German Car Forum

Inside & Out:

Such is the pace of car development that many rivals to the BMW 6 Series have released new versions of their equivalent models with some - most notably the Jaguar XK - making the 6 Series appear slightly dated, despite its relative youth. As we've said before, the 6 Series definitely has presence, but we've not quite come to terms with the awkward styling at the rear. With cars as achingly pretty as the XK in its list of rivals the lack of beauty can become important when it comes to casting the deciding vote.

Things were always much less controversial on the inside: iDrive may continue to divide opinion and BMW has yielded slightly (in the form of further buttons to eliminate digging down through some of the menus to execute the most popular functions), but there's little to fault in terms of the quality, comfort and accommodation on offer.

Engine & Transmission:


BMW's existing engine line-up was hardly lacking in terms of quality - each of the petrol units in the line-up are gems in their own rights. The addition of a diesel model to the 6 Series range was something we had mused about in the past, but until the introduction of this engine BMW probably lacked the courage to push oil burners into this market sector. However, with the introduction of the increasingly common 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, sequentially twin-turbocharged engine there was little risk of falling short of market expectations.

In actual fact the engine, combined with the latest automatic gearbox, adds more attributes to the 6 Series' list of talents and accentuates many of those already present. The effortless muscularity of the diesel matches the punch of the big petrol engines and the long legged nature actually adds to the refinement, the tacho registering little more than 2,000rpm at motorway speeds with nothing but a murmur reaching the cabin. In addition to this the obvious benefits of economy figures pushing towards the 40mpg mark makes the 635d the sensible choice of powertrain for all but the most ardent petrol fan or power nut.

Ride & Handling:


Our test car was fitted with 19-inch alloys and wide low profile rubber, both of which took their toll on ride quality and refinement. The obvious trade off in terms of outright grip afforded by the larger contact patch is welcome, but ultimately we'd argue that, aesthetics aside, the standard wheel and tyre combination is a happier compromise. The 6 Series has never boasted fabulous traction and the challenge of transmitting the 428lb.ft from the diesel powerhouse to the road is evident in the wet - the traction control light frequently illuminates in tighter turns. However, shorn of these systems, the car is communicative and controllable allowing you to play a little. Even in the dry it's easy to unstick the rear tyres. As ever the car is more comfortable and balanced on open, sweeping roads where it truly excels.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

Of most significance here is the number 40 because that is the mpg figure the 635d managed to nudge at a cruise. This, in combination with a large fuel tank, gives the car a real world range easily in excess of 600 miles - true GT cruising potential. Our overall average of 34mpg is no less impressive, at least matching the best efforts of the 630i, never mind the V8-engined 645i - a car the 635d can match in terms of everyday performance.

Overall:

It didn't take the mind of a rocket scientist to come up with this combination of GT and the world's best diesel engine, but BMW's courage to bring it to the market place is admirable; it raises the 6 Series' game to a new level. One can't help feeling that the competition will follow: a turbodiesel Jaguar XK is a mouth-watering possibility, but for now the BMW 635d enjoys a free reign as something of a pioneer in its class.


The Car Enthusiast | Reviews | BMW 635d Sport road test


M

Never seen those rims before. Seem a little bit too 'light' for the 6er.

Yep, one inch bigger and that would work fine.

Thanks for the article, Marcus. The 6er still shines...

Absolutely gorgeous car - it's still the best looking BMW next to the Z4 Roadster and E92! Love the colour combination and the engine must be absolutely awesome!

It is, believe me...

You definitely want to tease me... ...you can be lucky to drive a car with such an fantastic engine.

Thanks, ree.

65,000 km without a single problem and it's still like new...

This car is supposed to be a big GT?? Well the leg space on the rear look something like in a 3-series...

Not enough for adults, but enough for kids...

The sad thing is I actually think the rear occupants have more room in a 3 series coupe than in a 6 series.

It's isn't that bad to be honest, I've sat in the back on the cab version and I didn't struggle to much (I'm quite tall)

The seats must be pushed all the way back

Damn what a hideous looking car,nice engine though

Deffintly proves people have different tastes..I think it's a great looking car

Well 6er and X3 are IMO the worst BMWs ever

I was never a fan of the 6er, but it looks great here. I think the facelift, however minor, did wonders to its looks.

Amazing.

People always criticize the rear ....but I've always liked it. It's the front end which has always concerned me (the shape of the lights) ...but they've grown on me over time.

It is one of the best cars available in the world and quite unlike anything else.

I'm with you. I think the rear styling and the related beltline is one of the strongest and most endearing things about the 6er's aesthetics. There's lots to like about the front, if you were bullish on the E65, but it doesn't come together as a unified "feel" when the car is wearing those new wheels....

Speaking of which, I've seen these new 19" alloys around town, and while handsome on their own, it's dissapointing to see that BMW has dialed-back the adventurous nature of their wheel designs post-E90. The original, Z9 concept-inspired alloys that shipped with the 645i were phenomenal and still look very fresh today. The 6er's lines were really composed to be uniform with those original wheels. Without them, the car is too heavy on top and the front overhang appears too large.

Superb wonderful car, i still don't get people who are amazed to see this car so much praised, specialy when compared to a now prehistoric roadster from Merc. Concerning the design it self, i have always loved the rear and side profile, my only concern has always been the headlight, and one more thing this facelifted version in this particular color with these rims looks specialy gorgeous.

Yep, 6er's only problem is a "sad" face, the headlights shape. More aggressive front would do miracle to the car.

I enjoy that BMW has played opposites since the E65.
Basically, extrememly agressive sedans and very "sleepy," subdued coupes and roadsters.

I was never a huge fan of the 6er's headlights, but it all made sense with the original 645i's wheels, because the porportions and lines told the same story.

With these 5-spoke wheels there's soo much negative space, which compromises the rest of the car's lines.

I agree with Osna. This is the $h!t:

Thanks for posting that pic.

The 6er's design called for your eyes focus on the wheels first, and had the intended effect of making the car seem like a solid soap-bar'ish shape from the nose to the rear belt-line taper. The new 5-spoke wheels, handsome as they are, cause you to fixate on the nose of the car, and keeps your eye from following the skirt-line of the car from the front spoiler back to the exhaust tips because the wheels break-up that line. So instead, the headlights and grille grab too much of your eyes' focus and the car seems less uniform than it should.

YW!

Everything you've said is true.