E63 6 Series - Bravepill for a daily or just madness?
Discussion
naturalaspiration said:
Veesix75 said:
I may be getting close to needing fronts discs so that might be my first big bill.
Brembo discs, pads and a wear sensor - 150GBP all in. Easy job.https://www.autodoc.co.uk/brembo/1657462
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/brembo/1660861
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/brembo/7521651
I have a 2004 645Ci, taken from 63,000 to 120,000 in nearly 3 years with the vast majority of that a 28 mile commute. I'm just about to trade this in so I am at the "out of love" place in the ownership cycle. There's a really good buyers guide on PH which is well worth a read if you are going to buy one (https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guides/bmw-6-series-e63--ph-buying-guide/35032?utm_source=PistonHeads&utm_campaign=Buying%20Guide&utm_medium=forum).
As a daily it's brilliant. I get circa 23mpg (there's a nice bit of dual carriage way) and it hasn't thrown any major bills. It is a mile eater and a very relaxing place to be. The basic sound system is very good, but with a V8 you rarely need it... A 6 is a step above most cars at this price point as a daily driver and place to be.
In terms of bills, a previous owner had the valve stems replaced. I had to replace the centre brakelight and the drivers cill light unit, both were LED strips at circa £100. The first major thing that went wrong for me with it was eventually diagnosed as a corroded earth strap between the starter and the engine block. I've had to replace the CCC screen once and the light control modules are in a very poor place under the headlight unit and I've replaced each of those at least twice. That's a bumper off job.
I managed to crack a wheel rim on a major pot hole, which then also revealed that another rim also had a hairline fracture. Big thanks to https://www.fawheels.co.uk/ for a same day repair service, although I am fortunate to have a 2nd car that I could use until I could spare the time to get there on a Saturday.
Tyres are £250 a corner if you stick with BMW approved run flats. Cheaper are available but this is a 2 tonne RWD car, you get what you pay for.
I haven't had any MOT advisories in 3 years and the tyres lasted 20,000 miles and would have gone longer if I hadn't shagged them on a pot hole.
The entertainment system is not compatible with modern phones, despite having a bluetooth phone from BMW as OEM and you need to put an aftermarket device in. This is not a pop to Halfords for a Kenwood head unit job as they use a fibre optic ring (a MOST Bus System see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOST_Bus). The best solution is a Dension unit, which needs to be coded to the car with an OBD dongle Dension will sell you. Both are DIY, you just need to be aware it's not simple.
I think that these are now overvalued for what they are. WBAC offered me £1700 on line for mine if it was in good nick, but they haven't seen it and its had some bad paint jobs previously. Autotrader would have me believe I could get more in a private sale but I am not sure about the gearbox and I don't want the risk of comeback. I don't think prices will get much lower though as they are a very cheap way into V8 ownership. There are better 3 litre diesels to buy at this price point I think, so if you're set on a 6 buy a V8 and prepare to make friends with your local petrol station.
All that said, it's the best car I've had and pushing on, especially in sport mode will put a smile on my face. I would buy it again knowing what I know now, but when I bought it I knew it was a heavy V8 with complex electronics. Go in with eyes open and a spanner fund and if you buy on condition you should be ok.
As a daily it's brilliant. I get circa 23mpg (there's a nice bit of dual carriage way) and it hasn't thrown any major bills. It is a mile eater and a very relaxing place to be. The basic sound system is very good, but with a V8 you rarely need it... A 6 is a step above most cars at this price point as a daily driver and place to be.
In terms of bills, a previous owner had the valve stems replaced. I had to replace the centre brakelight and the drivers cill light unit, both were LED strips at circa £100. The first major thing that went wrong for me with it was eventually diagnosed as a corroded earth strap between the starter and the engine block. I've had to replace the CCC screen once and the light control modules are in a very poor place under the headlight unit and I've replaced each of those at least twice. That's a bumper off job.
I managed to crack a wheel rim on a major pot hole, which then also revealed that another rim also had a hairline fracture. Big thanks to https://www.fawheels.co.uk/ for a same day repair service, although I am fortunate to have a 2nd car that I could use until I could spare the time to get there on a Saturday.
Tyres are £250 a corner if you stick with BMW approved run flats. Cheaper are available but this is a 2 tonne RWD car, you get what you pay for.
I haven't had any MOT advisories in 3 years and the tyres lasted 20,000 miles and would have gone longer if I hadn't shagged them on a pot hole.
The entertainment system is not compatible with modern phones, despite having a bluetooth phone from BMW as OEM and you need to put an aftermarket device in. This is not a pop to Halfords for a Kenwood head unit job as they use a fibre optic ring (a MOST Bus System see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOST_Bus). The best solution is a Dension unit, which needs to be coded to the car with an OBD dongle Dension will sell you. Both are DIY, you just need to be aware it's not simple.
I think that these are now overvalued for what they are. WBAC offered me £1700 on line for mine if it was in good nick, but they haven't seen it and its had some bad paint jobs previously. Autotrader would have me believe I could get more in a private sale but I am not sure about the gearbox and I don't want the risk of comeback. I don't think prices will get much lower though as they are a very cheap way into V8 ownership. There are better 3 litre diesels to buy at this price point I think, so if you're set on a 6 buy a V8 and prepare to make friends with your local petrol station.
All that said, it's the best car I've had and pushing on, especially in sport mode will put a smile on my face. I would buy it again knowing what I know now, but when I bought it I knew it was a heavy V8 with complex electronics. Go in with eyes open and a spanner fund and if you buy on condition you should be ok.
I ran a 55 plate 630i for around 2 Year’s, I’d wanted one for ages so went for it. Mine was on just over 100k and had gangster tint windows.
Had a few things fail.
Oil cooler separator, pain of a job.
Lower front suspension arm.
Water in the headlights and rear lights.
And that was it, otherwise was pretty faultless.
Did about 18mpg around town, 30 ish on a run, get a Sport. Mine had the infotainment upgrade so Blue Tooth, digital Tv etc.
Annoyances, no cup holders...that was it, loved it. Wife loved it as well.
Had a few things fail.
Oil cooler separator, pain of a job.
Lower front suspension arm.
Water in the headlights and rear lights.
And that was it, otherwise was pretty faultless.
Did about 18mpg around town, 30 ish on a run, get a Sport. Mine had the infotainment upgrade so Blue Tooth, digital Tv etc.
Annoyances, no cup holders...that was it, loved it. Wife loved it as well.
Ran my 2004 645 from 60k to 100k at which point it was traded in for a newer shape 6 due to the dreaded valve stem oil seal failures. But regardless of that, my 645 is my favourite car to date. Much like you OP I found mine by accident whilst looking at 3 series coupes; turns out it was cheaper to insure a V8 than it was a i6. The car did give some issues; a failing alternator kept throwing up error codes and lights, one night leaving me stranded in a less than ideal part of London. But when it worked - which was most of the time - it was an amazing car. Not so much fun on b-roads, but a great cruiser.
Thanks for all the replies chaps. Decided against the 6er in the end as probably just too big for daily use (work car park etc).
Can seemingly get a decent (N52) engined 630i for around 5-6k. Would consider just for fun and also for the fact they look very modern (have aged amazingly)
Any convertible owners on here?
Can seemingly get a decent (N52) engined 630i for around 5-6k. Would consider just for fun and also for the fact they look very modern (have aged amazingly)
Any convertible owners on here?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I’ve also got a 2007 650i on 90k which I’ve now had for the best part of 7 years and am really struggling to work out what to replace it with. Interestingly, both of the options that you mention are on the short list! I think it will be an XJR for a bit more practicality but I’m also considering something like an i3. The 6 series is a fantastic car and a complete bargain for what you get.
My 2005 645ci is getting traded in tomorrow.
I love the car, it was supposed to be a stopgap but I’ve had it four and a half years, it’s the longest I’ve owned a car by about two years.
I bought it when I worked on oil rigs for a living, and ran two cars.
It used to do 2k miles a year so mpg really wasn’t an issue, neither were some fairly hefty bills for sump and gearbox oil leaks, rocket cover oil leaks, vanos issues etc.
I love the power, and the effortless way it’s delivered. It still looks amazing to me and is comfortable for easy runs to far away places. It handles well and it’s a really enjoyable thing to drive quickly through the highlands.
However as an only car it’s not doing so well.
Now I’m working onshore, commuting in traffic is costing really quite a bit in fuel for the 28 mile round trip.
It’s also got a few things that would need to be looked at longer term, I’d need to sort out a set of winter tyres, and it’s not been the most reliable car I’ve ever owned.
So I’ve bitten the bullet, bought a diesel 4 series.
It’s 4 years old, does loads of mpg and everything works as it should. It’s also got back doors and four wheel drive so I can use it in winter.
This will be car number 21 (I’m 42) for me, I don’t get attached to cars generally, but trading in the 6 series really doesn’t feel good. It’s a total head ruling over heart decision and there’s none of that new car happy feeling!
I love the car, it was supposed to be a stopgap but I’ve had it four and a half years, it’s the longest I’ve owned a car by about two years.
I bought it when I worked on oil rigs for a living, and ran two cars.
It used to do 2k miles a year so mpg really wasn’t an issue, neither were some fairly hefty bills for sump and gearbox oil leaks, rocket cover oil leaks, vanos issues etc.
I love the power, and the effortless way it’s delivered. It still looks amazing to me and is comfortable for easy runs to far away places. It handles well and it’s a really enjoyable thing to drive quickly through the highlands.
However as an only car it’s not doing so well.
Now I’m working onshore, commuting in traffic is costing really quite a bit in fuel for the 28 mile round trip.
It’s also got a few things that would need to be looked at longer term, I’d need to sort out a set of winter tyres, and it’s not been the most reliable car I’ve ever owned.
So I’ve bitten the bullet, bought a diesel 4 series.
It’s 4 years old, does loads of mpg and everything works as it should. It’s also got back doors and four wheel drive so I can use it in winter.
This will be car number 21 (I’m 42) for me, I don’t get attached to cars generally, but trading in the 6 series really doesn’t feel good. It’s a total head ruling over heart decision and there’s none of that new car happy feeling!
Speed addicted said:
My 2005 645ci is getting traded in tomorrow.
I love the car, it was supposed to be a stopgap but I’ve had it four and a half years, it’s the longest I’ve owned a car by about two years.
I bought it when I worked on oil rigs for a living, and ran two cars.
It used to do 2k miles a year so mpg really wasn’t an issue, neither were some fairly hefty bills for sump and gearbox oil leaks, rocket cover oil leaks, vanos issues etc.
I love the power, and the effortless way it’s delivered. It still looks amazing to me and is comfortable for easy runs to far away places. It handles well and it’s a really enjoyable thing to drive quickly through the highlands.
However as an only car it’s not doing so well.
Now I’m working onshore, commuting in traffic is costing really quite a bit in fuel for the 28 mile round trip.
It’s also got a few things that would need to be looked at longer term, I’d need to sort out a set of winter tyres, and it’s not been the most reliable car I’ve ever owned.
So I’ve bitten the bullet, bought a diesel 4 series.
It’s 4 years old, does loads of mpg and everything works as it should. It’s also got back doors and four wheel drive so I can use it in winter.
This will be car number 21 (I’m 42) for me, I don’t get attached to cars generally, but trading in the 6 series really doesn’t feel good. It’s a total head ruling over heart decision and there’s none of that new car happy feeling!
I traded my 645 for an Aplina D4. All the advantages of a diesel 4 series and none of the downsides of loosing the 6 - well apart from the V8 noise I suppose.I love the car, it was supposed to be a stopgap but I’ve had it four and a half years, it’s the longest I’ve owned a car by about two years.
I bought it when I worked on oil rigs for a living, and ran two cars.
It used to do 2k miles a year so mpg really wasn’t an issue, neither were some fairly hefty bills for sump and gearbox oil leaks, rocket cover oil leaks, vanos issues etc.
I love the power, and the effortless way it’s delivered. It still looks amazing to me and is comfortable for easy runs to far away places. It handles well and it’s a really enjoyable thing to drive quickly through the highlands.
However as an only car it’s not doing so well.
Now I’m working onshore, commuting in traffic is costing really quite a bit in fuel for the 28 mile round trip.
It’s also got a few things that would need to be looked at longer term, I’d need to sort out a set of winter tyres, and it’s not been the most reliable car I’ve ever owned.
So I’ve bitten the bullet, bought a diesel 4 series.
It’s 4 years old, does loads of mpg and everything works as it should. It’s also got back doors and four wheel drive so I can use it in winter.
This will be car number 21 (I’m 42) for me, I don’t get attached to cars generally, but trading in the 6 series really doesn’t feel good. It’s a total head ruling over heart decision and there’s none of that new car happy feeling!
g3org3y said:
Thanks for all the replies chaps. Decided against the 6er in the end as probably just too big for daily use (work car park etc).
Can seemingly get a decent (N52) engined 630i for around 5-6k. Would consider just for fun and also for the fact they look very modern (have aged amazingly)
Any convertible owners on here?
Yes.Can seemingly get a decent (N52) engined 630i for around 5-6k. Would consider just for fun and also for the fact they look very modern (have aged amazingly)
Any convertible owners on here?
I've owned my 2007 Z4 Coupe 3.0SI for 2.5 years now and NEED a facelift/LCI 650i coupe in my life. I'm struggling to think of a better car for £10k... I don't think there is one. Fascinating cars that do the GT thing so very well.
If a suitable spec/mileage/colour example turns up in the next few months, I won't be able to resist... I will trade the Z4 in
If a suitable spec/mileage/colour example turns up in the next few months, I won't be able to resist... I will trade the Z4 in
naturalaspiration said:
g3org3y said:
Thanks for all the replies chaps. Decided against the 6er in the end as probably just too big for daily use (work car park etc).
Can seemingly get a decent (N52) engined 630i for around 5-6k. Would consider just for fun and also for the fact they look very modern (have aged amazingly)
Any convertible owners on here?
Yes.Can seemingly get a decent (N52) engined 630i for around 5-6k. Would consider just for fun and also for the fact they look very modern (have aged amazingly)
Any convertible owners on here?
Amazing if you take into account my other convertible is a '98 Saab 9-3. Infinitely quieter and even when up the car has a coupe-like silouette due to its elongated side cut. The best bit is that you can lower down the rear vertical windscreen - useful when driving on a hot day (living on the Med) - roof up and all windows down - the air stream passes partially through the rear window so you get the pilarless experience of the E31 with no buffeting.
Thread conclusion: Bought one in the end.
630i Sport, Stratus grey, beige pearl leather.
Nice car, very smooth and easy to drive. Had some recent work done on the wife's E91 so she got to drive the 6. She really enjoyed it. Has Active Steering so v light at town speeds. Defo suits the auto box.
Even manged to fit the baby seat in the back.
Just...
Wife was sad to have her E91 back
630i Sport, Stratus grey, beige pearl leather.
Nice car, very smooth and easy to drive. Had some recent work done on the wife's E91 so she got to drive the 6. She really enjoyed it. Has Active Steering so v light at town speeds. Defo suits the auto box.
Even manged to fit the baby seat in the back.
Just...
Wife was sad to have her E91 back
g3org3y said:
Thread conclusion: Bought one in the end.
630i Sport, Stratus grey, beige pearl leather.
Nice car, very smooth and easy to drive. Had some recent work done on the wife's E91 so she got to drive the 6. She really enjoyed it. Has Active Steering so v light at town speeds. Defo suits the auto box.
Even manged to fit the baby seat in the back.
Just...
Wife was sad to have her E91 back
Looks a lovely motor 630i Sport, Stratus grey, beige pearl leather.
Nice car, very smooth and easy to drive. Had some recent work done on the wife's E91 so she got to drive the 6. She really enjoyed it. Has Active Steering so v light at town speeds. Defo suits the auto box.
Even manged to fit the baby seat in the back.
Just...
Wife was sad to have her E91 back
g3org3y said:
Thanks Dan.
I still really want one... 630i or 650i... Just having be scarred by the ownership of the E65 I had, not sure I’d get the brave up to down the E6x route again...But imo they’re a lovely looking motor & drive so well...
One of those after a touring though... I reckon I’d miss the load space in no time...
d_a_n1979 said:
I still really want one... 630i or 650i... Just having be scarred by the ownership of the E65 I had, not sure I’d get the brave up to down the E6x route again...
But imo they’re a lovely looking motor & drive so well...
One of those after a touring though... I reckon I’d miss the load space in no time...
Understandable. I'm not sure how much is shared between the E65 and the E63/4.But imo they’re a lovely looking motor & drive so well...
One of those after a touring though... I reckon I’d miss the load space in no time...
Boot is big on the 6, but it's definitely no Touring. Rear seat space is...not generous.
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