E39 to E63 - mad?
Discussion
I've been using an E39 525 as my main car for a couple of years and I'm contemplating a change to an E63/E64 630. The E39 gets me somewhere around 28/29mpg most days, has 110,000 miles and I would probably be lucky to get £1500 for it. Autotrader, that evil temptress, suggests I might get a 2008 630 with 83,000 miles for less than £10k. Leaving aside the actual car (here by the way http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016... as I am not yet in a position to buy, is this madness? The only reason for contemplating the change is I'm a bit bored of the 525 if I'm honest and I was browsing while the sustainability wonk was droning on in yesterday's company wide meeting.
rockford22 said:
Not mad at all...but why a 630i? Has to be the V8 surely.
The V8 is noticeably less fuel efficient and has a couple of significant bork issues the 630i doesn't. Whilst there is a case to be made for the 650i, the 630i has its place too. Especially as an older used buy.Poor spec that one you listed which will make it difficult to shift it in the future, doesn't even have nav which will put a lot of future buyers off - there are plenty out there which would offer you much more for your money 
. Also, any reason you are looking for a manual as the auto box suits the car much more?
What type of driving are you doing as the V8 MPG is pretty good on a run but crap round town!
. Also, any reason you are looking for a manual as the auto box suits the car much more?What type of driving are you doing as the V8 MPG is pretty good on a run but crap round town!
Alex88 said:
Fox- said:
rockford22 said:
Not mad at all...but why a 630i? Has to be the V8 surely.
The V8 is noticeably less fuel efficient and has a couple of significant bork issues the 630i doesn't. Whilst there is a case to be made for the 650i, the 630i has its place too. Especially as an older used buy.2. Get a warranty
Alex88 said:
1. Real world MPG is almost exactly the same
No it's not - only when you look at man maths from V8 owners.Alex88 said:
2. Get a warranty
A warranty on a 100,000 mile 10 year old V8 BMW. Yes, that sounds like a credible plan 
I'm not saying the V8 isn't the best one, more highlighting that the 630i does have its place and there are a bunch of sensible reasons to opt for it.
I drove these when they were new. The 630i goes pretty well and is a LOT better on fuel. It's basically an E60 underneath so it handles okay - the alloy six is a lot lighter on its feet. The 645Ci is getting on a bit and they can piss oil out, burn oil, the coolant tube problem and so on. The N52 is a better engine but not perfect - google 'camshaft ledge wear N52'. That's a 3 grand fix if not more. Check for corrosion on the alloy doors. They're not unreliable cars as such.
Forget aftermarket warranties on something this old, just accept that you still have the running costs of a 40 grand car, service it religiously and enjoy it. If a 258 bhp 630i is brisk enough, that's the one to have.
That grey manual looks lovely - but it's the N53 with direct injection, basically an F10 type unit. Nice, but any issues with the injectors, NoX sensor etc is £££££££. The E63 is also a bit of a tank and better as an auto imo. I would look for a low mileage 2005-6 auto.
Oh - and avoid active steering and active ride like the plague. They do go wrong and any repairs here will be a significant percentage of the cars value - £2500 for a rack with no used ones anywhere. Active anti roll bars £1500, control units £1200...........see where I'm coming from?
Forget aftermarket warranties on something this old, just accept that you still have the running costs of a 40 grand car, service it religiously and enjoy it. If a 258 bhp 630i is brisk enough, that's the one to have.
That grey manual looks lovely - but it's the N53 with direct injection, basically an F10 type unit. Nice, but any issues with the injectors, NoX sensor etc is £££££££. The E63 is also a bit of a tank and better as an auto imo. I would look for a low mileage 2005-6 auto.
Oh - and avoid active steering and active ride like the plague. They do go wrong and any repairs here will be a significant percentage of the cars value - £2500 for a rack with no used ones anywhere. Active anti roll bars £1500, control units £1200...........see where I'm coming from?
Just by way of an update, I decided I would make the change when the remote element of both keys stopped working on the E39. I took on board the comments above, shopped around and found a manual 630 with my initials on the bog standard number plate. Which should have been my first warning as this car was in West London and you only get my initials on a reg plate in Scotland. I googled the dealer as it really was too good to be true and this was a good thing as their feedback was atrocious. (BTW, I wont name & shame here but if anyone wants the details PM me)
So back to Autotrader, select coupes only and keep looking. Oh, what's this, a BMW specialist with one with a good history, all the options I wanted and a 12 month ticket to boot. Well it would be rude not to go and have a look. Oh no what a shame it's a 645 with a V8. Oh dear that engine note is terribly seductive isn't it. Ooops, I appear to have bought it, oh dear, how sad, never mind. What's that officer? Only in Germany officer...
So back to Autotrader, select coupes only and keep looking. Oh, what's this, a BMW specialist with one with a good history, all the options I wanted and a 12 month ticket to boot. Well it would be rude not to go and have a look. Oh no what a shame it's a 645 with a V8. Oh dear that engine note is terribly seductive isn't it. Ooops, I appear to have bought it, oh dear, how sad, never mind. What's that officer? Only in Germany officer...
well done, enjoy your new motor, you can't beat the burble of a V8. With power comes responsibility though! 
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