Please help!! - Amateur about to buy 630i, need advice.

[wjdesigner]

Hello all!

New here and hoping to receive some sound advice from the good people such as yourselves - kindly give me guidance on purchasing the following 630i.

Links:

http://www.harlequinmotorcompany.co.uk/used-bmw-6%...


Key Facts
2007
Convertible
80,000 miles
Automatic
3.0L Petrol

BMW 630i SPORT CONVERTIBLE AUTOMATIC IN METALLIC BLACK WITH CONTRASTING BEIGE SPORTS LEATHER ALLOYS ELECTRIC CONVERTIBLE ROOF AS WE ARE AN AA CARS DEALER THIS VEHICLE COMES WITH A FULL AA HISTORY CHECK AND ALSO 12 MONTHS FREE BREAKDOWN COVER

Service History
BLACK
£9,999


Questions:

What are your thoughts on:

- Price
- Good / Bad idea
- Maintenance
- Things to be aware of
- Faults
- What you would do / check / ask if you were about to buy it

etc.

I really thank and appreciate your help in advance, it may be as soon as Saturday so any prompt responses will be a great help.

[rayyan171]

Vehicle information
VIN WBAEK32070B742217
Type code EK32
Type 630I (EUR)
E series E64 ()
Series 6
Type CABRIO
Steering RL
Doors 2
Engine N52
Displacement 3.00
Power 190
Drive HECK
Transmission AUT
Colour BLACK SAPPHIRE METALLIC (475)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTA/CREAMBEIGE (LCGE)
Prod.date 2007-06-28
Vehicle upgrades
High-End sound system Read more
Spare/replacement key fob Read more
Vehicle options
S1CA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S205 Automatic transmission
S2C7 BMW LA star spoke 218 w flat-runn. prop.
S302 Alarm system
S320 Deleted, model lettering
S323 Soft-Close-Automatic doors
S387 Wind deflector
S388 Softtop, black
S414 Parcel net, passenger side
S423 Floor mats, velours
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S436 Fine wood trim
S441 Smoker package
S442 Cup holder
S481 Sports seat
Vehicle options
S494 Seat heating driver/passenger
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
S540 Cruise control
S5DA Passenger airbag deactivation
S609 Navigation system Professional
S612 BMW Assist
S620 Voice control
S633 Preparation, mobile phone, Business
S672 CD changer for 6 CDs
S698 Area-Code 2 for DVD
S710 M leather steering wheel
S760 High gloss shadow line
S775 Headlining anthracite
L812 National version England / Ireland
S850 Dummy-SALAPA
Vehicle options
S863 Retailer Directory Europe
S877 Delete cross-pattern operation
S880 On-board vehicle literature English
S8S2 Coding alarm signal
S8SA Navigation access request,country-spec.
S8SM Car ident. number visible from outside
S8SP Control unit COP
Vehicle options
S431 Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S459 Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S502 Headlight cleaning system
S522 Xenon Light
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S676 HiFi speaker system
S853 Language version English

Thats the spec of the car.

[Mike335i]

Nice enough car, but last years mot showed a failure for a numberplate light and the following advisory that was not sorted for the retest:

"Oil misting noted
Vehicle has intermittent poor running & cutting out"

Is want to know more about that and confirm. That any issues were sorted out.

[wjdesigner]

rayyan171 said:

Vehicle information
VIN WBAEK32070B742217
Type code EK32
Type 630I (EUR)
E series E64 ()
Series 6
Type CABRIO
Steering RL
Doors 2
Engine N52
Displacement 3.00
Power 190
Drive HECK
Transmission AUT
Colour BLACK SAPPHIRE METALLIC (475)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTA/CREAMBEIGE (LCGE)
Prod.date 2007-06-28
Vehicle upgrades
High-End sound system Read more
Spare/replacement key fob Read more
Vehicle options
S1CA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S205 Automatic transmission
S2C7 BMW LA star spoke 218 w flat-runn. prop.
S302 Alarm system
S320 Deleted, model lettering
S323 Soft-Close-Automatic doors
S387 Wind deflector
S388 Softtop, black
S414 Parcel net, passenger side
S423 Floor mats, velours
S428 Warning triangle and first aid kit
S436 Fine wood trim
S441 Smoker package
S442 Cup holder
S481 Sports seat
Vehicle options
S494 Seat heating driver/passenger
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC)
S540 Cruise control
S5DA Passenger airbag deactivation
S609 Navigation system Professional
S612 BMW Assist
S620 Voice control
S633 Preparation, mobile phone, Business
S672 CD changer for 6 CDs
S698 Area-Code 2 for DVD
S710 M leather steering wheel
S760 High gloss shadow line
S775 Headlining anthracite
L812 National version England / Ireland
S850 Dummy-SALAPA
Vehicle options
S863 Retailer Directory Europe
S877 Delete cross-pattern operation
S880 On-board vehicle literature English
S8S2 Coding alarm signal
S8SA Navigation access request,country-spec.
S8SM Car ident. number visible from outside
S8SP Control unit COP
Vehicle options
S431 Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S459 Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S502 Headlight cleaning system
S522 Xenon Light
S534 Automatic air conditioning
S676 HiFi speaker system
S853 Language version English

Thats the spec of the car.

Wow, ok, - very indepth, ps. he said it had heated seats, although not stated anywhere? I think I should pull him up on this right?

[helix402]

S494, it's there.

[wjdesigner]

helix402 said:

S494, it's there.

Thanks!

Also, just to add, I noted this from the MOT history:

Advisory notice item(s)

- Oil misting noted
- Vehicle has intermittent poor running & cutting out

Should i be very very concerned about this, is it a deal breaker, the latter part of poor running and cutting out doesn't sound good at all??

[rayyan171]

wjdesigner said:

Hello all!

New here and hoping to receive some sound advice from the good people such as yourselves - kindly give me guidance on purchasing the following 630i.

Links:

http://www.harlequinmotorcompany.co.uk/used-bmw-6%...


Key Facts
2007
Convertible
80,000 miles
Automatic
3.0L Petrol

BMW 630i SPORT CONVERTIBLE AUTOMATIC IN METALLIC BLACK WITH CONTRASTING BEIGE SPORTS LEATHER ALLOYS ELECTRIC CONVERTIBLE ROOF AS WE ARE AN AA CARS DEALER THIS VEHICLE COMES WITH A FULL AA HISTORY CHECK AND ALSO 12 MONTHS FREE BREAKDOWN COVER

Service History
BLACK
£9,999


Questions:

What are your thoughts on:

- Price
- Good / Bad idea
- Maintenance
- Things to be aware of
- Faults
- What you would do / check / ask if you were about to buy it

etc.

I really thank and appreciate your help in advance, it may be as soon as Saturday so any prompt responses will be a great help.

The price is reasonable as it is a late 2007 model with a reasonably lower than average mileage for these cars. 10 years and 80k means 8k miles per year which is below average.
A 6 series is a good idea, they are very pleasant and comfortable cars and can easily cross continents, no problem. Would happily choose one to drive around the world if it was possible!
Maintenance is high cost if you keep to main dealers. Being a pre-facelift, reliability may be of concern however this may not be the case with the 3.0 petrol. A good independent specialist will keep costs at mondeo levels if you keep on top of it.
These are normally high-spec vehicles anyway and yours seems to have a good spec. However, there are desirable options that can be sought after in other examples at a similar price level e.g. HUD. Higher spec means better resale value. Be aware of the engines Valvetronic/VANOS, suspension, and interior. Check that every single thing works, I recommend bringing a mechanic to take a look at the car if you are willing to buy.
Ideally though, I would go for a facelift model as they received a slightly nicer interior, updated gear stick, updated lights (all LED), and a reliability increase due to newer parts being used. M-sport LCI models received ARS too (a form of adaptive drive) however adapt drive was an option too. Keep seaches at £11k as there is the possibility of haggling £1k to achieve £10k.

[hornetrider]

Get a V8 650i.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Edited by hornetrider on Tuesday 25th July 21:32

[rayyan171]

wjdesigner said:

Thanks!

Also, just to add, I noted this from the MOT history:

Advisory notice item(s)

- Oil misting noted
- Vehicle has intermittent poor running & cutting out

Should i be very very concerned about this, is it a deal breaker, the latter part of poor running and cutting out doesn't sound good at all??

If the car is close, then a visit is needed to check the service history, whether the issue was solved. There may be a previous replacement engine in the history which is a good thing. Otherwise, ask for proof of repair, otherwise run.

[LFB531]

I've poked about their sales stock a few times over the years as fairly local, they've been there ages so must do something right!

Mine is a 650 so can't advise much on the 630 but just an observation, I had a Jaguar with that colour leather and it was a sod to keep smart. I see the seat bolster is quite scuffed on the one you've spotted.

Nice cars though and mechanically, not that complex.

[nw28840]

I have one of these (2005 car, Sapphire black with black interior and has the Heads Up Display).

I bought the car in March 2016 as a stop gap - it had 85k on the clock when i bought it.

Now on 93k , replaced a couple of tyres , a steering wheel stalk that was damaged , just had it's second service and MOT under my ownership.

It's been so good, i've not been in a rush to replace it - although i do keep browsing :/0

Hold out for one with Heads Up Display if you can and as previously mentioned that colour interior needs to be looked after or can look shabby.

I was actually looking for a 650 convertible at the time but couldn't find one that had at least a semi-decent service history or hadn't been 'chavved up' !

If still looking in a couple of months mine may well be up for sale and considerably cheaper then the one in the advert.


Good Luck with your search,

Cheers,
Nick

[gf15]

hornetrider said:

Get a V8 650i.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Edited by hornetrider on Tuesday 25th July 21:32

I like the look of the third one. We have a 2005 650 coupe and a 2002 330i convertible. Fuel wise, there is probably only 2 mpg in it. Tax for 630 and 650 is the same. The 650 on the third link has the HUD which is very nice. 48k miles and looks fresh. It also looks like it has the "Exclusive" leather which is softer and nicer, but also wears so much better. Also appears to have the better speakers and hopefully the Logic7 sound system.
Our car has been very reliable over the last 6+ years and we have gone from 47k miles to 165k miles. No squeaks or rattles.
I recommend the 6 series, irrespective of engine.
Get it checked out before you buy, to make sure it has not been abused. I cannot think of anything to replace ours with except a 650 convertible. Good luck.

Edited by gf15 on Wednesday 26th July 22:29

[wjdesigner]

Hello, thank you all for your responses, again I really appreciate reading each comment and piece of advice at least twice.

- Just to point out, I will have to go with the 630i due to insurance costs on bigger engines / Horse power, although I know 650 is amazing.

- I've opted for a the same model as I described but different car seller as I didn't feel too confident after seeing poor running of engine in history.

I tried replying to posts but was unable to due to being a new member but seems to be ok now.

- I guess facelift means models after 2010
- The HUD would be amazing but not really a mandatory requirement for me at this stage.
- Wow 47 - 165k Miles without any issues, that's quite something? Could I expect the same if I regularly service it?

Certainly re-assuring to see these replies, please bear in mind I am open to criticism of the car / bad points, (even though I don't own it yet haha). Take yourself back when you had to make a decision but you felt you didn't know enough and you needed to be critical in order to evaluate rather than overly optimistic.

Hope to be part of the BMW owners soon, only a couple of days away hopefully if all goes according to plan, let's see...

[bmwmike]

My only advice and I wish I'd learn it myself is go over the car with a critical eye. I find i'm at my most critical when I've actually bought the bloody thing and then I notice the faults. So try to pretend you own it already and are going over each panel looking for dings etc.

[compactpete]

bmwmike said:

My only advice and I wish I'd learn it myself is go over the car with a critical eye. I find i'm at my most critical when I've actually bought the bloody thing and then I notice the faults. So try to pretend you own it already and are going over each panel looking for dings etc.

That is so true, you get so caught up in the excitement of viewing the car that you forget to go over it carefully.

I take someone with me to go round the car now if possible, although I did buy my M3 blind from a BMW dealer 300 miles away. (fortunately it turned out to be a gem)

I've also learned that just because it's a main dealer it doesn't mean the car has been checked. Pretty sure that my local BMW dealer just cleans them and sticks them on the forecourt hoping that any faults noticed will be post sale so can be paid for by the warranty company rather than the dealer.