Talk to me about... BMW 6 Series (E63)
Discussion
... as I'm starting to rather fancy one! 
Specifically, I'm looking at 2004 to 2006 models, coupes not convertibles, and only the petrol V8s (645 and 650) in automatic flavours. Don't want a six-pot, don't want a diesel, don't want a manual. Think I want the conventional auto rather than the SMG, but is my presumption that the SMG will be less smooth correct?
They look a lot of car for the £££, low mileage 2005 cars going for under £10k.
What are they like to live with? I'm particularly keen to find out if they're generally reliable, if there are any common faults and if there are any specific problems that could turn a nice one into a wallet-raping money pit of despair.
Also vaguely interested in practicality, as it'll be used as the "posh family car". So I need a decent boot and enough room in the back to accommodate an excitable 2-year-old in her car seat.
And of course, perhaps most importantly, what are they like to drive? I'm aiming for quick, comfy and refined - more GT than outright sports car.
If anyone owns, or has owned one I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on the car.
Thanks!
Jonny
Specifically, I'm looking at 2004 to 2006 models, coupes not convertibles, and only the petrol V8s (645 and 650) in automatic flavours. Don't want a six-pot, don't want a diesel, don't want a manual. Think I want the conventional auto rather than the SMG, but is my presumption that the SMG will be less smooth correct?
They look a lot of car for the £££, low mileage 2005 cars going for under £10k.
What are they like to live with? I'm particularly keen to find out if they're generally reliable, if there are any common faults and if there are any specific problems that could turn a nice one into a wallet-raping money pit of despair.
Also vaguely interested in practicality, as it'll be used as the "posh family car". So I need a decent boot and enough room in the back to accommodate an excitable 2-year-old in her car seat.
And of course, perhaps most importantly, what are they like to drive? I'm aiming for quick, comfy and refined - more GT than outright sports car.
If anyone owns, or has owned one I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on the car.
Thanks!
Jonny
Had a 645 for a year, some real ups with a few downs.
I had a gearbox failure (auto, mechatronic issue) approximately a year after ownership, which resulted in me trading it in. I'm not sure if the gearbox is a common fault, so take my experience as a one off, but the gearbox oil sump leaking is apparently a known issue (had that one too).
Plenty of good sides to it - consumption is good for a 4.4 V8, sounds great, has that brilliant stance and presence that still makes me occasionally shop for them when I see one about now and then.
Run flat tyres are expensive for this car (think the rears on 19s were circa 300 each).
And it was designed to look like a shark - that fact alone probably sealed a few deals in the past
I had a gearbox failure (auto, mechatronic issue) approximately a year after ownership, which resulted in me trading it in. I'm not sure if the gearbox is a common fault, so take my experience as a one off, but the gearbox oil sump leaking is apparently a known issue (had that one too).
Plenty of good sides to it - consumption is good for a 4.4 V8, sounds great, has that brilliant stance and presence that still makes me occasionally shop for them when I see one about now and then.
Run flat tyres are expensive for this car (think the rears on 19s were circa 300 each).
And it was designed to look like a shark - that fact alone probably sealed a few deals in the past
I absolutely hated their looks when the first came out, but in the last 6 months I find myself turning my head after them. Is it just me or have these aged incredibly well? I mean, the current 6-er just looks bland compared to the e63.
The e60 also aged incredibly well, its just the Bangle 7er that I cannot get my head around.
The e60 also aged incredibly well, its just the Bangle 7er that I cannot get my head around.
The V8s have some little pipe/seal that fails deep down in the engine bay that then leads to horrible failure and bank account clearing bills.
Solution is here
http://www.bimmerfix.com/
Don't know what it would cost to have one fitted but I'd probably budget for one.
Solution is here
http://www.bimmerfix.com/
Don't know what it would cost to have one fitted but I'd probably budget for one.
My friend had a M6 until earlier in the year. I drove it hard a few times and my gosh it was a real GT blaster. V10 badness.
Why is this relevent... well its nto really being it was a M6 but I though I would share.. he had nothing my sensor issues with it. I just don't think these cars are very durable. However its also down to good or bad fortune i guess.ere
I'd like a 6 series 630 Manual if there is such a thing. A six seems seems simpler in my BMW minds eye. Not sure why as a small pipe breather collapse caused the early demise of our beloved E39.
Why is this relevent... well its nto really being it was a M6 but I though I would share.. he had nothing my sensor issues with it. I just don't think these cars are very durable. However its also down to good or bad fortune i guess.ere
I'd like a 6 series 630 Manual if there is such a thing. A six seems seems simpler in my BMW minds eye. Not sure why as a small pipe breather collapse caused the early demise of our beloved E39.
Market forces dictate the value and encompass running costs, hence why an e60 m5 is way cheaper than a 996 turbo.
Thats why expensive to run cars (rx8) drop more in value compared to reliable ones or fuel efficient ones.
Hence a 645 is not cheap to run, thats one of the reasons its cheapish to buy.
No matter how cheap to run the market moves in such a way that arguably leasing a golf R or new slk is as cheap. New cars need no mot, servicing is a fixed cost, no depreciation on leased cars, they have better mpg and so, overall it works out fairly similar.
You will have big fuel bills, the odd repair, tyres wont be new, mot etc so even if it costs nothing in running costs lets say it depreciates at £100pm plus you spend £150pm extra on fuel compared to a new 520d se then even without bills the running costs arent great plus you have £10k tied up.
That said theyre not unreliable if you get an inspection and buy a good one but as with anything theres a bit of luck involved, a £2k bill is always lurking.
Nice cars, bit old hat now, bit old technology but a good place to while away the miles (whilst worrying about every noise over a bump or worrying about a dash light you've not seen before!).
The other thing is time off to get it fixed, motd etc. if you're working you generally don't want the hassle!
Thats why expensive to run cars (rx8) drop more in value compared to reliable ones or fuel efficient ones.
Hence a 645 is not cheap to run, thats one of the reasons its cheapish to buy.
No matter how cheap to run the market moves in such a way that arguably leasing a golf R or new slk is as cheap. New cars need no mot, servicing is a fixed cost, no depreciation on leased cars, they have better mpg and so, overall it works out fairly similar.
You will have big fuel bills, the odd repair, tyres wont be new, mot etc so even if it costs nothing in running costs lets say it depreciates at £100pm plus you spend £150pm extra on fuel compared to a new 520d se then even without bills the running costs arent great plus you have £10k tied up.
That said theyre not unreliable if you get an inspection and buy a good one but as with anything theres a bit of luck involved, a £2k bill is always lurking.
Nice cars, bit old hat now, bit old technology but a good place to while away the miles (whilst worrying about every noise over a bump or worrying about a dash light you've not seen before!).
The other thing is time off to get it fixed, motd etc. if you're working you generally don't want the hassle!
flatso said:
I absolutely hated their looks when the first came out, but in the last 6 months I find myself turning my head after them. Is it just me or have these aged incredibly well? I mean, the current 6-er just looks bland compared to the e63.
The e60 also aged incredibly well, its just the Bangle 7er that I cannot get my head around.
I'm with you here. I hated the looks at first and now I'm thinking it would be nice to trade the E90 in for a more luxury, comfy cruiser type of car. (I am 40 after all). I've not done my homework yet but these are looking tempting.The e60 also aged incredibly well, its just the Bangle 7er that I cannot get my head around.
I'm two months into 650 ownership and very happy with it. Mine is a '55 Auto coupe with 90k and Full BMW history. Since I've had it I put it through an oil service and MOT at BMW - under £300 and passed the MOT with just an advisory.
Only minor fault is that the run flat puncture monitor seems to trigger from potholes. It came on just after I got it, and was reset at the service and has since come on. Pretty sure the tyres are ok although its a feature that played up on my LS and M5 in the past.
Bootspace is good, a large suitcase and wheely case will go down flat in the back easily.
I've had a rear facing baby seat in the back too so no problems there. Rear seats might be a bit tight for tall adults if driver/passenger are tall but not been much of a problem for me as I'm a shorty and rarely have passengers in the back seats.
ETA because I didn't write anything about the actual car! Auto is standard BMW fare for the age, nothing special - does the job. Engine is great, fairly lazy at low revs but comes to life when provoked. Sport button livens things up, can't help thinking that 80% of the extra response would be nicer the whole time.
Fuel tank is a bit small for the size of car / consumption that it does. 65 litres I think and doing something like 230-300 miles depending on driving to a tank.
Only minor fault is that the run flat puncture monitor seems to trigger from potholes. It came on just after I got it, and was reset at the service and has since come on. Pretty sure the tyres are ok although its a feature that played up on my LS and M5 in the past.
Bootspace is good, a large suitcase and wheely case will go down flat in the back easily.
I've had a rear facing baby seat in the back too so no problems there. Rear seats might be a bit tight for tall adults if driver/passenger are tall but not been much of a problem for me as I'm a shorty and rarely have passengers in the back seats.
ETA because I didn't write anything about the actual car! Auto is standard BMW fare for the age, nothing special - does the job. Engine is great, fairly lazy at low revs but comes to life when provoked. Sport button livens things up, can't help thinking that 80% of the extra response would be nicer the whole time.
Fuel tank is a bit small for the size of car / consumption that it does. 65 litres I think and doing something like 230-300 miles depending on driving to a tank.
Edited by jonnydm on Thursday 7th August 14:47
Motorrad said:
The V8s have some little pipe/seal that fails deep down in the engine bay that then leads to horrible failure and bank account clearing bills.
Solution is here
http://www.bimmerfix.com/
Don't know what it would cost to have one fitted but I'd probably budget for one.
Not applicable to the 650 - 645 only.Solution is here
http://www.bimmerfix.com/
Don't know what it would cost to have one fitted but I'd probably budget for one.
ChocolateFrog said:
I think most of Bangle's designs have aged well.
I may agree with that. Like most things they appeal more as they become more affordable. A couple of years ago I had a few minutes to kill while waiting for someone and there was a black one with brown leather parked up. I don't get iDrive, and they're doubtless cars full of complex technology that for me as an ownership prospect stuff from the late 90s, turn of the century may not have. Bangle gets a hard time. The F10 is hideous to my eyes.
Thanks for all the info everyone, has given me plenty to ponder!
Motorrad, the link re the coolant pipe is exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for, mucho gracias. Definitely something to check on any prospective purchase and factor in to the running costs.
I'm certainly not expecting it to be cheap to run, but it'll be used solely for leisure as I have a company car (Passat at the mo, considering an Outlander PHEV or an Auris hybrid to replace it) to take car of dull work duties, and the mrs has a new Note as her daily runabout. So fuel costs aren't much of an issue as the mileage will be pretty low, and I won't be short of a car should the thing be off the road for any reason.
I think I'll have to go and view one to get a feel for the child seat space, seems that opinions vary and of course depends upon the child, the type of seat and the size of the front passenger!
Grandfondo, I'd certainly be interested to know more about your car, I suspect that with only 19k your asking price may be a bit higher than I'm aiming to spend but always worth finding out
As many of you have mentioned, the looks seem to have improved with age somehow. I thought they were a slightly odd-looking beast when new, whereas now I find them a rather handsome shape. Bangle was ahead of his time with a lot of his designs; I much prefer his 5 Series to the current distorted-looking car.
Motorrad, the link re the coolant pipe is exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for, mucho gracias. Definitely something to check on any prospective purchase and factor in to the running costs.
I'm certainly not expecting it to be cheap to run, but it'll be used solely for leisure as I have a company car (Passat at the mo, considering an Outlander PHEV or an Auris hybrid to replace it) to take car of dull work duties, and the mrs has a new Note as her daily runabout. So fuel costs aren't much of an issue as the mileage will be pretty low, and I won't be short of a car should the thing be off the road for any reason.
I think I'll have to go and view one to get a feel for the child seat space, seems that opinions vary and of course depends upon the child, the type of seat and the size of the front passenger!
Grandfondo, I'd certainly be interested to know more about your car, I suspect that with only 19k your asking price may be a bit higher than I'm aiming to spend but always worth finding out
As many of you have mentioned, the looks seem to have improved with age somehow. I thought they were a slightly odd-looking beast when new, whereas now I find them a rather handsome shape. Bangle was ahead of his time with a lot of his designs; I much prefer his 5 Series to the current distorted-looking car.
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