650i / E46 M3 / E92 330/5i

[CharlieB]

Looking for a coupe again. We now have 2 little ones, I drive very little in the week, the main car needs to be a family bus, and the second car is usually more interesting and used for driving to the station occasionally and also golf/long distance trips.

Currently have an E61 and a V40(soon to be XC60) having just last week sold my M135i.

So instead of having two diesel barges (E61/XC60) I will need something to replace the E61 to save me from boredom.

Looks like there are 3 that fit my fairly broad criteria of coupe, under 10k, 4 seats, fast, and comfortable. Which would you pick and why?

[CharlieB]

I think after spending some time in various turbos I do fancy going NA aspirated but it will need some shove.

I keep reading great things about the 650i, and had thought about a 630i manual, but everyone seems to say avoid that engine in that car, so to speak.

Left field choice would be a late 840 sport.

Used prices for decent 650's seem to be all over the place. FWIW This is the sort of thing I would be after.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[CharlieB]

Seems to be heading straight down the 650i path, which is where my head is at. Interesting no shouts out for the M3.

So given the above - there appears to be early cars with the older gearbox <10k and facelift cars with the newer box >10k.

What actually came with the facelift? Is it worth paying the extra over an earlier spec car?

Incidentally my E61 is very well specced, DVD based i-drive but oddly with the newer style controller, the newer 6sp gearbox and the more powerful 2.0d (not by a lot) soft close doors etc.

Also, what are the must have options on the E63? Basically the same? Am I dreaming that there are cars out there with a full leather dash, for instance.

Cheers

[CharlieB]

Crackie said:

335i is very close in pace to an E46; there is very little lag and power delivery is like a big NA engine. Remap a 335i and you end up with 375ish HP, over 400lb-ft and a machine that is far quicker than a 650i or E46 M3.

Edited by Crackie on Friday 18th March 17:16

The x35i (albeit the N55 single twin scroll turbo) engine I am used to from the 1er, and while not everyones viewpoint, I do like standard vehicles in terms of tuning, not sure why, but thats a fair point about a tuned 335i, the 1er was indeed rapid.

Having said that I think thats why I picked the 650i N62, the s54 and the N52/3, all are meant to be great BMW engines, I think I just fancy a change of tact for a while and go NA. For some reason, and this thread seems to suggest the same, the M3 (and E46) doesn't appeal as much, the 6er to me seems to have aged more gracefully, and is possibly more suited to my needs?

Or maybe I am just middle aged before my time!

[CharlieB]

philmots said:

In the x50i they're the same ZF6 26 box, lci ones just have the nicer electronic selector rather than the more traditional one.

The software is different though, i had up to date gearbox software flashed as part of a full car update and it was quite noticeable. Mainly increased torque converter lock-up and less keen to change down (no real need with the V8)

Same selector in essence that I have in mine I suppose. LCI I think is the way forward.

[CharlieB]

BUG4LIFE said:

Where are the 650's for under £10k, as appose to a 645???

Seem to be plenty about spoke with high miles and challenging colour combinations. For a black car with sport spec and reasonable miles, granted there are less but they are out there. For example

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[CharlieB]

Now that is lovely

Hopefully have someone viewing the 5 this week, so if that goes the hunt is on!

[CharlieB]

Well, the 5 sale is finally going through, so should have an update on this thread in a couple of weeks.

A slight change of tact, has anyone owned a 650 and a Jag XK (4.2 non SC), and have any thoughts between the two? I suppose the XK would be a closer rival to the 630i.

Cheers,

Charlie

[CharlieB]

Still have not seen much come up that I am entirely happy with and the budget is a little flexible. However this has swung up on the radar.

Thoughts on this one? Its top money but does look immaculate.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[CharlieB]

Billy_Whizzzz said:

But it also begs the question - why not get another M135i?

It is a very fair point and they are dipping further in value. I think I just fancy a V8/something a little different.

As an aside I had a lot of problems with mine in the first few months of ownership, day 1 and only 18 miles old it stranded me, low oil pressure/faulty oil pressure sender recovered back to dealer, then had multiple episodes of suffering from the dreaded 'fan/loss of power' the thing went back into the dealer 4 times!

With the benefit of hindsight that left a bitter taste to the experience.

Also now on the radar as a pure 2nd car is the Z4 E89. My wife prefers these, I prefer the 6er!

[CharlieB]

Manuals certainly are my bag! My 1er was manual. I thought a 630 manual might work well as a sort of cruiser but others don't rate them. Market is pretty small as well for either.

Image is odd isn't it? I seem to have trouble aligning myself to an E92, yet find the E63 a classy old bus. I am only 32 so that probably sounds even more bizarre.

It's quite an odd ball park budget wise as well, nigh on 10 year old GTs, some 6 year old couples, yet only a few grand more gets you back into the best hatch of the last few years or a current shape Z4!

Something will pop up and grab me. I have spoken to the chap on the stratus grey one and it sounds mint, premium for low miles but it's knocking on 10 y/o.

That and I am being indecisive!

[CharlieB]

Just to update this a little. An odd outcome considering the postings above but..

An immaculate 630i sport popped up locally, I sent my tame car purchaser along and he made the call it was a good un.

Its a sort of try it and see exercise until something more powerful/different comes along/I get a windfall to up my budget!

I have not actually seen it so a bit of a punt, but for now I am back in a BMW at least.

Edited by CharlieB on Thursday 2nd June 14:36

[CharlieB]

Quick snap

[CharlieB]

Cheers! I am quite looking forward to seeing it in a bit :-)

I have just been told both of the car seats fit (group 0 britax and group 123 recaro) in it fine as well so that's a relief!