Living with a 645/650
Discussion
Sold my car the other day and before I'd bought that one I was looking at the 645/650 in coupe and convertible versions.
What are they like to live with?
The mpg won't worry as my last car was a CLS500. Any tips and hints in what to look out for when looking over one? Would prefer pre March 2006 for the cheaper tax. Ideally would like a black soft top with a light interior
What are they like to live with?
The mpg won't worry as my last car was a CLS500. Any tips and hints in what to look out for when looking over one? Would prefer pre March 2006 for the cheaper tax. Ideally would like a black soft top with a light interior
Oil leaks mainly.
They seem to leak from anywhere although rocker covers are the most common. In the book that's a 10 hour job.
Lots of people say the valve stem seals often need doing at 100k and that's a big job.
Other than that it's the usual big car stuff of bushes and brakes.
I think they are great to drive. Perfect distance cars but also one which shrinks around you and handles well in the twisties.
They seem to leak from anywhere although rocker covers are the most common. In the book that's a 10 hour job.
Lots of people say the valve stem seals often need doing at 100k and that's a big job.
Other than that it's the usual big car stuff of bushes and brakes.
I think they are great to drive. Perfect distance cars but also one which shrinks around you and handles well in the twisties.
I have tended to comment on most of my experiences over the last 6 years on my Nov '05 650. It is in my previous threads
Informative threads here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Still like mine and only big non maintenance costs have been:
Gearbox plastic sump at £200 at about 60k miles and the valve stem seals at 160k
They are very spec sensitive. Some do not have even have sat, while others can have £20k+ of options.
I would like a convertible, as they look great and my 12 year old car is rattle free, wears it's age and mileage really well. Has never let me down and still feels a little special.
Exclusive leather wears very very well and is a big step up from the Dakota.
Strong recommendation from me.
Informative threads here:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Still like mine and only big non maintenance costs have been:
Gearbox plastic sump at £200 at about 60k miles and the valve stem seals at 160k
They are very spec sensitive. Some do not have even have sat, while others can have £20k+ of options.
I would like a convertible, as they look great and my 12 year old car is rattle free, wears it's age and mileage really well. Has never let me down and still feels a little special.
Exclusive leather wears very very well and is a big step up from the Dakota.
Strong recommendation from me.
Thanks Gents.
I had a read of those threads yesterday and found them interesting especially about the valve stem seals, coolant pipe and rocker cover gaskets. The last thing I want, is to stitch myself up from lack of knowledge and have big bills from the start instead of enjoying it.
Will need to find a good specialist as well. I do very little mileage as well - the last car was less than 4k in 18 months and my previous E60 530i was similar over 3 years. I took the runflats off the E60 and that made the car ride better and presume the 6 will be the same with ordinary tyres on it?
Spec wise, I'd like a V8 in soft top in black with a light interior even though I've found myself looking at ones different to that just to keep my options open. Drivers seat bolsters like most of the range don't seem to hold up too well. I didn't know sat nav wasn't standard.
There's a few I've book marked but the sellers seem a bit cagey replying to questions. Has anyone done a secondary decat delete? I'd imagine that would sound good but would it drone?
Lastly and before anyone's eyes start bleeding from long posts, does anyone see these get the same following as the 8's?
I had a read of those threads yesterday and found them interesting especially about the valve stem seals, coolant pipe and rocker cover gaskets. The last thing I want, is to stitch myself up from lack of knowledge and have big bills from the start instead of enjoying it.
Will need to find a good specialist as well. I do very little mileage as well - the last car was less than 4k in 18 months and my previous E60 530i was similar over 3 years. I took the runflats off the E60 and that made the car ride better and presume the 6 will be the same with ordinary tyres on it?
Spec wise, I'd like a V8 in soft top in black with a light interior even though I've found myself looking at ones different to that just to keep my options open. Drivers seat bolsters like most of the range don't seem to hold up too well. I didn't know sat nav wasn't standard.
There's a few I've book marked but the sellers seem a bit cagey replying to questions. Has anyone done a secondary decat delete? I'd imagine that would sound good but would it drone?
Lastly and before anyone's eyes start bleeding from long posts, does anyone see these get the same following as the 8's?
Cheers for that trickywo Some of those might be a bit too much for me but I don't think I could leave it standard, that's for sure.
After seeing the Mystic blue in gf15 links above, that is another colour to add on my list. I've got 2 lined up for tomorrow to view so fingers crossed. Typical car hunting that starts off with a budget of £6/7k and I end up looking ones for £10k!
Some of those might be a bit too much for me but I don't think I could leave it standard, that's for sure.After seeing the Mystic blue in gf15 links above, that is another colour to add on my list. I've got 2 lined up for tomorrow to view so fingers crossed. Typical car hunting that starts off with a budget of £6/7k and I end up looking ones for £10k!
On RFT's, my 650 always had a low speed patter, felt like the road surface had loads of small ridges, just like a runway.
Non RFT's are so much better. Recommend Goodyear AS2's and Michelin Pilot Sport 4s.
Seat bolster on my car at 162k miles shows virtually no wear on it's exclusive leather, which is softer than Dakota but no where near as nice as previous Buffalo leather in E38 740.
Non RFT's are so much better. Recommend Goodyear AS2's and Michelin Pilot Sport 4s.
Seat bolster on my car at 162k miles shows virtually no wear on it's exclusive leather, which is softer than Dakota but no where near as nice as previous Buffalo leather in E38 740.
I came to be a 650i owner from a 996 Porsche which I loved but when stuck behind endless traffic, I wanted something a bit more easy going.
I really wanted an XKR but prices are still strong and on a whim, I took a look at a 645 at half the value of the Porker. Nice car but didn't like the dealer very much and a bit of research revealed the 650 with none of the gearbox woes of an M6 but otherwise the biggest motor they did at close to 400hp and plenty of torque.
Easily tracked down a 65,000 mile 650 in the classifieds on here with top spec nav/i-drive option, a colour I liked and black on black interior with no nasties obvious. Proper Pirelli run flats all round, and although a higher tax bracket being 2007, the price more than offsets that worry.
Three months in and I'm a convert. It's a real loafer, deceptively long-legged, super quiet, thrifty on a motorway run but a hooligan when you want it to be. Turn the gadgets off, this thing will donut all day long! I've got the bog-ordinary auto and I'm delighted with it, suits the car perfectly. This wheel design is a breeze to clean which is a bonus and apart from a broken 12v socket on the console (£10 from BMW and I changed it myself in ten minutes), nothing else to report. I've even got used to the look of the back end. I'm taking it to Le Mans this year and the boot will be properly useful!
These are amazing value. It's not a sports car like the Porker but it's a great place to be for the driving most of us are faced with. They certainly don't need IMHO 'bad boy' wheels, big 'zorts or drug-dealer glass, these are properly good as they are. A chum of mine has just picked up a 635d (with paddle shift-why?) version on big factory rims, they just show off what look like weedy brakes.
I really wanted an XKR but prices are still strong and on a whim, I took a look at a 645 at half the value of the Porker. Nice car but didn't like the dealer very much and a bit of research revealed the 650 with none of the gearbox woes of an M6 but otherwise the biggest motor they did at close to 400hp and plenty of torque.
Easily tracked down a 65,000 mile 650 in the classifieds on here with top spec nav/i-drive option, a colour I liked and black on black interior with no nasties obvious. Proper Pirelli run flats all round, and although a higher tax bracket being 2007, the price more than offsets that worry.
Three months in and I'm a convert. It's a real loafer, deceptively long-legged, super quiet, thrifty on a motorway run but a hooligan when you want it to be. Turn the gadgets off, this thing will donut all day long! I've got the bog-ordinary auto and I'm delighted with it, suits the car perfectly. This wheel design is a breeze to clean which is a bonus and apart from a broken 12v socket on the console (£10 from BMW and I changed it myself in ten minutes), nothing else to report. I've even got used to the look of the back end. I'm taking it to Le Mans this year and the boot will be properly useful!
These are amazing value. It's not a sports car like the Porker but it's a great place to be for the driving most of us are faced with. They certainly don't need IMHO 'bad boy' wheels, big 'zorts or drug-dealer glass, these are properly good as they are. A chum of mine has just picked up a 635d (with paddle shift-why?) version on big factory rims, they just show off what look like weedy brakes.
Edited by LFB531 on Monday 1st May 00:05
I'm also a big fan of easy to clean wheels. I'd imagine the run out to LM will be a joy. 
Have any current/past owners had any issues with wind noise from the passenger side window? The window goes up properly and it sounds as if the seal isn't quite tight but for the life of me, I can't see a gap anywhere.
The neighbours must think I'm a loon as I keep going round the car comparing door shuts!
The neighbours must think I'm a loon as I keep going round the car comparing door shuts!
LFB531 said:
Have any current/past owners had any issues with wind noise from the passenger side window? The window goes up properly and it sounds as if the seal isn't quite tight but for the life of me, I can't see a gap anywhere.
The neighbours must think I'm a loon as I keep going round the car comparing door shuts!
Yes!! I have this exact issue on mine and have done for the 4 years that I've owned it. I've had it looked at by the chap who looks after mine and he's never been ale to find anything, so I've tried to learn to live with it although it still annoys me when I do notice it.The neighbours must think I'm a loon as I keep going round the car comparing door shuts!
As said, I've had mine for 4 years now and still love it. I had my 1st child at the end of last year and bought a more sensible replacement but couldn't face getting rid of the BM. It's done about 300 miles in the past 5 months, so makes absolutely zero financial sense but for now I think it will stay.
Anyone have any recommendations for limited mile type insurance policies for these? My renewal has just come in at quite a jump over last year so I need to look at changing provider.
Are you guys getting the wind noise from a coupe or soft top?
Well to date, I've looked at 4 and all of them have been no good. The best one I've seen so far - I was passing so stopped to look at it on a forecourt - was a black 630i Coupe. Proper history but not many extras and 120k miles.
Well to date, I've looked at 4 and all of them have been no good. The best one I've seen so far - I was passing so stopped to look at it on a forecourt - was a black 630i Coupe. Proper history but not many extras and 120k miles.
Nath911t said:
Are you guys getting the wind noise from a coupe or soft top?
Well to date, I've looked at 4 and all of them have been no good. The best one I've seen so far - I was passing so stopped to look at it on a forecourt - was a black 630i Coupe. Proper history but not many extras and 120k miles.
Convertible in my case.Well to date, I've looked at 4 and all of them have been no good. The best one I've seen so far - I was passing so stopped to look at it on a forecourt - was a black 630i Coupe. Proper history but not many extras and 120k miles.
You'll kick yourself if you go for a 630i over either of the V8s so keep looking.
J.R.B. said:
Convertible in my case.
You'll kick yourself if you go for a 630i over either of the V8s so keep looking.
I know I will. I spoke to my local hire car company and I can get a good rate for a small car either daily or weekly so not all is lost. I'll keep looking but I can relate to your words. I don't think I couldn't have a V8 in my life You'll kick yourself if you go for a 630i over either of the V8s so keep looking.
Nath911t said:
Are you guys getting the wind noise from a coupe or soft top?
Well to date, I've looked at 4 and all of them have been no good. The best one I've seen so far - I was passing so stopped to look at it on a forecourt - was a black 630i Coupe. Proper history but not many extras and 120k miles.
Mines a coupe as pictured above.Well to date, I've looked at 4 and all of them have been no good. The best one I've seen so far - I was passing so stopped to look at it on a forecourt - was a black 630i Coupe. Proper history but not many extras and 120k miles.
I'm surprised you're struggling to find one (and agree it must be a V8), are you being very hard nosed on price?
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