6 Series BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe First Drives/Reviews

[Mark]

Thanks for those pics. Being black makes it so that we seeing it from the picture side of the screen wouldn't be able to tell if it was metal or actually refined-ly wrapped up as you say it is. So to confirm, none of those black portions in between panels (door shutline) are metal, all wrapped up? Good to know. Now, why does the more expensive GC has less attention to detail in those very noticeable areas? One has to wonder....

All nicely wrapped up

 

[Mark]

"Fit and Finish", "Workmanship", those are important elements of a well crafted interior. BMW puts so much emphasis on elegant stitching and fit in those areas, then muck it all up without even covering up the metal areas. Very rudimentary.

You should see the fit and finish of the new Fisker Karma... inside and out... it looks OK from afar but you easily find tons of flaws when up close... and that's another 100k car!

 

[Guibo]

This isn't about it "affecting sales". Why do you guys care so much about sales? Are you in the car business? We're enthusiasts, and we should gauge them as art, as engineering pieces, and BMW's execution on those doors is embarrassing, simple. Do you really think that we can't critique stuff if it "doesnt' affect sales". The average Joe doesn't pay attention to these nuances, we're supposed to be the ones who have an eye for detail, as we're in it for the *passion*, are we not?

Still, I have the 6 line on the highest of m next-car wish list. But if that pans out, I'd be wrapping those nasty metals. Don't want to feel like I'm driving a 70's Silverado every time my eyes focus on the door shutline areas. Especially in white, it sticks out heavily.

I was the one saying that it may affect (some) sales. Why do I care if it affects sales? Clearly none of these cars would be built for us to admire as art/engineering pieces if the companies didn't make them. One can be interested in sales and art/engineering without being in the car business, and also be an enthusiast too. They're not mutually exclusive. That you've pointed out this huge eyesore might mean that there may be some sticklers for detail for whom this kind of nasty, embarassing oversight could be unforgivable. I could imagine this could apply to some established architects, engineers, industrial designers, etc, for whom the details just might matter enough. Average Joe wouldn't be in a financial position to afford any of these cars. Don't think OCD types can be wealthy too?

BTW, for the sake of public safety, I hope you aren't focusing too much on the door shutline areas when you're driving. And if it really makes you feel like you're in a '70s Silverado, well, GM doesn't make them like they used to, huh?

 

[K-A]

I was the one saying that it may affect (some) sales. Why do I care if it affects sales? Clearly none of these cars would be built for us to admire as art/engineering pieces if the companies didn't make them. One can be interested in sales and art/engineering without being in the car business, and also be an enthusiast too. They're not mutually exclusive. That you've pointed out this huge eyesore might mean that there may be some sticklers for detail for whom this kind of nasty, embarassing oversight could be unforgivable. I could imagine this could apply to some established architects, engineers, industrial designers, etc, for whom the details just might matter enough. Average Joe wouldn't be in a financial position to afford any of these cars. Don't think OCD types can be wealthy too?

BTW, for the sake of public safety, I hope you aren't focusing too much on the door shutline areas when you're driving. And if it really makes you feel like you're in a '70s Silverado, well, GM doesn't make them like they used to, huh?

I agree that it curt hurt some sales, but doubtfully enough to impact nearly enough to change the big picture in how the car will sell. I mean, IMO anyone with even a rudimentary eye for detail and/or OCD for refined finished alike, could find it completely embarrassing and unacceptable indeed. It's no different than a crude and nonsensical dropping line on a CLS that indeed has turned away many buyers. In fact, at least the line on the CLS can be something that some people may (crazily ) like, but the naked metal on the door of the 6 GC is nothing any sane person could "like" in the least.

It's times like these you wish you were in the boardroom and could hear why they decided to do that, i.e how on earth they could justify such a blatant form of cost cutting. Is it a fitment thing, etc.? Mercedes has elegant metal chrome in the same area on their Coupes, worlds apart there. I bet if enough people complain, the 2014's will have those areas properly covered up.

 

[klier]

Handn't even noticed this, much ado about nothing IMO. This isn't going to cost them any sales, its nonense really.


M

Absolutely ridiculous nonsense of the highest level.
I don't even understand the people who are having this discussion here... Well except K-A and his crusade against BMW of course

You know guys, I always try to keep my cool, but this constant effort to try to discredit the 6er GC is getting a bit old. No matter what you guys post to try to discredit it, the fact is this car has most of the competition beat hands down, especially in the looks department, it is a gorgeous car inside and out, and yes it is very expensive.

BINGO!!!

 

[K-A]

I guess deciphering poor fit and finish goes above your head, Klier. Yeah I have huge crusade against BMW, that's why a BMW is at the top of my list for my next car.

This is totally acceptable for a car with a $100K price tag, especially an artificially high one, ain't it! Pay close attention to the rear door, the fit is not even aligned right. You see peeps of metal, then covered, then it widens, then thins, etc. This is horrible, and as a future potential 6 GC buyer, I'm going over the head of fanboy/anti fanboy-games, I demand better for the money spent.

 

[klier]

I guess deciphering poor fit and finish goes above your head, Klier. Yeah I have huge crusade against BMW, that's why a BMW is at the top of my list for my next car.

Oh please. I don't care what your next car is nor do I care about the past BMW cars of your family.
You're nitpicking and I am not the only one who is getting tired of it.

What you are talking about is only visible from one angle, and even then you will need light like the flash of a camera to see it. Or go real close up. It's not a big deal, and you are trying to make a big deal out of it which is just sad to see. Sad sad saaaaaad.

 

[K-A]

Oh please. I don't care what your next car is nor do I care about the past BMW cars of your family.
You're nitpicking and I am not the only one who is getting tired of it.

You're out of your own head if you think this is nitpicking. This is a major fit and finish problem, and you're too upset to admit it! I've seen you criticize the A-Classes door panels which aren't even as bad! Stop being a fraud to your own beliefs and admit that BMW screwed the pooch in that area.

And I'm sure you don't want to care. I have a bigger history with BMW than I'm sure you do, and maybe a big future with them as well, especially considering M-B have forced me away from their brand for height related reasons. That I'm not a fanboy at the same time might be tough to swallow. I understand.

 

[klier]

And I'm sure you don't want to care. I have a bigger history with BMW than I'm sure you do, and maybe a big future with them as well. That I'm not a fanboy at the same time might be tough to swallow. I understand.

Hahaha, oh my God....
You're such a big boy!

I think it's time for the mods to step in and delete all this nonsense crap

Either way, I've said my thing and I am done with it. Not worth discussing imo.

 

[K-A]

Oh please. I don't care what your next car is nor do I care about the past BMW cars of your family.
You're nitpicking and I am not the only one who is getting tired of it.

What you are talking about is only visible from one angle, and even then you will need light like the flash of a camera to see it. Or go real close up. It's not a big deal, and you are trying to make a big deal out of it which is just sad to see. Sad sad saaaaaad.

Wrong! It is visible from every angle, just look at those pics. And you DO NOT need flash to see it. You can notice it at night, in broad daylight. The metal exposed is huge.

Hahaha, oh my God....

You're such a big boy!

I think it's time for the mods to step in and delete all this nonsense crap

Either way, I've said my thing and I am done with it. Not worth discussing imo.

Good, you're wrong, you have no merit to use when arguing for such poor finish, and I'm right, and have the pics, angles, and lighting to prove it. So please, yes, stop.

 

[Giannis]

Let's put an end to this discussion guys, by agreeing to a few things.

1. There are people who are very annoyed by the visible body panels of the 5er or 6GC. It's understandable. It's a $100k car and such details should be taken care of.

2. There are people who focus on other aspects of what a luxury car is, and don't care that much if a body coloured panel is visible under certain angles.

3. There are people who are annoyed by such details, because they expect the best from a brand. It's ok, it's understandable, most of us do the same, but repeating it post after post, won't change the door trim of the 6GC. We read it a few times, we understood it, now let's move on.

Does anyone disagree with that?

 

[K-A]

Let's put an end to this discussion guys, by agreeing to a few things.

1. There are people who are very annoyed by the visible body panels of the 5er or 6GC. It's understandable. It's a $100k car and such details should be taken care of.

2. There are people who focus on other aspects of what a luxury car is, and don't care that much if a body coloured panel is visible under certain angles.

3. There are people who are annoyed by such details, because they expect the best from a brand. It's ok, it's understandable, most of us do the same, but repeating it post after post, won't change the door trim of the 6GC. We read it a few times, we understood it, now let's move on.

Does anyone disagree with that?

Agreed.

Except for one thing : Repeating it riles up the topic and might by chance get to BMW HQ and force them to change it (drawing notice to it). Things like that have happened before.

But as you said, the fact is that it's there, how it'll affect people depend on their tastes for the details or how much such a thing bothers them within the big picture. No arguments there.

 

[Giannis]

Except for one thing : Repeating it riles up the topic and might by chance get to BMW HQ and force them to change it (drawing notice to it). Things like that have happened before.

If you keep repeating it, there are more chances that I'll fly to the States and kill you, rather than BMW changing their door panels.

 

[K-A]

Lol. Well then BMW enthusiasts can remember me as a martyr.

 

[Bruce]

Quite a few pages of arguing. Not really keen on joining in on that fun....either way, I would agree that this car is expensive. overpriced? well that is subjective. If money were no option I would take it over the 5-er, but in reality I not know if I could justify the extra price tag. That's just me though.

One thing I cannot deny is that this car is properly gorgeous. Like serious.

 

[Merc1]

Ok after a careful look over albeit at night in the parking garage, here is my take on the door issue. With all the interior lights on, this is what I saw/think.

You can see the exterior paint color if you look really hard in between the door crack, but it isn't something you see in 99% percent of normal operation of or occupancy of the car. The reason why you see the exterior paint is because the door goes on for a few more inches on the outside so it needs to be painted otherwise it would look really bad. The only difference here is the BMW has left a bigger gap between the inside door panels then others.

Unless you really looking for something 99% percent won't ever notice this. In the GC it may be more noticeable, but those pics above must be with a light shinning into the crevice no way it jumps out like that in normal day to day operation.

NON-ISSUE IMO, if an owner's take counts here.

M

 

[Guibo]

Lol. Well then BMW enthusiasts can remember me as a martyr.

Not really, but I think enthusiasts here will still remember some things that they asked for (lightweight, naturally aspirated 1er M coupe; true non-hybrid/electric supercar to tackle the R8, SLS, etc.) and some things they most certainly did not (X5/X6 //Monsters, turbocharged M5, Mini Countryman and Cooper Coupe; seriously, who here asked for that last one? I'll shoot them myself).

 

[K-A]

Ok after a careful look over albeit at night in the parking garage, here is my take on the door issue. With all the interior lights on, this is what I saw/think.

You can see the exterior paint color if you look really hard in between the door crack, but it isn't something you see in 99% percent of normal operation of or occupancy of the car. The reason why you see the exterior paint is because the door goes on for a few more inches on the outside so it needs to be painted otherwise it would look really bad. The only difference here is the BMW has left a bigger gap between the inside door panels then others.

Unless you really looking for something 99% percent won't ever notice this. In the GC it may be more noticeable, but those pics above must be with a light shinning into the crevice no way it jumps out like that in normal day to day operation.

NON-ISSUE IMO, if an owner's take counts here.

M

I took the pic of one of them, and the other pic is small and obviously some generic digital cam from a dealer (of the 6 GC pics I posted), the bare metal *definitely* jumps out at you, and is a blatant eyesore when merely sitting in the car, broad daylight, night, etc. It's noticeable.

Seems like on the Coupe it's not really an issue since the doors go further back, therefore only the people in the back would be able to see it. On the GC, the doors are shorter, so the metal is right there in your face. Also, perhaps the Coupes have less metal showing or closer gaps, etc. Due to that, I personally have never noticed it on the 2 Doors.

 

[K-A]

Not really, but I think enthusiasts here will still remember some things that they asked for (lightweight, naturally aspirated 1er M coupe; true non-hybrid/electric supercar to tackle the R8, SLS, etc.) and some things they most certainly did not (X5/X6 //Monsters, turbocharged M5, Mini Countryman and Cooper Coupe; seriously, who here asked for that last one? I'll shoot them myself).

Don't forget the FWD Minibus.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Just to chime in, when all the BMW fans were bitching about the visible door frame on the A-class, and I posted a picture showing the same thing on our previous X5, they all dissappeared. Good on you KA for sticking to your guns and driving the point home! lol.