6 Series [First drives] BMW 6-Series GT

[SCOTT27]

The previous GT straddled the line between 5er and 7er. The 6er GT does not as it is essentially just a 5er that there is absolutely no considerable difference as there was with the F07 5er GT. Also using the 6er brand does not elevate it above its station. Which is why I exercised my veto.

 

[marc1adrien]

Appreciate the welcome. A couple of quick pictures here. Happy to take other if people wish.

 

[Centurion]

The previous GT straddled the line between 5er and 7er. The 6er GT does not as it is essentially just a 5er that there is absolutely no considerable difference as there was with the F07 5er GT. Also using the 6er brand does not elevate it above its station. Which is why I exercised my veto.

Was interior quality and equipment level in the 5GT closer to the 7?

 

[martinbo]

Appreciate the welcome. A couple of quick pictures here. Happy to take other if people wish.

Thanks for the insight, pics and welcome @marc1adrien.

The 6GT is just one of those cars that grow on you. It doesn't photograph well for some reason - no offense, your pics are great - and yet, on the road, is a far more attractive and elegant vehicle over its predecessor, the 5GT.
It's interior is such a fine place to be. Ingress and egress are events in themselves and I couldn't help myself with getting in and out, in and out. I'm 6'1" and long in the leg and I enjoyed the sensation of not having to squat down into a sedan and not climb up into an X model. I recall many years back that Subaru coined a term for their 1st and 2nd generation Forester called "just height" (as lame sounding as it was) and that precisely describes the experience of getting into and out of a 6GT. Moreover, it feels like (most current BMWs these days) it's built like a bomb shelter. It deserves to sell in droves but it faces its fiercest competition internally with the X3 & X4 (for those buying down) and X5 purely because of the image of the SUV in this day and age.

PS. Your first five posts will go into an approval queue as per the site's user control functionality so don't be concerned in the delay of your posting, just a few more to go then your posts will show immediately.

 

[marc1adrien]

This is a big part of the reason I like this thing. For the cyclists out there, this is a size 63, with gravel tires.

There’s very little else on the market that can do this and cruise all day comfortably .

 

[klier]

We love our 630d GT. however I do not think it has a future. It's replacement will probably be a BMWi model but full electric, similar concept but full EV.

If you look at it that way no current BMW has a future.

Welcome to the forum OP. It's nice to see someone new that isn't a bot.

 

[Busty]

Was interior quality and equipment level in the 5GT closer to the 7?

Yes. (However, F01 and F10 have also been closer than G11 and G30. The 5er GT had a proprietary interior and the, in my opinion, fantastic and rather exclusive 4-seat set-up that pushed 2nd row comfort to F02 levels. The 6er GT is a full-blown 5er on the inside.)

 

[Matski]

My gripe with the 6GT is still it's face... it's like a 5 series that's been in a fight... since there's no M650i/d I'd like to see what an Alpina GT would look.

 

[Monster]

First of all, welcome to the forum @marc1adrien ! Secondly thank you for sharing your detailed write up of your ownership experience so far of your 6 series GT and putting your car to good use too!

 

[empower77]

Was interior quality and equipment level in the 5GT closer to the 7?

The ride definitely was. I remember going on a test drive with a friend and I sat in the rear. One of the most comfortable rears I have ever experienced at least until the F15 came out

 

[Centurion]

The ride definitely was. I remember going on a test drive with a friend and I sat in the rear. One of the most comfortable rears I have ever experienced at least until the F15 came out

Have you travelled in the 6GT with 2 axle Air suspension?

 

[empower77]

Have you travelled in the 6GT with 2 axle Air suspension?

Not experienced the 6GT yet

 

[rsG32er]

new to this forum - currently 4 days into G32 ownership after agonising over next car purchase (everything from X6 to Touraeg to 5-series, to 7-series to older 7-series, plus flirted with A7, E-Class and Velar as ideas). I do 30k per year (basically the whole of the M4 every week twice) and having worn a person-shaped divot into my Passat Alltrack, the new car is a bit of a shock.

Quick BMW history for me - E46 M3, E46 CSL, 330d E90, 730d E65, 525d E60, 335d E90. Then a passat estate as we moved to the wilds of west wales. I would describe the passat as unbeatable for load-lugging but it is the car equivalent of a potato with build quality issues.

Not sure I expected to encounter a better-built car than the E65, but I have.

It's pretty clear that the 630d GT with XDrive is a special thing with ridiculous tech and massive capability to eat long dull drives. And only 40 litres less load space than the passat. Going to the tip will never have been so enjoyable.

The engine is stunning, and the ride on 20" PZero runflats is bonkers. how have they done this.

I deliberately avoided the full air suspension cars (every test review was based on this, so a gamble having only test driven standard suspension for 20 mins), stuck with the M-sport front springs and prioritised comfort seats and driving assistant plus. Got lucky with an 18-plate car in Bluestone that also has Tech pack, Parking assistant plus, piano black trim and a few other bits.

Things learnt so far - the recommended tyre pressures are correct (don't go higher than BMW figures), can't decide whether I prefer sport or comfort steering setups, active cruise is superb, 3d camera is space-age.

MPG so far - 300 miles of cruising 70-80, 100 miles of slower/local stuff and 36MPG overall.

Will get some further pics up if folks are interested.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Recently I read here some very professionally written reviews of the G32 from new members who also happen to be new owners of these cars. One would think that this is a marketing campaign to polish the image of this otherwise not very warmly accepted vehicle. I could be wrong of course, but the way all this write ups are written is so professional, it's almost impossible for a simple car enthusiast to do it.

 

[martinbo]

new to this forum - currently 4 days into G32 ownership after agonising over next car purchase (everything from X6 to Touraeg to 5-series, to 7-series to older 7-series, plus flirted with A7, E-Class and Velar as ideas). I do 30k per year (basically the whole of the M4 every week twice) and having worn a person-shaped divot into my Passat Alltrack, th...

Thanks for the interesting write-up and welcome to the forum. Brilliant businessman's choice for a consummate daily driver. Love it. I'd have one if I could. Sad that diesels are vilified these days - BMW's 3.0d remains one of the great engines to experience. I also am very impressed with the solidity and build of the interior. Ease of access is a boon too. All in all a massively under-appreciated product when it's quite possibly one of the best all round ownership prospects out there. Master of none - possibly - but it's also a very, very good Jack. Many safe, happy miles.

 

[rsG32er]

I agree the car hasn't been warmly accepted by the press, and it's a low volume model for UK/Europe. That was attractive to me as a private purchase - something different. 43% off invoice price was also pretty attractive for a 9 month old car showing 750 miles.

Not sure I've ever had a forum member describe my writing as "professional" before - but maybe my job as an IT systems architect for 23 years has afforded me the ability to write stuff down that makes sense when people read it

some more thoughts to balance out all the early excitement :

the G32 isn't going to crush B-roads - my purchase decision was about protecting the health of my spine (not good) but also returning to the feeling of a 6-cylinder engine, with proper boot space (essential), some economy and access to some of the latest in-car tech.

The old E65 adaptive suspension was better at inspiring confidence when you really throw a car around than the G32 does. But I don't need that for 95+% of what I use a car for now.

However the combination of engine, gearbox (my first taste of the 8-speeder ZF, Wow!) and braking systems is providing a big smile so far.

slow in, fast out works for me so far - but I have only done maybe 40 miles or so on more local roads.

road/window/traffic/ambient noise - so far I'm getting what I wanted from this car - it almost completely isolates you from the wearing-down effect of 4+ hour journeys. similar to the E65 but perhaps even more refined.

need to watch out for more freezing conditions as the folding mirror and spoiler mechanisms froze overnight at around -3C. Not great.

The active display key is pretty pointless as I don't have remote parking, so no remote engine start (so why carry it around at £1k to replace.....). ConnectedDrive app is far more worthwhile, currently trialling that for £1.

Strangely with a good spec the car doesn't have any form of speaker upgrade but after 18 months with a blown speaker in the VW, the sound is fine for DAB and the odd bit of spotify.

I'll start a thread in the right place when I have some better pics ......

 

[dalab]

not very warmly accepted vehicle

However in the sales published in the treath all sales there is a clear increase obviously thanks to the 6 GT that was released last year

6 series
2017 - 11,000
2018 - 26,000

I would say that they are very good sales for a niche vehicle.