Description
Having bought a manual Z4, it is time to move on my 645ci coupe. I have owned it for nearly three years, driven about 4500 miles and have very much enjoyed its style and woofly V8.
The car is different from the silver, grey and black versions you usually see. This improves the lines of the car and is complimented by the ivory trim. I love the panoramic roof, which has never leaked.
The MOT history shows a gap between 2016 and 2021. The fourth owner, an old chap, loved the car but died and his widow did not want to part with it. After a while she asked a friend to tidy it up before the fifth owner bought it (I am the sixth owner). The friend did not provide an invoice, but the standard of the car speaks for itself.
Not long after my buying the car, it had a recall for a minor matter; the local BMW dealer dealt with it and their inspection revealed no issues apart from a headlamp which my local garage sorted out. Total bill, £558.
When I bought the car, it had 20 inch Alpina wheels, which looked good but made the ride a bit firm. I have since replaced them with the 19 inch wheels you can see. I had one of them tidied up at a local wheel specialist and there is no kerbing on any of them. My garage fitted them with the necessary spacers, putting on two new tyres on the back as they were becoming low. Front brake discs and pads were also added. Total bill, £1412.
This year, it had an oil change in April 2024 (£298) including fitting a replacement s/ h rear lamp (£120). With the August MOT, a coil spring was replaced and the offside headlamp ECU replaced (£350).
I should point out that both garages used are clients of mine (I’m an accountant) and they would have pointed out any serious problems in the time I have had it. I did not buy a lemon and I am not selling one.
One benefit of the car is its 55 reg and the annual tax of £415 rather than the £700+ for later versions.
Bad points; inside, the driver’s far right ventilator does not emit air. Not a problem in the winter, in the summer I just open the window. If not fired up for a few days, the car tells you off by making whirring and clicking electrical noises, which settle down after a few minutes. I’m not sure that “they all do that sir”, but my old E39 used to do the same.
As the photos try to show, there are a couple of small car-park dents on the driver’s door. When I had the car valeted to try and show it at its best, some of the black covering by the driver’s mirror came off. There are one or two bubbles under the paintwork but nothing dreadful and not bad for a near-twenty year old car.
The nearside front fog lamp does not work. It’s not an MOT failure, I wouldn’t drive it in the fog so not worth having the bumper off to deal with it.
The original iDrive is still in place. As I tend to leave the radio on Classic FM, I haven’t used it much nor felt the need to update it. I have the original manuals and service record and a few old bills.
No part-exchanges thanks, or offers without seeing the car.
