Run
Out of all the engines, bar the diesels, the 630 is the pick of the lot. The gearbox is kinda the Achilles heel of the whole deal though, though this is true for the entire E6X range. These cars are generally reliable for the most part so long as maintenance is half decent, and all major issues with the N52 are addressed.
It’s been a good while since I last worked on a E63, but IIRC the transmission can be remapped relatively easily to make it more easier to drive on a daily basis. In some cases, the flash improves fuel economy, depending on your commute.
That said, the E63 has other issues as do other BMW models from this era. Most are electrical issues that can lead to more severe things down the line, like a old battery causing the car to go into limp mode due to low voltage, or the steering rack locking up or becoming heavier than normal due to the pump dying. Other issues include the headlight computers and the ECU. Most of the time, this is due to faulty wiring running to the ECU.
There are a few other issues, but I can’t think of them at the moment for the life of me. These issues are to be expected, as this is an older BMW after all.
Hi, thank you very much for the information. Can you tell me about the N52 engine problems you mentioned.
Most prevalent issues include, but are not limited to, thermostat failure, VANOS solenoid failure,hydraulic lifter failure and water pump failure. These jobs can get very expensive very quickly if addressed late. It is recommended to do these jobs as preventative maintenance before these compound issues over time. Ideally, you’d want parts with warranty, so have a look at FCP Euro with their lifetime warranty.
Other issues primarly revolve around gasket leaks. No real fix to these. Just got to stay on top of them before they turn small issues into big problems.