BMW E63 650i V8 Convertible - Storage Find..
Discussion
Hey everyone!
Here is my recent purchase, a 2005 E63 650i Convertible. I heard about the car, and after many conversations with the owner I took the plunge and purchased it!
It has just over 50k miles, with just two owners and full BMW main dealer service history from new. The last owner has had this car for over 13-years, the last two of which were spent in storage.
I drove it back yesterday, covering just shy of 100-miles and the car was perfect, not putting a foot wrong. So smooth, solid, and…. that engine note is incredible… I don’t think I went over 1500 / 2000 revs for the whole trip, as I want to get it serviced due to the old oils etc, however the engine sound and low down grunt was very evident still!
I’ve a few jobs, starting with a service. What are people’s thoughts on sticking with main dealer vs local specialist? The tyres are all Bridgestone, with plenty of tread, but some side wall cracking, so I’m going to have to change them. Any other key considerations? Break fluid and antifreeze?
Unfortunately, when taken out of storage it started to smoke after idol, so it seems the valve stem oil seals have perished - so I will bite the bullet and get these done for piece of mind. Any recommendations for who should do this? I’ve had initial quotes ranging between £1500 and £5000!
Additionally, the temperate gage isn’t working, so the coolant / oil sensor is probably shot, and the radio / stereo sound keeps cutting out. This issue could be tricky…. Suggestions more than welcome!
It’s fitted with the rare, and I believe weaker SMG gearbox, which seems super smooth and happy. Should I get the filters and oil changed, or leave it alone?
Aside from this, a few cosmetic jobs I will enjoy doing over the months ahead, which I will keep updated on here.
Please let me know if you have any recommendations or advice, I’m no BMW expert.
Oh, and here are a few snaps following a quick wash. It does need a proper clean…
Here is my recent purchase, a 2005 E63 650i Convertible. I heard about the car, and after many conversations with the owner I took the plunge and purchased it!
It has just over 50k miles, with just two owners and full BMW main dealer service history from new. The last owner has had this car for over 13-years, the last two of which were spent in storage.
I drove it back yesterday, covering just shy of 100-miles and the car was perfect, not putting a foot wrong. So smooth, solid, and…. that engine note is incredible… I don’t think I went over 1500 / 2000 revs for the whole trip, as I want to get it serviced due to the old oils etc, however the engine sound and low down grunt was very evident still!
I’ve a few jobs, starting with a service. What are people’s thoughts on sticking with main dealer vs local specialist? The tyres are all Bridgestone, with plenty of tread, but some side wall cracking, so I’m going to have to change them. Any other key considerations? Break fluid and antifreeze?
Unfortunately, when taken out of storage it started to smoke after idol, so it seems the valve stem oil seals have perished - so I will bite the bullet and get these done for piece of mind. Any recommendations for who should do this? I’ve had initial quotes ranging between £1500 and £5000!
Additionally, the temperate gage isn’t working, so the coolant / oil sensor is probably shot, and the radio / stereo sound keeps cutting out. This issue could be tricky…. Suggestions more than welcome!
It’s fitted with the rare, and I believe weaker SMG gearbox, which seems super smooth and happy. Should I get the filters and oil changed, or leave it alone?
Aside from this, a few cosmetic jobs I will enjoy doing over the months ahead, which I will keep updated on here.
Please let me know if you have any recommendations or advice, I’m no BMW expert.
Oh, and here are a few snaps following a quick wash. It does need a proper clean…
Edited by AudiSport on Monday 14th August 07:46
Looks like a nice example that with some sensible re-commissioning should be superb.
Just sold my 83k 650 convertible after nearly 5 years of ownership and in that time was mostly reliable apart from a few minor electrical items needing replacement.
Valve stem seals are not as complex / expensive to do as was the case in the past - specialists have found workaround solutions to make it cheaper - mine were done in 2018 at a cost of £900 and were still perfect when I sold it.
No water temp gauge on these, just oil, if its not reading then probably just a sensor.
Are you sure thats got the SMG gearbox, not seeing any paddles and I'm not sure if it was offered on earlier cars, looks like the standard 6 speed ZF box which is superb but will almost certainly benefit from a fluid, filter change - can be done yourself but its a faff and for peace of mind probably best done by a specialist
Don't be surprised by the engine pumping out a lot of heat, these engines were designed to run pretty warm (guessing emissions related), mine never used a drop of water whilst I had it
The Style 218s are notorious for developing cracks, had to get both of my rears welded, tyres were not losing pressure so caught them early but something to keep an eye on
Just sold my 83k 650 convertible after nearly 5 years of ownership and in that time was mostly reliable apart from a few minor electrical items needing replacement.
Valve stem seals are not as complex / expensive to do as was the case in the past - specialists have found workaround solutions to make it cheaper - mine were done in 2018 at a cost of £900 and were still perfect when I sold it.
No water temp gauge on these, just oil, if its not reading then probably just a sensor.
Are you sure thats got the SMG gearbox, not seeing any paddles and I'm not sure if it was offered on earlier cars, looks like the standard 6 speed ZF box which is superb but will almost certainly benefit from a fluid, filter change - can be done yourself but its a faff and for peace of mind probably best done by a specialist
Don't be surprised by the engine pumping out a lot of heat, these engines were designed to run pretty warm (guessing emissions related), mine never used a drop of water whilst I had it
The Style 218s are notorious for developing cracks, had to get both of my rears welded, tyres were not losing pressure so caught them early but something to keep an eye on
Edited by Andy665 on Monday 14th August 08:23
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff