e60 vs. e63/4
03-09-2009, 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by tbal' post='811268' date='Mar 9 2009, 05:13 AM
The rear seats in the 6 are absolutly useless, unless the rear occupants dont have legs.
cheers
03-10-2009, 03:02 PM
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My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
They are VERRRRY different , you would never be able to tell any similarity between the 2 cars , despite sharing the basic platform.
03-11-2009, 04:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Richard in NC' post='811954' date='Mar 9 2009, 06:39 PM
Having traded an '06 650i for an '08 550i, I noticed quite a few differences.
Discounting the improvements of the '08 models (5 & 6) over previous years, there still are a lot of differences.
First, the 650i is a coupe. Besides the obvious puny rear seat, lower front seats and longer doors give it a sports car feel sitting in it and getting in and out. You also feel a bit lower to the ground when driving. Plus the center stack is canted more to the driver in the 6.
Two, the seats are more deeply bolstered (thigh support and side wings) and they don't have the adjustable sides like the E60 comfort seats. Its not for overweight persons. I'm not fat, yet I couldn't wear a wallet in my pants pocket without it digging into me. The side bolsters also add to difficulties getting in and out in tight spaces.
Three, the 650i exhaust is deeper and a bit louder, a big differrence from earlier 550i's but not as much so from '08+ 550i's. My 650i also had an odd growl from the motor itself.
Four, the 650i has a tighter more nailed down feel when driving. The 550i feels actually floaty after a 650i test drive (but isn't really). Combined with the Bridgestone RFTs, I thought its ride was too harsh for a daily driver in my area. I could watch the passenger headrest jiggle and vibrate while going down the average road. Yes I checked the tire balance, etc.
Five, the 650i is extremely neutral handling. The back end can kick out MUCH more easily on the 6. Conversely with the 550i, you need to back off a bit at corner entry and use a bit of gas at apex and corner exit to balance it. Plus the 6 feels like the cornering G forces go straight sideways but down slightly on the 5.
Six, IMHO there is far more value in the 550i. A bigger car with more goodies for $10k less. The 650i lacked the 20 way seats, sliding sunroof, etc. Plus it has even less interior storage, no rear seat amenities, and only 1 cup holder, unless you opened a rear console compartment and had the passenger reach way back to use it....
As much as I wanted to like the 650i, I am far more happy with the 550i.
Discounting the improvements of the '08 models (5 & 6) over previous years, there still are a lot of differences.
First, the 650i is a coupe. Besides the obvious puny rear seat, lower front seats and longer doors give it a sports car feel sitting in it and getting in and out. You also feel a bit lower to the ground when driving. Plus the center stack is canted more to the driver in the 6.
Two, the seats are more deeply bolstered (thigh support and side wings) and they don't have the adjustable sides like the E60 comfort seats. Its not for overweight persons. I'm not fat, yet I couldn't wear a wallet in my pants pocket without it digging into me. The side bolsters also add to difficulties getting in and out in tight spaces.
Three, the 650i exhaust is deeper and a bit louder, a big differrence from earlier 550i's but not as much so from '08+ 550i's. My 650i also had an odd growl from the motor itself.
Four, the 650i has a tighter more nailed down feel when driving. The 550i feels actually floaty after a 650i test drive (but isn't really). Combined with the Bridgestone RFTs, I thought its ride was too harsh for a daily driver in my area. I could watch the passenger headrest jiggle and vibrate while going down the average road. Yes I checked the tire balance, etc.
Five, the 650i is extremely neutral handling. The back end can kick out MUCH more easily on the 6. Conversely with the 550i, you need to back off a bit at corner entry and use a bit of gas at apex and corner exit to balance it. Plus the 6 feels like the cornering G forces go straight sideways but down slightly on the 5.
Six, IMHO there is far more value in the 550i. A bigger car with more goodies for $10k less. The 650i lacked the 20 way seats, sliding sunroof, etc. Plus it has even less interior storage, no rear seat amenities, and only 1 cup holder, unless you opened a rear console compartment and had the passenger reach way back to use it....
As much as I wanted to like the 650i, I am far more happy with the 550i.
Richard makes great points...I too luv the e60, but the e63 is just a really, really different car in all ways, except that they are both premium BMWs...the driving experience is very different when you get behind the wheel of the 6er, the interior is a driver-centric cockpit design that wraps around you, though they are nearly the same lengths, the driver has more front room and is wider...driving dymamics are quite different too, when I had initially went from my e46 to my e63 645, I felt no size difference in the way it drove or responded, even though its considerably bigger...exhaust tune is different as is gearing and not enough can be said for the beauty in the design of the 6 series...Of course, this comes with a premium, and exclusivity that u certainly will pay for, so if you are looking for value, its best to look at the e60...but if ure wants/ needs are for a unique,true GT that can compete with the best the world has to offer, then look no further than the e63, it trully is one of the best cars in the world
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