLK is better choice for pimping.


exactly what i was saying.

thanks for your review, too.

the issues about the car from my vantage point are:

1. subjectivity of the styling. i just hate it. so i'm out of the running for it. combine that with decontenting relative to a car i like more, the 545 (everything is relative here because the e60 is still pukey to me), it's not worth the extra money at all.

2. the interior is pretty horrid.

3. with that much HP on tap, it should go like stink, but it still feels slow to me (again, relativity).

if it were my choice, i would for sure take the clk55 amg vehicle.

[FC]

...if it were my choice, i would for sure take the clk55 amg vehicle.

I think it is worth mentioning (for those who may not realize it), that the CLK55 powerplant is NOT the same as the E55. The E55 uses the same engine but it is supercharged.

Who knows what the CLK55 would do with a kompressor.