640, 650, x-drive or not?

[sygazelle]

I've tried searching and cannot find solid info. My friend is looking for a 2016 or 2017 6er (Cabriolet). The one he is eyeing is a 650i. Since I've owned BMWs for a long time, he asked my opinion. From reading this forum it looks like a lot of you like the 6er very well. I know this is a matter of preference, but please share your thoughts on:

650 vs 640
i vs x-drive

Thanks!

[iamvanja]

i vs x-drive depends where you live. xDrive adds complexity and weight and IMHO should be added only if needed.
640 vs 650 is (even) more subjective. Obviously I chose 640 and the reasons are: lighter, better mpg, (potentially) better reliability, plenty of power = fits the daily driver bill better. Biggest reason why I wanted 650 was the sound until I test drove it - i am pretty sure an aftermarket exhaust can make that V8 purr nicely, but stock I barely heard any difference compared to I6.
Another thing to note - if your friends wants a highly optioned car, 650 will be an easier find as they are generally better equipped.

My 2 cents.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

i vs x-drive depends where you live. xDrive adds complexity and weight and IMHO should be added only if needed.
640 vs 650 is (even) more subjective. Obviously I chose 640 and the reasons are: lighter, better mpg, (potentially) better reliability, plenty of power = fits the daily driver bill better. Biggest reason why I wanted 650 was the sound until I test drove it - i am pretty sure an aftermarket exhaust can make that V8 purr nicely, but stock I barely heard any difference compared to I6.
Another thing to note - if your friends wants a highly optioned car, 650 will be an easier find as they are generally better equipped.

My 2 cents.

Perfect. Thanks for sharing. I will pass this info on. I will recommend that he join the group.

[Aesthetic]

Take in mind that 650 have much capabilities of increasing power, with few easy mods you can easily achieve 600 hp. With so much power and xDrive you have much better 0-60s times than M6 because of traction.

[jdsaengine]

We actually got a 650 x drive to be our winter/snow car while we park the Corvette

[brad850csi]

If your friend lives close to you (San Fran) I think getting xdrive is pointless. Heavier, more to go wrong, less fun etc.

Go with 343m F10 M5 wheels and 285mm PS4S and it'll be perfect with RWD.

[Keysersoze819]

Originally Posted by brad850csi

If your friend lives close to you (San Fran) I think getting xdrive is pointless. Heavier, more to go wrong, less fun etc.

Go with 343m F10 M5 wheels and 285mm PS4S and it'll be perfect with RWD.

Go 650 xdrive and when you want to have fun use this simple mod https://shop.xdelete.app/:thumbsup:

No affiliation with company.

[TON-III]

Somehow the 4 wheel drive is always a bit less fun when driving in dry and good surface ...... but when it comes a bit more slippery x-drive is nice to have.

Before buying my F13 X-Drive I did have trial ride with M-Sport RWD car with active steering/ active antirollbars and I must admit that I was in the beginning a bit disappointed with the drive of my M-Sport X-Drive with dynamic drive ..... but did buy it because have used to 4 wheel drives.

[MichaelInChicago]

I would never trade the power, sound, smoothness or overall driving enjoyment of the V8 for a few mpg. Never.

Also, with the changing weather patterns, go X-Drive. You will not regret it.

[itzjoker]

Any idea how a RWD 650i will do in snow with the proper tires?

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by itzjoker

Any idea how a RWD 650i will do in snow with the proper tires?

It's fine for me. But I've owned RWD for years and put proper winter tires on them. If you're safe and careful, you will be better off than most drivers with all season tires.

[itzjoker]

I've driven RWD sport cars through winter without proper tires and they have been miserable. Ever since I got an Audi with quattro I told myself I wouldn't drive RWD in the winter but I can't seem to find the right 650i with xDrive.

[ezmaass]

640 vs. 650:

Under most circumstances, I don't think it'll be noticed much. However, if you do a lot of highway driving and passing power is important, the 650 is a must. The 6 is a heavy car, so the additional power of the V8 becomes important once you're into situations that require some extra grunt. Otherwise, if you're more of a cruiser and don't need the passing power, the 640 should be fine.

RWD vs. xDrive:

I've had plenty of RWD BMWs, and now my last two (including the 650xi GC) have been xDrive. On the smaller BMWs, RWD is a lot more fun. If you live in a nice climate and intend on a smaller car, I would recommend RWD. However, given the size of the 6, it's probably not going to make a ton of difference (not a super sporty car - more of a GT). I'd still recommend RWD for the purity of it, though, if the climate allows. That said, I've driven my RWD BMWs in the northeast - not an issue with proper tires and some know-how.

I've personally opted for xDrive on the last two BMWs because they've been larger (550 and 650), and I didn't feel I'd miss the sporting nature of the RWD much on them. Likewise, I've become fond of all wheel drive in some circumstances here - provides great grip in all weather.

Short of it? If you can swing it, I'd go 650 - just due to the size/weight of the car. Whether RWD or xDrive is really very personal, and I don't think you can go terribly wrong either way.

[thebmw]

I own multiple 650s, both rear wheel drive and all wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive accelerates better off the line and that's been a pleasant surprise. I still do feel that the RWD is sportier and more connected. Overall, if it's a daily driver and you are in an area of the country that has inclement weather, AWD would probably be a better choice for almost everyone. But if you are a true purest, you can get by with the rear wheel drive and a proper set of winter rims and tires.

[TON-III]

Originally Posted by thebmw

Overall, if it's a daily driver and you are in an area of the country that has inclement weather, AWD would probably be a better choice for almost everyone. But if you are a true purest, you can get by with the rear wheel drive and a proper set of winter rims and tires.

Well said ! But still if you are true (sport car) purist the choice is everything else than big 6 ...... so maybe the x-drive is way to go ?

[sygazelle]

Thanks for all the feedback. I gave my buddy feedback and he went ahead and pulled the trigger on a 2016 650i. He lives in South Carolina so the x-drive is not important from a weather standpoint. He's giving up some traction but he was willing to give that up for a bit less weight.

I have been a BMW owner for 30 year with 5ers and now a 3re and an X5 in the garage. I didn't know anything about the 650 and the 640 until I started doing some research for my friend. I have to say I am blown away by the positive comments on this forum and the excellent review and youtube videos on the car.

Thanks again for the feedback. He made the purchase with his eyes wide open and I'm sure he will love his new (to him) 2016 650i vert.

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by TON-III

Well said ! But still if you are true (sport car) purist the choice is everything else than big 6 ...... so maybe the x-drive is way to go ?

As a purist, one of my 650 is a 1 of 1 manual transmission rear wheel drive! That said, there really are no true purist BMWs now, or really any pure cars now...Gen 5 Viper was the last true, pure car. To me, they have to have 5 major qualifications, rear wheel drive, hydraulic steering, naturally aspirated engine, two doors, and manual transmission.

Anyway, the 6 is such a beautiful car and in this day and age, compromises have to be made it. I will say the one advantage of xDrive 6 series as it has hydraulic steering. But the rear wheel drive does feel a little different from a driving dynamics standpoint than the all-wheel drive.

[TON-III]

Originally Posted by thebmw

As a purist, one of my 650 is a 1 of 1 manual transmission rear wheel drive!

I was also after manual but there were no 600 models available here in Europe ...... but dreaming of transmission swap, torque 640 DA would have nice acceleration ?

Originally Posted by thebmw

...Gen 5 Viper was the last true, pure car. To me, they have to have 5 major qualifications, rear wheel drive, hydraulic steering, naturally aspirated engine, two doors, and manual transmission.

That's REALLY pure car, I was even satisfied with my former Audi (torsen) Quattro with manual, somehow the front felt like active steering when swapping the lines.

Originally Posted by thebmw

I will say the one advantage of xDrive 6 series as it has hydraulic steering.

Oh, was I that lucky to get a hydraulic steering when buying an x-drive? It might happen that if I now go for a test drive with RWD I might be satisfied ..... with my car

[thedza]

We don't get that much snow here in DC (maybe 2 feet once per year), and I've never had a problem with RWD and conti all seasons in the last 6 years. So I would say go with RWD unless you live in a particularly bad area.

As far as 640 vs 650, it was near impossible finding a 640 with the options I wanted, so naturally ended up with the 650. So far no regrets over the past 1.5 years.

[TON-III]

There one advantage of RWD version expecially if you are after M-Sport version, the RWD version DO have those stiffer springs while X-Drive is having those soft base model springs.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by TON-III

There one advantage of RWD version expecially if you are after M-Sport version, the RWD version DO have those stiffer springs while X-Drive is having those soft base model springs.

Thanks. He did get the m-sport RWD. I'll be sure to tell him about the stiffer springs.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by thebmw

As a purist, one of my 650 is a 1 of 1 manual transmission rear wheel drive! That said, there really are no true purist BMWs now, or really any pure cars now...Gen 5 Viper was the last true, pure car. To me, they have to have 5 major qualifications, rear wheel drive, hydraulic steering, naturally aspirated engine, two doors, and manual transmission.

Anyway, the 6 is such a beautiful car and in this day and age, compromises have to be made it. I will say the one advantage of xDrive 6 series as it has hydraulic steering. But the rear wheel drive does feel a little different from a driving dynamics standpoint than the all-wheel drive.

Right on. These qualifications are part of the reason I'll likely never sell my Gen-1 R8. It's just hard to compete with naturally aspirated engines, first off. The power delivery is linear, buttery, and so predictable. You can use your right foot to dial-in power in the smallest and most precise increments mid-corner. Good luck doing that with a turbo car. And the sounds... no turbo car can ever reproduce... no less 10 cylinders screaming to a nearly 9k RPM redline right behind your head.

The steering - hydraulic. And yes, it matters, I agree. You feel the road, not an interpretation of it by a computer. While it's technically "quattro," it's nothing like the systems you find in a typical Audi sedan. It's 85% rear biased, and a maximum of 30% can go to the front if needed, so for the most part it just behaves like a RWD car with some extra cornering grip.

And purity... well, you get real dials. Analog. You get a real e-brake in the center console. Heck, you get a real KEY that gets inserted and turned to fire up the engine. It's funny, but the stuff that sounds "low tech" is actually what makes a sports car exciting and fun. Keep the full digital displays. Keep the push button start, nanny systems, engine shut-off, cylinder deactivation, electric steering, turbos, slush boxes... it all puts something between you and the machine, and after a while it becomes numb.

I'm a technocrat who enjoys the latest and greatest technologies in my daily driver... because I want that car to be effortless, convenient, comfortable. But in a sports car? I want purity, excitement, and less technology getting in the way of the car, the road, and the driving experience.

Cars like this are a fast dying breed. But I'll say this for the 6 - while it's not remotely a "driver's car" - it's big, heavy, encumbered by numbing technologies - it's stunningly beautiful, comfortable, quick, and a powerhouse of technologies that DO make it one of the best grand touring cars in any price range. I likened it when I first got it to a private jet for the ground. It's no fighter jet, but it'll get you from point A to B in loads of style, comfort, technology, and speed. And for everything I love about the aforementioned "purity," in 95% of driving, the GT characteristics of the 6 are far more preferable.

But it's that 5% of the time... when you go out with no destination in mind... just for the fun of the drive... winding country roads... windows down... well, that's when you want the pure sports car and nothing else will do.