Purchase Help

[Sonnycheeba3578]

Morning folks. Long time lurker, now new member and first time poster! Been really wanting a 650i GC for a while now. Found a couple that are "local" to me with the furthest away being the one that checks all of my boxes. It's a 13 650i xdrive with 52k on the clock. Per carfax its a 3 owner car. Dealer wants 23k. Biggest thing is with it being a 13...I have until Sunday to purchase. There's also a 15 thats closer to me that has 80k in the same price range. I'm really looking at this from a mileage standpoint. I ran the vin on the 13 to insure its a TU engine and it is. Is there anything specific I should look for in these cars? Would one be leery about picking up a 10 yr old car with only 52k miles? Any assistance is greatly appreciated!

[Qsilver7]

Go check it out…but I’d recommend also checking out the ones closer to you before you sign on the dotted line.

There are some technology & component upgrades/differences between the pre LCI 2013/14/15 models that you may want to check off our pro/con list. Here some examples from off the top of my head (there may be more/others…so if anyone has more…feel free to add to the list)

• The 2013 has the oldest iDrive system (CIC) which has a lower resolution.
• The 2014 does get the NBT iDrive system (higher resolution) and the newer 3 spoke sport steering wheel if the build date is after 7/2013
• The 2015 gets the newer iDrive controller dial that can come with the touch pad…and the 6WB instrument cluster became standard equipment (at least on the 650…I’m not sure on the 640).

Below:
Regular steering wheel
1st gen MSport steering wheel
2nd gen MSport steering wheel
2nd gen iDrive controller knob w/touchpad
1st gen iDrive controller knob

[Sonnycheeba3578]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Go check it out…but I’d recommend also checking out the ones closer to you before you sign on the dotted line.

There are some technology & component upgrades/differences between the pre LCI 2013/14/15 models that you may want to check off our pro/con list. Here some examples from off the top of my head (there may be more/others…so if anyone has more…feel free to add to the list)

The 2013 has the oldest iDrive system (CIC) which has a lower resolution.
The 2014 does get the NBT iDrive system (higher resolution) and the newer 3 spoke sport steering wheel if the build date is after 7/2013
The 2015 gets the newer iDrive controller dial that can come with the touch pad…and the 6WB instrument cluster became standard equipment (at least on the 650…I’m not sure on the 640).

• Thanks for the insight. Thoughts on the 80k mileage on the 15? This would be a new to BMW purchase for me

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Sonnycheeba3578

• Thanks for the insight. Thoughts on the 80k mileage on the 15? This would be a new to BMW purchase for me

For me…it would depend on how the car looked. Is it a worn out 80k…or is it an 80k in good shape. Since these are great highway cruisers…the previous owner could have racked up easy miles on the highway…or was it a daily driver driven hard in urban traffic?

[Sonnycheeba3578]

Qsilver7 By all means please take a look as I'm not well versed in these cars

I thought you would like this Used 2015 BMW 650i Gran Coupe xDrive for $22995 on Autotrader http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/29BEEA79.

I thought you would like this Used 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe xDrive for $23458 on Autotrader http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/29D3926E.

[Qsilver7]

What are “all the boxes” that the 2013 checks off for you? I only ask because it doesn’t have a lot of the options the 2015 has (driver assist/HUD/touchpad/leather dash/ventilated seats/ceramic dials etc). But the 2015 has a big mark on the rear bumper which I can’t tell is a scratch or if something ran into it.

My recommendation is to make a list of options you can’t do without and ones that could be put on the bubble if its missing…along with the mileage and interior/exterior colors you can live with.

Then if you do find what prospects…when you go to check them out…dismiss all the eye candy and focus on how the car handles, how the engine runs, are there things that seem out of place. Is there any hidden blemishes that you didn’t see in the pics and can you live with them or fix them yourself later. Be prepared to walk away if the car doesn’t seem to be right.

Here’s a VIN decoding site that you can copy & paste the 17 digit VIN intro the correct field to see how the car was optioned etc (its free): www.mdecoder.com

[Sonnycheeba3578]

Qsilver7 honestly the boxes are mileage and color combo. But I also spoke to my credit union and the 13 would have to be completed by close of business Sunday. And honestly...I'm not sure its worth the hassle of sitting on 95n in traffic. So...barring finding anything else...the 15 may be where my focus is going. But I'm gonna keep my eyes open for other possibilities

[Opie55]

That 2013 has almost no options. Whereas the 2015 even has the B&O stereo. Setting aside mileage, the two cars are not comparable to me. The 2015 wins hands down. But as I always say, these cars are uncommon enough that you should not limit yourself to a 100 mile radius. Find the one you want and go get it. You can certainly find 2015s with fewer miles. I assume you have at least checked places like AutoTrader nationwide just to get an idea of what's out there.

[Sonnycheeba3578]

I've used Autotrader and Cars.com. I haven't made the search nationwide because I'll be mad if I find something over in Cali...lol! I'm one to put my eyes and hands on something vs getting it shipped to me

[Low Country Larry]

Hey, wow, you got some excellent responses from this group. I will add my three cents, not worth much more than that after all the advice above:
1. I had a '13, and I now have a '15, and there is all the difference in the world. The '15 is new, modern, much classier, much more finished and turned out and well done inside and out. Not even close, to me.
2. Do not buy a BMW without a heads-up display. You will smile every minute of every mile you drive. Plus, the '15 HU is way cooler than the '13 HU, with adjustments for loft and lie (if you're a golfer), or height and slope for us regular folks.
3. You can probably knock a grand or even two off the '15 price. These are very rare cars, even more than Scotch an acquired taste, and the dealer will be happy to sell it. I am not up on Virginia dealer laws and practices, but in some states there is an advantage to a dealer if he reduces inventory by year-end. Maybe make that drive and get the '15 today.

[Sonnycheeba3578]

Low Country Larry preciate the insight man! As I've stated...I would be new to BMW so I'm not really up on the difference in technology from the 13 and 15 outside of the research I've done. Nothing "real world". The 13 has pretty much been taken off of the list due to financing. The 15 is maybe 20 mins from me so I may go and peek at it. The trans went in my truck so now my eyes are opening. I'm not on a super rush as I've got a couple other vehicles...but I'm an "oldhead" and there isn't much of the new stiff that I like. If I have to go out and get a note...the 650 is the only car that I like. Coming from driving a pick up for the last few years...I'm ready to get back into a car

[Opie55]

I'm not one to ship anything either - going to where the car is and driving it home is half the fun to me. I got lucky on my 650 and found it only about 550 miles away - the closest I've bought a car in a while.

[FlyinLowSD]

Originally Posted by Opie55

I'm not one to ship anything either - going to where the car is and driving it home is half the fun to me. I got lucky on my 650 and found it only about 550 miles away - the closest I've bought a car in a while.

Have to agree here, that drive home is the best! It’s still a major purchase, so a plane ticket and a few days off to ensure the right purchase is well worth it.

[peoe]

Lots of great advice on the thread already.

Although the Carfax report says no accident on the 2013, from the pictures it appears there is uneven gap at the front of the hood. It could be the angle of the picture, or an indication there was front end damage.

Similarly, perhaps the front passenger door was not fully closed when the pictures were taken, but there appears to be a larger than expected gap between the front and rear doors.

I recommend you check the gaps in person.

[Sonnycheeba3578]

Good eye as I def didn't catch that

[Sonnycheeba3578]

And for shiggles...what, if any service is set for 80k? What does it consist of?

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Sonnycheeba3578

And for shiggles...what, if any service is set for 80k? What does it consist of?

I really kind of depends on what has been done if you can find that out. It would be overdue for plugs unless already done. It needs to be checked for the old or new style crankcase vent lines. The old style crack from heat. Posting a photo of the engine w/o the decorative BMW cover and we can tell you. At those miles some suspension bushings may be going or gone, again, unless done already. It would be good time for tranny, differential and transfer case fluids. Brake fluid flush if not done in the last 2-3 years. Check the status of the brakes. A belt would not be a bad idea. It needs to be looked at for any oil leaks or coolant leaks, including up top by the turbos. Check air filters and cabin air filters.

[Sonnycheeba3578]

Def preciate that list! I've been google searching for maintenance specifics and been coming up a tad short. Been trying to piece together the carfax services...but I've seen in 23: fuel injector(s) replaced, spark plug(s) replaced, oxygen sensor replaced, fuel pump replaced, in addition to oil and filter and maintenance inspections

[Chaos236]

Buy the newest car you can afford… age old wisdom

[Bavariane31]

I wish I was into the V8s because I'm looking for rare color combos. They are just generally so better optioned than their I6 brethren. There's a relatively low mileage 650i on facebook. 33k Miles, Individual Moonstone exterior with Individual Merino Leather Platinum interior.

https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/wba6b2c50ed129439

Looks like $26k but it's not perfect. Blacked out wheels, got those lower aftermarket bumper fin additions and it's a 2014 so Pre-LCI. Guy also doesn't know what he has. Listed as a 640i! Also in Georgia instead of the OP VA. Not far but it's out of state.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...4-e69f7d0bbcba

If anyone sees a Moonstone 640i or is looking to sell, then I'm definitely interested. I'm staying away from the V8s. I bought the M-sport one in Houston that's easy to find on all of the usual sites but it's a total lemon; shady dealer even gave me a 100% refund after 3 months even with "As Is" paperwork - yes, it was that bad.... But I loved the Moonstone and Opal/Brown interior combo. Probably a 1/1 since it was a 640i though. I hope no one here buys it and has the same experience as I did.

[Markusallan]

have a 2013 650xi couple and love it! You cant go wrong but seems like 80k is kinda high if it wasnt highway...