What to look out for on a used 640d

What to look out for on a used 640d

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Helicopter123

Original Poster:

8,831 posts

155 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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As an alternative to a new 335d M Sport, I am thinking about a 640d.

Probably c. 2013 - 2015.

Look great value.

What options are important? It looks pretty well specced as standard. I'm a fan of Adaptive Drive but very few cars have it, which seems odd.

Any niggles to watch out for?


T16OLE

2,944 posts

190 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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I have adaptive drive on my 640d.

Whilst I don't have much to compare it too, I wouldn't worry too much about having it or not.

I'd say ditching the RFT's offers a huge improvement refinement. I'd definitely recommend it.

Other nice options IMO

Extended Leather & Dash
Surround View
Adaptive Cruise
Pano Roof
DAB
20" look so much nicer, my comprimise the ride quality


Dryce

310 posts

131 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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Helicopter123 said:
What options are important? It looks pretty well specced as standard. I'm a fan of Adaptive Drive but very few cars have it, which seems odd.
Lots cars sold on cheap finance deals over that period - which meant adding in options like that was relatively expensive on the (low) monthly.

Reversing camera is a nice to have option as the view out of the rear isn't great when manoeuvring.

Helicopter123 said:
Any niggles to watch out for?
Aircon. Looks like condensor can cause problems.

There was a minor update introduced around April 2013 on the GC - so probably also on the 2 door variants around that time too - early cars have the fixed dials and a graphics panel in between. This added the multi-function dash display with a graphical dial display and better centre iDrive / Satnav hardware.




T16OLE

2,944 posts

190 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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I wouldn't fancy owning one without an approved or Mondial.

Mine has had about £6k of warranty work in the last 12 months. That said, all warranty work has been done during my ownership (I must be fussy).

Also....it's just got to be an M sport.

Helicopter123

Original Poster:

8,831 posts

155 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
quotequote all
T16OLE said:
I wouldn't fancy owning one without an approved or Mondial.

Mine has had about £6k of warranty work in the last 12 months. That said, all warranty work has been done during my ownership (I must be fussy).

Also....it's just got to be an M sport.
Interesting - what have been your issues?

Had thought these are basically a 5 series underneath so pretty reliable?

cduk

43 posts

182 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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I've had a 5 series with Adaptive Drive, and a 6 series with non-adaptive. To be honest, I don't miss it that much - granted, the ride isn't as smooth and doesn't firm up to the same extent in the corners, but to me it feels more 'natural', if that makes sense.

VDC seems to have been specced more often than full Adaptive Drive, so at least the suspension can be controlled a bit if that's your thing and could be an alternative.

I'd agree with some of the necessary options: surround view is useful, HUD is great, sunroof lets a lot of light in and reversing camera is essential. Comfort seats are nice too.

I've had zero issues with my 2015 6 Gran Coupe so far, which I've had for just over a year.

moffat

1,020 posts

224 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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My 640d is quite low spec and I've not missed too much.

I should have ticked the M Sport Plus package which gives 20" alloys, HUD, digi dash and Harmon Kardon.

I've got the 20" wheels are they are fine for ride, especially once changed to non runflats.

The digi dash is a nice option.

Leather dash was standard from 2014 onwards with contrast stitching and looks epic.

I wouldnt worry about Adaptive suspension either, but go for car with comfort Merino leather seats if you find, they are 2 leagues above the standard dakota seats.


Charlie Croker mk2

280 posts

99 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Adaptive Drive is really essential , as well as allowing you to tailor the ride on the fly you have to experience the way it stops rool in the corners . Certainly don't change from run flats as I found out on another BMW there is no difference to modern run flats at all .

If you can find one with head up display as well as the better hifi speakers you will have found the ultimate economical fast GT car .

ZeroH

2,904 posts

188 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Adaptive drive is very worthwhile... not many have it though as it was a 3.5k£ option but I love it, HUD a must imv (with speed limit display), comfort seats are lovely, and whilst hardly essential the multi function dash is quite funky, surround cams definitely useful as is the active cruise control.... and some form of hifi upgrade (the B&O rocks... plus really lifts the interior ambience with its aluminium speaker covers and its own lighting)

Oh and my favourite option.... IAS.... ignore journos who moan about the steering ratio - it works just fine - the 4 wheel steer is a god send - makes a massive car very easily manageable around town and super responsive at high speeds.

Edited by ZeroH on Monday 24th April 22:59

gareth h

3,503 posts

229 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Charlie Croker mk2 said:
Adaptive Drive is really essential , as well as allowing you to tailor the ride on the fly you have to experience the way it stops rool in the corners . Certainly don't change from run flats as I found out on another BMW there is no difference to modern run flats at all .

If you can find one with head up display as well as the better hifi speakers you will have found the ultimate economical fast GT car .
Really? My GC is night and day different running on non runflats, better ride and huge improvement in handling, no way I would go back.

moffat

1,020 posts

224 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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gareth h said:
Really? My GC is night and day different running on non runflats, better ride and huge improvement in handling, no way I would go back.
+1 worst advice I've heard!

Please do change from RFT's, my 640d was transformed!!!!!

I get minimal role with the stock M Sport suspension too.

prashan

256 posts

194 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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I would try for a 2015 LCI model with the digital dash and standard LED headlights - I bought a pre-reg car with 5 miles on the clock for £26k off list price from BMW Doncaster. Luckily car had decent spec - comfort access, 20", reverse camera, privacy glass, M Sport plus pack which adds HUD and Harmon kardon (which is actually not too bad and much better setup than some other BMW models - even the new 7 series HK option sounds awful). Agree with all other recommendations - will change my tyres to non run flats as soon as they need changing. I have also had the car updated to the latest software - a chap called Adam from DD coding does a great job and unlocks a lot of features in the car (eg playing MP4, changing aktiv sound to make a 640d sound like a M6. etc).

Warranty wise, I have had issues with door seals peeling off and same issue with the boot surround seal - all quickly fixed under warranty.

Good luck with your search.

rayyan171

1,294 posts

92 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Helicopter123 said:
Interesting - what have been your issues?

Had thought these are basically a 5 series underneath so pretty reliable?
You're mistaking BMW for audi and mercedes. Only BMW has seperate chassis (chassi?) for the 5 and 6 series.

If high mileage, check gearbox oil. Make sure there are no odd noises, check everything works. Start car from cold, check for no smoke etc and go to view in the day. Other than that, very solid cars, but if you must, then an independent BMW mechanic may be brought along to a viewing, but have him view a car that you want to buy, as the last thing you want is to pull someone's leg.

parabolica

6,703 posts

183 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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I have a 2012 640i with the petrol engine rather than the diesel, but it's been faultless for the year I've owned it, apart from the panoramic sunroof imploding and showering me in safety glass at 70mph. Aside from that I can't find fault with it, but I wish it had the reversing camera or surround view as it is a very wide car. I test drove a d when I was looking and it was just as nice (and slightly better spec) but as a lot of my driving is city based, the silky smooth petrol engine won out. I haven't had any mechanical issues at all; car is on 44k now.

A colleague has a new 640d on 20" wheels with normal tyres and I couldn't really tell any difference between them and the RFT on my 19s. I had a 2004 645Ci prior to this car and changed from RFT to normal tyres and it was transformed; I just didn't notice any difference in this iteration.


prashan said:
I have also had the car updated to the latest software - a chap called Adam from DD coding does a great job and unlocks a lot of features in the car (eg playing MP4, changing aktiv sound to make a 640d sound like a M6. etc).
Does this guy have a website or anything? I found his Instagram. Wondering what options he can unlock/update for the 6?

ETA never mind - contacted him through Ig.

Edited by parabolica on Thursday 27th April 00:07

Ninja59

3,691 posts

111 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Another 640D GC owner here.

For me the must haves I would find an early LCI car as said above they come with more like the standard LED headlights (non-adaptive). Plus 2013/14 cars have the updated Idrive NBT and idrive controller with touch sensitive writing top. 20's, HUD, comfort seats and sunroof are my must haves!

I agree the RFT's are prone to damage, but on the roads I drive on I am not surprised sadly (one of mine is getting replaced tomorrow, luckily they were reaching their end of life). I will stick with RFT's I know the ride could be better, but I do not fancy being stuck on a country road.

Spuffington

1,203 posts

167 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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ZeroH said:
Oh and my favourite option.... IAS.... ignore journos who moan about the steering ratio - it works just fine - the 4 wheel steer is a god send - makes a massive car very easily manageable around town and super responsive at high speeds.

Edited by ZeroH on Monday 24th April 22:59
Didn't think BMW did 4-wheel steer on any of the vehicles?

Ninja59

3,691 posts

111 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Spuffington said:
Didn't think BMW did 4-wheel steer on any of the vehicles?
They do on some of the larger platforms, Integral active steering.

335d

758 posts

117 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Well worth checking whether it is Euro 5 or 6. It sounds like they kept on producing some Euro 5 640d models into 2015. If you drive into cities you may be subject to an additional charge with a Euro 5 car, like the T-Charge in London from 2019. Even if you don't, the resale value is likely to be affected.

Ninja59

3,691 posts

111 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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Well my build was March 2015 (not registered until Sept 2015) and is Euro 6.

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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The seats can make an annoying rattle and it's something to listen out for on a test drive, my passenger seat did it for a while but strangely hasn't done it for ages.

Done 60k miles in mine now and it's been faultless(touch wood), agree with others and the switch to none runflats does transform the ride but I've also suffered three punctures and been stranded twice, so I don't blame owners sticking with the runflats.

Just be aware that the car is purely a cruiser and isn't very rewarding to drive, and it feels it's size and weight quite a bit and the steering is nothing short of diabolical, and it offers zero feedback to what the wheels are doing.

I love it's looks and it's interior and it offers a cracking mix of performance/economy I reckon.