6 Series BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe First Drives/Reviews

[Mark]

You can clearly see the doors are not closed shut... they are ajar, you can clearly see the light from under the doors is still on. Once the doors are shut close the light completely disappears, is off, plus everything then fits perfectly and aligned. You don't see any sheet metal there when the door is properly closed... Whoever took those pictures didn't bother closing the doors first.

<rant mode=on>

You know guys, I always try to keep my cool, but this constant effort to try to discredit the 6er GC is getting a bit old. No matter what you guys post to try to discredit it, the fact is this car has most of the competition beat hands down, especially in the looks department, it is a gorgeous car inside and out, and yes it is very expensive. The interior is top notch, better than the 7er, and when you step in any 6er, you realize right away this is the top of the range, no matter if the number 6<7.

A few fortunate ones will be very proud and happy owners!
Regardless what some journalists say on their magazines... Most, and I'd say 90% of the people that buy cars in this category and price bracket, don't give a rats ass what the journalists say. They always buy what they want.

<rant mode=off>

Sorry guys, just had to get it out of the system, in no way I mean disrespect to anyone that might interpret this wrong; I understand a few here will probably disagree with my point of view, but that's OK, that's why we have an open forum that is not a one-car brand site where everyone agrees that their favorite nameplate is the best in the world... that would be too boring wouldn't it?

 

[Merc1]

Bingo!


M

 

[MAJESTIC]

You can clearly see the doors are not closed shut... they are ajar, you can clearly see the light from under the doors is still on. Once the doors are shut close the light completely disappears, is off, plus everything then fits perfectly and aligned. You don't see any sheet metal there when the door is properly closed... Whoever took those pictures didn't bother closing the doors first.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that door looks closed, perhaps because the drivers door is open,all the lights come on (like my MB). They gave two pictures of proof and I highly doubt that two totally different photographers would forget to close the doors and I also doubt a German car with self closing doors would fail to seal the door all the way.

 

[Mark]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that door looks closed, perhaps the drivers door is open and all the lights come on (like my MB). They gave two pictures of proof and I highly doubt that two totally different photographers would forget to close the doors and I also doubt a German car with self closing doors would fail to seal the door all the way.

Fair enough. Next time at the BMW dealer I'll check this in the flesh.
BTW, I did not notice soft closing on the 640GC in the showroom... 6er cabrio had it. Plus you know well that the soft closing feature works only when it is almost closed. From the pics it looks ajar with a nice angle.. soft closing probably does not engage when it's that open, just like on an S-Class for example. Nevertheless I'll check it next time I'm at the dealer.
Also, my E64 doesn't show any skin inside, so why would a new model? And light disappears when door is closed as I recall (have to take a look at this again), unlike my MBs that show that when driver door is open.

 

[Zafiro]

Fair enough. Next time at the BMW dealer I'll check this in the flesh..

I already did this. What KA is decribing isnt something I've noticed. Maybe I've been lucky.

 

[Wolfgang]

Pics are easy to find.

E.g. with open driver's door:

 

[Guibo]

It's sad to see that the GERMANS of all are cutting corners where it counts, where their hallmark was: In the details, the minute areas that show you their pride in craftsmanship and engineering.

I mean, it's bad enough to where if I got that car, in white especially, I'd have to put some vinyl wrap over that area to tone it down. Huge eyesore.

Fair point. That does look like a sloppy lapse in quality from BMW. This may cost them some sales, but as you say it's an easy fix. IMO, it's going to take a lot of vinyl wrap to make a Panamera/A7/5er look as good or remove the fussy detailing on the CLS...

 

[Zafiro]

Bingo!


M

Marcus you own a 6-series. Are you seeing what KA is talking about with your car?

 

[Merc1]

Handn't even noticed this, much ado about nothing IMO. This isn't going to cost them any sales, its nonense really.

JM ~ I will check this evening and report back.


M

 

[MAJESTIC]

Fair enough. Next time at the BMW dealer I'll check this in the flesh.
BTW, I did not notice soft closing on the 640GC in the showroom... 6er cabrio had it. Plus you know well that the soft closing feature works only when it is almost closed. From the pics it looks ajar with a nice angle.. soft closing probably does not engage when it's that open, just like on an S-Class for example. Nevertheless I'll check it next time I'm at the dealer.
Also, my E64 doesn't show any skin inside, so why would a new model? And light disappears when door is closed as I recall (have to take a look at this again), unlike my MBs that show that when driver door is open.

Very true, on my 220 600, you have to kind of make sure it makes partial contact with the door jamb or it will not suck close, but yes it is something to check out. Never noticed it before until now, so you may be correct, which I hope you are, as BMW is one of my favorites and unlike MB, when they cut costs it is barely noticeable or in places unseen.

 

[K-A]

You can clearly see the doors are not closed shut... they are ajar, you can clearly see the light from under the doors is still on. Once the doors are shut close the light completely disappears, is off, plus everything then fits perfectly and aligned. You don't see any sheet metal there when the door is properly closed... Whoever took those pictures didn't bother closing the doors first.

<rant mode=on>

You know guys, I always try to keep my cool, but this constant effort to try to discredit the 6er GC is getting a bit old. No matter what you guys post to try to discredit it, the fact is this car has most of the competition beat hands down, especially in the looks department, it is a gorgeous car inside and out, and yes it is very expensive. The interior is top notch, better than the 7er, and when you step in any 6er, you realize right away this is the top of the range, no matter if the number 6<7.

A few fortunate ones will be very proud and happy owners!
Regardless what some journalists say on their magazines... Most, and I'd say 90% of the people that buy cars in this category and price bracket, don't give a rats ass what the journalists say. They always buy what they want.

<rant mode=off>

Sorry guys, just had to get it out of the system, in no way I mean disrespect to anyone that might interpret this wrong; I understand a few here will probably disagree with my point of view, but that's OK, that's why we have an open forum that is not a one-car brand site where everyone agrees that their favorite nameplate is the best in the world... that would be too boring wouldn't it?

First off, you're wrong. The DRIVERS DOOR IS OPEN! That's why the lights are on. In all pictures posted, the passenger doors are closed. See those huge gaps and bare metal on the rear doors too? Also closed. The fact that you believe it's open shows just how poor it looks, really bad form, BMW.

Second off, right now the only cars that I want next are either a 911, 6 GC, or 6 Coupe, I don't think I'll be supporting M-B anymore since they don't make cars with enough headroom to support those taller people like myself.

I haven't checked about this on the Coupe, btw. I only notice it on the GC.

Handn't even noticed this, much ado about nothing IMO. This isn't going to cost them any sales, its nonense really.

JM ~ I will check this evening and report back.


M

This isn't about it "affecting sales". Why do you guys care so much about sales? Are you in the car business? We're enthusiasts, and we should gauge them as art, as engineering pieces, and BMW's execution on those doors is embarrassing, simple. Do you really think that we can't critique stuff if it "doesnt' affect sales". The average Joe doesn't pay attention to these nuances, we're supposed to be the ones who have an eye for detail, as we're in it for the *passion*, are we not?

Still, I have the 6 line on the highest of m next-car wish list. But if that pans out, I'd be wrapping those nasty metals. Don't want to feel like I'm driving a 70's Silverado every time my eyes focus on the door shutline areas. Especially in white, it sticks out heavily.

 

[K-A]

I already did this. What KA is decribing isnt something I've noticed. Maybe I've been lucky.

That's probably a black car, hence the metal being black. That, or for whatever reason, only U.S spec cars come with no covering of those metal areas. That, or BMW is inconsistent with the fit and finish on the cars (doubtful).

All I know is, I've been in 2 GC's, and both had the large bare metal showing. And looking through Autotrader, I see plenty of pics of white cars' interiors with large and noticeable naked metal panels.

 

[Mark]

First off, you're wrong. The DRIVERS DOOR IS OPEN! That's why the lights are on. I..........................

No, no I meant the passenger doors being ajar, not open, obviously the driver one was open.
I'll go to the garage to check my cars right now. You may be right, you may be wrong. But I would refrain from yelling though, no need, I'm being very respectful here on my post. So why the yelling?

 

[K-A]

Well, you're insinuating that I'm dumb enough to have been in 2-3 GC's (of which I have pictures of) with the passenger doors "ajar", not noticing that, so it's not too respectful.

Each car I sat in, was completely closed and locked before I got in. The passenger doors were completely shut. The fact that they look ajar to you, shows the horrible fit and finish there.

Now, to be more than respectful, I like your car, with the right setup I might just be head over heals for it, it's still the best in class, and I think I want one.

 

[Mark]

Well I just checked my 650i Cabrio and there is no visible sheet metal on the door when closed. None whatsoever. I even looked from all angles to find a flaw, with the car flashlight pointing at it, and nothing, nada. The light at the bottom of the door is visible when door is closed and you have the other one open though, something I never cared to look before so that takes away the assumption from the picture that the doors are ajar.
Never meant anything about yourself, I'm referring to the pics and whoever took them, unless of course you took those pictures? If so, that would clarify the fact that indeed they are closed shut. I didn't know you took them..

Now as far as mine, I know it is not the same, but it is the same type of car, previous generation. Perfect build quality, as it is expected. Want me to take a picture of it?

Like I said earlier, as soon as I visit the dealer again, I'll check this on a GC.. I'm interested to see this myself as well... you know I may trade up my E-Class for one, and I fall in the ~10% of these buyers lol, the ones that will look at these details obviously like prob most of us here

 

[K-A]

Well I just checked my 650i Cabrio and there is no visible sheet metal on the door when closed. None whatsoever. I even looked from all angles to find a flaw, with the car flashlight pointing at it, and nothing, nada. The light at the bottom of the door is visible when door is closed and you have the other one open though, something I never cared to look before so that takes away the assumption from the picture that the doors are ajar.
Never meant anything about yourself, I'm referring to the pics and whoever took them, unless of course you took those pictures? If so, that would clarify the fact that indeed they are closed shut. I didn't know you took them..

Now as far as mine, I know it is not the same, but it is the same type of car, previous generation. Perfect build quality, as it is expected. Want me to take a picture of it?

Like I said earlier, as soon as I visit the dealer again, I'll check this on a GC.. I'm interested to see this myself as well... you know I may trade up my E-Class for one, and I fall in the ~10% of these buyers lol, the ones that will look at these details obviously like prob most of us here

Ah, okay didn't know that you thought it was someone elses pictures. Yes, the first picture is mine (the big one), which was the second 6 GC which I noticed the huge metal space on. The second trio of smaller pics I posted were from Autotrader, but those doors are definitely shut as well, judging from looking at them and the what has become "normal" panel gaps/bare metal from the GC.

Interestingly, I've never noticed this problem on the Coupe/Cabrio. I know that on them, the door shutline seems to be further back (like how it is with true 2 Door Coupes), so either I never noticed it, or more probably, based on your checking your car as well, the 2 Doors have proper panels that cover all the metal. For some reason, the GC's, at least U.S spec, get hammered as $100K cars with this horrible problem

Yeah, the 6er is becoming a dream come true for me. M-B messed up the CLS, and my long torso body can't fit in a CLS, or CL, not even close. BMW designed the sleekest and swoopiest of all, and it has more headroom than even my more upright E-Class!! Of course, the E's driving position is more upright, and in the 6's, in order for me to get comfortable, headroom wise, I need to recline the backrest a lot, making it more of a "lying down" position, which the car has anyway due to its sportier nature. Incredible. Like the flip of a switch, I feel like BMW is the car for me, going forward. M-B don't support my height (I'm not friggin' Yao Ming or anything, just 6'4 with long torso!), so after buying 4 cars from them in my pretty young life already, I don't think I'll be supporting them. Of course, upcoming products with adequate headroom can change that.

 

[Mark]

Ah that explains your reaction then, sorry!

OK, in case this helps anyone, I went ahead and took some snapshots with the car flashlight pointing at it, it is night time here and the phone camera has no flash..
I took two snapshots looking at the door closed basically from behind the reclined passenger seat.
Yes, the car is sapphire black, but that black you see is that 'felt-like' trim used for insulation (the inside one), not the rubber one from outside. At the angle I took, makes them look odd, but right on the door and looking at it straight it shows great fit and finish. The light and dark on the pic makes, for example, the first picture look like where the top and bottom panels from back do not match, but that is not the case, this is a case of 'parallax' where the pic is taken at an angle and makes it look as if they were off.

The other pic I just took of the bottom light from the door (that guiding light from under the door, not the illuminated logo door sill or the red one from the back panel of the door). It is on and you can see it when the other door (the driver one in this case) is open. That, I had not noticed and was what made me assume the pics above were with doors slightly open. So that's not the case. Light is on with door closed as you can see it in the pic below.

Interestingly, I've never noticed this problem on the Coupe/Cabrio. I know that on them, the door shutline seems to be further back (like how it is with true 2 Door Coupes), so either I never noticed it, or more probably, based on your checking your car as well, the 2 Doors have proper panels that cover all the metal. For some reason, the GC's, at least U.S spec, get hammered as $100K cars with this horrible problem

Good point, you know maybe the coupe/cabrios have better craftsmanship? And of course we are all here assuming the GC carries on with the same level of detail as the coupe/cabrio, which might not be the case sadly.

 

[K-A]

Thanks for those pics. Being black makes it so that we seeing it from the picture side of the screen wouldn't be able to tell if it was metal or actually refined-ly wrapped up as you say it is. So to confirm, none of those black portions in between panels (door shutline) are metal, all wrapped up? Good to know. Now, why does the more expensive GC has less attention to detail in those very noticeable areas? One has to wonder....

 

[Merc1]

First off, you're wrong. The DRIVERS DOOR IS OPEN! That's why the lights are on. In all pictures posted, the passenger doors are closed. See those huge gaps and bare metal on the rear doors too? Also closed. The fact that you believe it's open shows just how poor it looks, really bad form, BMW.

Second off, right now the only cars that I want next are either a 911, 6 GC, or 6 Coupe, I don't think I'll be supporting M-B anymore since they don't make cars with enough headroom to support those taller people like myself.

I haven't checked about this on the Coupe, btw. I only notice it on the GC.




This isn't about it "affecting sales". Why do you guys care so much about sales? Are you in the car business? We're enthusiasts, and we should gauge them as art, as engineering pieces, and BMW's execution on those doors is embarrassing, simple. Do you really think that we can't critique stuff if it "doesnt' affect sales". The average Joe doesn't pay attention to these nuances, we're supposed to be the ones who have an eye for detail, as we're in it for the *passion*, are we not?

Still, I have the 6 line on the highest of m next-car wish list. But if that pans out, I'd be wrapping those nasty metals. Don't want to feel like I'm driving a 70's Silverado every time my eyes focus on the door shutline areas. Especially in white, it sticks out heavily.

First off K/A did you see me say anything about affecting sales? I was replying to someone else saying it might hurt sales, I was saying it most likely won't. All of that should be directed at someone else, not me. Clearly I couldn't care less about anything talked about in this thread concerning the 6er's doors. Covering or not covering a door is not anything concerning "engineering". Simply fit and finish issues, or non issues as far as I'm concerned.

M

 

[K-A]

First off K/A did you see me say anything about affecting sales? I was replying to someone else saying it might hurt sales, I was saying it most likely won't. All of that should be directed at someone else, not me. Clearly I couldn't care less about anything talked about in this thread concerning the 6er's doors. Covering or not covering a door is not anything concerning "engineering". Simply fit and finish issues, or non issues as far as I'm concerned.

M

I didn't notice that someone said something about sales.

I question anybody's eye for fit and finish and even general sense of even the most basic forms of refinement, if seeing the 6 GC's door metal innards smack dab through the B-Pillar to Door panel shutline, is anything but a huge eye sore. "Fit and Finish", "Workmanship", those are important elements of a well crafted interior. BMW puts so much emphasis on elegant stitching and fit in those areas, then muck it all up without even covering up the metal areas. Very rudimentary.