Focus ST to E63 6 Series
Discussion
Hi, I'm looking at purchasing a 6 series BMW as my next car. I currently have a Ford Focus ST225, but I'm after something a little more comfy and refined, and specifically automatic.
I had an E39 523 previously and really would like another BMW. I was initially looking at an E60 5 series but the 6 is really growing on me...including the controversial rear end.
Fuel economy isn't a big problem as I only average around 10/12k a year, and I'm used to the ST which returns on average 28-30mpg.
So what to look out for, any fundamental problems to be aware of? What's the consensus on preferred model? I wouldnt mind the 635 diesel over a petrol, would it be the better choice?
Budget including the sale/px of my '57 plate FSH, 41,000 mile ST-2 is around £10-12k. Is that enough to consider the facelift model, or is that not such an issue?
Apologies for all the questions.
I had an E39 523 previously and really would like another BMW. I was initially looking at an E60 5 series but the 6 is really growing on me...including the controversial rear end.
Fuel economy isn't a big problem as I only average around 10/12k a year, and I'm used to the ST which returns on average 28-30mpg.
So what to look out for, any fundamental problems to be aware of? What's the consensus on preferred model? I wouldnt mind the 635 diesel over a petrol, would it be the better choice?
Budget including the sale/px of my '57 plate FSH, 41,000 mile ST-2 is around £10-12k. Is that enough to consider the facelift model, or is that not such an issue?
Apologies for all the questions.
philmots said:
If fuel isn't much of an issue then the V8 650i should be the car of choice.
It's a lovely engine, can't think of any reason why you'd want the 635d over one unless mpg is a concern.
Thanks. I would prefer the V8, I just didn't want to dismiss the 635D if it was better in some way..It's a lovely engine, can't think of any reason why you'd want the 635d over one unless mpg is a concern.
Any major problems with the 645/650 V8 models?
I hadn't considered the 6 series previously, but the coupe is really growing on me!
I bought a 2007 650i sport coupe two months ago in the same budget you have.the engine is great and stand out feature for me..lots of low down torque and that lovely v8 burble. Fuel consumption is about 18mpg with mostly town driving and the occasional long run. Apart from a niggle with one of the electric windows, the car has been faultless and I am very happy.
I have been pleasantly suprised with the space, I have a young family and can fit two child seats in the back and pram + bags in boot with ease.
Hope you find a nice one and enjoy many miles of cruising.
I have been pleasantly suprised with the space, I have a young family and can fit two child seats in the back and pram + bags in boot with ease.
Hope you find a nice one and enjoy many miles of cruising.
*Al* said:
I've know quite a few 645s with engine oil leaks, very common. Can't comment on the 650 engine though.
Thanks for the advice so far, it sounds like the 650 is the one to go for. I assumed the 645 & 650 were the same engine, just different capacities? Are there any other specific issues to be aware of when looking at these cars? I'm hoping to look at a few this week.
Is the facelift model worth the extra money?
The 645 and 650 are both N62's, but the 4.8 is the N62B48TU (TU meaning technical update) which had various changes and different parts to address the weak areas of the 4.4.
This is pretty interesting....
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?at...
This is pretty interesting....
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?at...
philmots said:
The 645 and 650 are both N62's, but the 4.8 is the N62B48TU (TU meaning technical update) which had various changes and different parts to address the weak areas of the 4.4.
This is pretty interesting....
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?at...
Useful info, thanks for that. This is pretty interesting....
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/attachment.php?at...
This looks nice, do you think it's priced about right? It's at the top end of my budget. There's certainly plenty cheaper out there, but I'm looking to avoid buying a money pit as far as possible!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
There really isn't a lot to go wrong, I'd be changing the gearbox oil on anything older than 60k anyway as preventative maintenance.
That car looks nice but you're paying a bit more for the low miles, personally I'd be happy if it had double the miles and was ~8k..
I really like these and at the minute they're the only thing that would swap me out of my 550I Sport Touring, if anyone has a black 650i Sport who fancies a swap send me a PM!
That car looks nice but you're paying a bit more for the low miles, personally I'd be happy if it had double the miles and was ~8k..
I really like these and at the minute they're the only thing that would swap me out of my 550I Sport Touring, if anyone has a black 650i Sport who fancies a swap send me a PM!
Waynester said:
This looks nice, do you think it's priced about right? It's at the top end of my budget. There's certainly plenty cheaper out there, but I'm looking to avoid buying a money pit as far as possible!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
HUD would be a nice to have, but I think it's a little expensive unless prices have firmed up a load since I bought mine. I paid a little over 15k for a 2006/06 650 sport (no HUD sadly, but I do have a heated steering wheel!) in Jan 2013 at a BMW dealer (Berry in Chiswick). It had much the same mileage as the one in your advert. Sadly the only 650 on BMW's site at the moment is a 2008 car with 100k on it, but it's worth keeping an eye out there as most dealers do price the 650's realistically - it can be tough to sell a 4.8 V8!http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
Running costs so far in my profile - all at BMW prices, so it should be worst case. Warranty from BMW is £89/month - I've got it in case something expensive goes wrong!
I went for a 645i 4-5 months back and have been very happy. I read everything I could find about the upgrades applied to the 4.8 unit and decided that I would rather outlay less to purchase the car and maintain a healthy slush fund should anything go wrong.
Touch wood the car has been virtually faultless, the only exception being parking sensors that have played up (but that is hardly engine related and could happen to a 4.4l or a 4.8l) and a need to put some replacement rubber on. I did view a few pups before I settled on the final car though so it really does come down to doing a thorough pre-purchase check.
I echo the comments about gearbox service - mine has just this month ticked over 100k and I will be getting the gearbox serviced at a ZF specialist shortly (quoted c.£300).
Touch wood the car has been virtually faultless, the only exception being parking sensors that have played up (but that is hardly engine related and could happen to a 4.4l or a 4.8l) and a need to put some replacement rubber on. I did view a few pups before I settled on the final car though so it really does come down to doing a thorough pre-purchase check.
I echo the comments about gearbox service - mine has just this month ticked over 100k and I will be getting the gearbox serviced at a ZF specialist shortly (quoted c.£300).
The gearbox started playing up on mine at 77k - easiest way to detect is a slight stutter when crushing at 30 - feels like the box is trying to switch between gears and not sure which way to go.
Other error is a hard change - happened on mine when you gave it beans and would smack into gear between 4th and 5th about 85mph,sometimes throwing an error message.
Had it looked at and they told me the mechtronics unit was failing, oil change may have helped but nothing guaranteed. It was a case of drive it normally and it could go on another 50k,,drive it hard it could last 5k
Also watch out for cracked alloys - low profile tyres and run flats put a lot of pressure on the 19"s - the ellipsoid design was particularly prone to it - they can be welded if not too badly damaged.
Tyres are expensive so make sure they have plenty of tread
Another to look for is a burn on the seat bolster - usually on the drivers side left hand upright for some reason - a design fault puts some of the heated seat elements too close to the leather and can burn through - it's not something you really notice when looking at the car though as its out of the normal eyeline.
I'd also suggest going for a car with the sports seats - the normal seat bases are quite flat
I used to get 22mpg around town out of my 64 and saw as high as 35mpg on a decent 70mph cruise (according to the OBC)
Other error is a hard change - happened on mine when you gave it beans and would smack into gear between 4th and 5th about 85mph,sometimes throwing an error message.
Had it looked at and they told me the mechtronics unit was failing, oil change may have helped but nothing guaranteed. It was a case of drive it normally and it could go on another 50k,,drive it hard it could last 5k
Also watch out for cracked alloys - low profile tyres and run flats put a lot of pressure on the 19"s - the ellipsoid design was particularly prone to it - they can be welded if not too badly damaged.
Tyres are expensive so make sure they have plenty of tread
Another to look for is a burn on the seat bolster - usually on the drivers side left hand upright for some reason - a design fault puts some of the heated seat elements too close to the leather and can burn through - it's not something you really notice when looking at the car though as its out of the normal eyeline.
I'd also suggest going for a car with the sports seats - the normal seat bases are quite flat
I used to get 22mpg around town out of my 64 and saw as high as 35mpg on a decent 70mph cruise (according to the OBC)
mattman said:
The gearbox started playing up on mine at 77k - easiest way to detect is a slight stutter when cruising at 30 - feels like the box is trying to switch between gears and not sure which way to go.
Other error is a hard change - happened on mine when you gave it beans and would smack into gear between 4th and 5th about 85mph,sometimes throwing an error message.
Had it looked at and they told me the mechtronics unit was failing, oil change may have helped but nothing guaranteed. It was a case of drive it normally and it could go on another 50k,,drive it hard it could last 5k
Also watch out for cracked alloys - low profile tyres and run flats put a lot of pressure on the 19"s - the ellipsoid design was particularly prone to it - they can be welded if not too badly damaged.
Tyres are expensive so make sure they have plenty of tread
Another to look for is a burn on the seat bolster - usually on the drivers side left hand upright for some reason - a design fault puts some of the heated seat elements too close to the leather and can burn through - it's not something you really notice when looking at the car though as its out of the normal eyeline.
I'd also suggest going for a car with the sports seats - the normal seat bases are quite flat
I used to get 22mpg around town out of my 64 and saw as high as 35mpg on a decent 70mph cruise (according to the OBC)
Other error is a hard change - happened on mine when you gave it beans and would smack into gear between 4th and 5th about 85mph,sometimes throwing an error message.
Had it looked at and they told me the mechtronics unit was failing, oil change may have helped but nothing guaranteed. It was a case of drive it normally and it could go on another 50k,,drive it hard it could last 5k
Also watch out for cracked alloys - low profile tyres and run flats put a lot of pressure on the 19"s - the ellipsoid design was particularly prone to it - they can be welded if not too badly damaged.
Tyres are expensive so make sure they have plenty of tread
Another to look for is a burn on the seat bolster - usually on the drivers side left hand upright for some reason - a design fault puts some of the heated seat elements too close to the leather and can burn through - it's not something you really notice when looking at the car though as its out of the normal eyeline.
I'd also suggest going for a car with the sports seats - the normal seat bases are quite flat
I used to get 22mpg around town out of my 64 and saw as high as 35mpg on a decent 70mph cruise (according to the OBC)
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