Used BMW 645Ci

BMW decided that there were too few willfully impractical cars in its lineup. True, just about any car with the propeller badge feels like a guilty pleasure, but save for models like the M3 and Z4 any one of them could conceivably be used for family transportation. And so 15 years after the retirement of the original 6 Series (1977-1989), BMW will once again sell a high-dollar coupe that combines all the best the company has to offer in performance, luxury and style — and defies all attempts to wedge a baby seat in its 2+2 occupant compartment.

Chief rival Mercedes-Benz has made plenty of money off well-to-do buyers who want vehicles that fit this profile, and it’s no coincidence that BMW’s new 645Ci coupe slots just about halfway between the much desired CLK500 and the upper-crust CL500 in length, width, wheelbase, curb weight and MSRP. This tells you plenty about the overall dimensions of the 645Ci — about the same size as the 5 Series sedan — and what it will take to get one — upwards of $70,000.

More interesting is what this casual comparison doesn’t tell you. Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes have conditioned upscale coupe buyers to expect potent V8s and a smooth ride quality in this price bracket. But like other BMWs, the 645Ci immediately establishes itself as the athlete of its segment. We don’t mean to speak for hard-core enthusiasts, who will prefer the Porsche 911 or, as one of our editors suggested, the Maserati Coupe. Rather, the 6 is for those seeking a gifted touring car that eagerly and deftly takes on a twisty road when given the chance, while dutifully swallowing up mile after mile of freeway pavement without complaint. Does this supreme balance of attributes give the BMW an edge over its softer competition? If you like to drive as much as we do, yes.

The 645Ci’s styling sparked debate amongst our staff. Scrutinizing the car’s profile, some editors said they saw a plus-size 911 coupe. They took this not unpleasant image with them as they settled into the cockpit, and naturally the driving experience only increased the 645Ci’s standing in their minds. These were the proponents of the 645Ci’s styling. Other editors couldn’t help but cringe at the coupe’s odd cosmetic details: the drooping headlights, the prominent cutline on the hood, the trunk lid that seems to be a separate appendage — all signature motifs of BMW’s current design philosophy. These were the detractors of the coupe’s styling, and for some of them, the 645's sheet metal was a deal breaker. We’ll leave you to decide which camp you’d like to join.

Sounds like mixed praise for what we said was the best BMW had to offer in styling, doesn’t it? Well, the view is much better from inside the car. Our Silver Grey test car had a matching gray and black interior constructed of top-quality materials under the direction of an exacting hand. A few of our editors said they disliked the abundance of cool tones in the cockpit, particularly compared to the 645Ci Convertible that arrived the following week with a light interior and warmer Birch wood trim. In contrast, our author thrived in this chilly environment — to her, it felt both sporty and elegant. She was particularly fond of the marbled gray inlays that took the place of the usual wood; BMW calls this “Ruthenium pearl-gloss.” Not only was it unique, but it also seemed a good match for the personality of our coupe, which had both the Sport Package and a six-speed manual transmission. No need to fret, though, if you prefer a more traditional look: Both light and dark Birch trim are no-cost options on the 645Ci.

Lest you think your author is a vampire given her taste for dark hues, know that there is no escape from the light in the 6 Series coupe. A large section of glass covers most of the roof and gives the cockpit an airy feel. It’s too large to slide open, but you can tilt it up slightly for ventilation. Of course, you can also slide a cover over it should you ever feel the need.

Even with the presence of the 21st-century iDrive vehicle management system, the 645Ci’s cockpit retains a remarkably simple, driver-oriented feel that establishes its place in the BMW family tree (before it branched off to form the current 7 Series). Everything — from the way the human body fits so perfectly into the sport seats to the ease with which you can read the analog gauges to the way the manual transmission’s shifter falls so readily to hand — gives the coupe a timeless quality that all the software in the world can’t take away.

While other manufacturers have experimented with various ways of illuminating the cabin, BMW continues to stick with bright orange backlighting for the gauges and controls. It’s easy on the eyes and establishes an immediate link between a 2004 645Ci and previous BMWs that customers might have owned and loved. There are no roots to trace when it comes to the layout of the automatic climate control system, but this is the simplest setup the company has ever offered. Able to function independently of the iDrive interface, the system features dual temperature dials for the driver and passenger and a real “off” button.

Not all of the controls merit such effusive praise, though. As in the 5 and 7 Series cars, the stereo controls are buried in the iDrive menus. Although we can see the wisdom of housing the myriad of equalizer adjustments here, the process of finding and adding a radio station to your primary presets is needlessly complex. Certainly, it can be done with careful study of the owner’s manual, but if you’re expecting to have everything down pat from Day One, you’ll probably be disappointed.