A trip in a BMW 645Ci

[developer]

A friend has just bought a 2004 BMW 645Ci (V8, 4.4L, 333bhp, petrol, auto) and he took me out in it.

The impression I came away with was....................




how good (relatively speaking) my V6 272bhp oil burner is, in terms of noise supression, refinement and performance.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying my car is as good, in any of the above areas, but I expected more from a petrol V8.

I still hanker after a big petrol and I do enjoy something that revs more than my "4250 and it's all over" redline, so perhaps I'll do something silly next time and buy a 500bhp V8 estate car.

I just expected the "overall package" gap to be bigger than it was.

And that's a good thing - there's nothing worse than driving away in your own car feeling like you're now missing something.

 

[jaymanek]

To be honest, modern diesels are hard to beat for acceleration and shove factor...

Overall though, a big V8 cannot be beaten.

 

[st4]

I've owned that engine in an x5 and my mate has the same in a 545i. The 545i doesn't have a lot over the shed and at cruising speeds the diesel is actually quieter. True it makes a nicer noise but you don't but a saloon car for a sporting noise, you buy an AC cobra for that. The modern diesels on paper are great but have vastly complex forced induction systems and fuel injection systems to achieve near petrol performance with half the consumption

 

[developer]

I expected a bigger refinement gap than I got, with it being a big V8, however, S211's (the V6 oilburners) are pretty well sorted in refinement terms.

 

[Peter DLM]

There is a yawning chasm in refinement terms between my S211 and a petrol V8 at parking speeds. Mine sounding like a London Taxi.

 

[developer]

There is a yawning chasm in refinement terms between my S211 and a petrol V8 at parking speeds. Mine sounding like a London Taxi.

IL6 Pete.

I'll edit my post above as I've had both, back to back.

 

[Peter DLM]

You don't say.

Why should a V6 diesel be more refined than an inline 6? No reason why not. BMW makes them plenty refined.

It's a fair comparison, 2004 E320 CDi against 2004 645ci

 

[developer]

You don't say.

Why should a V6 diesel be more refined than an inline 6? No reason why not. BMW makes them plenty refined.

It's a fair comparison, 2004 E320 CDi against 2004 645ci

Evolution of the MB species Pete. I remember when I had my IL6, someone said don't try a V6 or you'll be disappointed in yours in terms of refinement - how right he was.

However, that's not what my original post was about - I didn't say I thought my diesel was as refined as his V8, I just said I was surprised that the refinement gap was so small, which meant I came away pleased.

 

[st4]

You don't say.

Why should a V6 diesel be more refined than an inline 6? No reason why not. BMW makes them plenty refined.

It's a fair comparison, 2004 E320 CDi against 2004 645ci

In theory the i6 should be more refined than the vee engine but it simply is not, windows down or up. Bmws engines aren't as hushed as the v6 Mercedes and I've sampled that in a 730d and whilst sat in the back of a 530d traffic car.

The 45i v8 I think soldiered right on until 2006 in the x5 and do comparing it also to a v6cdi is fair as v6 CDi was released in 2005.

 

[HB]

I've got a 330i, V6 clk 320 and an inline6 eclass. The smoothness of the bmw is leagues ahead of the other two. It makes my eclass sound like a truck.

 

[A210AMG]

Thing is also yours with the Brabus box is probably similar in performance also especially at useable speeds.... Overtaking etc.

Has yours full air suspension also? As its going to ride well. I guess the bm had at least 18" alloys and maybe even dreaded run flats?

I quite like them and value for money a bargain I just find I need the space too much to consider anything such as a two door coupe.

I better not try a v6 of mine I will probably want one however I'm happy it rattles giving 45mpg and when I do give it beans it sounds ok for what it is

 

[Peter DLM]

However, that's not what my original post was about - I didn't say I thought my diesel was as refined as his V8, I just said I was surprised that the refinement gap was so small, which meant I came away pleased.

My post was just adding to the thread, I wasn't arguing.

My 211 sounds like a cab by comparison.

 

[developer]

Excellent tagboy, but it's hearse pilots, not herse pilots, you nobjockey......

 

[Peter DLM]

The 45i v8 I think soldiered right on until 2006 in the x5 and do comparing it also to a v6cdi is fair as v6 CDi was released in 2005.

Well, one is at the end of its life, and the other at the start, but still interesting to read.

My only experience of a BMW diesel was very positive indeed.

 

[developer]

Thing is also yours with the Brabus box is probably similar in performance also especially at useable speeds.... Overtaking etc.

Has yours full air suspension also? As its going to ride well. I guess the bm had at least 18" alloys and maybe even dreaded run flats?

I quite like them and value for money a bargain I just find I need the space too much to consider anything such as a two door coupe.

I better not try a v6 of mine I will probably want one however I'm happy it rattles giving 45mpg and when I do give it beans it sounds ok for what it is

He sure got a lot of car for his money - it looks great and is very well specced, though it was a dealer demo originally.

 

[This is Pete]

The inline 6 of my old BMW 330D was plenty refined enough. I only ever really noticed the sound of it when it was idling at cold.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

You want to have a drive in an M3, doesn't he Pete?

 

[This is Pete]

You want to have a drive in an M3, doesn't he Pete?

Ah, now that would be fun I admit.

 

[Scott_F]

A friend has just bought a 2004 BMW 645Ci (V8, 4.4L, 333bhp, petrol, auto) and he took me out in it.

The impression I came away with was....................

.......yet another fugly BMW.

 

[Adam230K]

Now that I've driven a diesel, I'm not easily amazed by torque of any car, and mine doesn't have anywhere near the torque that yours does, so I can slightly empathise on how you feel.

But you still can't deny how good it sounds, that's something a diesel won't be able to do for the foreseeable future.

I'm actually a big fan of the BM 4.4L, especially the older ones I found are more peakier and characterful than the new butterfly-throttled V8's.