TexaZ3

Hello fellow bimmerheads, I'm visiting from a E60 part of the website (own E60 530i).
Need some of your collective wisdom. Seriously thinking about picking up an early 6 series, most likely 04 or 05 645.
Would like to know of typical problems, things to look for when searching for a right car, and some of the options that are must haves, or "avoid at all cost" type.
Would appreciate any input!

Thanks!

m630

hi out there,

the 6er is the best car that BMW has come out with YET so you are on the right track! General rules would be to stay to the mid to late model 05s as the early 05s and 04s are missing some cool features ....not many 'typical' problems at all to report thankfully...id look for a sport which most are and premium sound and CWP basically as loaded as possible which most are....good luck

cobradav

Agree with m630 on advice. Although MY04 will be cheaper, bluetooth - if you want it - will be difficult and / or costly to implement (depending on build date), no HUD available until November 05 builds (MY05), but not much else is different. As for colors, MY04 and 05 were the same. However, interior contrast color (dash, door panel, etc) was basalt gray, while in MY06 and newer it is black. I preferred it as my exterior color was Silver Gray and close match.

Except for above there were no "stay away from this" options. Owners have their likes and dislikes but nothing was in the category of high maintenance.

I am at 58k miles on my '05 and going strong.

Try to get one that owner has (or via BMW dealer) you can get all maintenance (scheduled and corrective) paperwork. Also, if buying from dealer try to make the latest PROGMAN software update a condition of purchase. Unless you are buying from a VERY knowledgeable owner most will not know software level of even if/when upgraded.

Don't worry that they are only 4.4L and 325 hp (645) compared to MY06 4.8L and 360 hp (650). Almost cannot tell the difference on the road.

Hurry up and get one so you can join us on our next adventure on the Tail of the Dragon in April.

TexaZ3

Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming!
I really don't care about the HUD or Bluetooth (have on my 5 and NEVER use it). What I would like is Active steering, sport seats - but I'm sure these options were present from the beginning.
Is there something I need to check (problem areas) before buying a car, except the progman version?
What were the interior/exterior colors in 04 and 05?

m630

you'd definitely want to look for a sport then, they will include the sport seats and active steering...as for colors, they are mostly the same as now, just some shade variations, but as cobradav noted above, the interior is different as compared to the current models..04 and 05s have the two tone interiors with grey as the base color for the dash and console, while the 06-current has black as the standard dash/console. The door panels on the 04s & 05s are nicer, imho with the two tone treatment

here's a few pix and below is my gallery if you want to see more


http://forums.e60.net/index.php?autocom=ga...m&album=662

TexaZ3

So, not a single car made in 04 or beg. 05 has black interior? Ideally I wanted black/burgundy interior, black exterior. Are you saying that there are only grey/burgundy interiors for 04 and beg. 05?

m630

my car IS black interior!

thats what it will look like!!! the dash and console are grey, the seats and floors are black and the door panels are black with grey insert

TexaZ3

Well, but the dash is still grey - right? Did they made cars with black dash in 04/05?

DR.Z

Tex don't forget to look at a M6.

I traded up from my 04 545 to a M6 and never looked back.

I tested many 645's and 650's and the feel was great so much nicer then the 5 .

But my dealer had me test a M6 and that's all she wrote.

A low milage 06 M6 can be had for mid 70's.

m630

Correct , the dash and center console are grey...They did not make black dash in 04/05, you'd need to look at an '06 to get the black