645 and 650i so cheap?

[Mirinjawbro]

Hello

as above

why are the 645 and 650i so cheap?

seen some hovering around the 4/5k mark (high mileage )

are they that unreliable at over 80k miles or so?

[Phil Dicky]

Can throw some eye watering bills..check our the barges thread for BMW V8 woes.

Edited by Phil Dicky on Sunday 19th September 13:58

[Mirinjawbro]

will do

thanks

[rallyeS2]

Have a Google of “alternator bracket seal” in relation to these engines. It saw my 545i off when it failed along with dumping a fair amount of oil on my drive! The valve stem seals and coolant pipes are also common issues. Lots of things on these engines are big money to fix due to the number of hours needed to do them… the engine bay is mega tight!

[Mirinjawbro]

so not worth the hassle

shame

[flying-banana]

The valve stem seals may not be a deal breaker... we had an X5 4.4 V8, it started using oil at 90k, I would check the oil every couple of weeks, keep it topped up, the engine was still running sweetly at 230k (but the front diff & drive shafts were on their way out by then...)

[Scootersp]

These are an ok car for a hands on person, the jobs are generally massively labour intensive.

Lots can be delayed by good oil servicing, and some are advertised with some of the jobs done, cam covers, timing chain covers, alternator bracket, coolant pipe and stem seals (these are I think 7-12 yearly items). Not so much that I've read that actually stops you driving as such, I have a 645 as it was the cheapest V8 manual i could find and i've been pleasantly surprised by it. It's only on just over 60K miles and has cam cover weeping so far, but I plan on doing these and the spark plugs soon.

Bits aren't cheap and if you get one that needs all the above doing then it's gonna hurt but they won't all be basket cases?

They are cheap for a reason so eyes wide open time, but they can make sense, or you can go with the 630? some other issues I think with those but a far shorter list.

[Mirinjawbro]

its a V8 im looking for as a second fun car.

just surprised they were so cheap compared to others.

now checking out the slk55. although 3 x the price. would i really spend 10k on fixing a 645 / 650? i doubt it unless very unlucky

[cerb4.5lee]

I loved the 4.8 V8 engine in the E53 X5 4.8iS I had(the same engine as the 650i), but mine was low mileage and not all that old and it still leaked oil. They can be troublesome from what I read, but you could also fall lucky with one as well.

I had mostly nothing but bad luck with my TVR with the same things always going wrong, yet some owners don't have any trouble with them though at all. As with any car it is the luck of the draw I think.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a reliable V8 then I'd say look at a CLK 500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109087...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363544259016?hash=item5...

CLK55 AMG

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109077...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384392291160?hash=item5...

Rare W208 but these need a thorough inspection for rust:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313638332177?hash=item4...

[g3org3y]

Mirinjawbro said:

Hello

as above

why are the 645 and 650i so cheap?

seen some hovering around the 4/5k mark (high mileage )

are they that unreliable at over 80k miles or so?

Old BMW with potentially big bills - valve steam seals, oil leaks (cheap parts but expensive labour) & coolant transfer pipe leak.

The later 4.8 is a bit less prone to these issues. Between the two, I'd choose the 650i over the 645Ci.

The 630i is the scaredy cat's sensible choice.

[Mirinjawbro]

i know its impossible to say but lets say of 100 650is, as a guess what sort of percentage are we looking at for problems

this will be a weekend / fun car only.

[ZX10R NIN]

Look on these engines it's when not if but you may not have every problem although valve stem seals is a given, you'll be unlucky to have every issue but you will have some.

It's not the parts it's the labour that gets you as everything is labour heavy as long as you have a slush fund you'll be fine or go for a 500/55 CLK.

[Taita]

There is some good knowledge on this channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKiF9zvj9h_6NR7ga... and BimmerForums.co.uk.

How to buy an e63 / e64: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw9w7Jrgm9c

[Mirinjawbro]

thankyou all

just cant see it being beaten for 5/6k

[Scootersp]

Mirinjawbro said:

thankyou all

just cant see it being beaten for 5/6k

You sound almost convinced and so you need to look for one with as much done as possible of one showing no immediate signs of leaks, beware the steam cleaned ones, and don't ignore the higher mileage ones that have had work done.

Don't forget all the usual other checks then just roll the dice!

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

As above, it's the fact the engines can cost a lot to keep going without leaks. I had a 745i for a few years and it cost a huge amount to keep running. I sold it on in good condition, and the next owner soon had to spend more on it, and then its gearbox died and effectively wrote the car off.

[Seeker UK]

I don't think your 'average' buyer (who are many in number and so tend to influence prices more the PH regulars) think about ruinous bills, they look at running costs and not many people want sub 30 mpg from a big, thirsty V8.