F12 sweet spot?
Discussion
Having gone round and round considering which car to get as my next daily driver, I have pretty much decided that the F12 (or post 2010, 6 series convertible) is closest to my criteria.
What I can’t quite decide is which model to go for so thought I would put it to the PH collective for advice:
I have always preferred petrol to Diesel engines and V8s especially (perhaps no great surprise there...), but I do about 18k to 20k and the 640d apparently gets about double the mpg of its petrol brothers and has broadly similar performance.
Specs on all models are pretty much interchangeable throughout so there’s no great distinction there, either.
So, is it worth the additional fuel cost for the petrol engines and, if so is the 650i better than the 640i or vice versa? Or, as I suspect, is the 640d pretty much the same but with noticeably lower fuel and servicing costs?
Whilst we’re here, I’d also ask which options you’d most recommend? Are the sports seats or comfort seats better, especially for the taller driver? I’d definitely want the reversing / parking camera / s and I like the Head-up display but what else should I be looking for?
Finally, I think I have considered pretty much everything available in this bracket, but are there any other cars I should consider? I’m looking for an enjoyable, post-2010, 4 seater convertible with up to about 60k miles on a budget of c£17k. The nearest I have come up with are the MB E-class or Audi S5 convertibles but I prefer the 6 to both of those for various reasons so alternative suggestions only, please...
What I can’t quite decide is which model to go for so thought I would put it to the PH collective for advice:
I have always preferred petrol to Diesel engines and V8s especially (perhaps no great surprise there...), but I do about 18k to 20k and the 640d apparently gets about double the mpg of its petrol brothers and has broadly similar performance.
Specs on all models are pretty much interchangeable throughout so there’s no great distinction there, either.
So, is it worth the additional fuel cost for the petrol engines and, if so is the 650i better than the 640i or vice versa? Or, as I suspect, is the 640d pretty much the same but with noticeably lower fuel and servicing costs?
Whilst we’re here, I’d also ask which options you’d most recommend? Are the sports seats or comfort seats better, especially for the taller driver? I’d definitely want the reversing / parking camera / s and I like the Head-up display but what else should I be looking for?
Finally, I think I have considered pretty much everything available in this bracket, but are there any other cars I should consider? I’m looking for an enjoyable, post-2010, 4 seater convertible with up to about 60k miles on a budget of c£17k. The nearest I have come up with are the MB E-class or Audi S5 convertibles but I prefer the 6 to both of those for various reasons so alternative suggestions only, please...
If I were you, I would avoid the 650i - the N63 engine is noted as very unreliable, though somewhat less so with the facelift (horsepower went from 408 to 450 bhp).
As much as I like the 35/40d engines, I would go for the 640i when you are determined to have the cabriolet, as there is no getting away from the diesel sound with the top down. If it were the Coupe, then the 40d engine makes a lot of sense, especially with the mileage you are doing.
As much as I like the 35/40d engines, I would go for the 640i when you are determined to have the cabriolet, as there is no getting away from the diesel sound with the top down. If it were the Coupe, then the 40d engine makes a lot of sense, especially with the mileage you are doing.
BreakingBad said:
Thanks, Rassi. I thought the 4.4 V8 was pretty much bombproof, as in the older 8 series and X5s etc, plus a couple of turbos, or is this a different lump?
Very different, and only as the S63 variant (F10/F06 M5/M6) did the unreliability issues disappear - maybe a F12 M6 would appeal 
Some reading here about the N63 problems, google will find you many more: https://www.eeuroparts.com/blog/9654/bmw-n63-hot-v...
In terms of options; i've been running my 640i SE convertible for a couple of years, 6ft 4 and the comfort seats are great, albeit pushed right back so absolutely no room to get anyone in behind. HUD and speed limit display is a definite must from my point of view and very useful, the soft close doors i could take or leave. i've also got comfort access on mine which again is useful. reverse camera is also a nice to have.
the only option i don't have is surround view, in hindsight living in a city and the tight parking spaces this probably the one thing i would go for, if you're tall the seat will be set low and its not easy to see the corners on whats a pretty wide car.
finally, mine had the dealer fit M Performance exhaust, lovely on start up, settles down with the odd crackle, great with the roof down and not too loud or droney.
the only option i don't have is surround view, in hindsight living in a city and the tight parking spaces this probably the one thing i would go for, if you're tall the seat will be set low and its not easy to see the corners on whats a pretty wide car.
finally, mine had the dealer fit M Performance exhaust, lovely on start up, settles down with the odd crackle, great with the roof down and not too loud or droney.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff