Comparison tests BMW 640d Gran Coupe vs rivals


Though, I gotta give it to the A7. It's so cheap...I never knew it start at the 60's!
 
^^ It's cheap because it isn't premium.....BMW and MB are premium, Audi is not. VAG marketing, 101. But don't let them fool you!

^I much prefer the A6/7 dash and interior to either the E-class or 5 series but against either the CLS or 6GC it looks to plain.

There is not a single pretty Audi interior.
I hate them all (minus maybe the R8). They smell like VAG, and I find them highly, HIGHLY overrated.

5er/E class any day over bland Audi interiors filled with plastics and wannabe design.
A buddy took me to a VAG dealer with 'Premium Audi buildings' next to Seat and VW, and I was almost physically sick leaving the Audi section :D


Both are the same cheap unit with flimsy controls though, unless one is an upgraded version? Still, I don't know why they'd keep that same design if so.


It actually reminds me of the F30 BMW 3er airco unit

Don't know about being flimsy or anything (The CLS one), but I don't think it looks too bad....
 
There is not a single pretty Audi interior.
I hate them all (minus maybe the R8). They smell like VAG, and I find them highly, HIGHLY overrated.

(1) I do not find Audi Interiors ugly or hateful. For me they are typical German in layout. Audi switch gear (HVAC etc.) looks premium and feels premium (that is where it ends see # 3)

(2) R8 has a stunning interior, it has some generic touches (goes without saying) yet it's unique and oozes quality

(3) True! Audi interiors smell like VAG, looks like part sharing with VW and is HIGHLY overrated(y) And I have proof IRL + already posted photo's of the new A6/A7's @ JIMS and per square cm it HAS THE MOST hard plastic compared against the E and 5er. Anyone can take me on, on that. Same goes for the A4 vs it's German rivals;)
 
I think we have went over this hard plastic argument time and again, each has their own opinions of whether it's something you hit with your knee or hand very occasionally needs to be of the same feel as say the dash top. One thing I will say and I defy anyone to disagree, the new A3 feels, looks and is a million miles ahead of the 1 series.
 
Dunno, for me the design of the A3 interior is just too Renault Megane for my taste: acres and acres of gray plastic.

Back to topic: same about A6 compared to rivals (and prety much every Audi): the tactile quality is great, but design wise they don't look as good as Merc or BMW, they always seems to look a bit old. I do however appreciate a lot how Audi is doing the "bauhaus" thing with the exterior and not going over the top, as some Mercs and Bimmers. The sad part, is they're doing to much copy-paste of their own designs.

Regards!
 
TopGear's test





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Since my love for the German car began at the tender age of 7, that's 29 years ago...NOTHING has changed!

Dejavu! It's always between Benz and BMW. And they actually stay true to customer expectations from the two respective brands recipes of how they make their cars. Pity then that BMW is going FWD on there smaller offerings, the Satan's brew is FWD and the Bavarian's had some. Yet, I will have to learn to live with the latter facts. But oh my that 6GC is da sh!t! I want one desperately! :cool:
 
Design wise, of course a 6GC for me. Never liked CLS and Audi is good looking from the front and side, but rear looks horrible, unfinished.

As far as interiors are concerned, for me 6er's and A7's interiors look more modern and fresh compared to CLS's...

No doubt all 3 are great cars and you can't go wrong with any of them. (y)
 
I'm a member of "Mercedes-Benz Advisors" (M-B centric Website not open to the general public, where we can converse with high ups from MBUSA and Daimler and who use us and our opinions as marketing research), and they asked us how we felt about the 6 GS VS the CLS.

Seemingly everybody replying who weren't the few that already bought the new CLS, were stating how now that they've been able to digest the CLS's design, they find the lines regressive, messy, and how pretty much seemed to agree the original CLS was the more pretty, effortlessly dramatic, and nicer of the two, as well most seemed to side with the 6 GC being a nicer design than the current CLS.

Other interesting points were how many were ragging the poor functionality of 4 Door Coupes (and the tired marketing nomenclature) and their cramped spaces and limited headroom (glad I'm not the only one).

Good news is it seems more and more are "protesting" the unresolved surface elements of the CLS, and the headroom lacking, so there's hope for the next one to be able to fit me inside it, and maybe have a more harmonious design.
 
I'm a member of "Mercedes-Benz Advisors" (M-B centric Website not open to the general public, where we can converse with high ups from MBUSA and Daimler and who use us and our opinions as marketing research), and they asked us how we felt about the 6 GS VS the CLS.

Seemingly everybody replying who weren't the few that already bought the new CLS, were stating how now that they've been able to digest the CLS's design, they find the lines regressive, messy, and how pretty much seemed to agree the original CLS was the more pretty, effortlessly dramatic, and nicer of the two, as well most seemed to side with the 6 GC being a nicer design than the current CLS.

Other interesting points were how many were ragging the poor functionality of 4 Door Coupes (and the tired marketing nomenclature) and their cramped spaces and limited headroom (glad I'm not the only one).

Good news is it seems more and more are "protesting" the unresolved surface elements of the CLS, and the headroom lacking, so there's hope for the next one to be able to fit me inside it, and maybe have a more harmonious design.



Now this is interesting. I hope they really take to heart what people are saying about the styling. It is a mess, but the headroom thing I don't see why they would change that. If you want swoopy styling then you either have a low roof or put the seats on the floor. BMW has the seats closer to the floor.

M
 
Yeah, I mean obviously there are big fans of the CLS too, and obviously people will like whatever design M-B puts on the "CLS" line as it's a new, hot and fashionable line.

However, I was relieved to see the M-B faithful on the site noticing what we notice, so I know I, or we, aren't crazy. Also, the 6 GC seems to be getting unanimous praise over the CLS even ON M-B Forums, as I feel it exposes the messy styling of the CLS. IMO, the CLS has nicer and more unique architecture, so it really got thrown to the mud with those distracting lines.

Also, it does seem like a lot of Mags and people are saying that they prefer the original CLS's design. Even some owners on the CLS Forums say that they prefer the styling of the first CLS. There's even a guy who has a GREAT deal on a new CLS who ALREADY is trading it in and taking a BIG financial hit, to get his hands on not a 650 GC, but a 640 GC.

M-B: The marketing research is laid out for you. Please give us a CLS who's lines enhance its beauty, not draw away from it!
 
The BMW 6 GC is not a beautiful car. From the C-pillar (Hofmeister knick) further backwards to the trunk it is very poor designed. I hate that "line" (sorry, don't know the right english word for it) seen from aside that comes down the trunk, roofline is too long and back window too small/short. Come to think of it, it's almost as ugly as the Panamera.
 
^^ It's cheap because it isn't premium.....BMW and MB are premium, Audi is not. VAG marketing, 101. But don't let them fool you!

There is not a single pretty Audi interior.
I hate them all (minus maybe the R8). They smell like VAG, and I find them highly, HIGHLY overrated.

5er/E class any day over bland Audi interiors filled with plastics and wannabe design.
A buddy took me to a VAG dealer with 'Premium Audi buildings' next to Seat and VW, and I was almost physically sick leaving the Audi section :D




Couldn't agree more, Klier. And I understand your almost being sick. Know the way those VAG dealers are build and located in the Netherlands....
 
The BMW 6 GC is not a beautiful car. From the C-pillar (Hofmeister knick) further backwards to the trunk it is very poor designed. I hate that "line" (sorry, don't know the right english word for it) seen from aside that comes down the trunk, roofline is too long and back window too small/short. Come to think of it, it's almost as ugly as the Panamera.
Amazing how opinions are different. I dont like the CLS at all. Fuzzy design and not a very harmonious design and some angles of the car looks awkward.
 
The BMW 6 GC is not a beautiful car. From the C-pillar (Hofmeister knick) further backwards to the trunk it is very poor designed. I hate that "line" (sorry, don't know the right english word for it) seen from aside that comes down the trunk, roofline is too long and back window too small/short. Come to think of it, it's almost as ugly as the Panamera.

blasphemy
 
I dont understand why everybody seems to say the 6 and, here, the 6 GC is so beautiful..
The rear end for me is really not great, and the rest of the car is pretty common..
The CLS, although a bit more vulgar, and less refined than the first generation, i way better looking IMO.. And the interior is just superior.
 
Disagree, the worst model changeover in design terms, actually disaster at that ever from Stuttgart is the current CLS. Vulgar is nice word! I myself couldn't help but to fall in love with the first gen CLS and the idea of the new niche. 2nd generation did the total opposite. The A7 is one fine, very fine design. The 6er GC is my favourite BMW design currently and if it wasn't for the Aston Rapide, the 6GC would be No.1. Takes 2nd spot at "4 door coupes" (hate the term) vs the Aston. So its Rapide, 6GC, Maserati QP, A7 and ...

No not even last place for the CLS.:facepalm:
 

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