Considering testing a BMW 650

[Il.Duce.Dicky]

Hello

Long time Mercedes fan here. I been wanting to try out a BMW for some time now and I really like the f13/06 650i/Xi.

Seeing low mileage 2013/14 models with coming down in price I'm very tempted.

What I really would like to do is get a 650xi with msport and mod it to around 600 crank hp which to my understanding should be able to accomplish with tune and downpipe. I would also like to do some cosmetic mods like carbon fiber diffuser and quad exhaust. Correct? Stupid? Which tunes and downpipe is recommended? Bm3 and ar catted downpipes seems like a good way to go? Maybe I should skip the Xi? They seem to be much more rare with msport.

I'm considering trading my mint 2005 cls55 amg, will I be disappointed? Will I feel the 650 is just a "normal" car? I have yet to drive a 650 but a 13/14 model year is a lot newer. With some extra power I shall not miss the AMG?

In the realm of Mercedes I have Mercedes workshop program called EPC/WIS containing every part catalogue for every Mercedes and all the workshop manual. Having access to every part number and step by step instructions really helps since I do all work myself. Is it possible to get hold of equivalent for BMW? It's the same program the dealers have. I also have Mercedes star which is the dealer level diagnostic tool. Possible to get equivalent for BMW?

The 650 and the n63tu. How is it in terms of reabilty? From what I read the 450 hp 2013+ seems pretty good compared to the older once which according to forums seems to be more of a pain. When I'm looking at the numbers the 650 actually seems cheaper to own than my amg.

Many questions but I hope some of you will take the time to help. Thanks.

[WildWilly1100]

Following along... I'm also looking to buy a '15 - '18 650i convertible and I'm worried about the reliability. Everything tells me that MB are more reliable, but I'm not sure. So many stories of people loosing the engine in a BMW. I lost the motor in my E93 335i, N55 motor - spun bearings, car still runs but needs a new motor. Majorly bummed about that.

[Mck444]

If you are interested in a 650i, test drive one and see how you like them. They're nice and powerful cruisers that would definitely be a good replacement for the CL55. Both of them are big luxury coupes/gran coupe so if you're looking for something that handles, look elsewhere. As for reliability, go for a 13+ model with the TU engine as the N63 is pretty bad. They do drink some oil and you'll need to replace wear items like plugs,coils etc. but generally you won't run into any catastrophic problems with the engine. A Bootmod3 tune and downpipe will take you to 600, but traction will start becoming an issue. If you live in a colder climate, you can go for the XI and that will solve the traction issue as well. This comes with the cost of weight though. The XI's also come with hydraulic steering I believe, so take that into account too.

[AccordTR]

Originally Posted by Il.Duce.Dicky

Hello

Long time Mercedes fan here. I been wanting to try out a BMW for some time now and I really like the f13/06 650i/Xi.

Seeing low mileage 2013/14 models with coming down in price I'm very tempted.

What I really would like to do is get a 650xi with msport and mod it to around 600 crank hp which to my understanding should be able to accomplish with tune and downpipe. I would also like to do some cosmetic mods like carbon fiber diffuser and quad exhaust. Correct? Stupid? Which tunes and downpipe is recommended? Bm3 and ar catted downpipes seems like a good way to go? Maybe I should skip the Xi? They seem to be much more rare with msport.

I'm considering trading my mint 2005 cls55 amg, will I be disappointed? Will I feel the 650 is just a "normal" car? I have yet to drive a 650 but a 13/14 model year is a lot newer. With some extra power I shall not miss the AMG?

In the realm of Mercedes I have Mercedes workshop program called EPC/WIS containing every part catalogue for every Mercedes and all the workshop manual. Having access to every part number and step by step instructions really helps since I do all work myself. Is it possible to get hold of equivalent for BMW? It's the same program the dealers have. I also have Mercedes star which is the dealer level diagnostic tool. Possible to get equivalent for BMW?

The 650 and the n63tu. How is it in terms of reabilty? From what I read the 450 hp 2013+ seems pretty good compared to the older once which according to forums seems to be more of a pain. When I'm looking at the numbers the 650 actually seems cheaper to own than my amg.

Many questions but I hope some of you will take the time to help. Thanks.

Get a TU and give me a shout sometime. My buddy and me are heavy into mods and can offer support or any questions you have. 650ix is in the 10s 1/4 now. These cars move with some work.

[iamvanja]

Originally Posted by Mck444

but generally you won't run into any catastrophic problems with the engine. A Bootmod3 tune and downpipe will take you to 600

Surprised about this since there is every once in while a new post about a blown n/s63, especially with a tune.
I'd stay away from bmw's v8s in general.

[Il.Duce.Dicky]

To my understanding the n63tu doesn't really blow if cared for?

Anyone got some info on the workshop program?

[thebmw]

The idea that N63 or N63tu somehow blows up is, well, blown out of proportion.

[Il.Duce.Dicky]

To my understanding the n63tu is plauged by previous BMW V engines being not so good. The n63tu seems to offer "normal" car ownership experience?

Where do you guys go for workshop information? I'm really interested in finding the dealer workshop program.

[Mck444]

Originally Posted by iamvanja

Surprised about this since there is every once in while a new post about a blown n/s63, especially with a tune.
I'd stay away from bmw's v8s in general.

Have had experience with an 11 750i, 11 550i, and 14 650i. While the N63 had issues with burning oil and an alternator issue, none of them "blew up". Knock on wood, but even with a tune I've only had to replace plugs and coils as well as an oil change. People post when they have issues, not when they don't. This is just my experience, but the N55 in my 11 535i had more issues than my 650i. Got rid of that thing in a year of ownership. Even the N52 in a 08 328i had so many issues that it felt like it was in the shop every other month.

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Il.Duce.Dicky

To my understanding the n63tu is plauged by previous BMW V engines being not so good. The n63tu seems to offer "normal" car ownership experience?

Where do you guys go for workshop information? I'm really interested in finding the dealer workshop program.

BMW has been killing online sources for its repair manuals recently. The official manual is called NEWTIS, and can be used by the day, month or year for a pretty steep fee. There was a second source called Emanual Online where I saved the link just a month ago where you could buy it on a CD. I just checked, and everything after 2010 is now gone.

[Il.Duce.Dicky]

Thanks for the info about newtis, seems to be equal to Mercedes WIS. I will look in to that and see if I can find a version. If you want I can pm the result if I find something.

[benacto]

"TU" did fix a lot of the problems that previous model had. But it did have the fuel system problems which BMW had issue and extended warranty for. I had a 2014 550i and it had to be tow back in for service a few times within my 2 years of ownership. (fuel pump, injectors, fuel rail, gasket, etc). It'll do just fine, unless you want to enjoy the power it's advertised... in which case, one by one... those parts started fail. But they replaced all of those for free. It was just a pain to deal with it when it fails and freaks you out.
That's my personal experience.

[Il.Duce.Dicky]

Thanks for all the replies. Another question, when just doing normal everyday driving without any pulls. What's mpg like on the 650? The AMG is pretty good for what it is but a bit less would be nice.

[benacto]

Originally Posted by Il.Duce.Dicky

Thanks for all the replies. Another question, when just doing normal everyday driving without any pulls. What's mpg like on the 650? The AMG is pretty good for what it is but a bit less would be nice.

on highway miles... you can average 27mpg. Mix in with street miles... 23-24 mpg is a good safe bet.

[Mck444]

Originally Posted by benacto

on highway miles... you can average 27mpg. Mix in with street miles... 23-24 mpg is a good safe bet.

I guess you'd have to drive pretty calmly to get those numbers. With a stage 1 tune and full throttle every once in a while I get 16 MPG mixed. When I was stock I got 23 MPG from SD-SF. 23-24 is probably doable but a little difficult.

[Opie55]

You won't do 23-24 mpg in a 650 unless you do almost all highway. You can do 28 on the highway at a steady cruise on flat ground with no traffic but it drops dramatically as soon as you get off the highway and have to start that huge car from a stop. Around town even without pedal mashing you will do like 13. Mix in some highway and you'll be lucky to do better than 18 on a tank.

[benacto]

Originally Posted by Mck444

I guess you'd have to drive pretty calmly to get those numbers. With a stage 1 tune and full throttle every once in a while I get 16 MPG mixed. When I was stock I got 23 MPG from SD-SF. 23-24 is probably doable but a little difficult.

Opie55 You won't do 23-24 mpg in a 650 unless you do almost all highway. You can do 28 on the highway at a steady cruise on flat ground with no traffic but it drops dramatically as soon as you get off the highway and have to start that huge car from a stop. Around town even without pedal mashing you will do like 13. Mix in some highway and you'll be lucky to do better than 18 on a tank.

I estimated those numbers since he said "normal driving without any pulls". In my old 550 with tune, I got 24mpg on the regular, best was 27 when driving on highway going to work that's an hour away. Now in my M6 with tune, I still got 22-24 on long highway trips.
But of course when you put in factors of stop and go traffic, hill climbing, flooring it to pass cars, etc. I'd say you can still stay just a tad over 20mpg for "normal" driving.

[Mck444]

Originally Posted by benacto

I estimated those numbers since he said "normal driving without any pulls". In my old 550 with tune, I got 24mpg on the regular, best was 27 when driving on highway going to work that's an hour away. Now in my M6 with tune, I still got 22-24 on long highway trips.
But of course when you put in factors of stop and go traffic, hill climbing, flooring it to pass cars, etc. I'd say you can still stay just a tad over 20mpg for "normal" driving.

What is your avg MPG for the M6? I noticed that my N63 550i did 3-5mpg better than the 650i, but it was probably because it was stock.

[benacto]

Originally Posted by Mck444

What is your avg MPG for the M6? I noticed that my N63 550i did 3-5mpg better than the 650i, but it was probably because it was stock.

before the pandemic, I was getting just over 20. since then... 16s.

[BMPOWERED]

Originally Posted by Il.Duce.Dicky

Hello

Long time Mercedes fan here. I been wanting to try out a BMW for some time now and I really like the f13/06 650i/Xi.

Seeing low mileage 2013/14 models with coming down in price I'm very tempted.

What I really would like to do is get a 650xi with msport and mod it to around 600 crank hp which to my understanding should be able to accomplish with tune and downpipe. I would also like to do some cosmetic mods like carbon fiber diffuser and quad exhaust. Correct? Stupid? Which tunes and downpipe is recommended? Bm3 and ar catted downpipes seems like a good way to go? Maybe I should skip the Xi? They seem to be much more rare with msport.

I'm considering trading my mint 2005 cls55 amg, will I be disappointed? Will I feel the 650 is just a "normal" car? I have yet to drive a 650 but a 13/14 model year is a lot newer. With some extra power I shall not miss the AMG?

In the realm of Mercedes I have Mercedes workshop program called EPC/WIS containing every part catalogue for every Mercedes and all the workshop manual. Having access to every part number and step by step instructions really helps since I do all work myself. Is it possible to get hold of equivalent for BMW? It's the same program the dealers have. I also have Mercedes star which is the dealer level diagnostic tool. Possible to get equivalent for BMW?

The 650 and the n63tu. How is it in terms of reabilty? From what I read the 450 hp 2013+ seems pretty good compared to the older once which according to forums seems to be more of a pain. When I'm looking at the numbers the 650 actually seems cheaper to own than my amg.

Many questions but I hope some of you will take the time to help. Thanks.

I own a stock 650i GC with 65k miles and so far so good. The prior comments have all been spot on. But just out of curiosity, being that you're coming from an AMG and you are seeking 600 hp, assuming you're willing to give up X drive, is there any reason you're not looking at an M6?