06-07 BMW 650 I convertible--Thoughts?

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by dewolf

The 645's use basically the same 4.4lt V8 used in the E39's and Range Rovers. Fairly easy to maintain. Jobs such as chain guides etc are rather time consuming but not beyond the mechanically minded diy'er. When my wife tires of her 540 e39 I reckon the 645 will be the next car for her. Although she's had the 540 for about 5 years and still loves it.

Since you insist on me showing where you are obviously passing bad information Dewolf I'll point it out for you-

BMW N62 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They are NOT the same engines, they do NOT share parts. What they do have in common? They are both BMW's- that's about it as far as you being correct.

I pointed out a well known problem unique to the N62, they wondered why those cars are cheap and I stated it. The M62 does NOT suffer from this. The OP asked for information, you were wrong and need to get over it.

rjp

[dewolf]

Jeez Randy can you tell me what the M62 does suffer from. Big deal it has a coolant pipe problem that has a cheap fix. E39's M62's have exploding fans, cracking plastic radiators, plastic chain guides that crack etc etc. 996's and Boxsters have IMS and RMS issues. E46's have subframe issues. Every car has a problem. To bad you can't read. Like I said, I never said they did not have issues. And yes they are basically the same engine. Quad cam multi valve 4.4lt V8 with Vanos.
You got caught talking crpa again saying someone said something when they did'nt. Troll.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by dewolf

Jeez Randy can you tell me what the M62 (NO, IT'S THE N62!!) does suffer from. Big deal it has a coolant pipe problem that has a cheap fix (MAYBE, DEPENDS OF IF THE OP WANTS TO WORK ON IT OR NOT, THE OFFICIAL FIX IS $9K. E39's M62's have exploding fans, cracking plastic radiators, plastic chain guides that crack etc etc. 996's and Boxsters have IMS and RMS issues. E46's have subframe issues. Every car has a problem. To bad you can't read. Like I said, I never said they did not have issues. And yes they are basically the same engine. Quad cam multi valve 4.4lt V8 with Vanos.
You got caught talking crpa again saying someone said something when they did'nt. Troll.

Do I know the M62?

Well, here's TODAY's order.. What do you think this stuff goes to? Anyhow, I've said enough, let the PO make his own decision...You are one tender lil chap....

rjp

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by aigel

Man, these are tempting. Nice cruisers. But there is a reason they are cheap ...

G

Yea, becuase they're mass produced junks...

One of my closest friends is a factory mechanic, told me you're better off buying a Kia.

IMO, nothing coming from BMW (other than M1/3) is exciting due to lack of driver connectivity. Oh, and what sounds like an 80s synthesizer (sp?) playing while you drive through a parking lot as the car is doing its best to distract your driving with "warnings" of whats around you.

And remember, push the gear shift forward, past P, for R...

[madmmac]

So a 2006 m3 convertible would be a better, more reliable car.

She said those were cute too after showing her some pics.

Whatever car chosen would not be a daily driver.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by madmmac

So a 2006 m3 convertible would be a better, more reliable car.

She said those were cute too after showing her some pics.

Whatever car chosen would not be a daily driver.

I own an E46 M3 Coupe. Great cars. Again like most cars they have their fair share of issues but there are many cheaper fixes than the dealer. For example mine had a CEL come up. Took it the dealer, showed vanos trouble. Without any further diagnosis they told me the whole vanos had to be changed at a cost of.......AU$7K!! I took it to an Indy who fixed it for $1.8K. It was just the vanos solenoid pack. Besian systems has a much, much cheaper fix now. They also suffer from cracks in the rear floor pan where the rear suspension carrier hangs. Again there are some cheaper alternatives. BMW cover this repair for free in most cases if the vehicle has FSH and is under 10 years old.
Do get fooled by the SMG vs Manual debate. The SMG is an amazing bit of kit. I drove both and went for the SMG despite all the fear mongering of failed pumps etc. Most of the time the failed pump is actually a hydaulic temp switch that fails and causes an overheat situation on the ECU. Then the car just hops out of gear and that's it. The dealer will tell you failed pump, that'll be $3.5K thanks. There is a resistor mod for the temp switch on most of the forums that cost about an hour of your time and $1.00 for the resistor.
Anyway...M3 great car with 330HP. Fun. My wife drives mine all the time and loves it. She likes it when ricer boys pull up next to her and the she gives them the M3 what for!! They don't expect a woman to be able to run hard.

[89911]

Since this has become partly a dump on BMW thread, I'd like to offer that I have owned them for over 10 years and find no other car that combines performance, luxury, and price. I like how so many of the negative reviews are preceded by " a friend of someone" or "my mechanic told me" without personal experience. High performance cars have issues! These sometimes come with a price. See Audi,Lotus, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, etc if you want some more,(many more) mechanics and friends warning.

[KNS]

I've owned my E46 since new (going on ten years), it's been nearly perfect. I'll have to replace it someday but I don't know what with. I don't like anything currently offered by BMW and I kind of feel like they've lost their way. They're all luxury barges now.

[madmmac]

Drove the 07 650 convertible yesterday just to see what she/we thought.

Her thoughts, she liked the front, sides, interior layout and the front seats. She did not like the rear end treatment at all or the almost no leg room to the rear seats. She liked the way it drove and rode. Did not like the trunk space with the roof down.

I liked the looks pretty much all the way around. No rattles, clunks, squeaks or anything, top up or down. A lot of low down torque that seemed to never quit. Drove nice, turned in pretty good and stayed pretty controlled over the bumps. No friggn leg room in the back seats at all. I think my old P car may have more. Trunk space severely compromised with the roof down.

No longer on the list.

Does the M3 have more leg room in the back and a better sized trunk with the top down?

Thanks.....

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by madmmac

Drove the 07 650 convertible yesterday just to see what she/we thought.

Her thoughts, she liked the front, sides, interior layout and the front seats. She did not like the rear end treatment at all or the almost no leg room to the rear seats. She liked the way it drove and rode. Did not like the trunk space with the roof down.

I liked the looks pretty much all the way around. No rattles, clunks, squeaks or anything, top up or down. A lot of low down torque that seemed to never quit. Drove nice, turned in pretty good and stayed pretty controlled over the bumps. No friggn leg room in the back seats at all. I think my old P car may have more. Trunk space severely compromised with the roof down.

No longer on the list.

Does the M3 have more leg room in the back and a better sized trunk with the top down?

Thanks.....

Not sure about the vert but I can sit two adults in the back of my M3 comfortably.

[aigel]

Man, sounds like a big pig with way too little room, considering the size of the car.

An M3 would be a much better vehicle overall IMHO. We should discuss the E46 M3. I am interested in it for a nice convertible too.

G

[mikeesik]

Why a convertible?

[Googam]

I guess this is an odd post to elicit my first ever response to, since I've followed the board for over 12 years.

If you're interested in a convertible w/decent styling, ample back seat and not too limited trunk space you might consider a recent MB CLK Cab. Relatively easy to find, not the most famous for bullet proofness, but not the worst.

I own an 07 63AMG w/no problems so far. It's beastly & a great cruiser.

[89911]

M3 Hardtop

I've seen these a few times and they are stunning. They look even cooler with the hardtop up in that is looks more like a roadster. Would be one of the only convertibles I would consider.

[speeder]

That new BMW hardtop/convertible design is truly a masterpiece of design and engineering. Or maybe I should say, "visible engineering"? Either way, a 10 on a scale of 1-10.

[speeder]

I have a friend, big Porsche guy, who switched to the newest M3 convertible and didn't love it. He only had it about a year and now has a new 991 with club sport package. I can't remember now what he told me as far as why he disliked it so much, I'll try to find out and post it when I see him over the weekend.

[89911]

I walked up to one in black a few years ago and couldn't tell what model it was until I saw that it was a hard top. It was engineered so well into the body it didn't look like one from a distance.

[Rick Lee]

I'm waiting for BMW to move away from the angry headlights look before I return to them.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by speeder

I have a friend, big Porsche guy, who switched to the newest M3 convertible and didn't love it. He only had it about a year and now has a new 991 with club sport package. I can't remember now what he told me as far as why he disliked it so much, I'll try to find out and post it when I see him over the weekend.

Don't be fooled, the M3 is NOT a sports car. It is a factory tuned performance sports coupe, based on a car that can be had with 4 doors and also a station wagon.

I have driven a hopped up M46 M3 and even gone with an instructor in a stripped and set up E36 M3 and while they were well driving cars, they were not even close to a 911 of similar vintage (which I have owned and driven on the track as well).

G

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by aigel

Don't be fooled, the M3 is NOT a sports car. It is a factory tuned performance sports coupe, based on a car that can be had with 4 doors and also a station wagon.

G

That beats a 996 in most terms. Such as, straight line peformance, interior fit and finish, looks. I am a Porsche nut like most here but I know when a cars beat. The 996 interior is sh$t. The E46 interior is a much nicer place. I have driven several 996's and tossed up between one and the E46 M3. I chose the M3. The 996 is a slab sided bland looking car. Even worse in vert form.
The M3 and 996 are two different cars marketed at two different groups. The only time a 996 can get away from me in the twisties is in the exit speed. But it does not take long to catch back up. For a car that is NOT a sports car it does a very good job of acting like one.

Chassis
How does the suspension of the E46 M3 differ from that of the regular E46 3 Series?
The E46 M3 utilizes the same basic MacPherson strut/multi-link suspension design as the standard E46 3 Series. However, it has been substantially modified by BMW M GmbH with the following changes:
-Wider track both front (by 3.4-in.) and rear (by 1.8-in.)
-Unique "bat wing"-shaped forged aluminum lower control arms with M3-specific bearings, bushings and cushions
-Thicker (3mm) aluminum thrust plate
-Special wheel bearings
-More robust subframe from E46 convertible
-Separate mounting of top spring and shock anchor points
-Modified rear suspension links with steel balljoints (instead of rubber bushings)
-Larger halfshafts and wheel carriers
-Unique spring and shock rates
-Larger anti-roll bars (26mm front, 21.5mm rear)