Tuesday night will go down in history as the day over 800hp arrived at my parents’ house. What an overwhelming night! Getting to drive the 535Xi Touring alone is exciting...the M6 just made it surreal.
Dealership experience - I won't go into much detail. They loved the salesman they dealt with. He was very knowledgeable, honest, and hard working. They had one issue trading in the BMW 645Ci...the dealership tried the old "bait & switch" the morning of the deal by saying it has been reappraise. My dad heard none of it and told them to eat the M6. They caved. No issues trading in the Lexus RX330.
First impressions - When I got to their house after work they were side-by-side on the driveway (see quick pics below). Both cars look incredible. The 535Xi Touring was equipped with the M sport package (M5-like body kit, steering wheel, 18" wheels, M logos on door sills, etc.). Carbon black metallic (blue/black) on beige dakota and black bamboo trim. The dealer put on some 35% tints so the beige wouldn't show through as much. Very nice touch. Other options include a giant sunroof, the Premium package (Logic 7 sound, auto everything, rear heated seats, etc.), Tech Package, and Nav Package. I didn't spend much time fooling around with the gizmos because that time was better spent driving. I did like the fact that the 5 had 8 programmable buttons for things hidden away under the iDrive menus.
The M6 doesn't have any options but we did deck it out with some "Individual" colours. Don't even ask me what they're called or how to spell them. Basically a blue/black on orange/brown and carbon fiber trim. Looks amazing! I tried to pick up the differences between the carbon black 5 and the M6...but the pictures don't do the paint justice. The headliner is black ultra-suede and every panel is covered with super-soft premium leather. The seats have adjustable bolstering to keep you snug...very firm yet comfortable. The wheel is incredibly thick. The heads-up display is very neat. It projects your speed it front of you...but it appears as it it were out beyond your nose not in your face on the windshield. Neat.
Driving impressions - I took the M6 first (of course). I can't believe how different it is from the 645Ci. It sounds unbelievable! It burbles at idle and screams its way to the 8000RPM redline (not like I took it all the way up during break-in though). I've never heard anything like it. The ride is a little harsher than the 645Ci. The giant drilled brakes are very grabby and took a little getting used to. The car feels big, like the 645Ci, but man, does it ever handle well. The steering feels so much more responsive and crisp...but kind of light. Must be the absence of active steering. Obviously, it handles like it's on rails...and can turn your stomach upside down when you pin it through a corner. UNBELIEVABLE.
I was really impressed by the 535Xi as well...even after the M6. No issues with the new transmission. Very simple. It took a minute to look at and say, "ok - push forward and you're in drive, to the left, manumatic, button on top, park...easy". It felt a lot smaller than the 6 and similar to our old 540i (obviously). Lots of space out back. The thrust was unreal. Out of a corner, I floored it, a little lag...and....'Wwwoooosh'....the turbos pin me. The turbos sound so sweet! I can't imagine what that engine is like in the 3 series (or the upcoming 135i).
Anyway, both were pretty short rides and I'm still giddy. I'll need longer drives to really appreciate them as the above is pretty rambled and brief. I will report back with more details. Anyways, enjoy the few quick pics below.
