It was almost an impulse thing; I was not in the market for a car. However, I visited a BMW dealership yesterday and, after a test drive, traded-in my `04 SC430 for an `05 (Certified) 645ci. At least five customers at the dealership who, apparently, had been admiring my SC asked me why I was going to the Black Forest. As best I can tell, it was a power thing. I told them that the SC was a wonderful car (which it is). Not to say that the SC is under-powered, but the 645ci has tremendous power plus some nice amenities.

I'll continue to visit this forum and I definitely intend to keep my `04 GX470. In case any of you are wondering what your SCs might be worth, I checked with my credit union before I entered into negotiations and was told that my car, with 11,800 miles, had a resale value of $51K and a trade-in value of $45K. I was able to negotiate a trade-in for $45,800.

Congrats :) Is the 645ci you got a coupe or the convertible ?

Congrats :) Is the 645ci you got a coupe or the convertible ?

The convertible of course! Brilliant Black, charcoal interior, black top. I'm having a clear bra installed this Friday; won't drive it too much until then.

Congrats. Wish you the best in your new ride. I know what you mean, I almost did the same last week for a AMG E55, but gave it some serious thought about owning something German again. I passed. Plus I realized the only reason for the purchase was the HP. Everything else was sub par compared to the SC.

Congratulations on the new car - see you back in a SC430 next year ;) ;)

ah nice car, so are you going to trade it in for the 650i soon? ;) it's even a better car from what i read :)

very nice! i love the 6 series as well. make sure to post pics when you get a chance :)

very nice! i love the 6 series as well. make sure to post pics when you get a chance :)

Will do. I'm having a clear bra installed on Thursday p.m., and will take some photos on Friday. Thanks also for all of the positive responses and support. By the way, it's now official - I signed-over the title to the SC430 this afternoon.

i'm a bit bitter to be honest. I don't even know who you are anymore...

i'm a bit bitter to be honest. I don't even know who you are anymore...
haha come on, love here ;) the 6 series is a nice car, though personally i like the 650 a tad more (of course, m6 wins all)

This sort of freaked me out since I'm sort of in the same boat for a couple of reasons. We currently have both a 2002 SC430 and a 2005 BMW 645 coupe. They really are totally different cars and unfair to compare them to each other. The Lexus is more luxury and the BMW is more handling and power (would it kill the Germans to put some padding in an armrest??). The 645 has more torque and the engine sounds incredible while the Lexus is quiet but still gets where you are going relatively fast too. I don't think anyone compares to the BMW's when it comes to handling just as I don't think anyone compares to Lexus when it comes to luxury. It all boils down to what you want from a car.

The funny thing is that I'm considering trading in the '05 645 coupe for a '06 650 convertible. As obviously everyone in the forum knows, there is nothing like a convertible to forget your troubles. The 645 was already fast, but the 650 is even better with 30 more horsepower. I can't imagine what the M must be like!

This sort of freaked me out since I'm sort of in the same boat for a couple of reasons. We currently have both a 2002 SC430 and a 2005 BMW 645 coupe. They really are totally different cars and unfair to compare them to each other. The Lexus is more luxury and the BMW is more handling and power (would it kill the Germans to put some padding in an armrest??). The 645 has more torque and the engine sounds incredible while the Lexus is quiet but still gets where you are going relatively fast too. I don't think anyone compares to the BMW's when it comes to handling just as I don't think anyone compares to Lexus when it comes to luxury. It all boils down to what you want from a car.

The funny thing is that I'm considering trading in the '05 645 coupe for a '06 650 convertible. As obviously everyone in the forum knows, there is nothing like a convertible to forget your troubles. The 645 was already fast, but the 650 is even better with 30 more horsepower. I can't imagine what the M must be like!

Not to mention that the convertible top on the 645/650 can be raised/lowered remotely from the key!

Not to mention that the convertible top on the 645/650 can be raised/lowered remotely from the key!

Really? I didn't know that. Does it use IR or RF & do you have to hold down the button the whole time like the 2nd gen. SLK?

Really? I didn't know that. Does it use IR or RF & do you have to hold down the button the whole time like the 2nd gen. SLK?

Can't speak to the "IR" vs. "RF" thing but, yes, you have to hold down the button on the key to remorely operate the top. Also has Bluetooth (tried that for the first time last night: really cool!); the Bluetooth downloaded the address book from my SLVR and all I need do is activate the voice command from the steering wheel and say "dial __". I-Drive is as daunting as has been said, though. Lexus' navigation system is eons better in my opinion.

Can't speak to the "IR" vs. "RF" thing but, yes, you have to hold down the button on the key to remorely operate the top. Also has Bluetooth (tried that for the first time last night: really cool!); the Bluetooth downloaded the address book from my SLVR and all I need do is activate the voice command from the steering wheel and say "dial __". I-Drive is as daunting as has been said, though. Lexus' navigation system is eons better in my opinion.

IR = Infra Red
RF = Radio Frequency

As in, IR you have to point to the receiver on the door handle like on the MB SLK. RF as in, you don't have to point to it. :) Enjoy the drive! :thumbup:

This sort of freaked me out since I'm sort of in the same boat for a couple of reasons. We currently have both a 2002 SC430 and a 2005 BMW 645 coupe. They really are totally different cars and unfair to compare them to each other. The Lexus is more luxury and the BMW is more handling and power (would it kill the Germans to put some padding in an armrest??). The 645 has more torque and the engine sounds incredible while the Lexus is quiet but still gets where you are going relatively fast too. I don't think anyone compares to the BMW's when it comes to handling just as I don't think anyone compares to Lexus when it comes to luxury. It all boils down to what you want from a car.

The funny thing is that I'm considering trading in the '05 645 coupe for a '06 650 convertible. As obviously everyone in the forum knows, there is nothing like a convertible to forget your troubles. The 645 was already fast, but the 650 is even better with 30 more horsepower. I can't imagine what the M must be like!
believe me, the 650 is A LOT better. if i were to get the car today it would be 650 no question asked. i agree that comparing the two cars is almost pointless, coz' they are designed for completely different objectives in mind.

The 650 is that much better? I only drove the 650 for a spin around the block and could tell there was definitely more power, but that was the extent of the drive. I figured the 645 is incredible with the sport suspension (scary how flat it remains when cornering), so the 650 couldn't be any worse--only better. I swear BMW underestimates their HP output just as every BMW speedometer we've had has always been 3-7 mph over the actual speed while cruising at 75 mph.

I didn't know that about the remote top operation which is a nice feature. I do remember that the back glass in the top (which acts like a wind block) in the 645 can go down separately from the top itself. I'll have to make sure it's that way in the 650 too. The coupe we have has a huge sunroof, but it only tilts open in the back and then only about an inch. I thought it wouldn't be that bad, but I hate not being able to open it in the summer.

We'll probably make a decision on the 650 in about two weeks, so I'll report back if anyone is interested.

No soft top for me thank you.......

No soft top for me thank you.......
+1 :agreed: , I prefer the coupe for the 6 series.

believe me, the 650 is A LOT better. if i were to get the car today it would be 650 no question asked. i agree that comparing the two cars is almost pointless, coz' they are designed for completely different objectives in mind.

Other than the additional horsepower, is there anything else that would make it that much more outstanding? Just curious because I didn't test drive a 650 and the 645 seems to have scary power.

wife loves the car.. cant justify spending $80K+ on any car though...

Other than the additional horsepower, is there anything else that would make it that much more outstanding? Just curious because I didn't test drive a 650 and the 645 seems to have scary power.
i will let gene chime in here, he thought about the 645 i think and quickly waited for the 650. i know only some differences between the two, but imho the power performance is already big enough for me to choose the 650. and i believe the taillights are differnet too?

i remember gene telling me some new options for the 650 that are not on the 645, but i will let him talk about that

sent him a pm already :)

ah so the master has spoken :)

this thread has taken a different turn. i think it's time to be moved to the car chat

but i agree, the e63 is far more superb on performance over the sc430, it's not even a fair comparison. the e63 drives so much better, much faster, better handling, and steering response as well.

whereas i think the sc430 is more comfortable, quieter, smoother. i say it's a relaxing ride.

definitely depends on what kind of driving you want. and gene, i wanna see m6!

SC430 is a cruiser.
6 series is a bruiser.
:D

SC430 is a cruiser.
6 series is a bruiser.
:D
lol, a good way to sum it up! :thumbup:

The real bruiser is the M6 :) ;)