645Ci vs 335i

[CrookedSheep]

After a new car, never driven a BMW, I've been to see a few and I'm drawn to the above two. I have 20k to spend.

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between these two cars? I'm not talking straight line performance, but more about the driving experience, the comfort, the build quality, the service intervals etc, but more importantly - does either car feel special?

I'd be looking at a mid 2004 6 series or 2007 335i, the latter being quite newer which interests me. I'm learning towards a 6 series as I have always wanted one, and I think the 335i looks a bit plain for a 20k car.

[6BMW]

645 all the way mate! I recently bought a convertible and to say i'm pleased is an understatement! The V8 is silky smooth and sounds amazing once you step on the gas! I'm getting around 22mpg in town but on a recent trip to Birmingham down the M40 I got 34mpg which is bloody amazing for a 4.4 V8!! And I must add that wasnt driving like a whus!

I looked at 335s but they just didnt feel special and What I find strange with 3's is that an entry level 320i looks identical to a TOTR 335i they just dont have that sense of occasion.

If its outright acceleration and speed then its the 335i but for an overall experience Id say a 645 anyday.

[gizlaroc]

They are comepletely different cars, one if a GT and one is a pretty sporty coupe.

If they were the same age/spec/mileage and price I would find it hard to choose, but buying a 3 year old vs a 6 year old car for the same price I think I would go with the 335i.

Take them both out and see what you think.

[CrookedSheep]

GT vs Sporty Coupe, whats the difference? Apart from physical size, is there something the 645i can do that the 335i can't?

I love everything about the 645i but I dont particulary want a 6 year old car when a) my current car is 7 years old and b) I can get a 3 year old 335i for the same money.

Agree about the 335i looking rather average though.

[richterswil]

CrookedSheep said:

GT vs Sporty Coupe, whats the difference? Apart from physical size, is there something the 645i can do that the 335i can't?

I love everything about the 645i but I dont particulary want a 6 year old car when a) my current car is 7 years old and b) I can get a 3 year old 335i for the same money.

Agree about the 335i looking rather average though.

I thought gizlaroc's reply was pretty much bang on to be fair. Is there anything a 6 can do that a 3 can't? We no, not really but then if it is that simple go and buy a 1.

The 3 will be a bit more agile and my choice for a B road blast. The 6 a bit more comfortable on a run and my choice for a 3+ hour drive.

It really depends on what your preferences are, stacked up against likely use and need.

Do you have a long motorway commute? Is your driving mainly on country roads etc? Will you often have back seat passengers? These are the type of questions I would be asking myself.

Edited by richterswil on Saturday 20th March 14:56

[CrookedSheep]

Went to a dealer today, it was nice to compare both the 6 and the 3 side by side. My initial fears of the 3 series were confirmed, nice car, but far too dull considering its top of the range (bar the M3...) and it looks exactly like the 320d in the car park. Getting out of a 6 and into the 3, felt like I had gone downwards.

I did question one or two of the cabin materials in the 645ci, mainly the top of the doorcards...it just didn't feel luxurious to me? Sound insulation was fantastic though.

[waremark]

The six will look, feel and sound more expensive, but will have less room inside in a much longer car, and will not drive any better. Personally, I hate little things going wrong, and anything which goes wrong with the six will be expensive to repair: so I would not buy a six year old expensive car. But this is entirely a subjective choice.

[E21_Ross]

if i wanted a BMW for 20k i don't think either of those would be on my list.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1323295.htm

although i'd search for one with a manual gearbox. one with low miles and a FSH. if 20k was my limit, i'd get one for about 16k and leave the other 4k for servicing.

as said, it really depends what you want in the car. i would rather the 645ci as the 335i just looks dull to me, the M3 looks so much more aggressive and is easily spotted apart from the normal 3 series, whereas the 335i is not.

i have heard the 6 series is not all that to drive though.

[Patrick Bateman]

I'd probably fancy the 6 series myself, a bit different and not very common.

[Chaz645]

As said above, depends what you want from the car. I have owned a few 3 series (e36 and e46) never been a fan of the new one for the same reasons as above...doesnt look special even in m-tech kit. I dont have any kids so rear seat space wasnt a problem and im young and all the yougsters buy the 3...so i bought the 6

Cracking car mate, fast enough...mine has all the toys, make sure if u get one it has a good spec and MUST have Dynamic Drive

[CrookedSheep]

I'm just looking for something a bit different and I don't need the rear room.

I've looking at servicing and its very reasonable, it's just the thought of serious things going wrong that worry me, the likes of engines, autoboxes etc...Are there any common issues with the 6 series I should be aware of?

What do we make of this?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1325286.htm

Its the right colour, good mileage, has heated sports seats and dynamic drive!

[E21_Ross]

CrookedSheep said:

I'm just looking for something a bit different and I don't need the rear room.

I've looking at servicing and its very reasonable, it's just the thought of serious things going wrong that worry me, the likes of engines, autoboxes etc...Are there any common issues with the 6 series I should be aware of?

What do we make of this?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1325286.htm

Its the right colour, good mileage, has heated sports seats and dynamic drive!

looks nice! i don't think at 50k miles you're going to get massive problems. you can halve your servicing bills by taking it to a good independent instead of a dealer for starters. no idea about auto boxes but 50k on a V8 is nothing.

[CrookedSheep]

2 former owners with full dealer service history. May go take a look.

How can I tell if it has dynamic drive? (apart from throwing it round a roundabout?)

[gizlaroc]

Only problem I see with those 2004 cars is there have been some sub 20k mile 2007 650i's changing hands for around £23k with all the toys. I think I would find the extra, even if you had to finance the £5k over 60 months (£100 a month) I think it would be worth it.

[CrookedSheep]

gizlaroc said:

Only problem I see with those 2004 cars is there have been some sub 20k mile 2007 650i's changing hands for around £23k with all the toys. I think I would find the extra, even if you had to finance the £5k over 60 months (£100 a month) I think it would be worth it.

Hi,
I have noticed and that is a good point, but I'm struggling to justify spending £23k on a car (albeit it a small percentage of what I intend to spend). It just seems to excessive.

[Chaz645]

Looks tidy, buying from a good dealer would be piece of mind while the warranty is running. I did this last year, cash buyer but still wanted the warranty...and guess what 2 months later the aircon pump packed up....dealer paid for a new one.

Was told i was quite unlucky with that pump, these cars are pretty much bullett proof and only suffer with the same niggles that the 3 series does...bushes etc. Check the gearbox works in all modes...inc sport...but never heard any horror stories

Tempted to offer you mine! But just put the 650i wheels on her....

[gizlaroc]

One other thing to consider is the 650i returns around 5mpg more, maybe even better in the real world, mate has one and he is averaging 27 in it, was getting 21 in his 645i.

[gizlaroc]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1561642.htm

£20,900

2006

650i CI M-Sport Auto in Stratus titanium grey

Panoramic glass sunroof Full Black Dakota leather Sports seats, PROFESSIONAL WIDE SCREEN SAT. NAV. Television, DVD player, 19inch Alloy wheels, Head Up Display, Comfort access, Auto dim interior mirror, Electric folding exterior mirrors, High gloss dark marble wood interior, Driver & passenger heated seats, Front cup holders, BMW connected Drive Assist, BLUETOOTH TELEPHONE PREP. AND TELEMATICS, car phone, 6 disk multi play CD, Driver & passenger full electric seats with memory seats, Cruise control, M-Sport multi function steering wheel, Dual Climate control, key-less go, push button start, Bi-xenon lights MUCH MUCH MORE. 1 PRIVATE OWNER, FULL COMPLETE & TOTAL BMW MAIN DEALER SERVICE HISTORYc.. 1years MOT, tax till August. car is like new inside out perfect condition has to be seen to be appreciated, cheapest 2006 650i in the country, yet in showroom condition., 30,000 miles. please call on 07545244202 thanks

Edited by gizlaroc on Monday 22 March 14:07

[CrookedSheep]

Bloody hell that looks a good deal. No dynamic drive but I think I could live without it?? Never driven a 6 series nevermind one with or without it so wouldn't know.

[6BMW]

Too good to be true = deffo scam!

The M Sport didnt come out until end 2008 that model is a Sport not M Sport.

Glasses value for this car:

BMW 6 Series 650i Sport
4.8 Petrol 2-door Coupe
6 Speed Automatic Rear Wheel Drive
Year: 2006 55
Mileage: 30,000

Part-exchange Price:
Excellent condition:
£24250

Average condition:
£21750

Below average condition:
£19500

And those prices are Part exchange prices - retail add another £2k for a private sale at least!

Edited by 6BMW on Monday 22 March 14:31