BMW 650i Convertible 2011 Review

BMW 650i Convertible

BMW says it hopes the more subdued styling of its "jewel in the crown" drop top will attract a wider audience than was possible with the polarising looks of its predecessor. After spending a day with the car, we're inclined to agree.

Penned by BMW's Vice President of Design, Adrian van Hooydonk, the new 6 Series Convertible receives a complete transformation, its backbone based on the new 7 Series' platform. From a bird's eye view the new 6 is penned to ape the striking bow of classic Riva Aquarama speedboats, its sculpted bonnet flowing aftward in a broad 'V' from the logo to the windscreen. Those lines continuing around the passenger compartment before culminating at the car's L-shaped LED tail lamps.

The front end is distinctly BMW, but is differentiated by a wider, lower set kidney grille divided by a horizontal line and angled slats. New LED fog lamps, set as far outboard as possible below those famed 'Corona Ring' headlamps, lend the front a lower, broader stance, while an illuminated 'eyebrow' adds definition to the lamp itself.

In profile, the high shoulder line is fronted by a chromed repeater surround and vent which also serves to house the sensor for the car's nifty self-parking system. All models ride on 19-inch alloy wheels (20-inch available optionally).

The rear sees a boot lid which again features a prominent 'V' motif carried downward into the number plate recess. The centrally mounted BMW logo deploys to reveal a reversing camera (a la Volkswagen Golf Mk 5) and is beset by the aforementioned "glowing" tail lamps, again set lower and wider for bold effect.

The range-topping twin-turbo V8-powered 650i Convertible is distinguished by a pair of straight-edged rectangular exhaust ports, a round pipe to be offered on six-cylinder 640i Convertible models.

Included in the list price are plenty of gadgets, do dads and what's its, most of which are now included as standard across the BMW passenger range, and familiar to those mentioned in our international launch review earlier this year.

Of significance, the 2+2 seater features an insulated canvas folding roof (19 seconds to retract, 24 to deploy and usable to 40km/h), retractable glass air diffuser, and segment-leading 10.2-inch infotainment screen driven by the brand's up-to-the-minute iDrive firmware. The plush sun-reflective leather-clad upholstery is girt by a new driver-orientated dashboard and console arrangement accentuated by a 'character line' that extrudes from the dash flowing rearward down the centre console. Seatbelts are integrated into the front seat shoulder.

A comprehensive array of safety, comfort and infotainment features include a high-end audio package, satellite navigation, night vision (optional), full colour head-up display, lane change and lane departure warning, high-beam assist, surround view, park assist, reversing camera and internet access via Bluetooth and eligible smart phones. BMW's new Office Function is also offered allowing emails, calendar and other communiqués to be viewed on the centre screen, though not while driving.

Bluetooth connectivity and wireless audio streaming are, of course, included as standard. 

As mentioned in our pricing story a potent six-cylinder model, the 640i Convertible, will be available later in the year. The diesel version offered in Europe will not be available locally. According to BMW 6 Series product manager, Alex Brockhoff, the M variant is somewhere between 12 and 18 months away.

BMW quotes 0-100km/h times of just 5.0 seconds with top speed electronically limited to 250km/h. Despite its impressive output the unit is ingeniously efficient with a combined fuel consumption average of just 10.7L/100km and CO2 emissions tally of 249g/km.

Married exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 650i Convertible offers near imperceptible and prompt gear changes with 'Drive', 'Sport' and manual modes, the latter assisted by steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts. Finally, the paddles now operate with the right shifting up (+) and left shifting down (-), BMW ditching is previous 'push/pull' arrangement on non-M models.

Suspension components, chiefly constructed of aluminium, consist of a double wishbone arrangement at the front (the split functionality of the pair meaning steering and suspension forces are dealt with separately) and integral rear axle assembly. Dampers are adjustable and respond to surface changes instantaneously to ensure optimum contact between the rubber and the road. The Adaptive Drive system, as it's known, is included as standard and offers both Dynamic Damper Control and the Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation system, which effectively eliminates body roll.

Electronic power steering carries point duty and adjusts the amount of input required depending on vehicle speed.

The system can be sharpened further by selecting SPORT mode through the Dynamic Drive Control system or by disabling the stability control system. Integral Active Steering, which turns the rear wheels through 2.5-degrees, thereby effectively shortening the wheelbase, is also available optionally.

Lightweight floating-caliper brakes with inner-vented discs measure 374mm at the front and 345mm at the rear and are aided by a raft of electronic controls (which are covered in SAFETY below), included an electro-mechanical park brake with auto-hold function.

The cabin cacoons the front seat passengers separately in substantially recessed seats with the main focus of proceedings obviously skewed toward the driver. Back seat passengers are also treated to individual pews, each carefully scalloped for a supportive ride, but rear legroom is at a premium -- even if BMW says it offers 120mm more than its Jaguar counterpart.

Extensive use of supple leather and high quality materials throughout bring an air of exclusivity to the cockpit, perhaps one even more bespoke in feel than 5, or, dare I say it, 7 Series.

Careful streamlining has ensured a wind (and rain) free environment when travelling sans roof at highway speeds, and with the lid on, is well insulated and reasonably quiet on all except more coarsely chipped surfaces -- although I should add that our test car was optioned with 20-inch alloys.

Cargo space sees 6 Series Convertible offer accommodation for two full size golf bags (apparently the standard measure of any luxury Coupe) with a total volume of 350-litres. Roof down, this shrinks to 300.

For safer parking, BMW's bird's eye Surround View camera allows all-round vision while a reversing camera and four corner parking sensors assist manoeuvring in close quarters. Oh, and in case you're a real menace in the carpark, don't worry, because the car parks itself.

Head-up display saves taking your eyes off the road and (optionally) a night vision camera system makes for safer travels after dark. Lane change and lane departure systems are also fitted, pulsing the steering wheel when you get off track.

Available exclusively with a V8 engine, Jag's XK is already at a disadvantage when it comes to facing the German duo, both offering a cheaper six-cylinder option (640i and SL 350 respectively). And while it is marginally cheaper, the big cat is thirstier than the 650i, while also being slower, making less power, emitting more CO2 and offering less torque -- a tough sell.

Then there's the Merc. Delivering much the same output figures as its British rival it's also placed at a disadvantage when viewed against BMW's latest. Similarly, it's also slower, drinks more heavily and spews more fumes... it's also more than $80,000 more expensive. Oh, and it's a dedicated two-seater.

The chassis is taut, tight even, and well suspended, offering a near-perfect compromise between ride and handling. Weight distribution is as close to ideal as it gets, which is quickly evident when punting across twisty damp back roads of the Gold Coast's hinterland.

Lumps and bumps fail to upset the convertible's intended path, the rear end stepping out only when prompted --  the Sport + setting allowing more freedom than most prestige drop top buyers will need (we can't wait for the M6). Even on quick left to right to left esses the 650i Convertible flows with impressive tenacity, all the while committing drive to the rear wheels with unwavering purpose.

Power delivery is flexible and virtually seamless, the faintest hint of turbo lag the only disruption in a wide, deliberate torque curve topped sweetly with a late surge as the needle approaches the rev limiter. Gearshifts come quickly and cleanly, though if we had to fault the transmission, its tendency to shift up when holding revs before a corner is mildly frustrating.

Perhaps just as impressive as the big bent eight's accurate throttle control is the power and poise offered by the stoppers. You can brake right up to the apex before pushing on the throttle with complete dedication, the pedal feel linear, and sweetly progressive.

There's no scuttle shake to speak of and even when unduly coerced, rack rattle is minimal. Bigger jolts will cause the car to skip, though that's not unexpected from a large, stiff convertible. The electric power steering is quick to recover any discrepancies in intention, even if it lacks a little polish when graded against pure hydraulic systems.

If I had but one complaint, it would be for a crisper exhaust note, the dual system is somewhat muted when pitted against its rivals, despite being allowed more freedom in Sport and Sport + mode or at full throttle.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site