630i vs 645/650
Discussion
Valve stem seals (about 1500 quid) are the biggie on the v8s along with a selection of oil leaks that aren't cheap to fix unless your handy on the spanners.
N52 engine is very reliable but still has problems keeping its oil in. Usually just the sump gasket (crap job to DIY) or cam cover gasket. Other than that they are solid.
The later 3.0 N53 (the one I bought) is a different kettle of fish. High pressure fuel pump and injectors and nox sensor all known weak points along with the usual oil leaks. I bought mine knowing it had a few issues and I've now done all of the above apart from injectors. It is however now absolutely sweet as a nut, cheaper tax and will crack 40mpg on a run.
For me though the high tax rate is a difficult one to take. I don't think the 630 is a "special" enough car to warrant it and its the same cost as a V8.
If I had my time again I'd go for a 650. Preferably one that's had stem seals done. Or be prepared to shell out for it. Its a case of when, not if, and not every garage will want to do them.
N52 engine is very reliable but still has problems keeping its oil in. Usually just the sump gasket (crap job to DIY) or cam cover gasket. Other than that they are solid.
The later 3.0 N53 (the one I bought) is a different kettle of fish. High pressure fuel pump and injectors and nox sensor all known weak points along with the usual oil leaks. I bought mine knowing it had a few issues and I've now done all of the above apart from injectors. It is however now absolutely sweet as a nut, cheaper tax and will crack 40mpg on a run.
For me though the high tax rate is a difficult one to take. I don't think the 630 is a "special" enough car to warrant it and its the same cost as a V8.
If I had my time again I'd go for a 650. Preferably one that's had stem seals done. Or be prepared to shell out for it. Its a case of when, not if, and not every garage will want to do them.
Edited by sdh2903 on Sunday 3rd October 22:18
Mirinjawbro said:
is the 630i much more reliable than the 645/650?
prices if anything are higher on the 630 side and i'm wondering why
looking for a cheap big engined convertible and these are top of the list
thanks
As has been mentioned above, yes the 630i is considered more reliable and probably why it's commanding a premium at this price point. One of the reasons I went for a 630i (but then bought an N62 X5, but that's another story).prices if anything are higher on the 630 side and i'm wondering why
looking for a cheap big engined convertible and these are top of the list
thanks
N52 = mostly leaky (oil filter housing gasket, oil cooler gasket, cam cover gasket, sump pan gasket) + expensive waterpump. Coil packs, vanos solenoids.
N53 = injector + HPFP issues.
N62 = also leaky but expensive (labour, not parts) to put right and the valve stem seals (when rather than if).
In addition, 630i thought to handle better owing to less weight over the front end.
If you're going to go V8, go 650i rather than 645Ci imo.
What's your budget and do you have a decent bork fund? From my time looking on Autotrader, there are a lot of crap (poorly maintained + badly modified) examples out there.
As an aside, worth mentioning that spec on these is decent from the factory, so that means leather + xenons + auto lights/wipers + cruise as standard. Desirable options include heated seats (must have imo), panoramic roof (looks good, can be leaky and costly to sort), HUD (cool feature), Pro Nav with the wider screen (most examples out there have this) and Pro HiFi (remarkably good). There's other bits like the upgraded Pearl leather, adaptive headlights, Dynamic Drive and Active Steering etc
As above really, the N52 is pretty reliable and not that hard to work on. Leaks seem to be the main issues; I’ll add the valvetronic motor and sensor gaskets to the list too.
I looked at an N53 powered 630 this year. It was pretty well priced but there was no evidence of any of the N53 issues having been addressed. Whilst I was faffing it sold. It was a nice car though (classic BMW reverse tardis). The interior is a lovely places to sit.
My only other nagging concern was that the 630 didn’t feel all that brisk.
I looked at an N53 powered 630 this year. It was pretty well priced but there was no evidence of any of the N53 issues having been addressed. Whilst I was faffing it sold. It was a nice car though (classic BMW reverse tardis). The interior is a lovely places to sit.
My only other nagging concern was that the 630 didn’t feel all that brisk.
Some good knowledge in these threads
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Especially this one from Mr fastbikes
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Especially this one from Mr fastbikes
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Mirinjawbro said:
budget around 5/6k ideally.
something for weekends
sounds good with a DP
convertible
I ran a 2004 645 coupe for 2 years as a daily. It had had it's stem seals done, so people might say I was lucky there, but I took it from 64k to 108k & it only broke:something for weekends
sounds good with a DP
convertible
- the earth strap to the starter
- the CCC screen / monitor
- the Xennon control units (but I think someone had fitted non OEM replacements previously
I've also had an E36 328 convertible (in parallel with the 645) and a Z4 3.0s. A weekend convertible is all about the fun aspect, & the noise it makes is a big factor in that. A 630 has a lower bork risk, but you'll regret it every time a 645/650 burbles past. The internal combustion engine has a limited time left, get the V8, you know it makes sense.
Collectingbrass said:
The internal combustion engine has a limited time left, get the V8, you know it makes sense.
A great point. I run an E46 M3 as my 'daily' but have only done 2k miles in it in 2yrs - I largely WFH now. A V8 6 series has been on my wish list for a while but I just can't justify the swap. I'm really struggling to justify actually owning a car at the moment, over the fact that I just can't bear to part with it, but if I was in the market I would want a (sorted) V8, they are lovely.
However, if I was doing a decent mileage my sensible head would probably say the N52 3.0
I've been lucky enough to have had a succession of E63s - initially an 2010 635D in Imola, then a 2008 M6 in Alpine White, then a 2010 M6 Competition Edition in Frozen Grey and now a 2010 E64 650i Sport in Azurite Black. If you don't need the intoxicating wail of the S85 V10 (and TBH, where I live in the UK there was no real way to use it without risking serious consequences) I have found the 650 to be the ideal car for me. I've always found the fit and finish of the LCI 6 Series' to be a class apart. Their nimbleness belies their size, that marmite look for many has always been appealing to me and IMO they have aged amazingly well, getting better as the years pass.
Granted I have always opted for low mileage cars but I believe most people would have no idea it was an 11 year old car, either inside or outside - and if they twigged it was older it would probably be down to the lack of cabin plastic.
There's plenty of opinion on PH that the sweet spot is the 630i but in my humble opinion the V8 suits the E63/4 much better. But I'm an old duffer who likes to pootle around in supreme comfort, just waiting for that stretch of open road that will allow me to unleash her. Owning two E63 M6s, I know the 650 isn't that much slower, even if it is undoubtedly more of a gentleman's carriage. The M6 begs to be pushed on and to get to the 8,250 but it is a much more relaxing drive knowing I won't be handing in my licence any time soon in the 650.
Granted I have always opted for low mileage cars but I believe most people would have no idea it was an 11 year old car, either inside or outside - and if they twigged it was older it would probably be down to the lack of cabin plastic.
There's plenty of opinion on PH that the sweet spot is the 630i but in my humble opinion the V8 suits the E63/4 much better. But I'm an old duffer who likes to pootle around in supreme comfort, just waiting for that stretch of open road that will allow me to unleash her. Owning two E63 M6s, I know the 650 isn't that much slower, even if it is undoubtedly more of a gentleman's carriage. The M6 begs to be pushed on and to get to the 8,250 but it is a much more relaxing drive knowing I won't be handing in my licence any time soon in the 650.
I had a 635d until earlier this year, great looks, good power, sounded good for a diesel, great mpg. As others have said extremywell built and ageing well.
There is an adapter required for Bluetooth streaming and later nav but aside from this all mod cons are present.
We had another convertible in the house so I chose to sell it but it's been replaced with a 640d coupe which only builds on the on the previous 6.
Brilliant cars!
There is an adapter required for Bluetooth streaming and later nav but aside from this all mod cons are present.
We had another convertible in the house so I chose to sell it but it's been replaced with a 640d coupe which only builds on the on the previous 6.
Brilliant cars!
Collectingbrass said:
I ran a 2004 645 coupe for 2 years as a daily. It had had it's stem seals done, so people might say I was lucky there, but I took it from 64k to 108k & it only broke:
- the earth strap to the starter
- the CCC screen / monitor
- the Xennon control units (but I think someone had fitted non OEM replacements previously
I've also had an E36 328 convertible (in parallel with the 645) and a Z4 3.0s. A weekend convertible is all about the fun aspect, & the noise it makes is a big factor in that. A 630 has a lower bork risk, but you'll regret it every time a 645/650 burbles past. The internal combustion engine has a limited time left, get the V8, you know it makes sense.
Currently looking at both the E85 Z4 3.0i and the E63 645i (weird comparison I know, but they both happen to be nice BMW convertibles within the same price range). Keen to hear your thoughts on how the 6er compares to the Z4 - the earth strap to the starter
- the CCC screen / monitor
- the Xennon control units (but I think someone had fitted non OEM replacements previously
I've also had an E36 328 convertible (in parallel with the 645) and a Z4 3.0s. A weekend convertible is all about the fun aspect, & the noise it makes is a big factor in that. A 630 has a lower bork risk, but you'll regret it every time a 645/650 burbles past. The internal combustion engine has a limited time left, get the V8, you know it makes sense.
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