Need some advice on F31 vs 640d GC

IanD1 · 06-23-2013, 02:56 PM

I was planning to order a new 330d F31 this week with a decent spec which included, AW, black individual leather, Pro Nav, Vis Pak, M Sport Pack and a few other bits. I'm planning to lease this over 4 years and with some discount and about £3k down it was working out at just over £500pm.

Now, this all seems fine, but I was in the dealer yesterday and they seem to be knocking out a few 640d GC's with massive discounts and doing 0% select deals. They have one in AW, 20's, sun glass and one or two other very minor options for £600pm, but with £5k down. Just turned my head and got me thinking. I know it's not as practical as the F31 and very large in comparison, but I can do without the estate, but was getting it to replace my E91 325d which has been great and I prefer them to the saloons tbh.

I'm only 39 so I'm wondering if the GC is a bit of an 'older persons car'

??...

Advice needed as I really need to decide this week to get the current quarter deals.

Cheers in advance.

Ian

ZigmundUK · 06-23-2013, 03:29 PM

I'm 34 and saw one drive past and had to force my jaw shut. It's great! And you're getting so much more car for your money if its 0% - prob makes some money back against a 3er lease. Note though the 6 doesn't have a bak middle seat...

gtsussex · 06-23-2013, 04:42 PM

Interestingly I had choice of either the 335xd with all the toys I wanted or a 640d GC with a bit of compromise.

Currently have 750 so 6GC felt very much like what I was used to in terms of interior. It is lovely inside. You need the sunroof as most cars seem to be black inside and it's very dark otherwise.

Make sure you drive one beforehand. I found the M Sport suspension was tiring as let the rest of the car down - felt every bump. VDC made a HUGE difference. Sports setting was about same as standard but comfort was way better on Mway.

Practicality wise, rear seats fold down and boot is good size.

Oh and best bit about the 6 GC, when you put your foot down, the engine sound comes through the sound system to enhance the noise and sounds awesome!

Ended up going for 3 series as I didn't want to turn up at clients in a £70k plus car (my 3 series will be dabaged) and wife found the GC too claustrophobic. Final decider was fact I wanted the x-drive because of the four wheel drive and my heart was trying to win over my head by getting the GC.

It's a different class of car to the 3 but it is more of a cruiser.

Just try one first - I had to go 50 miles to another dealer before decision was made as it was no difference in monthlies.

pferdestarke · 06-23-2013, 05:04 PM

This just shows how you can put yourself in something fairly rare and luxurious for not a great deal more than a 3.

I would seriously consider doing it at those figures if I was buying my own.

A friend went for the 5 over the 3 and hasn't looked back. His only comment - "where do I go from here at 32?"

Sabo · 06-24-2013, 12:09 AM

I have driven both and have to say the GC is a different league to the 3 series it really gives you the luxurious experience that you would seek from a BMW especially the interior(unlike in the 3 series) exterior is equally special and the engine is awesome. If you can afford the difference in payment there's not much to think about in my opinion.

Quakered · 06-24-2013, 05:32 AM

Well looking at the other side, is no one worried that you will be getting a car that other BMW customers do not want. Half price sounds a bit desperate.....

No financial pain if you are renting but I know I would worry that I was driving the car that no one else wanted and that I might discover why only when it was on my drive.

flc1962 · 06-24-2013, 07:27 AM

I'm 50 something and would not get a 6 series, I could be tempted by a 5, it took ages to decide on a 3 series and have had 2 now, so many good models out there from the German companies...

F30AM · 06-24-2013, 10:25 AM

GC, if you don't have to live with parking hell on a daily basis as I have to and if you like to drive like a speedy kerb crawler.
Anything larger than an F30 would drive me to destruction and distraction.

IanD1 · 06-24-2013, 05:03 PM

Thanks for all the comments. Went and drove one today and though the engine was fantastic. The ride was quite bumpy compared to what I was expecting and it's certainly a very imposing car. Also took Mrs D for a look and although she liked the interior she was a little concerned about the overall size! It's a bit deceptive as it's very similar to the 5 series when you look at the dims.

Anyway... As gtsussex pointed out, it a bit flash and tbh, I would for myself in the construction industry so it could give out the wrong signals and I recon I'll be sticking with what I know best... 3 series number 6 coming this way

Just need to decide on spec now

ZigmundUK · 06-24-2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanD1

Thanks for all the comments. Went and drove one today and though the engine was fantastic. The ride was quite bumpy compared to what I was expecting and it's certainly a very imposing car. Also took Mrs D for a look and although she liked the interior she was a little concerned about the overall size! It's a bit deceptive as it's very similar to the 5 series when you look at the dims.

Anyway... As gtsussex pointed out, it a bit flash and tbh, I would for myself in the construction industry so it could give out the wrong signals and I recon I'll be sticking with what I know best... 3 series number 6 coming this way

Just need to decide on spec now

haha - start a thread - i love those spec threads

IanD1 · 06-24-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZigmundUK

haha - start a thread - i love those spec threads

I'm almost there with it tbh.. just need to choose between AW and EB I'll maybe start a thread tomorrow, but I need to place an order this week!

ZigmundUK · 06-24-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanD1

I'm almost there with it tbh.. just need to choose between AW and EB I'll maybe start a thread tomorrow, but I need to place an order this week!

EB all the way. I've seen a few aw 3 series around. They're a lot more subtle and hide the lovely lines of the car.

IanD1 · 06-24-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZigmundUK

EB all the way. I've seen a few aw 3 series around. They're a lot more subtle and hide the lovely lines of the car.

I just wish they did mineral white on the M Sport as I think the white exterior would go really well with the back and white piped individual leather. I want the performance grills and maybe the rear diffuser so a few subtle mods could lift the white. EB is lovely but will enviably suffer from it's popularity.

gtsussex · 06-24-2013, 11:47 PM

Interesting to see we both came to same conclusion! I was quite surprised by the ride.

At least I get to have the same engine in the 3 series and as it's de-badged, no-one will know :-)

davyk31 · 06-25-2013, 04:52 AM

What dealer are you using in NI Ian?

IanD1 · 06-25-2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyk31

What dealer are you using in NI Ian?

The 640d GC was in Bavarian although I've also been speaking to prentice in portadown about the F31 330d. I'm getting pretty good discount although a friend recommended a local car broker but tbh I'd prefer to keep with a main dealer transaction for that sort of money.

06-23-2013, 02:56 PM	#1
IanD1 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 222 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	Need some advice on F31 vs 640d GC I was planning to order a new 330d F31 this week with a decent spec which included, AW, black individual leather, Pro Nav, Vis Pak, M Sport Pack and a few other bits. I'm planning to lease this over 4 years and with some discount and about £3k down it was working out at just over £500pm. Now, this all seems fine, but I was in the dealer yesterday and they seem to be knocking out a few 640d GC's with massive discounts and doing 0% select deals. They have one in AW, 20's, sun glass and one or two other very minor options for £600pm, but with £5k down. Just turned my head and got me thinking. I know it's not as practical as the F31 and very large in comparison, but I can do without the estate, but was getting it to replace my E91 325d which has been great and I prefer them to the saloons tbh. I'm only 39 so I'm wondering if the GC is a bit of an 'older persons car' ??... Advice needed as I really need to decide this week to get the current quarter deals. Cheers in advance. Ian
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06-23-2013, 03:29 PM	#2
ZigmundUK Lieutenant Colonel 443 Rep 1,963 Posts Drives: I20 IX M60 Oxide Grey Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NCL - UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E61 520d SE [0.00] 2017 G30 530d M-Spo ... [0.00]	I'm 34 and saw one drive past and had to force my jaw shut. It's great! And you're getting so much more car for your money if its 0% - prob makes some money back against a 3er lease. Note though the 6 doesn't have a bak middle seat... __________________ Running: G30 530d M Sport (B57) Mediterranean Blue Running: I20 IX M60 Oxide Grey Gone: F15 X5 40d M Sport (N57) Glacier Silver, E61 520d SE Auto (N47D20) Titanium Silver, F31 330d M Sport (N57D30A) Estoril Blue, E87 120d SE Auto (M47TU2D20) Sparkling Graphite
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06-23-2013, 04:42 PM	#3
gtsussex Brigadier General 1854 Rep 3,983 Posts Drives: SMB M3 CP with lots of carbon Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex iTrader: (0)	Interestingly I had choice of either the 335xd with all the toys I wanted or a 640d GC with a bit of compromise. Currently have 750 so 6GC felt very much like what I was used to in terms of interior. It is lovely inside. You need the sunroof as most cars seem to be black inside and it's very dark otherwise. Make sure you drive one beforehand. I found the M Sport suspension was tiring as let the rest of the car down - felt every bump. VDC made a HUGE difference. Sports setting was about same as standard but comfort was way better on Mway. Practicality wise, rear seats fold down and boot is good size. Oh and best bit about the 6 GC, when you put your foot down, the engine sound comes through the sound system to enhance the noise and sounds awesome! Ended up going for 3 series as I didn't want to turn up at clients in a £70k plus car (my 3 series will be dabaged) and wife found the GC too claustrophobic. Final decider was fact I wanted the x-drive because of the four wheel drive and my heart was trying to win over my head by getting the GC. It's a different class of car to the 3 but it is more of a cruiser. Just try one first - I had to go 50 miles to another dealer before decision was made as it was no difference in monthlies. Last edited by gtsussex; 06-24-2013 at 12:11 AM..
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06-23-2013, 05:04 PM	#4
pferdestarke Private First Class 17 Rep 147 Posts Drives: f30 320D M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	This just shows how you can put yourself in something fairly rare and luxurious for not a great deal more than a 3. I would seriously consider doing it at those figures if I was buying my own. A friend went for the 5 over the 3 and hasn't looked back. His only comment - "where do I go from here at 32?"
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06-24-2013, 12:09 AM	#5
Sabo Lieutenant 62 Rep 565 Posts Drives: F21 M140i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Warwickshire iTrader: (0)	I have driven both and have to say the GC is a different league to the 3 series it really gives you the luxurious experience that you would seek from a BMW especially the interior(unlike in the 3 series) exterior is equally special and the engine is awesome. If you can afford the difference in payment there's not much to think about in my opinion.
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06-24-2013, 05:32 AM	#6
Quakered First Lieutenant 67 Rep 334 Posts Drives: was BMW 328 Tourer F31 Join Date: May 2013 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Well looking at the other side, is no one worried that you will be getting a car that other BMW customers do not want. Half price sounds a bit desperate..... No financial pain if you are renting but I know I would worry that I was driving the car that no one else wanted and that I might discover why only when it was on my drive.
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06-24-2013, 07:27 AM	#7
flc1962 Private First Class 6 Rep 112 Posts Drives: M Sport 420d Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	I'm 50 something and would not get a 6 series, I could be tempted by a 5, it took ages to decide on a 3 series and have had 2 now, so many good models out there from the German companies... __________________ Current 420d M Sport Previous 320d M Sport F30 318 M Sport E90
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06-24-2013, 10:25 AM	#8
F30AM Major General 706 Rep 5,021 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport sDrive Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	GC, if you don't have to live with parking hell on a daily basis as I have to and if you like to drive like a speedy kerb crawler. Anything larger than an F30 would drive me to destruction and distraction. __________________ Previous: Superman 330d sDrive M Sport + Toys Present: Red Tornado Golf 7R 5 Dr, DSG + Toys
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06-24-2013, 05:03 PM	#9
IanD1 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 222 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the comments. Went and drove one today and though the engine was fantastic. The ride was quite bumpy compared to what I was expecting and it's certainly a very imposing car. Also took Mrs D for a look and although she liked the interior she was a little concerned about the overall size! It's a bit deceptive as it's very similar to the 5 series when you look at the dims. Anyway... As gtsussex pointed out, it a bit flash and tbh, I would for myself in the construction industry so it could give out the wrong signals and I recon I'll be sticking with what I know best... 3 series number 6 coming this way Just need to decide on spec now
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06-24-2013, 11:47 PM	#14
gtsussex Brigadier General 1854 Rep 3,983 Posts Drives: SMB M3 CP with lots of carbon Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex iTrader: (0)	Interesting to see we both came to same conclusion! I was quite surprised by the ride. At least I get to have the same engine in the 3 series and as it's de-badged, no-one will know :-)
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06-25-2013, 04:52 AM	#15
davyk31 Major General 1036 Rep 6,944 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	What dealer are you using in NI Ian?
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