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      11-28-2017, 09:50 AM   #1
tturbolife
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640i GC Reliability

Hey everyone,

Looking to buy a car in the next 12-16 months and want to get a head start.
Previous BMWs are a 2007 335i coupe and a 2009 650i coupe (current).

I am looking between a 2014 and up 435i/440i gran coupe or 640i gran coupe. I drove a 650i gran coupe and it felt big and heavy (which it is). I have not driven the 640i, but was hoping the smaller/lighter engine would help it feel a bit more nimble. Is that the case? I drove the 435i gran coupe and liked how it drove, but liked the interior on the 650i gran coupe much more.

With both of my previous BMWs, I have had a large amount of problems (especially the N54 and oil leaks, turbos, HPFP) and want to avoid those issues in the future. I have read a lot of issues with the 650i, but not so much with the 640i. Is the N55 reliable? Does it have oil leaks etc? I am looking for around 40k miles and will probably keep it until 80k miles, hoping to keep maintenance to air filters oil changes etc no expensive gasket changes or turbo replacements.

I appreciate any feedback that 640i gran coupe owners might provide (or even someone who went from 435i to 640i)
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      12-10-2017, 11:30 AM   #2
leweeknd
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I'm in the same boat, considering buying a 640i. 650 is not an option because of all the engine issues. But I just love the GC look. Did you get any wiser?
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      12-10-2017, 01:01 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leweeknd View Post
I'm in the same boat, considering buying a 640i. 650 is not an option because of all the engine issues. But I just love the GC look. Did you get any wiser?
nope, nobody replied
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      12-10-2017, 03:03 PM   #4
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Well, from what I've read it seems the 640 may be more reliable, though I don't have any background for saying this other than what I've read on forums (I'm sure you have too). I really do want to purchase one, I just love BMWs straight 6! Been driving Audi for too long. We'll see what happens I guess. Good luck to you!
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      12-10-2017, 03:14 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tturbolife View Post
Hey everyone,

Looking to buy a car in the next 12-16 months and want to get a head start.
Previous BMWs are a 2007 335i coupe and a 2009 650i coupe (current).

I am looking between a 2014 and up 435i/440i gran coupe or 640i gran coupe. I drove a 650i gran coupe and it felt big and heavy (which it is). I have not driven the 640i, but was hoping the smaller/lighter engine would help it feel a bit more nimble. Is that the case? I drove the 435i gran coupe and liked how it drove, but liked the interior on the 650i gran coupe much more.

With both of my previous BMWs, I have had a large amount of problems (especially the N54 and oil leaks, turbos, HPFP) and want to avoid those issues in the future. I have read a lot of issues with the 650i, but not so much with the 640i. Is the N55 reliable? Does it have oil leaks etc? I am looking for around 40k miles and will probably keep it until 80k miles, hoping to keep maintenance to air filters oil changes etc no expensive gasket changes or turbo replacements.

I appreciate any feedback that 640i gran coupe owners might provide (or even someone who went from 435i to 640i)
I can't really comment on reliability of the N55 engine, but I just want to make sure that you are aware that there are two different engines for the 650i. There is the N63 and N63TU with the N63TU having addressed much of the reliability issues of the N63. I believe the 650 got the N63TU starting from MY 2013.
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      12-10-2017, 03:15 PM   #6
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If this version of the N55 engine is similar to the x35i engine, they are certainly more reliable than the N54 you had or ANY BMW V8 engine. The N55 still has issues with the oil filter housing gasket leaking, along with the valve cover gasket leaking.
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      12-10-2017, 03:35 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5tony View Post
If this version of the N55 engine is similar to the x35i engine, they are certainly more reliable than the N54 you had or ANY BMW V8 engine. The N55 still has issues with the oil filter housing gasket leaking, along with the valve cover gasket leaking.
Would you say the N55 is more reliable than the N63TU also?
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      12-10-2017, 03:48 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leweeknd View Post
Would you say the N55 is more reliable than the N63TU also?
Yes, the N63TU is still a BMW V8!
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      12-10-2017, 06:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leweeknd View Post
Would you say the N55 is more reliable than the N63TU also?
I won't claim to know anything about the N55. But I do own a f10 550i with the N63TU motor and haven't had any issues at all over 4 years of ownership.
I do know that one of the most common issues is seepage of oil from the oil pan gasket, but I would think this is something that can happen on all engines over time, albeit it happens a bit more frequently on the V8s. However, I am unaware of issues on the N63TU that have resulted in high repair bills or leaving their owners stranded. This is a bit obvious, but I will say that I have driven the N55 engine and the way it pulls isn't even in the same league as the N63TU.
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      12-11-2017, 05:58 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tturbolife View Post
Hey everyone,

Looking to buy a car in the next 12-16 months and want to get a head start.
Previous BMWs are a 2007 335i coupe and a 2009 650i coupe (current).

I am looking between a 2014 and up 435i/440i gran coupe or 640i gran coupe. I drove a 650i gran coupe and it felt big and heavy (which it is). I have not driven the 640i, but was hoping the smaller/lighter engine would help it feel a bit more nimble. Is that the case? I drove the 435i gran coupe and liked how it drove, but liked the interior on the 650i gran coupe much more.

With both of my previous BMWs, I have had a large amount of problems (especially the N54 and oil leaks, turbos, HPFP) and want to avoid those issues in the future. I have read a lot of issues with the 650i, but not so much with the 640i. Is the N55 reliable? Does it have oil leaks etc? I am looking for around 40k miles and will probably keep it until 80k miles, hoping to keep maintenance to air filters oil changes etc no expensive gasket changes or turbo replacements.

I appreciate any feedback that 640i gran coupe owners might provide (or even someone who went from 435i to 640i)
Nimble and 6 series just shouldn't be in a same sentence. I drive a 640i (non GC) and it's not a nimble car by any stretch.
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      12-11-2017, 09:53 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leweeknd View Post
I'm in the same boat, considering buying a 640i. 650 is not an option because of all the engine issues. But I just love the GC look. Did you get any wiser?
What engine issues? Are you considering an N63 or N63TU?
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      12-11-2017, 10:03 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tturbolife View Post

I am looking between a 2014 and up 435i/440i gran coupe or 640i gran coupe. I drove a 650i gran coupe and it felt big and heavy (which it is). I have not driven the 640i, but was hoping the smaller/lighter engine would help it feel a bit more nimble. Is that the case? I drove the 435i gran coupe and liked how it drove, but liked the interior on the 650i gran coupe much more.
It will be hard to find a car that meets all criteria. The 3/4 are much smaller cars and not as well built as the 6. By much smaller, I don't just mean size wise, but also material wise. The 6 is a much better built car and every time I go from a 6 to 3 and vice versa, you can feel the quality difference just by sitting and touching the interior materials. I think that seats alone probably weigh twice as much, which I'm OK with as I want the best of luxury in the car. If I wanted a nimbler sports sedan that does not feel premium I would go for the 3/4.

The 6 is not meant to be nimble, it's a Gran Tourer that feels like a train and is great for longer journeys/cruising. It also turns heads much more than a 3/4, which are a dime a dozen where I live.
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      12-11-2017, 12:11 PM   #13
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OP, let us know your impressions if you do test drive a 640i of how it compares with the 650i.
I jumped straight into a 640 because of the whole reliability thing as I plan on keeping it long term but it does keep me wondering what the 650 drives like and if I made the right choice.
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      12-11-2017, 12:23 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AmooManiak View Post
What engine issues? Are you considering an N63 or N63TU?
If you search online (even on this very forum), you'll see the N63 issues. Not saying it's a bad engine or unreliable by any means, just that it costs $$$ to fix if anything goes wrong.
I'm not considering a V8 at this point at all, in my price range I think it would be the N63, not N63TU. It's the N55 I'm leaning towards but still not sure. That's why I was asking the TS if he got any more info.
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      12-11-2017, 02:01 PM   #15
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I was also too searching reliability of the N55 before I bought my 640 GC. What gave me confidence is that the N55 is used in pretty much all the series from the 1 all the way to the 7 and all the X models as well.

A good friend of mine works for bmw service and he said that there aren't too many issues just hpfp( High Pressure Fuel Pump) every now and then. If you are on top of your service everything should be fine .

If and when you make that decision you will not regret it.
This car is one of the most comfortable cars I've ever purchased ( as long as you get the multi contour seats of course)
Just do it
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      12-11-2017, 04:00 PM   #16
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I know you already made a decision on the N55...but I think the N63 gets a bad rep.

The N63 Recall was done to the N63B44O0 set up. Only the 2012 F06 got this setup.
2013+ cars got the N63B44O1 (TU).
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      12-11-2017, 04:03 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5tony View Post
Yes, the N63TU is still a BMW V8!
funny how you can make this statement, my BMW V8 (S65B40) is the most reliable car I've ever owned. Not just the motor, but all the accessories and components of the powertrain.

And the S63, yet another V8...no known endemic issues. The N54 on the other hand...
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      12-11-2017, 04:03 PM   #18
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Just dumped my 2014 435i coupe and left with a 650i Gran Coupe and took delivery about a week ago. I cannot yet comment on reliability of the 650i though it does have the newer motor so I am hopeful.

I was keen on getting out of the 435i due to reliability problem I experienced since the first year. Fuel pump replaced twice in the first two years. All injectors replaces, I think twice as well. They had to change the spark plugs each time too. They had the car for a month when the transmission was skipping gears. It’s was as is second gear didn’t exist and went to neutral instead. Had it for another month and a half when it startiled going to limp mode repeatedly. Two weeks after getting it back it started to struggle with a loud rubbing from the car starting off from a stop.

Any of these cars can have issues. Make sure you have a warranty to cover them, but go with the one you will enjoy the most. If your true goal is ultimate reliability you may want to look outside of the BMW family unfortunately.
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      12-12-2017, 09:16 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leweeknd View Post
If you search online (even on this very forum), you'll see the N63 issues. Not saying it's a bad engine or unreliable by any means, just that it costs $$$ to fix if anything goes wrong.
I'm not considering a V8 at this point at all, in my price range I think it would be the N63, not N63TU. It's the N55 I'm leaning towards but still not sure. That's why I was asking the TS if he got any more info.
Yes, I am aware of N63 issues, but those would only be model year 2012 only. If I remember correctly, they started using the N63TU in 2013. Either way it should not matter as much as I would make sure to have a good warranty, whether you get the N55, N63 or N63TU. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with these cars. Not saying that something will go wrong, but one "minor" repair could set you back the cost of a full warranty.
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      12-12-2017, 09:42 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AmooManiak View Post
Yes, I am aware of N63 issues, but those would only be model year 2012 only. If I remember correctly, they started using the N63TU in 2013. Either way it should not matter as much as I would make sure to have a good warranty, whether you get the N55, N63 or N63TU. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with these cars. Not saying that something will go wrong, but one "minor" repair could set you back the cost of a full warranty.
I was under the impression that all 650 GCs have the N63TU engine, but I could be wrong.
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      12-12-2017, 12:51 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AmooManiak View Post
Yes, I am aware of N63 issues, but those would only be model year 2012 only. If I remember correctly, they started using the N63TU in 2013. Either way it should not matter as much as I would make sure to have a good warranty, whether you get the N55, N63 or N63TU. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with these cars. Not saying that something will go wrong, but one "minor" repair could set you back the cost of a full warranty.
You're absolutely right. I also think they started using the N63TU on the 2013+ models, however the V8s in *my* price range are the 2012s. The 650s over here are terribly overpriced IMO.
And yes, I would certainly get the extended warranty, would never acquire such a vehicle without some sort of warranty. That'd be a real money pit.

Gorgeous vehicle though, the Gran Coupe, after so many years still. I reeally hope I'll be able to purchase one in the near future.
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      12-18-2017, 03:29 PM   #22
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do the n63tu have better reliability with the fuel injectors too?
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