An Individual Modern Classic
Discussion
With our two family wagons (an F11 530d and a dog friendly Ford S-Max) as the only means of transport for the family I felt it was time for something interesting (but reasonably cheap) for me to reconnect with my love of driving. I wanted something that had 6+ cylinders, 3L+ capacity, petrol, 4 seats (otherwise it wouldn’t be used as much as I’d like), a coupe or convertible, less than £8k but ideally less than £5k.
Much trawling of the usual websites threw up a whole bunch of rubbish with poor MoT histories, dodgy service histories, rude / disinterested dealers and “private” vendors who I wouldn’t trust any further than I could throw them.
Finally I found this;
A 2005 E63 630i with what appears to be a very rare Individual spec. With a reasonable 114k miles, 15 services, the N52 with the lower £430 RFL, and a good MoT history I decided to go for it and take the plunge! The car will be collected in a couple of weeks (a holiday means there’s a bit of a wait) but I have to admit I haven’t looked forward to collecting a car for many a year!
More pics;
The car is an Individual specification which I have to admit I didn’t know existed but seems to be almost a bespoke version of the car with individual paint, seats, headlining, steering wheel etc which makes the car that little bit more special.
Plans are to install CarPlay to add modern functionality and sort any minor faults as necessary (it’s a 20 year old car so won’t be fault free). Then hopefully enjoy the car for a few years (fingers crossed!).
Any information about the issues I may come across will be greatly appreciated. I hope to post (reasonably infrequently if luck is with me) details of my journey to making this a modern classic.
Much trawling of the usual websites threw up a whole bunch of rubbish with poor MoT histories, dodgy service histories, rude / disinterested dealers and “private” vendors who I wouldn’t trust any further than I could throw them.
Finally I found this;
A 2005 E63 630i with what appears to be a very rare Individual spec. With a reasonable 114k miles, 15 services, the N52 with the lower £430 RFL, and a good MoT history I decided to go for it and take the plunge! The car will be collected in a couple of weeks (a holiday means there’s a bit of a wait) but I have to admit I haven’t looked forward to collecting a car for many a year!
More pics;
The car is an Individual specification which I have to admit I didn’t know existed but seems to be almost a bespoke version of the car with individual paint, seats, headlining, steering wheel etc which makes the car that little bit more special.
Plans are to install CarPlay to add modern functionality and sort any minor faults as necessary (it’s a 20 year old car so won’t be fault free). Then hopefully enjoy the car for a few years (fingers crossed!).
Any information about the issues I may come across will be greatly appreciated. I hope to post (reasonably infrequently if luck is with me) details of my journey to making this a modern classic.
Edited by Sn1ckers on Saturday 5th April 21:59
That's a lovely colour combination, but I wouldn't enjoy cleaning those wheels!
I'm a big fan of the N52 engine for how they rev so smoothly and seem to be pretty bulletproof. After having two in Z4s I got a 325i as a daily that I sold with 139K miles to replace it with my current 330i that is on 128K now.
Enjoy collection day.
I'm a big fan of the N52 engine for how they rev so smoothly and seem to be pretty bulletproof. After having two in Z4s I got a 325i as a daily that I sold with 139K miles to replace it with my current 330i that is on 128K now.
Enjoy collection day.
Collection day has arrived. Obligatory pic at the pumps;
The drive home (about 70 miles) was uneventful and the car proved to be a very comfortable, knock, creak, rattle and squeak free experience. I was pleasantly surprised to be entirely honest as it is, after all, a 20 year old car with 114k miles on the clock.
It has been well maintained through its life and that combined with a level of engineering and build quality that I’m not certain you’ll find in BMW’s more recent cars is on show in how well the car wearing.
It’s now my aim to keep it in as good, if not better, condition. Plus the addition of one or two modifications (clunky idrive is first on the list) to bring the car up to date technology wise.
Firstly, I plan to simply use it for a few weeks to get a proper feel for the car; this is my first 6 Series. Oil, brakes and tyres were done by the seller before collection so remaining filters and gearbox service will be done plus a full health check by my local specialist.
Updates to follow.
The drive home (about 70 miles) was uneventful and the car proved to be a very comfortable, knock, creak, rattle and squeak free experience. I was pleasantly surprised to be entirely honest as it is, after all, a 20 year old car with 114k miles on the clock.
It has been well maintained through its life and that combined with a level of engineering and build quality that I’m not certain you’ll find in BMW’s more recent cars is on show in how well the car wearing.
It’s now my aim to keep it in as good, if not better, condition. Plus the addition of one or two modifications (clunky idrive is first on the list) to bring the car up to date technology wise.
Firstly, I plan to simply use it for a few weeks to get a proper feel for the car; this is my first 6 Series. Oil, brakes and tyres were done by the seller before collection so remaining filters and gearbox service will be done plus a full health check by my local specialist.
Updates to follow.
I’ve had my 630i for a few years now and love it. I have a habit of buying underrated cars and this is certainly one. Pretty light (plastic boot and wings, aluminium doors, roof) at 1500kg with that brilliant N52. Has a big car feel inside and a high point for BMW quality (I also have a F10 era car and there is a notable step backward in cabin quality). Recommend getting a full geo/alignment done.
Keep us updated on the CarPlay - it’s my next job.
Keep us updated on the CarPlay - it’s my next job.
josh00mac said:
I’ve had my 630i for a few years now and love it. I have a habit of buying underrated cars and this is certainly one. Pretty light (plastic boot and wings, aluminium doors, roof) at 1500kg with that brilliant N52. Has a big car feel inside and a high point for BMW quality (I also have a F10 era car and there is a notable step backward in cabin quality). Recommend getting a full geo/alignment done.
Keep us updated on the CarPlay - it’s my next job.
That’s a lovely colour. Good to see there are some long term owners out there who love their cars.Keep us updated on the CarPlay - it’s my next job.
I’m trying to decide between a replacement screen type unit or a unit that sits between the idrive and the screen to give carplay functionality. They both have their pros and cons. Either way I would like something that gives me DAB.
Limited research has thrown up;
https://www.andream-eu.com/product-category/carpla...
https://apple-carplay.uk/product/bmw-e60-e90-3-5-6...
https://integratedautomotive.co.uk/product/imi-100...
https://www.mr12volt.com/en-gb
https://www.evolveautomotive.co.uk/products/mr12vo...
Lots of choice and the views of anyone with experience would be greatly appreciated!
My E92 M3 has a Mr12Volt fitted, probably the best option as it uses the car’s fibre optic network to retain the factory audio quality. My car has the individual audio system fitted so was a must for me. It works brilliantly and can highly recommend it!
Lovely car and spec too, really love the E63 6 series.
Lovely car and spec too, really love the E63 6 series.
Brings back memories
...I had an individual E63 M6 - the V10 was amazing and I had the car delimited a day after I picked it up:
and then I ran it flat out on the autobahn.......probably the fastest I have driven:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTMKkPxei0I
...I had an individual E63 M6 - the V10 was amazing and I had the car delimited a day after I picked it up:and then I ran it flat out on the autobahn.......probably the fastest I have driven:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTMKkPxei0I
dtulip8 said:
My E92 M3 has a Mr12Volt fitted, probably the best option as it uses the car’s fibre optic network to retain the factory audio quality. My car has the individual audio system fitted so was a must for me. It works brilliantly and can highly recommend it!
Lovely car and spec too, really love the E63 6 series.
Thanks, that’s useful info; I hadn’t got that far into my research but I had read that some solutions weren’t great when it came to sound quality post fitting. My car comes with the Hi-Fi speakers so not up there with the individual audio (had them in a E91 330i some years back, awesome!) but good enough to make me want something that doesn’t degrade the sound quality too much.Lovely car and spec too, really love the E63 6 series.
Did you fit the unit yourself? If so was it as “plug and play” as they claim?
RDMcG said:
Brings back memories...I had an individual E63 M6 - the V10 was amazing and I had the car delimited a day after I picked it up then I ran it flat out on the autobahn.......probably the fastest I have driven.
You have bigger spuds than me that’s for sure! ...I had an individual E63 M6 - the V10 was amazing and I had the car delimited a day after I picked it up then I ran it flat out on the autobahn.......probably the fastest I have driven. 
What were you following? Rear lights looked like another 6?
Would like to find out more about the Individual Spec such as what it covers, materials etc; the seller claimed my car was one of only 2 630i’s in the country with the option but I have no idea if that is true or how you go about finding out more? You would think it must be unusual to find a “base” model with such an expensive (I think) option ticked?
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