Viewing a 630i
Discussion
Fingers crossed I'm seeing a 2005, 120k, long mot, 630i on Sunday.
I generally know what I am looking at, the last 16 years though that has been Alfa/Volvo, I am pretty handy with spanners.
Everything the owner has said has been fine and no horrors with mot. Price around 3k.
And specific pointers gratefully received...
Ta.
I generally know what I am looking at, the last 16 years though that has been Alfa/Volvo, I am pretty handy with spanners.
Everything the owner has said has been fine and no horrors with mot. Price around 3k.
And specific pointers gratefully received...
Ta.
Edited by waynedear on Wednesday 30th August 20:30
I think a 2005 630i will have the N52 engine that I've had 4 of, albeit not in a 6 Series.
Check for oil leaks around the cam-cover and oil filter housing as the gaskets deteriorate with age.
The electric water pump will die at some point so if you see some evidence of it being replaced that's a bonus, but if not budget for it - new Pierburg pumps cost around £300 if you don't pay BMW £500+ for them!
Check for oil leaks around the cam-cover and oil filter housing as the gaskets deteriorate with age.
The electric water pump will die at some point so if you see some evidence of it being replaced that's a bonus, but if not budget for it - new Pierburg pumps cost around £300 if you don't pay BMW £500+ for them!
I-am-the-reverend said:
£695 a year road tax? Or something similarly insane.
It was somewhere around 05-06.
Not if it's a 2005, the increase was March 2006.It was somewhere around 05-06.
Check for damp carpets at the back and check under the boot floor, where the battery sits, for signs of water ingress. The drains under the front scuttle do get blocked by leaves and gunk, which can lead to electrical issues. Easily solved and prevented, if you know about it.
Low battery can lead to all manner of electrical gremlins, including abs and DTC faults etc.
The car should ride and handle very well, if it doesn't it's likely broken or worn, so factor in suspension refresh if it doesn't feel right.
If you can, check brake likes are not corroded or have been sorted. Can be pricey if doing it properly.
The PH Buying Guide is very useful https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-gui...
From my experience of an E63,
- make sure all the lights work. On mine the centre rear brake and the drivers door sill lights didnt work and they were both sealed for life LED units at £120 each and not the £0.50 bulb I thought they were
- make sure the tyres are good on the inside tread, they usually wear there first
- watch for cracked wheel rims, the original wheels of that era were made of cheese, especially with any kind of low profile run flat tyre on 20" rims
- "bluetooth connectivity & mobile phone prep" is meaningless, your modern phone is at least 5 generations on from what's in the OEM car and you'll need to fit something that will interface with the MOST network in the car. There are aftermarket solutions, but they can be £200. They are easy to fit though
Other than that buy on condition and good luck
From my experience of an E63,
- make sure all the lights work. On mine the centre rear brake and the drivers door sill lights didnt work and they were both sealed for life LED units at £120 each and not the £0.50 bulb I thought they were
- make sure the tyres are good on the inside tread, they usually wear there first
- watch for cracked wheel rims, the original wheels of that era were made of cheese, especially with any kind of low profile run flat tyre on 20" rims
- "bluetooth connectivity & mobile phone prep" is meaningless, your modern phone is at least 5 generations on from what's in the OEM car and you'll need to fit something that will interface with the MOST network in the car. There are aftermarket solutions, but they can be £200. They are easy to fit though
Other than that buy on condition and good luck
I bought a 2007 630i a couple of months ago and although I love the car and have no regrets (even though I am one of saps paying nigh on £700 tax) I have been working my way through various niggles for a BMW 16 years old.
Oil cooler housing gaskets both failed so needed replacing - DIY
The above leaking onto the drive belt means that belt, idler pulley and tensioner also need replacing asap - DIY
'Mickey mouse' flange replaced with metal as OE plastic part had cracked with age - DIY
Replaced coolant expansion tank as prone to cracking - DIY
New pads and tyres all round - DIY
PDC sensor needed replacing and also replacement module in boot - DIY
Fitted new android unit as sat nav and bluetooth on iDrive are useless in 2023 - DIY
Very slow coolant leak still remains somewhere - Indy to investigate
Thermostat needs replacing and so also bought a waterpump for when that eventually dies - Indy to fit
Vacuum leak is causing rough idle and cuts in power at low gears/revs - Indy to investigate
I think that's everything so far. The car had FSH when I bought it but the previous owner clearly skimped on the above jobs. Still, it drives wonderfully even though not yet fully repaired. Lovely car for sub £5k and really practical too.
Oil cooler housing gaskets both failed so needed replacing - DIY
The above leaking onto the drive belt means that belt, idler pulley and tensioner also need replacing asap - DIY
'Mickey mouse' flange replaced with metal as OE plastic part had cracked with age - DIY
Replaced coolant expansion tank as prone to cracking - DIY
New pads and tyres all round - DIY
PDC sensor needed replacing and also replacement module in boot - DIY
Fitted new android unit as sat nav and bluetooth on iDrive are useless in 2023 - DIY
Very slow coolant leak still remains somewhere - Indy to investigate
Thermostat needs replacing and so also bought a waterpump for when that eventually dies - Indy to fit
Vacuum leak is causing rough idle and cuts in power at low gears/revs - Indy to investigate
I think that's everything so far. The car had FSH when I bought it but the previous owner clearly skimped on the above jobs. Still, it drives wonderfully even though not yet fully repaired. Lovely car for sub £5k and really practical too.
The N52 is pretty reliable but as mentioned, it does like to leak:
I’d be listening out for suspension clonks / noises because parts will be getting tired if not refreshed.
Good luck, they’re a lot of car for the cash and the interior feels well made and a nice place to sit.
- rocker cover
- oil cooler
- oil filter housing
- valvetronic motor
- sump
I’d be listening out for suspension clonks / noises because parts will be getting tired if not refreshed.
Good luck, they’re a lot of car for the cash and the interior feels well made and a nice place to sit.
As per the above comments, my 2006 car suffered from oil leaks and water leaks (previous "DIY" on the oil cooler housing by the previous owner), but these were easily and cheaply resolved (thankfully!).
I'd an E90 330i and i really expected these to drive like a big 3 series coupe, but they're really not. They're a definite step up. Feels more like a cross between a 5 series and a 7 series in terms of build quality. Big cars and feels it inside, quite a wide interior.
I spent stupid money replacing worn trim and on silly stuff like coilovers, but it did look damn good.
I paid over the odds for mine. £3K feels like much more of a palatable sum.
I'd an E90 330i and i really expected these to drive like a big 3 series coupe, but they're really not. They're a definite step up. Feels more like a cross between a 5 series and a 7 series in terms of build quality. Big cars and feels it inside, quite a wide interior.
I spent stupid money replacing worn trim and on silly stuff like coilovers, but it did look damn good.
I paid over the odds for mine. £3K feels like much more of a palatable sum.
My second Z4 had advisories for corroded rear brake lines for 2 years before I bought it, and again when I got the first MOT on it.
So I managed to find someone on a forum who replaced them in Kunifer for far less than BMW wanted for steel ones!
I don't know if it applies to 6 Series but on Z4s and 3 Series the driver's side rear pipe goes across the bulkhead behind the fuel tank and as BMW pipes are shaped the fuel tank needs to be dropped to fit them, whereas Kunifer can be poked through the pipe support brackets then shaped to fit.
So I managed to find someone on a forum who replaced them in Kunifer for far less than BMW wanted for steel ones!
I don't know if it applies to 6 Series but on Z4s and 3 Series the driver's side rear pipe goes across the bulkhead behind the fuel tank and as BMW pipes are shaped the fuel tank needs to be dropped to fit them, whereas Kunifer can be poked through the pipe support brackets then shaped to fit.
waynedear said:
Fingers crossed I'm seeing a 2005, 120k, long mot, 630i on Sunday.
I generally know what I am looking at, the last 16 years though that has been Alfa/Volvo, I am pretty handy with spanners.
Everything the owner has said has been fine and no horrors with mot. Price around 3k.
And specific pointers gratefully received...
Ta.
£3k is by means a small amount of money, but that is a hell of a lot of car for £3k. Enjoy!I generally know what I am looking at, the last 16 years though that has been Alfa/Volvo, I am pretty handy with spanners.
Everything the owner has said has been fine and no horrors with mot. Price around 3k.
And specific pointers gratefully received...
Ta.
Edited by waynedear on Wednesday 30th August 20:30
Owned my 630i almost 5 years now, and have thought about selling quite a few times.. but when I look about at other cars, nothing really jumps out as any better for the money. They really are gvfm, if you get a good one.
Mine is on 86k miles now, with fsh..
Issues I have had are:
Battery replacement.
Rear discs & pads needed replacing when I bought it.
The plastic gearbox sump was weeping, so I had that replaced and the gearbox serviced.
I had a rear n/s wheel bearing rumble, so replaced.
Had the front lower control arms replaced.
And the last issue was due to my use of the car.. it’s mainly only used for very short journeys to the gym and back.. 2 miles a day, max. So the PCV valve and associated pipe work got gummed up with oil..so all needed replacing.
Other than that, I fitted 20” Veemann alloys (got rid of the runflats tyres) with Eibach springs, and a couple other small mods.. & love the thing. You don’t see many on the road these days.
Mine is on 86k miles now, with fsh..
Issues I have had are:
Battery replacement.
Rear discs & pads needed replacing when I bought it.
The plastic gearbox sump was weeping, so I had that replaced and the gearbox serviced.
I had a rear n/s wheel bearing rumble, so replaced.
Had the front lower control arms replaced.
And the last issue was due to my use of the car.. it’s mainly only used for very short journeys to the gym and back.. 2 miles a day, max. So the PCV valve and associated pipe work got gummed up with oil..so all needed replacing.
Other than that, I fitted 20” Veemann alloys (got rid of the runflats tyres) with Eibach springs, and a couple other small mods.. & love the thing. You don’t see many on the road these days.
Sounds a good value car.
I'd always had my eye on an E63 as a way into V8 ownership, but my 2 year experience of my E61 has given me some taste of what 6 series ownership will be like.
Couple of questions: did BMW move the 630i over to the N53 when the 5 series got it?
And 5 series has the se, m sport and comfort seats. What did the 6 series get?
Just curious.
Ian
I'd always had my eye on an E63 as a way into V8 ownership, but my 2 year experience of my E61 has given me some taste of what 6 series ownership will be like.
Couple of questions: did BMW move the 630i over to the N53 when the 5 series got it?
And 5 series has the se, m sport and comfort seats. What did the 6 series get?
Just curious.
Ian
Thanks for all the advice, I have been delayed thanks to the accident management company sorting my daily Alfa out.
She is now home and clean passed mot yesterday.
Yesterday for the first time I texted positive for covids latest strain and am not taking it well, fingers crossed I am viewing the car at weekend.
He says he will take a p/ex, see what he thinks of my gleaming Giulietta.
She is now home and clean passed mot yesterday.
Yesterday for the first time I texted positive for covids latest strain and am not taking it well, fingers crossed I am viewing the car at weekend.
He says he will take a p/ex, see what he thinks of my gleaming Giulietta.
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