M5 Which would YOU buy? M5 or loaded 640i GC (same price)

[K-A]

So I was checking out some prices on BMW's, out of curiosity, as I have yet to do a hypothetical "how much would my version of this car cost" scenario.

It looks like for the M5, I don't need any of the options really, so I was able to price it basically at the $89K starting price (actually just over $91K since I opted for the bigger/nicer wheels).

I then priced out a 640i GC, with M-Pack, Multicontour seats, Heated seats, Ceramic Controls, and it came out to $88K.

Same price basically. Everybody speculates which is more "worth it", but which would YOU choose if you were forking over that cash? The M5 for a drastically better engineered package, or the 6 GC because for this price, you demand more aesthetic exclusivity and "exotic factor"? Tough one.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Without a doubt. M5. Every. Single. Time.

You describe the M5 "with no options", but as you point out, everything you need is standard.

This one isn't even close and just highlights how overpriced the GC is.

 

[Human]

6er GC is my favorite-favorite car right now and I long for one BUT who can/will say no to an M5!

 

[martinbo]

How can any petrolhead posting on an internet forum choose a loaded 640i GC over an M5?

 

[donkeykong]

Not sure if serious,but I'll play along. With out question I'll get the M5.

 

[MAJESTIC]

I priced my 6GC to over $110k.... but I did include the Individual packages and much more

But On topic, The M5 would definitely get my $$$

 

[EnI]

The only + for 640i GC is its unbeatable aesthetic factor. If your going for the looks & more tranquility, that's your car.

M5 ... it's an M! It's exciting, yet it's practical (more than 6er GC!). And much more raw in character & fun to drive than 640i GC.

IMO M5 is much more "in your face" car. Sporty aggressive, raw, rough, loud. While 640i GC is sporty elegant, gracious, tranquil, highly civilized. Two completely different characters.

And it depends how many people will be driving in the car. If more than two, than M5 is a better choice.

So, if driving is your priority - go for M5, if the looks are more important, go for 640i GC.

I'll get what you need & want. It's your decision.

 

[Merc1]

I was pretty much in this situation for real. Loaded 650i and M5 are the same money, the M5 is the more desireable piece, but it is so hard to get. I would have been waiting basically until next spring before I actually got the car. The 2013 650i has some nice upgrades and is available now, as my car is on the water on its way over. I couldn't wait another year and I knew I wanted a BMW so I went with what was originally my first choice, the 650i Coupe.

With the 6GC, as it is even more stylish than the regular 6er coupe for some folks, and even pricier than the regular 6er, the question between it and a M5 is valid again. I don't want the I6 in such a high end car, so I might would wait for the M5 in this case, but the scenario is again similar. If it were a 650i GC then I'd go with the 6er, but I don't think I wanna pay 90-100K for an I6. Same issue with the V6 Panamera, but thats just me I want the V8.

M

 

[chonkoa]

Even in my sleep, the choice will always be the M5.
Even the jellyfish will chose an M5 over the overpriced I-6 car.

 

[Levi68]

M5 in a heartbeat. If M5 vs. M6 GC it would be another story.

 

[martinbo]

Even the jellyfish will chose an M5 over the overpriced I-6 car.

You mean octopus perhaps? He's dead!

 

[Betty Swollocks]

It's not even the 650i GC, but the 640i GC. Makes the choice even more ludicrous.

 

[K-A]

I think I'd have to go with the M5 as well. Situation in my "hypothetical situation" is that someone like me doesn't need 560 HP. I'd love it, but it'll only be trouble. I live in such a congested area, my 268 HP E gives me a rush when I rarely gas it (no joke) and it won't get me to speeds where I'm a lethal missile in a congested area in such short time.

Therefore, if *I* was spending money on a BMW at around $90K, having a car that looks like a "normal 5 Series with 560 HP" becomes kind of pointless, maybe simply braggadocious for braggadocious' sake.

Another rule is that is would HAVE to have M Package, which rules the 650 GC out (will take it well over $100K with those other simple but IMO necessary options).

So a 640i with M Sport, nicer seats, and some Ceramic Controls comes out to the price of a base M5 which DOESN'T NEED ONE OPTION REALLY. To note, *the 640i GC in question isn't even nearly fully loaded*.

I have yet to see a GC so I couldn't tell you which way I'd definitely go. If I lived by the Countryside, the M5 would be the obvious choice, but this indeed highlights how frivolously you're spending your money when you get an INSANELY OVERPRICED 6 GC.

For now, I'll have to vote M5.

 

[EMpower]

Sorry, but that's not a real question.

 

[Mark]

Tough one; but nevertheless K-A, let me tell you I went through something very similar ~6 years ago. I guess it all depends on what you want the car for, what you will be using it for, and/or if you are buying it for yourself or someone else in your household.
At the time, the decision was for a fully loaded 650i Cabrio (you can see her currently on my avatar). She was a bit more expensive than a nice M5, but the 6er was the right one for us

I guess if this was just for my own driving (and mine alone), it is quite probable I'd go with the M5 however it is quite possible IRL I'd go with a 6er again.

 

[martinbo]

Ja but all you folks are concentrating too much on the GCF demographic - male car nuts wasting their time on internet forums instead of doing something more productive. Of course us boys are going to choose the M5.

But I can bet that many, many people out there - the non-car-forum-frequenting types (an obvious example would be wealthy business women) - would rather a 640i GC (who ever said that there was anything lacking in a twin-turbo straight six coupled to an 8 speed ZF 'box?) over the M5 because the M5 is really "just another 5 series" in such eyes. That 6er GC is one helluva statement car. Personally, at the level of value we're talking here, at this price point any car is over-priced. Buy a Golf - it essentially does the same thing - if you're going to attempt to rationalise the pricing of the 6er. Subjectively, if you had to earn a buck for every head it turned - the 6er GC is worth every cent.

 

[Sayyaaf]

Time to reveal. I hate 6GC. don't ask me why, it doesn't look half good in real life.

 

[mod9]

I'd buy the M6 GC! Okay... I know it's not out yet and the question is about the 640 and the M5.

On that question then, I would definitely take the M5 (perfomance) even though I love the Grand Coupe way better in terms of design.

But if it was the M6 GC...

 

[K-A]

That's the thing with me as well. Aside from some good pics, the majority I find having the 6 GC looking kind of awkward, even ungainly, not as special as it's supposed to be, etc. I think people sometimes give too much credit to the lower-rooflined cars with the "4 Door Coupe" moniker as if by having a more sloping appearance, they're automatically on this vastly higher plateau of style, therefore while all of a sudden their more upright twins are rendered as "dull".

Now, IF the "4 Door Coupes" in question really do portray that "30K more style in the same exact technical package" factor, then I can understand the need for choosing so technically frivolously on something that your senses can't help but be intoxicated at every look.

On the other hand, styling aside, no matter how nice a 5-Series, E-Class, etc. are, factually they're relatively mass market for Luxury Cars. That alone makes it hard for anyone other than a complete gear head to spend double the price on one with a bigger motor, etc. and styling changes so slight they'll go unnoticed by 99% of the public, basically as Martin pointed out.

Another observation. When building both, I noticed that I like the 5ers interior more. IMO a Sedan (what the 6 GC IS) should have wood all across the dash and doors, like the 5er. The 6's interior lacks that wood factor, and the door and B-Pillar areas look especially sparse. I'm a traditionalist when it come to Sedans, so I guess I appreciate a more stately approach, i.e stately-esque wood, etc.

 

[ACE]

.

Another observation. When building both, I noticed that I like the 5ers interior more.

Have you been in a 6GC in real life? I had the same opinion from the photos but I changed my opinion of the 6GC interior after I had been in it. The 6GC has the best BMW interior I have seen. Another thing that didn't strike me from the photos was the size of the 6GC, it's huge. Noticeably bigger than the M5. My local dealer has a 6GC (640d) parked next to an M5 on the showroom floor.

I would take the M5 every time, I value the performance more than the style. My wife loved the 6GC though, so I can confirm that Martin was onto something with his post above. I told my wife that the M5 was better value and she said: Why? They're the same price and the 6GC looks much better? I said the M5 is way faster and she said: How fast do you need to go? I didn't bother continuing that conversation and that's why I need to come to GCF, where (most) people know why M5 > 640d GC!