Buying a 6 series. Please help!

[beg4m3rcy703]

Hey everybody. This is my first post.. i’ve always been a benz guy since 16 had a c230 coupe, then clk500, c300 , E350, ML350..now it’s time for a change. I was thinking a newer model 3 series like 2019-2020 but I like the 6 better and can’t believe it’s 10 years old car.. i am looking at a 2014-2015 under 60k miles and i was just wondering 650i or 640i ? I was hearing a lot about 650i has issues with engine and oil leaks ? It’s hard to find a 640 coupe.. they are mostly all gran coupe,, i like both body style but the coupe just looks like it goes harder.. but any advice would help … and any good after market warranty’s out there or are they all scammers ?

THANK YOU

[Opie55]

The problems with 650 engines after 2012 are overstated. Most people here have no issues. I have had zero issues and it does not leak or use oil. I never buy warranties so I can't help you there, but if you search you'll find lots of threads on that topic.

[TGrits10]

The lingering (i.e. post-2012, earlier engines were a disaster) known engine issues are generally minor:
-high pressure fuel pumps can fail, BMW extended warranty to 100k miles
-fuel injectors can clog/fail, BMW extended warranty to 100k miles
-spark plugs and ignition coils can degrade and cause rough idle and intermittent missing, solution is to replace the factory parts
-annoyingly high oil consumption, typical to have to put in a couple quarts between oil changes
-hoses near the turbos in the hot vee tend to get heat cycled and can crack, solution is replace pre-emptively before they get too old for peace of mind

That's about it off the top of my head, it's not nothing but it's not enough to scare me off, I did plugs/coils shortly after I got the car at ~35k miles, I've had two HPFPs fail on me, both replaced under warranty with a loaner in the meantime, keep a 5qt jug of oil in the garage to top it off when the computer tells me to, thinking about replacing hoses since I'm approaching 65k now...and enjoying the V8 experience.

Opinion here, but the 5/6 platform is too damn heavy for the buzzy/revvy 6cyl to feel right. Sure it makes enough power but a big heavy cruiser feels right with more low-rev torque and effortless thrust.

[cdog2964]

I have a 2014 650 with no issues. I also agree with TGrits10 regarding the 6cyl. Its a big heavy car and im not sure it would feel the same with a 6. Although ive never driving one...

[FlyinLowSD]

As to the 640i, am thrilled with it. Am coming from a 535-ish HP aircraft carrier (aka QP GTS). While I don’t get the same 0 to 60 time, that’s something I would assess for fun and not during regular driving. It shifts smooth as butter and has all the power I could want for regular (yes I may have a lead foot) driving. No idea what the reference to buzzy/revvy is. It IS still a heavy car. Not as nimble as my 300zx but still plenty fun to challenge myself on the last sharp bottom-of-the-hill R turn on my way home.

Drive them both and figure out what works for you. If you maintain it properly (oil change 5-7K, etc), turn wrenches or don’t mind a visit to the shop once in awhile, you’ll be fine either way.

PS: after being on the forum for awhile I am with Opie55 on no warranty. There is so much information available that even if I had to get a diagnostic, am confident I could manage what might come along in the next many Ks of miles.

[FlyinLowSD]

Originally Posted by beg4m3rcy703

and any good after market warranty’s out there or are they all scammers ?

THANK YOU

If it would give you a warm fuzzy, consider joinyaa.com. Looks like a solid father-son duo out to set buyers/owners up for success against the Big Guy.

[beg4m3rcy703]

Thanks guys… is it worth it to get a 2015 because i heard of a face lift? But all i see is a new design steering wheel ? Lol..can someone tell me exactly what changed ?

[beg4m3rcy703]

Originally Posted by FlyinLowSD

If it would give you a warm fuzzy, consider joinyaa.com. Looks like a solid father-son duo out to set buyers/owners up for success against the Big Guy.

I heard PWI was decent too? I probably won’t end up getting any extended warranty if its scam with lot of fine print

[jjasonSU]

Yeah there was a LCI in 201 I attached a pic.
The v8 has more problems (my total engine had to be replaced at 53k) but I'd only do 650i or m6

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by beg4m3rcy703

Thanks guys… is it worth it to get a 2015 because i heard of a face lift? But all i see is a new design steering wheel ? Lol..can someone tell me exactly what changed ?

I forget what all changed. I really like the new steering wheel if you get an MSport car. The iDrive controller is larger, and is a touch pad. There's probably a list out there. But it's not a lot.

[FlyinLowSD]

Your upgrade-ability to CarPlay, etc. is much simpler after August 2016 build date.

Edit: MY 2017, Aug 2016 build date (previously said August 2017)

[Qsilver7]

In the US market…the LCI came with the 2016 model year (build date was sometime in 2015 which is what confuses many with the LCI being 2015).

The front exterior physical changes (which can be seen in the pics posted above) is:

Front

• New front apron with single lower air intake styling
• Decorative surround for LED foglights (chrome on convertible and high gloss black for coupe and gran coupe)…regular non M-sport bumper
• Larger kidney grille openings
• 9 kidney grille bars (reduced from 10)
• Newly contoured kidney grille bars (aluminum matte on 650i and black on 640i)
• Newly shaped angel eye / corona rings
• Newly styled side mirrors
• Side indicators now integrated into side mirrors
• Newly designed 20” wheels
• New exterior colors: Jatoba metallic, Cashmere Silver metallic, Glacier Silver metallic, Mediterranean Blue metallic and Melbourne Red metallic

Rear

• Chrome strip in bumper trim of Gran Coupe
• Larger tailpipe surrounds for 6 cylinder models (now 90mm, from previous 80mm)

Interior

• IDrive controller is larger and now has touch control (starts w/2015 model year…pre LCI
• LCI rear seats are no longer perforated if you have ventilated front seats (weird?)…but I believe the LCI M6 models still have perforated rear seats if front seats are ventilated
• the 6WB instrument cluster may have become standard equipment for the LCI in the US market (again, open for correction)
• High gloss black center console (instead of mat finish around IHKA & radio/CD/DVD player)
• Chrome surround on iDrive screen
• Revised side window surrounds at rear doors for Gran Coupe identification (old trim was textured/new trim is smooth)

The steering wheels changed prior to LCI…depending on what option pkg you had. In the US market, all 6 series had a 3 spoke sport steering wheel…its just that there were different versions:

1. Regular sport steering wheel w/chrome trim (goes thru production run if you don’t have the sport pkg)
2. Msport steering wheel w/black trim (up to 2013 MY)
3. New Msport steering wheel (2014-up)
4. Individual steering wheel
5. Alpina steering wheel

[JBF650]

Originally Posted by beg4m3rcy703

I heard PWI was decent too? I probably won’t end up getting any extended warranty if its scam with lot of fine print

After all of this information from members have you bought a 6 series yet ?
The best advice I can give you is buy a post 2012 650. It will have the N63 TU ( technical update) V8. Get a qualified PPI done and check the service history to make sure it’s been serviced regularly.
I’ve had my 2015 LCI F13 650 coupe for close to 5 years now and have never had an issue. It’s serviced every 12 months regardless of klms driven I only use premium top grade petrol. The car is delightful and I love it now as much as the day I bought it. Gosh they look the business don’t they !