Mrs Fb’s 650i...regret may be strong with this one!
Discussion
fastbikes76 said:
For me personally, it would be the 630i. That N52 is a cracking engine and the car certainly feels a lot swifter than the hp would suggest. If you are looking for a nice car to drive that’s about as reliable as any 10+ year old car could be, look no further.
The 650i is epic, I mean it really really goes well. The other day I joined the motorway to exit the next junction around 2 miles later. I joined motorway and made progress to pass a couple of HGV’s and MLM’s before getting ready to move left. I noticed I was passing cars at a fair pace and glanced down to see the speedo was indicating 120, That’s km per hour naturally ! I would have never ever said we were going that fast and most certainly hadn’t put any effort into achieving anywhere near that pace either.
The above comes at a cost though, one that can really put a damper on things. Mrs Fb’s car has now covered 600 miles in our ownership and has had several faults including 2 breakdowns , and that’s coming from a car that’s had most common issues done and owned by an enthusiast!
After 200 miles the top rad hose fractured and blew off. This was repaired with new clamp and fresh coolant.
Around 50 miles later it broke down on motorway having lost all coolant. Expansion tank had failed . New tank was £120 from BMW plus coolant.
After 400 miles we got oil dripping on floor under car. This is the famed alternator gasket. £10 in bits and 7-10 hours upside down.
So far we are another 200 miles into it and running like clockwork, my mind however is never at ease and it’s always a case of what’s going to go wrong next. They simply have too many usual suspects. The 630i has a few common leaks too but none and anywhere near the labour or expense to repair compared to the N62.
I’ve done 1200 miles in my 630i and not required anything apart from fuel. Everything else I’ve done has been cleaning/tidying or preventative.
So to summarise, if you can afford to fix the car, or have it off the road at times, or enjoy spannering for hours on end.... get the 650i . If you want to jump in and press start without any worries, get the 630i
Ps, a cracking spec low mileage black 630i may hit the market at some point , bit more than the tat on flee bay, but a well sorted one at £7250 I believe
Thanks FB. Been reading your RR thread today and perusing the classifieds The 650i is epic, I mean it really really goes well. The other day I joined the motorway to exit the next junction around 2 miles later. I joined motorway and made progress to pass a couple of HGV’s and MLM’s before getting ready to move left. I noticed I was passing cars at a fair pace and glanced down to see the speedo was indicating 120, That’s km per hour naturally ! I would have never ever said we were going that fast and most certainly hadn’t put any effort into achieving anywhere near that pace either.
The above comes at a cost though, one that can really put a damper on things. Mrs Fb’s car has now covered 600 miles in our ownership and has had several faults including 2 breakdowns , and that’s coming from a car that’s had most common issues done and owned by an enthusiast!
After 200 miles the top rad hose fractured and blew off. This was repaired with new clamp and fresh coolant.
Around 50 miles later it broke down on motorway having lost all coolant. Expansion tank had failed . New tank was £120 from BMW plus coolant.
After 400 miles we got oil dripping on floor under car. This is the famed alternator gasket. £10 in bits and 7-10 hours upside down.
So far we are another 200 miles into it and running like clockwork, my mind however is never at ease and it’s always a case of what’s going to go wrong next. They simply have too many usual suspects. The 630i has a few common leaks too but none and anywhere near the labour or expense to repair compared to the N62.
I’ve done 1200 miles in my 630i and not required anything apart from fuel. Everything else I’ve done has been cleaning/tidying or preventative.
So to summarise, if you can afford to fix the car, or have it off the road at times, or enjoy spannering for hours on end.... get the 650i . If you want to jump in and press start without any worries, get the 630i
Ps, a cracking spec low mileage black 630i may hit the market at some point , bit more than the tat on flee bay, but a well sorted one at £7250 I believe
ritch said:
Thanks FB. Been reading your RR thread today and perusing the classifieds
Which variant have you decided on for now ? Also here are some of the less important common issues to look for when viewing one of these
Cracked front wings (plastic and crack in the corner near door and along the tops)
Corroded doors (Check lower section of doors for bubbling/corrosion)
Bubbled shadowline window trim and mirror bases
Misting headlamps
Perished indicator rubber seals between headlamps
Ticking lifters
Blocked drains leading to damp footwell carpets
Perished pano roof rubber (sides of rubber splits )
Water in reverse lights ( bumper off job to remove and dry out)
The above issues are body issues and therefore apply to all models and variants . Each engine the has its own check list.
fastbikes76 said:
Court_S said:
You’re definitely going to part with it? Any idea what will replace it yet?
Nothing for me at the moment. I run a heating business so am either in my van, or if we go out as a family I jump in Mrs Fb’s Touareg, or now her 650. I have my bikes in the a garage as my toys and really don’t have the need or use for my own car. I’ve done 1200 miles max since buying my 630i and it’s currently not turned wheel for 3 weeks at least . fastbikes76 said:
ritch said:
Thanks FB. Been reading your RR thread today and perusing the classifieds
Which variant have you decided on for now ? Also here are some of the less important common issues to look for when viewing one of these
Cracked front wings (plastic and crack in the corner near door and along the tops)
Corroded doors (Check lower section of doors for bubbling/corrosion)
Bubbled shadowline window trim and mirror bases
Misting headlamps
Perished indicator rubber seals between headlamps
Ticking lifters
Blocked drains leading to damp footwell carpets
Perished pano roof rubber (sides of rubber splits )
Water in reverse lights ( bumper off job to remove and dry out)
The above issues are body issues and therefore apply to all models and variants . Each engine the has its own check list.
not going to rush in (cant with lockdown etc anyway)
Sooooooo...
f
king Amazon drivers and their stty leaking Transits 
Thankfully the 650 is still behaving itself and appears leak and trouble free.. for now. I had to attend an oil spill cleanup for work and as Mrs Fb is my boss, she decided to meet us all on site to discuss options. When leaving I thought I would follow her back home and enjoy the sweet low grumble of the V8. What did I sound like you ask ? fk all, absolutely fk all... I’ve heard kittens fart louder than her car !! I didn’t expect some chav spec noises but thought I would at least hear something , that will soon be resolved as I’ve just booked it in with my local chaps for centre silencer delete. Don’t want loud as I have elderly neighbours and I’m generally not a tt.
Another nothing I noticed following her was the rear has a decent stance with a reasonable amount of negative camber, however the wheels sit far too much into the arches and need pulling out. Some 20mm spacers just been ordered too.
f
king Amazon drivers and their stty leaking Transits Thankfully the 650 is still behaving itself and appears leak and trouble free.. for now. I had to attend an oil spill cleanup for work and as Mrs Fb is my boss, she decided to meet us all on site to discuss options. When leaving I thought I would follow her back home and enjoy the sweet low grumble of the V8. What did I sound like you ask ? f
k all, absolutely fk all... I’ve heard kittens fart louder than her car !! I didn’t expect some chav spec noises but thought I would at least hear something , that will soon be resolved as I’ve just booked it in with my local chaps for centre silencer delete. Don’t want loud as I have elderly neighbours and I’m generally not a tt. Another nothing I noticed following her was the rear has a decent stance with a reasonable amount of negative camber, however the wheels sit far too much into the arches and need pulling out. Some 20mm spacers just been ordered too.
fastbikes76 said:
Almost got me there 
fastbikes76 said:
Thankfully the 650 is still behaving itself and appears leak and trouble free.. for now. I had to attend an oil spill cleanup for work and as Mrs Fb is my boss, she decided to meet us all on site to discuss options. When leaving I thought I would follow her back home and enjoy the sweet low grumble of the V8. What did I sound like you ask ? fk all, absolutely fk all... I’ve heard kittens fart louder than her car !! I didn’t expect some chav spec noises but thought I would at least hear something , that will soon be resolved as I’ve just booked it in with my local chaps for centre silencer delete. Don’t want loud as I have elderly neighbours and I’m generally not a tt.
Another nothing I noticed following her was the rear has a decent stance with a reasonable amount of negative camber, however the wheels sit far too much into the arches and need pulling out. Some 20mm spacers just been ordered too.
k all, absolutely fk all... I’ve heard kittens fart louder than her car !! I didn’t expect some chav spec noises but thought I would at least hear something , that will soon be resolved as I’ve just booked it in with my local chaps for centre silencer delete. Don’t want loud as I have elderly neighbours and I’m generally not a tt. Another nothing I noticed following her was the rear has a decent stance with a reasonable amount of negative camber, however the wheels sit far too much into the arches and need pulling out. Some 20mm spacers just been ordered too.
Great thread & read.. Fair play for doing the work in this weather! I suffer with Reynauds so my fingers go white and numb after 2 minutes! 
Had my 630 for 2 1/2 years now.. I was tempted by the V8, but the issues very well covered on here put me off. The only ‘issues’ I have had with mine was a weeping auto gearbox gasket, so had that sorted at the local BMW dealer along with new rear brakes. Then it developed a rumbling noise that I thought initially was the diff..but turned out to be the n/s rear wheel bearing.
The driver side leaf drain was also blocked so blasted the inner wing catch/drain & popped the rubber grommet out to let the 1 1/2” water that had collected..
Now on 81k miles and other than lack of use due to Rona.. still enjoying ownership
Had my 630 for 2 1/2 years now.. I was tempted by the V8, but the issues very well covered on here put me off. The only ‘issues’ I have had with mine was a weeping auto gearbox gasket, so had that sorted at the local BMW dealer along with new rear brakes. Then it developed a rumbling noise that I thought initially was the diff..but turned out to be the n/s rear wheel bearing.
The driver side leaf drain was also blocked so blasted the inner wing catch/drain & popped the rubber grommet out to let the 1 1/2” water that had collected..
Now on 81k miles and other than lack of use due to Rona.. still enjoying ownership
Thanks for the comments all, yea seeing that oil slick next to the 650 gave me a heart attack, thankfully a quick browse on the CCTV shows no oil slick, shonky old transit drop off Amazon parcel and then nice oil slick 
Anyways today Mrs Fb is a happy lady, one of her first complaints was the exhaust was waaay to quiet. So today the 650 was treated to some ‘essential’ works
Removed the front silencers
And had new pipes made instead
Result is a good few decibels louder but not stupidly loud at all. I could JUST hear her car when following her back from zorst shop. I think it’s the right balance between knowing it’s a V8, an not being a tt.
Anyways today Mrs Fb is a happy lady, one of her first complaints was the exhaust was waaay to quiet. So today the 650 was treated to some ‘essential’ works
Removed the front silencers
And had new pipes made instead
Result is a good few decibels louder but not stupidly loud at all. I could JUST hear her car when following her back from zorst shop. I think it’s the right balance between knowing it’s a V8, an not being a t
t. Not much to report apart from insurance is due shortly. We just added this to my 630’s policy when we bought it. Pleasantly surprised with £270 a year fully comp including mods and both of us having a non fault claim (same poxy accident but she was driving and it was my policy , so we BOTH have to declare )
As car has been behaving it got treated to its second wash since buying it... and wait for it , even got some tyre gel this time
As car has been behaving it got treated to its second wash since buying it... and wait for it , even got some tyre gel this time
fastbikes76 said:
I think it’s the right balance between knowing it’s a V8, an not being a tt.
Glad you've released some more of the V8 burble. I crossed the 'being a tt. t' line so you're doing well to tread it 
Good news it's been treating you kindly too, careful though, if it finds out you're posting pictures of its undersides online, it'll kick off...!
SturdyHSV said:
Glad you've released some more of the V8 burble. I crossed the 'being a tt' line so you're doing well to tread it
Good news it's been treating you kindly too, careful though, if it finds out you're posting pictures of its undersides online, it'll kick off...!
Yes it sounds just right to me. These have quite a big cold start ‘bark’ so it already startles people t' line so you're doing well to tread it Good news it's been treating you kindly too, careful though, if it finds out you're posting pictures of its undersides online, it'll kick off...!
Undercarriage pics can be frowned upon sometimes... especially if they don’t know you took them
Anyways Mrs Fb’s newest thing is she’s now learning to ride a motorbike, being her as she is, she’s learning on a 500 twin rather than chicken chaser, I guess that’s another thing she’ll beat me at ! She already went from never riding one in her life to doing figures of 8’s and changing gears up to 3rd after just 45min of learning. I’m sure she was dude in former life !
fastbikes76 said:
Anyways Mrs Fb’s newest thing is she’s now learning to ride a motorbike, being her as she is, she’s learning on a 500 twin rather than chicken chaser, I guess that’s another thing she’ll beat me at ! She already went from never riding one in her life to doing figures of 8’s and changing gears up to 3rd after just 45min of learning. I’m sure she was dude in former life !
Good going - was she the only girl with a bunch of brothers - might explain it?B'stard Child said:
Good going - was she the only girl with a bunch of brothers - might explain it?
Nope, she only has a sister... but she hates woman so would much rather be at a dyno day or karting with the boys than being dragged around a shopping centre with moody bhes Edited by fastbikes76 on Wednesday 24th February 10:16
fastbikes76 said:
Spewed all it’s coolant down the motorway...
... That’s when I found this, it’s a very small indentation that get wet everytime I dried it off. Weird thing is there is nothing close enough to damage it
Glad you’re enjoying your V8, normally I am the biggest cynic regarding German metal but in this instance it looks very much to me like sabotage!... That’s when I found this, it’s a very small indentation that get wet everytime I dried it off. Weird thing is there is nothing close enough to damage it
fastbikes76 said:
Not much to report apart from insurance is due shortly. We just added this to my 630’s policy when we bought it. Pleasantly surprised with £270 a year fully comp including mods and both of us having a non fault claim (same poxy accident but she was driving and it was my policy , so we BOTH have to declare )
As car has been behaving it got treated to its second wash since buying it... and wait for it , even got some tyre gel this time
I've always loved black cars; never will I own one again though. My OCD cannot cope As car has been behaving it got treated to its second wash since buying it... and wait for it , even got some tyre gel this time
But your E63 does suit it so well
Would you ever think of changing the alloys to a brighter colour; or going down the likes of the Apex or BBS route?
Oilchange said:
Glad you’re enjoying your V8, normally I am the biggest cynic regarding German metal but in this instance it looks very much to me like sabotage!
Don’t think there was anything sinister with the expansion bottle, that little indentation looks possibly like an errant stone or something hit it. d_a_n1979 said:
I've always loved black cars; never will I own one again though. My OCD cannot cope
But your E63 does suit it so well
Would you ever think of changing the alloys to a brighter colour; or going down the likes of the Apex or BBS route?
I live black cars, all my cars and bikes are black. I also HATE black cars But your E63 does suit it so well
Would you ever think of changing the alloys to a brighter colour; or going down the likes of the Apex or BBS route?
They look so good clean, but that’s about long enough to take a pic and then the magic is gone !
Current plans are to swap wheels from my car onto hers before I sell it. She laid claims to them the day after we bought her car, just kit got round to swapping yet. Mine are Cades Apollo 19’s in a gun metal’ish colour. Still dark, but not as bland as black wheels !
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff