Why is the 6 series so cheap and why haven't I got one yet..

Why is the 6 series so cheap and why haven't I got one yet..

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Discussion

matthias73

Original Poster:

2,883 posts

150 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Just a bit of musing here, and could do with either a slap or a push in the right direction.

I currently have an old 520i, which does the job nicely but really doesn't do much for excitement. Compared to my previous e34 or e46 it feels like a narwhale that's been smoking too much weed.

This has been fine until yesterday when I was given a drive in the alps by a chap in a 330i and I decided I really need something fast in my life again.

Starting at 6000 pounds you can buy a 645i which frankly looks brand new (to these eyes at least) and has a stonking v8 in it.

Go on, what's the catch? Do they spontaneously combust?
I'm quite tempted to go buy one at the cheaper end of the spectrum next week, so a bit of rational (by PH standards, not mumsnet) advice would be welcome.

By the way, I'm a bit of a BMW fanboy but I'm quite happy to consider anything else as long as it looks good, has an engine that's unnecessarily large and isn't too painful to drive after a rugby game.

covmutley

3,028 posts

190 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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Expensive parts and terrible economy I guess. I really wish I didn't do 25k miles a year and could laregly ignore fuel costs!

Krikkit

26,527 posts

181 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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Parts are a bit pricey, although they don't have the M-tax, so not so bad!

I think the problem is the styling and contemporary reviews - there were other cars at the same time (S-type R for example) which were better to drive, but also a lot easier on the eye to most folks.

For that kind of cash I'd be looking at a CLS500 as well. smile

cheddar

4,637 posts

174 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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People are scared of older big engined cars, hence the prices, thankfully.

The naysayers will tell you it'll blow up before you get it back home and that it costs eleventy squillion pounds to replace the interior light bulb.

You are scared too, that's why you haven't got one.

645's are great engines, do your due diligence and go get one smile


daemon

35,822 posts

197 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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As above really. Potential scary bills.


UK345

441 posts

158 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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They are a complete steal but that's mainly because they never really took here. I remember seeing one for the first time and it was a beautiful case. Expensive parts and terrible fuel economy put me off them. It would also be a nightmare to sell on once you have had your fun.

daytona365

1,773 posts

164 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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645i's for 6k ? I'll have to surface from under my bridge sometime. That's an outrageous bargain........On the face of it.

VolvoT5

4,155 posts

174 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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A lot of car for the money but £500 tax, 18 mpg... dread to think what parts and labour would cost. My guess is anyone that could afford to run one would buy something newer?

Matt UK

17,698 posts

200 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
daemon said:
As above really. Potential scary bills.
Plus it#s quite aesthetically challenging from pretty much every angle..
Jaguar XK8 would get my money first.

Edited by Matt UK on Sunday 26th April 21:19

J4CKO

41,562 posts

200 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
VolvoT5 said:
A lot of car for the money but £500 tax, 18 mpg... dread to think what parts and labour would cost. My guess is anyone that could afford to run one would buy something newer?
I run a 350Z and it does 18 MPG and has £500 VED, thing it, and don't tell those spending £400 a month to lease something that does 40 mpg and has £100 VED, it isn't depreciating at a noticeable rate.

A few at work express their amazement at 18 MPG and £500 tax but other than that, I pay £250 insurance and £40 for an MOT, maybe £200 on consumables as I do the servicing myself, so the whole thing costs me, including the difference in fuel costs, maybe £100 a month.

So, very similar for the BMW as well, but I will let the drivers of Merc C200 CDI's enjoy their 45 mpg, plus £350 a month of couse, cheap motoring that...

trickywoo

11,792 posts

230 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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I get high 20s mpg from a 545 without trying. It's a nice engine and gearbox - likes to rev and very responsive.

One of the main problems is that a lot of the gaskets seem prone to failure leading to major oil leaks. If all the gaskets that are reported to fail do so in your ownership I think you could easily be looking at spending £2k to fix.

trickywoo

11,792 posts

230 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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Just to add tax on my 2003 545 is £285

ikarl

3,730 posts

199 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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Vanos issues and timing chain guide failure.

matthias73

Original Poster:

2,883 posts

150 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
cheddar said:
People are scared of older big engined cars, hence the prices, thankfully.

The naysayers will tell you it'll blow up before you get it back home and that it costs eleventy squillion pounds to replace the interior light bulb.

You are scared too, that's why you haven't got one.

645's are great engines, do your due diligence and go get one smile
Aha, I'll bite wink

I've only recently started my career. Before I wouldn't have considered spending more than 1500 on a car, because I was travelling. Indeed I had the e34 whilst living abroad.

That's why I'm looking at the 6 now. It wasn't really an option before.
Spending umpteen thousands on a new one doesn't appeal to me either, but knowing what things to look out for (spec wise?) etc would be good!

milu

2,353 posts

266 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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Yep early 645 are cheapish tax and are also pretty good on fuel. I enjoyed mine but was a bit cheesed off with oil leaks. The auc warranty doesn't cover the leaks either.
Great value car though.

runnerbean 14

274 posts

134 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
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At the risk of being flamed for being a diesel lover, my last car was a 635d and it was really excellent - well made, cost next to nothing to run and depreciation was sensible. Even the looks started to grow on me. Two snags - they are still £10K+ and the run-flat tyres are expensive and give a horrid ride, but you can switch to non-run-flats if you want.

carreauchompeur

17,846 posts

204 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
I agree. I looked at them a year or so ago when someone posted outrageous lease deals, but actually as a second hand proposition they look ace for the money.

matthias73

Original Poster:

2,883 posts

150 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
runnerbean 14 said:
At the risk of being flamed for being a diesel lover, my last car was a 635d and it was really excellent - well made, cost next to nothing to run and depreciation was sensible. Even the looks started to grow on me. Two snags - they are still £10K+ and the run-flat tyres are expensive and give a horrid ride, but you can switch to non-run-flats if you want.
Yeah, run flats don't appeal.
Diesel isn't really necessary in my case, I don't drive much.

TonyF55

522 posts

206 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
630i - happy medium, it must do 90% of what the V8 can do but without the oil leaks and a little better on the mpg front and probably easier to sell on.

Not sure you can buy them for 6k though.

Fleckers

2,860 posts

201 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
my Bro in law got a 645 ci last year

his is an 05 plate

he loves it