BMW 645 2004 Review

The Ci is actually $203 grand.

It's ridiculous to contemplate really, spending that much on a car, but driving the BMW 645Ci seems to justify the outlay.

Here is a stunning looking two door coupe with glorious performance, great handling and every luxury known to man – well almost.

A 7-Series coupe for want of a better description, the Ci offers a level of driving pleasure few other cars can deliver. It is not the fastest, quickest, best handling or riding but is damn close on all scores. It is certainly right up there in technology and luxury terms.

Line it up against something from the HSV stable and the local hotrod will be seriously tested in a straight line and around corners. But the Big Beemer does it all with such poise, such control. It's awesome.

I was fortunate to drive the six speed manual version of which will be a rarity here as most buyers (me too if I had the dosh) would go for the six speed auto. There is no price differential between the two.

The manual is a sweet shifter, has a light clutch and closely spaced ratios.

But driving in heavy traffic is annoying (in any manual).

The Ci feels like a big car and plenty of people said it looks heavy but it isn't really, just a bit over 1600kg, and that's why one of the reasons why it goes so well.

The engine is a 4.4L, multi cam, multi valve V8 with variable valve control. It produces 245kW/450Nm of torque. It's used in 5-Series and 7-Series.

Fuel consumption can average around 12L/100km if you are conservative with the throttle but it's too easy to revel in this car's performance. Acceleration is rapid with the 0-100kmh sprint passing in about 5.3 seconds.

And BMW has engineered a super sound into the exhaust. That is just more temptation.

As usual, electronic systems abound and they control just about every dynamic function of the car. Some can be switched off but electronics still retain the upper hand.

It doesn't matter in a car like this.

The lavish four person interior provides fully- bombed luxury and has a new (simplified) version of the i-Drive system for the in-car stuff like entertain- ment, satnav, and TV.

Of particular interest are the adaptive bi-xenon headlights and Active steering that provides kart-like response at low speed and sports sedan feel at high speed.

Convenience features include a glass sunroof, park distance control all round and a multi-function steering wheel. If only mainstream cars were so good.

Next century perhaps.