Experience(s) of the BMW E63 coupe - 630i, 650i or 635d
Experience(s) of the BMW E63 coupe - 630i, 650i or 635d
Author
Discussion

danb79

Original Poster:

13,275 posts

98 months

I'm considering one of the above cars (probably the 630i over the 650i, followed by the 635d) - as I know both the N52 and M57 engines well

Plus their reliability is solid compared to the N62 and its habits of leaking like a sieve, smoking from burning oil etc

Does anyone on here; have experience of any of these and of so, how did you fair with the car and any issues etc?

I'm fairly spanner friendly having worked on all my own cars since I started driving late 90s and more recently have owned an F31 touring since Dec 2022 and alongside had a few BMW E39s, an E81 130i LE as well etc; plus I've got my pals that have Grinspeed too etc

I think the 635d appeals more due to how late a car I can find compared to the 630i which all seem to be around the 2006-2007 years; the 635d I can find quite a few late 2009 into 2010 etc - and with better specs too, and the later CiC iDrive, which for me is a must

The idea, for any of the E63s I choose would be to overhaul the cooling system, brakes and suspension ASAP for peace of mind and then enjoy it

I work from home so cars tend to only get used at the weekends, unless I need to nip out or of my body's healthy enough (which currently it isn't); then maybe going down to the gym etc

But for longer drives it'll be down to Anglesey or up to The Highlands etc

Cheers for any advice/experiences 👍🏼

Jamescrs

6,103 posts

91 months

Saturday
quotequote all
A good mate of mine has the 645i and I know you aren't looking at that engine but engine aside it's been a very solid reliable car, he's had it a few years now and it's been pretty much faultless other than the engine issues.

Electrics have been good and it's a pretty nice place to be, big boot but limited back seats is a good summary of it.

danb79

Original Poster:

13,275 posts

98 months

Saturday
quotequote all
Jamescrs said:
A good mate of mine has the 645i and I know you aren't looking at that engine but engine aside it's been a very solid reliable car, he's had it a few years now and it's been pretty much faultless other than the engine issues.

Electrics have been good and it's a pretty nice place to be, big boot but limited back seats is a good summary of it.
Cheers for that

Yeah the back seats look next to useless; but there are only the 2 of us and we've got the F31 if we need to carry passengers etc

The boot does look massive on these cars; that's never a bad thing!

Lotusgone

1,625 posts

153 months

Saturday
quotequote all
I wouldn't rule out the 645. The stem valve issue does happen but not if it's been sorted. I've had mine for three years, it wafts along very well - with a few bills along the way as expected with a 20yo car.

It's for sale if you twist my arm...

dba7108

701 posts

194 months

Saturday
quotequote all
I had the 645 2004. A lovely car is every way. I regretted selling it. I went onto an e220 Merc which was dull as dishwater. I've now gone back to a 640d which is lovely.
The 645 had various leaks. The bd was an oil cooler which was blanked off and not used (but was used in the 745) this was a £5 part and £600 in labour as it took so long to get to it. In the end I sold it as the valve stem seals needed doing. It also had an issue with the ECU where it would go into limp mode and the sat nab would flash on and off. This also affected if you turned the engine off and back on again, it wouldn't start until the engine had cooled down.
A friend had a 630i and had none of these issues, the 630 also doesn't suffer from the leaks in the 645 does.

danb79

Original Poster:

13,275 posts

98 months

Saturday
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice and offer; not interested in the 645s sorry; I want as late an E63 as I can get, so 09 / 10 plate really - all 645s are pre LCI too

Doesitdrive

1,292 posts

7 months

Saturday
quotequote all
Had a few coupe and rag top, 635d rag top was my favourite, even over the 645i, but I like diesel cruisers, friends have had 30i petrols in different models and none have had major issues. But a six pot diesel for me.

oldaudi

1,592 posts

184 months

I had an older 2006 630i for awhile. Loved it but the idrive failed and the oil cooler started to leak. It went to we buy any car for about £1000 and I bought a 640i.


Somebody on here bought it from an auction and was running it. Hopefully we might get an update on its health.


Just checked the Reg and it’s still MOT’d ! So someone is using it!

Edited by oldaudi on Sunday 7th June 09:32