2004 BMW 645CI
Highlights
- Superb colour combination
- Good mileage
- Impeccable service history
- Unmatched exterior and interior condition.
- Recent £3000+ gearbox rebuild with 12 months warranty
- £11,000 worth of options when new
The Background
After 14 years of having no 6 series in the BMW line up, BMW needed to come back with a bang to revive the mark, and they certainly did. It was introduced at the 2003 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW E63 6-Series was the third BMW to exhibit Chris Bangle’s controversial flame-sided styling language that has now aged impeccably well.
The 6 series may have been a marmite car back at its launch in 2003, but fast forward to 2022 and the design language has aged beautifully. Simple, crisp lines with tension in every crease. The design is subtly aggressive, classy and purposeful. A design that is truly timeless and will sure continue to mature like a fine wine.
It's a great car to drive too. The E63 was developed as a powerful GT with sports car handling. BMW achieved this by using lightweight aluminium throughout its structure and plastic panels for the body work. Even the large boot lid is made from a lightweight plastic composite. All these weight savings meant this large, luxurious sports GT only weighed in at a smidge over 1600kg, nearly 200kg lighter than the car that replaced it. The 6 series also came with a sports button that increases the steering weight, sharpens up the throttle and gives the gearbox a more aggressive map.
In early 2004 the 4.4 litre V8 code named N62 was the only choice of engine and luckily, it’s a great engine that balances relatively good MPG with performance. It wasn’t until 2005 when they brought out its more fuel-efficient smaller brother, the 630i. If you’re looking for a 6 series, the V8 is the one to have if you can afford the running costs.
This 6 series is presented in the very handsome Silver Grey metallic paint code over a Chateau red and grey Oregon leather interior. This colour interior was used in the main promo and brochure cars and really suits the classy and seductive nature of the 6 series.
The History
The car was first delivered by Elms BMW Cambridge to its first owner in 2004 after being a pre-reg’d car to meet registration targets set by the dealers. The car was then traded back into the BMW main dealer network and was offered as an approved used car in 2005 by Harold Wood BMW in Romford. Although now on the Wiltshire Somerset border, the car has then spent its whole life in the Essex area. The longest owner of the car is believed to have bought it from Harold Wood in 2005 and owned it up until 2020.
For most of the car’s life it was registered on the expensive private number plate ‘4 CXB’. In 2020 its long-term owner then part exchanged this 645ci against the latest BMW M6. Its most recent owner acquired the vehicle in 2020 and routinely took the car to BMW Fairfield, Leigh on sea for general maintenance and servicing with its last service being completed only 800 miles ago.
The car regularly went to the once most prestigious BMW dealership, that being the Chelsea, London located Holland Park main dealer for yearly servicing up until 2010. Please note that the BMW servicing requirements were around every 15,000 miles at the time, this car was clearly spoilt and had 4 services in the time it should have only had 2. Post 2010, the car was then taken to local independent specialists between 35k miles and 60k miles. Please note that any servicing since 2010 has not been stamped in the book however the invoices from specialists and main dealers remain as evidence for the cars servicing.
Please note that the E63 generation BMW gives you a choice on whether to read Km or miles on the odometer which is easily changed in the cars I drive system. The cars odometer had been changed to km between 2008 and 2011 and then changed back to reading mileage as shown in its MOT history and service book. This was best pointing out just to clear up any doubt in relation to legitimacy of its low mileage. For this reason, the mileage is warranted.
The Paperwork
The car comes with several spare keys including masters and spares. The car also comes with its original leather wallet with owner’s manuals.
The car also has its approved used dealer folder when it was offered by Harold Wood BMW and comes with lots of maintenance invoices making for a very well documented history.
The Mechanics
The was recently treated to a complete gearbox rebuild, torque converter rebuild and mechatronic unit reconditioning due to the mechatronic unit failing, despite having a gearbox service at 30,000 miles. The works were carried out by a ZF gearbox specialist to the correct requirements and the correct genuine ZF oil was used. The work comes with a 12 month/12,000-mile warranty and is now seamlessly smooth once again. The total bill came to over £3000.
During the gearbox rebuild the mechanics noted a coolant leak. This was also attended to a week later. The culprit was a split expansion tank. This part was replaced with a genuine BMW part and the coolant was flushed and replaced at the time of change.
The mechanics also found a very minor weeping of oil, as to be expected of any older BMW. The engine seems to be holding oil ok and rarely requires topping up. The car has just passed its MOT and the leak wasn’t bad enough to be noted as an advisory. The car passed its MOT first time with only one advisory relating to undertrays fitted.
These trays were fitted from factory so nothing to worry about. In fact, this BMW has only ever failed one MOT which was relating to headlight bulbs. This car really has been spoilt over the years and has clearly always been kept in tip top fettle with no expense spared, unlike most of the examples out there that fall in to unsavoury hands where they’re then run on a shoe string and neglected.
These trays were fitted from factory so nothing to worry about. In fact, this BMW has only ever failed one MOT which was relating to headlight bulbs. This car really has been spoilt over the years and has clearly always been kept in tip top fettle with no expense spared, unlike most of the examples out there that fall in to unsavoury hands where they’re then run on a shoe string and neglected.
A few hundred miles ago the car was serviced by BMW and a few thousand miles ago the car was fitted with Bridgestone tyres all round. Bridgestone tyres were what the car would have been fitted with from the dealer when new in 2004 and it’s good to see the owner maintaining the car to the correct specifications.
The car has also recently undergone new discs and pads all round and certainly stops well. The car really does drive like new and doesn’t have any knocks from the suspension.
A few months ago, the car had undergone a full BMW health check and passed on everything. However, during a OBD scan, there were some old misfire codes logged by the car. This doesn’t seem to be an issue at current but there are no invoices to suggest that any works had been carried out to fix this potential issue. Therefore, the car will be sold with this potential issue and knowledge.
The cars engine seems to be fine, revs well and feels powerful and no lights are illuminated but it’s just something to be wary of. It may have been spark plug related as these were soon changed when serviced by BMW a few weeks later.
The cars engine seems to be fine, revs well and feels powerful and no lights are illuminated but it’s just something to be wary of. It may have been spark plug related as these were soon changed when serviced by BMW a few weeks later.
The BMW I drive states there are no check control messages. Everything works, even the unreliable PDC still works. The I drive also states that all the servicing requirements are up to date too. This car has clearly been maintained to a very high standard and should be good to enjoy for thousands of miles before needing any further maintenance.
The Exterior
The exterior looks flawless in its sophisticated silver-grey paintwork that is bright all over. The condition of the paint is hard to fault and looks to have been garaged for most of its life. There are no swirls in the paint, stone chips on the front are minimal, in fact, nearly non-existent. There are no scratches in the body work and no obvious corrosion around the body too.
These 6 series are generally good when it comes to corrosion and rust isn’t something you have to worry about really on this generation of car due to the high percentage of plastic and aluminium body parts. The only slight ding that can be found is on the rear quarter, but even this is super hard to see. The wheels have been refurbished within the last couple of years and remain in good condition. There are a few little marks on them here and there but general condition of them is really good. The sills, door shuts and drainage all clean and free of dents, scuffs and blemishes. It really is hard to fault the exterior of this 18-year-old car.
These 6 series are generally good when it comes to corrosion and rust isn’t something you have to worry about really on this generation of car due to the high percentage of plastic and aluminium body parts. The only slight ding that can be found is on the rear quarter, but even this is super hard to see. The wheels have been refurbished within the last couple of years and remain in good condition. There are a few little marks on them here and there but general condition of them is really good. The sills, door shuts and drainage all clean and free of dents, scuffs and blemishes. It really is hard to fault the exterior of this 18-year-old car.
Carrying on with this cars classy theme, the car was specced with the chrome line pack that gave it exterior chrome highlights such as round the window frame. The car is also sat on the top of the range, sportiest wheel choice. These are the BMW light alloy, 19inch M sport rims (Style 218). These are a great looking wheel, they’re a staggered set and the rear wheels have a lovely dish to them which enhance the muscular rear of the 6 series.
The Interior
The interior is a splendid place to be it really is, and so it should be as this car with options, in today’s money would have set back the original buyer £99,000. The Design is beautiful, seductive and intimate and the specification really sets this one apart from others on the market.
This example comes with Heated, electric memory sports seats with added lumbar support, Professional sat nav with TV functions (Larger screen over standard), Panoramic sunroof, Car telephone professional pack, Cup holder (That’s a piece of art in its self!), passenger side storage net in unused condition, telematics package, hydro steering Servotronic, Dynamic drive, 6 CD changer, HiFi sound system, voice control and walnut trim making for a very opulent interior.
A great place to munch up the miles. Every gadget works on the interior too without fault. The leather is in excellent condition, the carpets are in great condition and on the whole the interior is close to how it would have left the factory. Again, the interior is hard to fault and is very clean. There are a few marks here and there but nothing to write home about. It has done 66k miles and 18 years old after all. The only drawback really on the interior is that there is a slight creak coming from the dash over some of the larger imperfections in the road. But even this barely takes away from the overall experience.
This example comes with Heated, electric memory sports seats with added lumbar support, Professional sat nav with TV functions (Larger screen over standard), Panoramic sunroof, Car telephone professional pack, Cup holder (That’s a piece of art in its self!), passenger side storage net in unused condition, telematics package, hydro steering Servotronic, Dynamic drive, 6 CD changer, HiFi sound system, voice control and walnut trim making for a very opulent interior.
A great place to munch up the miles. Every gadget works on the interior too without fault. The leather is in excellent condition, the carpets are in great condition and on the whole the interior is close to how it would have left the factory. Again, the interior is hard to fault and is very clean. There are a few marks here and there but nothing to write home about. It has done 66k miles and 18 years old after all. The only drawback really on the interior is that there is a slight creak coming from the dash over some of the larger imperfections in the road. But even this barely takes away from the overall experience.
This car is fitted with the advanced Active Servotronic steering and Dynamic Drive systems that were very advanced for the time. The dynamic drive is effectively an active antiroll bar system that limits the amount of roll from the body round corners at various speeds. The Active Servotronic steering means the amount of steering angle differentiates at varying speeds So the car is more manoeuvrable at lower speeds and more stable at higher speeds. This steering also becomes more weighted at higher speeds, adding to that sense of stability.
The Appeal
The 6 series is an amazing luxury performance coupe with a Jekyll and Hyde character. The V8 can be refined and quiet with good MPG, suited to those long European cross-country cruises. But as soon as you find that twisty road, you can drop a cog manually with the tiptronic gearbox, press the sport button and the whole car wakens up. The naturally aspirated V8 really packs a punch when you get on it.
The 6 series however is a costly thing to run and requires consistent maintenance but this can be said of any £100,000 luxury sports coupes. If you look after them, they look after you, and so you should as they are a very rewarding drive and ownership experience. I couldn’t recommend the 6 series enough, and finding examples like this one are becoming tough. You will be hard pressed to find another in such condition and with the impeccable maintenance history this one has got.
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Vehicle specification
- Year 2004
- Make BMW
- Model 645CI
- Colour Grey
- Odometer 66,657 Miles
- Engine size 4398
Auction Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Location Somerset
- Country United Kingdom
52
bids
- Tu•••• £8,900 27/07/22
- ma•••• £8,800 27/07/22
- Tu•••• £8,700 27/07/22
- ma•••• £8,600 27/07/22
- Tu•••• £8,500 27/07/22
- Tu•••• £8,400 27/07/22
- ma•••• £8,300 27/07/22
- Tu•••• £8,200 27/07/22
- ap•••• £8,100 27/07/22
- ma•••• £8,000 27/07/22
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