Is a facelift 6 Series worth the extra money?
Discussion
I am looking at 630i convertibles (645i's are not an option) and it seems that 16-17k could get me a clean lowish mileage car, possibly even from a BMW main dealer.
With this budget taking me up to early/mid 2006 models I decided to look at facelifted ones on 57-08 plates and cant find much under 22-23k with 70k miles.
For approximately 18 months in age, is the 6-7k premium worth it? I read that they are slightly more powerful, slightly more economical and have updated features but is it enough?
Although my funds allow me to buy either, in the current climate I am concerned about the more expensive car depreciating more than the earlier model when it comes to selling it.
With this budget taking me up to early/mid 2006 models I decided to look at facelifted ones on 57-08 plates and cant find much under 22-23k with 70k miles.
For approximately 18 months in age, is the 6-7k premium worth it? I read that they are slightly more powerful, slightly more economical and have updated features but is it enough?
Although my funds allow me to buy either, in the current climate I am concerned about the more expensive car depreciating more than the earlier model when it comes to selling it.
I know that they depreciate like falling rocks, which is why I wonder whether the 6-7k extra on a car that is only 18 months younger is worth the extra money. I don't understand why there is such a big jump in prices.
Is the facelift that much a more desirable car than the earlier model for any reason unbeknown to a non 6'er?
You see having done my nuts a few times over the last couple of years in buying nearly new big engined cars and losing fortunes on them due to the current economic climate, I am now thinking about the wisdom in buying older big engined cars which have hopefully done a big chunk of their depreciating already, for a change.
There are some bargains on 05 plates around with the seemingly bullet proof 3.0l engine, on low miles surely they must be a better bet?
Is the facelift that much a more desirable car than the earlier model for any reason unbeknown to a non 6'er?
You see having done my nuts a few times over the last couple of years in buying nearly new big engined cars and losing fortunes on them due to the current economic climate, I am now thinking about the wisdom in buying older big engined cars which have hopefully done a big chunk of their depreciating already, for a change.
There are some bargains on 05 plates around with the seemingly bullet proof 3.0l engine, on low miles surely they must be a better bet?
6BMW said:
Go drive a 650i and you won't think of getting a 630i ;-)
Without a doubt the v8 would have been my first choice, but can't go to those cc's due to import tax here, as it will add another 15k to my cost (on top of the 10k the 3 litre would have).I drove a couple of 630i's and was surprised, it was much more an entertaining drive than I expected, freely revving with a great exhaust note to the redline and was surprisingly quick. The V8's I am sure are in another league but I dont think the 630i is in 320i territory.
But back to my OP, are the facelifts worth the extra premium? I looked again today and they are least 4k more expensive than an earlier 07 plate that is 6 months younger.
gizlaroc said:
I wouldn't worry about lack of power on the 630i, I remember have a bit of a blat with one in my mapped 535d and he was stuck to me like a good 'un!
Bet it is more fun than the 645i to drive.
I would get one as cheap as you can, in 2 years time you will have the new 6er up on the used cars and a year later they will be at good money, you will do your biscuit on a £24k 630i if you buy now.
That's exactly what I have been thinking, that a 24k car will quickly become a 12k one when the new model becomes two years old, and appears on the used car market. Bet it is more fun than the 645i to drive.
I would get one as cheap as you can, in 2 years time you will have the new 6er up on the used cars and a year later they will be at good money, you will do your biscuit on a £24k 630i if you buy now.
I think its the fully loaded 05/06 with 50k miles at 15k that looks the better buy.
6BMW said:
Depends on what YOU want mate. I've had a 2005 645ci and now have an LCI 2008 650i.
The interior of the LCI facelift is certainly more upmarket and the new style gearknob makes it a much more modern interior where as the 645 was starting to look very very dated. I have dark red leather with aluminium dashboard trim and anyone who sits in my car falls in love with the interior but on my 645ci evryone used to comment how dated it looks compared to the exterior of the car. The materials used are very different in both cars!!
Externally you get brighter angel eye headlights with upto date LED indicators and the front and rear bumpers have changed - the LCI looks more slick IMHO.
The LCI also has electronic gear shifters or something so the gear change is much smoother and MPG is improved.
HTH
I am surprised really that it is that different in the flesh as on paper it seems to be the same thing with some trick led lights. The dash and the seats look the same.The interior of the LCI facelift is certainly more upmarket and the new style gearknob makes it a much more modern interior where as the 645 was starting to look very very dated. I have dark red leather with aluminium dashboard trim and anyone who sits in my car falls in love with the interior but on my 645ci evryone used to comment how dated it looks compared to the exterior of the car. The materials used are very different in both cars!!
Externally you get brighter angel eye headlights with upto date LED indicators and the front and rear bumpers have changed - the LCI looks more slick IMHO.
The LCI also has electronic gear shifters or something so the gear change is much smoother and MPG is improved.
HTH
Do you think it is the seat colour that made a difference compared to say a black one. They exist on pre facelift too as I have seen one or two (chateau red)advertised recently with black exteriors.
It just feels that to go from say 18-19k for an 07 pre facelift to a 24-25k facelift seems alot of extra money for basically the same car. In two years time, will there still be 6-7k between them?
gizlaroc said:
To be fair, the 2008 X5 uses far, far better materials then the pre facelift one, never mentioned anywhere but it is a different class, so presume the 6 series went the same way.
the reports all seem to have focused on the gear lever, the led lights and the Idrive update.Looking through the ads, it seems they have ditched those light wood trims that were common on the earlier cars.
One other thing, it also seems that the LCI has not only lower Co2 levels but is marginally more economical.
Did they do more than a remap on the facelift cars?
bennyboydurham said:
Currently shopping for an LCI 6er for the wife and have driven a 650, 630 and 635d. The 650 makes a wonderful noise but it is the 635d that really encourages you to drive like an utter loon; the torque has to be experienced to be believed. The 630 is a bit more relaxed but there's plenty of go in it and doing the sums over 15k miles the 630 was by far the cheapest to run.
If overall cost is obviously an issue, why have you decided on an LCI model as opposed to say a low miles 06 model and 6-7k less?Apart from the seats, does anyone know the other differences between a ' Sport' and a non sport car?
A looked at a couple of cars that had many good options on them that were not Sport models. Granted I prefer the seats in the Sport but I couldn't see any other differences. The non sports all have 19" wheels if that is another difference.
A looked at a couple of cars that had many good options on them that were not Sport models. Granted I prefer the seats in the Sport but I couldn't see any other differences. The non sports all have 19" wheels if that is another difference.
6BMW said:
Suspension different
Gearbox ratios are different (I think, certainky felt that way on a test drive)
Seats are different
Steering wheels are different sports thicker rimmed.
Different Alloys.
Resale much better on sports
You might be right on the gearbox. I drove a Sport and non sport and the Sport definitley felt more eager in the uptake.Gearbox ratios are different (I think, certainky felt that way on a test drive)
Seats are different
Steering wheels are different sports thicker rimmed.
Different Alloys.
Resale much better on sports
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