645Ci - Talk me out of it
Discussion
Sorry for not replying sooner, been away.
It all seems acceptable, although I'd probably try to find a good indy for the servicing.
Don't fancy the car I mentioned in the OP so much now, mileage seems a bit high compared to others I've seen for not much more. I have a preference for a manual although they seem a bit like rocking horse stuff so I might have to concede to an automatic. Having said that I've never driven a decent auto so feel free to educate me.
Cheers all, you're doing a terrible job of talking me out of it. Keep it up
It all seems acceptable, although I'd probably try to find a good indy for the servicing.
Don't fancy the car I mentioned in the OP so much now, mileage seems a bit high compared to others I've seen for not much more. I have a preference for a manual although they seem a bit like rocking horse stuff so I might have to concede to an automatic. Having said that I've never driven a decent auto so feel free to educate me.
Cheers all, you're doing a terrible job of talking me out of it. Keep it up
just had a little jaunt back from Cardiff to Basingstoke - cruise set at 77mph and averaged 31.3mpg according to the OBC.
The auto makes it such a cruiser and with the V8 just flys when you need it - i had to get past some slower moving traffic and went from 65 leptons to many, many more leptons in the blink of an eye on a wave of power - none of this common stick stirring rubbish, it just doesn't stop pulling!
one bad thing though - mine has no cup holders so is a bit of a pain for somewhere to put a coffee - end up with the armrest open and it stuffed in there. On the plus side it doesn't have that hideous cup holder arm thing sticking out of the centre console
The auto makes it such a cruiser and with the V8 just flys when you need it - i had to get past some slower moving traffic and went from 65 leptons to many, many more leptons in the blink of an eye on a wave of power - none of this common stick stirring rubbish, it just doesn't stop pulling!
one bad thing though - mine has no cup holders so is a bit of a pain for somewhere to put a coffee - end up with the armrest open and it stuffed in there. On the plus side it doesn't have that hideous cup holder arm thing sticking out of the centre console
mattman said:
one bad thing though - mine has no cup holders so is a bit of a pain for somewhere to put a coffee - end up with the armrest open and it stuffed in there. On the plus side it doesn't have that hideous cup holder arm thing sticking out of the centre console
http://www.amazon.co.uk/diy-tools/dp/B007JUT0XCBuy this, stick it in the armrest and your drinks are secure
Or buy this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-Genuine-Center-Console-Holder/dp/B0073D2NSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371634086&sr=8-1&keywords=bmw+6+series+cup+holder ) and stick your drinks into the rear armrest.
I wasn't keen on autos before I got my 645 either - it's the first car out of 6 that I've had that wasn't a manual. However its a very easy thing to get used to, and it does suit the car as it makes it easier to cruise around in - you just gotta get used to not using your left leg for anything! I do find the gearbox a little jerky from time to time but on the whole I've become smitten with it.
Yes there is a manual shift option on all the autos, but I've found it very weird to use - there's obviously no clutch so it's a case of watching the revs then shifting up and down like a sequential box. Think I've tried it twice and gave up; would probably work better on some proper driving roads... don't get many of those around London town tho.
LikesBikes said:
On the subject of the gearbox, I know it's not an SMG or anything but can you control the auto "manually" if you know what I mean?
And if so, do you ever feel the need?
Auto with a Sports mode and manual option. It's still an auto so will change gear within it's own parameters and will shift up/down if you don't but you do have some manual control. I use it occasionally: it's nice to make progress using just 3rd/4th gears!And if so, do you ever feel the need?
LikesBikes said:
Sump said:
IF you really want to talk yourself out of it then look into the coolant pipe leak that is under the V8 manifold.
I've read a little about this, but can't seem to find a reference to how common it actually is? Seems to be a lot of them are in the US?Sump said:
I think the 645 engine has some slight issues compared to the 650i. It is noticeably more reliable.
IF you really want to talk yourself out of it then look into the coolant pipe leak that is under the V8 manifold.
I've not heard of the pipe leaking on a UK car. Sold my second 545i at 149k miles and there was no problem with it, anyway, and the extending replacement pipe means it is fixable sensibly now. If it ever happens. IF you really want to talk yourself out of it then look into the coolant pipe leak that is under the V8 manifold.
Worth having the BMW warranty still, since there are plenty of other items which could be expensive to fix.
I have run the 650 (Nov 2005) from 47k miles to 93k miles in the last 2 years, with at least 80% being motorway. Only non routine bills has been for a rear wheel bearing and gearbox seal. All genuine BM parts and oils fitted by my BM specialist. Wheel bearing was £120 incl fitting and a gearbox wiring connector sealing body (part now modified) for £175 which included £50 for 2.5L of gearbox oil and fitting. This is a well known issue and by all acconts inevitable.
It had new discs and pads just before I bought it and will have the fronts changes out next week at it's oil service (about 17k between changes according to the servie indicator). My indie charges circa £60 for this as I provide the oil and they provide a genuine filter. I know it is not a difficult job, but he gives it the once over for peace of mind (this is how the gearbox oil seal was found and they wax oiled the rear brake pipes last time). All figures are Excl VAT.
Tyres are expensive. OBC indicator is showing 27.7 MPG over the last 5k miles ( >90% motorway). MPG is about 2 MPG less than my wife's 2002 330CI convertible on my typical journey (600 miles).
From my research, you need to ensure that the rear foot well’s are bone dry and that the spare wheel well is also bone dry (blocked sun roof drains?), as it is full of electronic gubbins. It is a wonderful car and still feels special.
Good luck!
It had new discs and pads just before I bought it and will have the fronts changes out next week at it's oil service (about 17k between changes according to the servie indicator). My indie charges circa £60 for this as I provide the oil and they provide a genuine filter. I know it is not a difficult job, but he gives it the once over for peace of mind (this is how the gearbox oil seal was found and they wax oiled the rear brake pipes last time). All figures are Excl VAT.
Tyres are expensive. OBC indicator is showing 27.7 MPG over the last 5k miles ( >90% motorway). MPG is about 2 MPG less than my wife's 2002 330CI convertible on my typical journey (600 miles).
From my research, you need to ensure that the rear foot well’s are bone dry and that the spare wheel well is also bone dry (blocked sun roof drains?), as it is full of electronic gubbins. It is a wonderful car and still feels special.
Good luck!
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