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For an auto critic, reviewing $100,000 cars is quite a challenge. Actually, it's probably easier for some of us, but on a personal note there are only a few cars boasting an over-one-hundred grand price tag that I would consider selling the house for. The redesigned BMW 6 Series Coupé isn't one of them.
Oh, it's not because the 2012 650i xDrive isn't any good; in fact, it's damn near perfect. It's got everything a luxury car owner desires, including a melodious V8 engine, a lavishly finished cockpit, tons of techno gadgets and all-wheel drive. And that's the problem: It's too good. Yet, I must find things to complain about, so here goes:
Four hundred horsepower through all four wheels
The 650i Coupé is equipped with BMW's 4.4L V8, force-fed by two turbochargers which develops 400 broncos as well as 450 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters is standard, and since xDrive is also standard, no manual transmission is available. If you want to row it yourself, you must choose a rear-wheel drive 650i Cabriolet. Aha! I found a shortcoming.
With the Sport Plus mode activated, the big two-door rips to 100 km/h in 5 seconds and, when equipped with the optional M Sport package (as is our test car) it keeps accelerating until it reaches an electronically controlled terminal velocity of 250 km/h.
Yet, in Comfort mode, the engine is also quite capable of snoozing silently at legal highway speeds, providing reasonable fuel economy at the same time. Alas, our mix of city and spirited driving resulted in an average of 14.9L/100km.
It's a GT
Sure, this car can tackle any winding road, and the Sport and Sport Plus modes stiffen up the suspension and steering so the driver can benefit from feeling just how the 650i behaves.
On the other hand, the 6 Series Coupé is more of a Grand Touring car than a raw, no-holds-barred sports coupe such as the Porsche 911 Carrera S or the Nissan GT-R. It doesn't have their razor-sharp reflexes, but that's OK; the compromise is a more isolated and less punishing ride.
The xDrive system is great for the winter. It's a rear-wheel biased setup that sends power to the front wheels when slippage occurs, and it reacts quickly and effectively.
Buttons, buttons, buttons
The steering wheel is loaded with ‘em. The centre stack has a bunch of them. You'll find plenty of buttons on the left of the wheel. And on the centre console, you get to play with more buttons and switches, as well as a rotary knob.
Ah, the iDrive. From zero to hero, BMW's infotainment system is my favourite among luxury brands, especially compared to Mercedes-Benz and Audi. BMW's iDrive is now simple to use while driving, and the system's features are well sorted out on the LCD screen.
Since our 2012 BMW 650i xDrive Coupé is loaded with virtually every option, a lot of said buttons are there to turn on and off the various electronic safety devices baked in, such as the camera system, lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection and Night Vision.
With those magnificent front seats, you can also get butt massagers, ventilated seatbacks and cushions, as well as a multitude of adjustments to get comfy for long rides. The back seat will fit small children, although adults can squeeze in if someone helps them out. You might expect more space in such a big car; I know I did.
No $100,000 luxury car would be complete without a cockpit dressed in the finest leathers, plastics and aluminum trim, and the 650i doesn't disappoint in said area. The stitched cowhide on the centre console that rises and expands over the glove box looks good, and makes you forget about the dull, ‘80s-style rows of stereo and climate control buttons.
The 1,200-watt, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround sound system deserves a round of applause. Its phenomenal sound quality is accentuated by the dash-mounted centre speaker that rises and lowers when you turn the system on and off. However, this brilliant stereo is a $5,900 option, or roughly half the price of a new Nissan Versa. If you can afford a $100,000 automobile, I'll assume you won't mind paying an extra six grand for this.
Did I mention it costs $100,000?
The 2012 650i xDrive Coupé carries a base price of $101,500. A Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 4MATIC is more powerful and about 15 grand cheaper, by the way.
With the Executive package, the M Sport package, the Technology package, the Premium Seating package, the BMW Apps package, LED headlights as well as the aforementioned stereo and Night Vision system, this test car costs $132,400. Ouch.
For that price, you get one helluva car. A car that flirts with perfection. And that's its biggest shortcoming. You see, a perfect car is rarely one that has character, and what makes a car special and memorable. The 650i lacks this magic.
If you like obsessive perfection, the BMW 6 Series might be for you. But there are nastier, more temperamental choices out there for the same price.
 |
Oh, it's not because the 2012 650i xDrive isn't any good; in fact, it's damn near perfect. It's got everything a luxury car owner desires, including a melodious V8 engine, a lavishly finished cockpit, tons of techno gadgets and all-wheel drive. And that's the problem: It's too good. Yet, I must find things to complain about, so here goes:
Four hundred horsepower through all four wheels
The 650i Coupé is equipped with BMW's 4.4L V8, force-fed by two turbochargers which develops 400 broncos as well as 450 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters is standard, and since xDrive is also standard, no manual transmission is available. If you want to row it yourself, you must choose a rear-wheel drive 650i Cabriolet. Aha! I found a shortcoming.
With the Sport Plus mode activated, the big two-door rips to 100 km/h in 5 seconds and, when equipped with the optional M Sport package (as is our test car) it keeps accelerating until it reaches an electronically controlled terminal velocity of 250 km/h.
Yet, in Comfort mode, the engine is also quite capable of snoozing silently at legal highway speeds, providing reasonable fuel economy at the same time. Alas, our mix of city and spirited driving resulted in an average of 14.9L/100km.
 |
| The 6 Series Coupé is only available in Canada with a 400-hp V8, an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. (Photo: BMW) |
It's a GT
Sure, this car can tackle any winding road, and the Sport and Sport Plus modes stiffen up the suspension and steering so the driver can benefit from feeling just how the 650i behaves.
On the other hand, the 6 Series Coupé is more of a Grand Touring car than a raw, no-holds-barred sports coupe such as the Porsche 911 Carrera S or the Nissan GT-R. It doesn't have their razor-sharp reflexes, but that's OK; the compromise is a more isolated and less punishing ride.
The xDrive system is great for the winter. It's a rear-wheel biased setup that sends power to the front wheels when slippage occurs, and it reacts quickly and effectively.
 |
| This car can tackle any winding road. (Photo: BMW) |
Buttons, buttons, buttons
The steering wheel is loaded with ‘em. The centre stack has a bunch of them. You'll find plenty of buttons on the left of the wheel. And on the centre console, you get to play with more buttons and switches, as well as a rotary knob.
Ah, the iDrive. From zero to hero, BMW's infotainment system is my favourite among luxury brands, especially compared to Mercedes-Benz and Audi. BMW's iDrive is now simple to use while driving, and the system's features are well sorted out on the LCD screen.
Since our 2012 BMW 650i xDrive Coupé is loaded with virtually every option, a lot of said buttons are there to turn on and off the various electronic safety devices baked in, such as the camera system, lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection and Night Vision.
With those magnificent front seats, you can also get butt massagers, ventilated seatbacks and cushions, as well as a multitude of adjustments to get comfy for long rides. The back seat will fit small children, although adults can squeeze in if someone helps them out. You might expect more space in such a big car; I know I did.
No $100,000 luxury car would be complete without a cockpit dressed in the finest leathers, plastics and aluminum trim, and the 650i doesn't disappoint in said area. The stitched cowhide on the centre console that rises and expands over the glove box looks good, and makes you forget about the dull, ‘80s-style rows of stereo and climate control buttons.
The 1,200-watt, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround sound system deserves a round of applause. Its phenomenal sound quality is accentuated by the dash-mounted centre speaker that rises and lowers when you turn the system on and off. However, this brilliant stereo is a $5,900 option, or roughly half the price of a new Nissan Versa. If you can afford a $100,000 automobile, I'll assume you won't mind paying an extra six grand for this.
 |
| The cockpit is an orgy of leather, metal and high-grade plastics, and the optional Bang & Olufsen stereo is brilliant. (Photo: BMW) |
Did I mention it costs $100,000?
The 2012 650i xDrive Coupé carries a base price of $101,500. A Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 4MATIC is more powerful and about 15 grand cheaper, by the way.
With the Executive package, the M Sport package, the Technology package, the Premium Seating package, the BMW Apps package, LED headlights as well as the aforementioned stereo and Night Vision system, this test car costs $132,400. Ouch.
For that price, you get one helluva car. A car that flirts with perfection. And that's its biggest shortcoming. You see, a perfect car is rarely one that has character, and what makes a car special and memorable. The 650i lacks this magic.
If you like obsessive perfection, the BMW 6 Series might be for you. But there are nastier, more temperamental choices out there for the same price.