BMW 645Ci Manual - V8 German Muscle
Discussion
This is my 22nd car (give or take) and my first V8. With fuel prices as they are I was worried that it would become impossible to own one unless I did it soon. The sensible thing would've probably been to buy something like a Monaro with a nice, reliable LS engine, but I've always adored the looks of the E63 6 Series and when a manual V8 popeed up it was too tempting and I made a deal to buy it. Without having seen it. Because it was in Scotland and I was in Somerset. He who dares Rodders..
I booked a Megabus to Bristol Airport and a flight to Edinburgh for a total cost of £70. Everything went smoothly and I arrived on time where the seller met me at the airport. Lovely guy who was absolutely honest about the car and had sent me photos and videos which seemed to suggest it wasn't about to explode (at least not imminently). I set off home around mid-day opting to avoid the motorway at first and enjoy some Scottish roads and scenery
Getting to know a new car meant I didn't go mad straight away, but the roads were quiet and well sighted so I eventually started to push on and enjoy the shove from the V8. From about 3.5k RPM it really does propel you forward at quite a rate. The 6 speed box is geared really nicely and having done some research (after agreeing to buy it of course) my worries that the clutch would be a pain were unfounded. It seems perfectly decent to me, usual long Germanic throw, but none of the jerkiness some claim to experience.
After a fuel stop, I decided it might be wise to make some progress Soutth and had a very relaxed and smooth journey back, making it on a single tank (I reset the MPG on the motorway and by the rtime I was back it was showing an average of 32.1mpg, which if anything close to true is plenty good enough for me.
This particular car is a fairly basic spec which in some ways I'm thankful for. I'm glad it doesn't have the pan roof or dynamic drive which whilst lovely are probably just waiting to go wrong on a 17 year old BMW. In an ideal world it'd have heated Sports seats and the Logic & Hifi, but perhaps I will do some upgrades if it sticks around. The colour is Mineral Silver which is a really pleasant not quite silver, not quite gold hybrid and the interior is Chateau red. I believe the car was originally specced with wood, but someone has swapped in the rather nice titanium type finish trim (I hate silver trim, but this is a world away from that)
I've cleaned it up a bit (it was clean, but shiny and I hate shiny leather). There is a bit of a tear in the drivers seat, but overall it's very tidy for 157k miles. The pedals look awful and need sorting and the Hartge knob isn't my thing.
Luckily there's a decent amount of kit standard with Xenons, memory seats, cruise etc. and this one has the Pro Nav and a 6 disc CD changer.
It has a genuine Hartge short shift kit fitted, which is too short in my opinion, but I'm hoping I can sell it and get some more cahs into the bork fund.
1st
6th
Issues wise it seems good with no sign of using any fluids or the dreaded valve stem seal failure. It's running on Davanti up front and Sunny Sport Macros in the rear all with good tread, but either I'll swap them for something better or change the wheels (It originally had 19" Ellipsoids, but as with mist BMW 19s, they didn't last). I quite like the 18s and they are tidy under the dirt, but perhaps a spacer at the rear would look good?
The body is really straight with a few marks that need touching in and polishing, as well as whatever the hell this is.
Will need to find a decent bodyshop to sort it out as whilst it's only noticeable up close I see it every time I get in.
I'll stop with the endless text and finish with some more photos.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Nice find, especially a manual. I’m tempted by 630s at the moment, think I would be happy with an auto. I’ve always liked these. Proper long road trip home as well, that’s the way to do it!
They're such a bargain in the current market, a much more interesting car than most would think. A lot of aluminium and plastic to keep the weight down whilst sill being very quiet and comfortable.The 630 is definitely the thinking man's choice, but as my last decent car was a 530i auto, I wanted something at least a bit different..
NiceCupOfTea said:
Agreed, I think they’re a real bargain. I dearly love my 330 touring but it is very leggy and I wonder if a change is in order. Is the boot a decent size?
It's big with a decent opening (which is perhaps why the boot lid looks so tacked on from some angles). I wish the rear seats folded so I might have a chance to get my mountain bike in, but if you don't need to carry anything too long there is plenty of room. No spare wheel (battery lives in the well) which is a bit disappointing.
As has been said, uncommon to find these as a manual. Big fan of the red leather interior. Ride must be decent on 18s with non RFTs. 
Congrats on the purchase. That looks like a tidy car.
What is it about the Hartge short shift which you don't like?
Is it that it makes it feel racy when the character of the car is more a cruiser and that you feel it should have a longer throw?
My only experience of BMW manuals was from the 80's and 90's era. I used to love the feel of the shift - a slight spring action and a precise notchy slot into each gear.
What is it about the Hartge short shift which you don't like?
Is it that it makes it feel racy when the character of the car is more a cruiser and that you feel it should have a longer throw?
My only experience of BMW manuals was from the 80's and 90's era. I used to love the feel of the shift - a slight spring action and a precise notchy slot into each gear.
Looks good OP and well done on putting on your big boy pants and buying a V8….when I looked at them I stuck to 630’s! 
Love the colour of the leather. I bet it was a lovely place to do the trip back in. Despite being an older design, I still think they’re really well made and a lovely place to sit. Enjoy.
Love the colour of the leather. I bet it was a lovely place to do the trip back in. Despite being an older design, I still think they’re really well made and a lovely place to sit. Enjoy.
Thanks for all the comments! It's great to get back into something interesting and find my car mojo again.
Manuals are definitely rare which is a shame as the cars themselves aren't really the heavy golf club cruiser they appear to be.
Stick Legs said:
Loved these when they came out.
I had an E24 at the time & they use so many design cues.
Great car & I’ll look forward to spotting it!
Thanks. I'd love an E24, but they're a lot of money now if you want one that doesn't have horrendous rust.I had an E24 at the time & they use so many design cues.
Great car & I’ll look forward to spotting it!
Mr Tidy said:
That is just wonderful, and what a great collection trip!
Shame it doesn't have the M-Sport seats, but manual 645s must be pretty rare and the red leather looks fantastic.
Thanks, it was as smooth a trip as I could've hoped for really. Much more pleasant than heading East as I've done a couple of times recently. If anyone sees any good deals on some good condition sports seats in the right shade, please let me know. I think they'd need to be out of an early car to be plug and play.Shame it doesn't have the M-Sport seats, but manual 645s must be pretty rare and the red leather looks fantastic.
Carlososos said:
Lovely lovely. Wanted one as an upgrade to my e46 coupe but family came first. One day.
Cheers, Definitely not a car for a family. My seat almost touches the rear bench. leef44 said:
Congrats on the purchase. That looks like a tidy car.
What is it about the Hartge short shift which you don't like?
Is it that it makes it feel racy when the character of the car is more a cruiser and that you feel it should have a longer throw?
My only experience of BMW manuals was from the 80's and 90's era. I used to love the feel of the shift - a slight spring action and a precise notchy slot into each gear.
Thanks, it's not perfect, but for 157k miles it's surprisingly good. It's very short (70% I think) and I think probably robs the car of some smoothness of shifting. A less aggressive short shift kit may be the way forward.What is it about the Hartge short shift which you don't like?
Is it that it makes it feel racy when the character of the car is more a cruiser and that you feel it should have a longer throw?
My only experience of BMW manuals was from the 80's and 90's era. I used to love the feel of the shift - a slight spring action and a precise notchy slot into each gear.
Court_S said:
Looks good OP and well done on putting on your big boy pants and buying a V8….when I looked at them I stuck to 630’s!
Love the colour of the leather. I bet it was a lovely place to do the trip back in. Despite being an older design, I still think they’re really well made and a lovely place to sit. Enjoy.
Time will tell if it was the right move, but compared to anything similar I won't be too upset if it throws me a bill or two.Love the colour of the leather. I bet it was a lovely place to do the trip back in. Despite being an older design, I still think they’re really well made and a lovely place to sit. Enjoy.
d_a_n1979 said:
Oh; that's brill. Well done Woody!
A great car to get into your first V8 and a manual too...
Get some heated seat covers off Amazon; they work brilliantly and they're comfy too
We're both in our first V8s; it had to happen sometime
Thanks Dan, hadn't seen you'd bought a 540i (not on here much these days). Looks like a lovely example and I'll definitely give the thread a good read through. Not sure I could bring myself to cover any of the red goodness with a seat cover.A great car to get into your first V8 and a manual too...
Get some heated seat covers off Amazon; they work brilliantly and they're comfy too
We're both in our first V8s; it had to happen sometime
Northbrook said:
Looks nice!
Thanks. It's definitely a bit marmite aesthetically, but I reckon it's aged well.MarkJS said:
Excellent! It also looks very tidy overall and a little adventure in the collection/drive home.
Congratulations and I look forward to the updates on your ownership experience. That must also be a very rare car being manual.
It does seem to be tidy (although I haven't washed it yet which is my usual assessment method). I will definitely keep this thread updated since no doubt I will need the collective wisdom of PH at some point soon.Congratulations and I look forward to the updates on your ownership experience. That must also be a very rare car being manual.
Manuals are definitely rare which is a shame as the cars themselves aren't really the heavy golf club cruiser they appear to be.
BenjiA said:
Fantastic purchase Woody - looking forward to reading many trouble free updates.
Thanks. Those will be my favourites too!Jimmy No Hands said:
Gorgeous. That interior design does not look 17 years old, at all. I knocked about in a 645 for a few weeks when one came in as part exchange, and I loved it. Proper bruiser underneath a gentle cruiser.
The interior does look pretty fresh (even if the I drive system is a bit cumbersome at times), still has the classic BMW smell though! B'stard Child said:
Lovely paint trim combo - manual on a V8 must be fairly rare
Thanks, it definitely pushed me over the edge in making the purchase. It'd be interesting to know the numbers on the manuals, tehy do seem very scarce.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff