BMW 6 Series (2004 – 2011) Review

Seems that the car goes through tyres at the rate of around 20k miles a set and they literally disintegrate before reaching minimum tread. Side walls can start spouting wire.

When Runflats fitted, TPMS valves prone to failure due to corrosion battery effect between metal valve caps and the valve stems. This is easily prevented by fitting plastic instead of metal valve caps.

11-8-2011: Seems to be a problem of SRS ECUs failing.

19-9-2011: Heavy 18" rear tyre wear: 5k - 10k miles rather than 20k and the tyres are very expensive. Rear wear is uneven, more on the inside shoulders.

27-3-2012: On convertible, leaks into the boot and blocked boot drains can flood the amplifier.

16-11-2015: If satnav fails and BWW dealer wants £1,600 to replace it, the failure may only be the laser disc reader and a specialist can fix this for £250.

10-8-2016: Report of a big bill of £3,911.83 for repairs to the cooling system of a 70,000 mile 2005 BMW 645i, bought new and BMW maintained by the same owner all its life. The invoice states:- Checking cooling system for leaks, Bleeding and checking cooling system for leaks, removing and installing/sealing upper coolant end cover, removing and installing/sealing left cylinder head cover, and remove and install or seal or replace timing case cover. Overall parts were £1,085.69, Labour was £2,174.17 and vat £651.97.

6-8-2019: Report of convertible roof mechanism of 2008 E64 BMW 630i convertible sticking part-way through opening. The windows have dropped and the dashboard shows roof unlocked. The roof will neither open or close. Local garage have said that there is a way of lowering the roof manually but they can’t access the mechanism without removing the rear roof window. A specialist is: https://www.caymanautos.co.uk/convertible-hood-repairs/bmw-6-series-convertible-roof-repairs/

May 2007 TSB: SI B 61 28 06 General Electrical Systems May 2007 Technical Service. This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. B61 28 06 dated January 2006. [NEW] designates changes to this revision SUBJECT: ELV Warning in Instrument Cluster MODEL E90, E91, E92 (3 Series) E60, E61 (5 Series) E63, E64 (6 Series). SITUATION: The ELV (Electronic Steering Lock) check control warning illuminates in the instrument cluster and in some cases, engine start is inhibited. Diagnostics reveals fault code A0AA in the CAS (Car Access System) and prompts a control unit replacement. CAUSE: Low voltages in the vehicle electrical system when cranking/starting the engine. PROCEDURE [NEW]: This problem has been integrated into DIS diagnostics. Follow diagnostics and relevant test plan using DIS V49.0 or later. American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of BMWs fitted with passenger occupancy detection mats. The NHTSA warned that in some of the recalled BMWs it is possible that "the front passenger airbags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur." NHTSA reported on its Web site that the passenger-side airbags can deactivate because of wear associated with a passenger getting in and out of the vehicle. "Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the (sensor) mat. If this occurs, the front passenger airbags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated," the agency warned. BMW dealers will repair the sensor system in the passenger seat when the recall begins in late September. BMW will extend the warranty for airbags on the recalled vehicles "to 10 years from the first registration without any mileage limit," according to NHTSA. The recalled BMWs include the 2004 to 2005 5-Series standard and sport seat models, the 2004 to 2006 X3 and the 2006 3-Series with sport seats. The warranty extension covers the 2006 6-Series, 3-Series with a standard seat, 2004 to 2005 Z4, 2004 to 2006 7-Series, 2006 X5 and 2004 to 2006 5-Series with a comfort seat. "Under the extended warranty program, the occupant detection mat in a vehicle that experiences this specific issue will be replaced at not charge to the customer," NHTSA advises on its Web site. NHTSA began investigating airbags failures in the BMW when the Office of Defect Investigation reported that "the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative." The models included in the initial investigation were the 2004 to 2006 BMW 5 and 7 series sedans, Z4 convertibles and X3 SUVs, as well as 2006 BMW 3 and 6 series cars
and X5 SUVs.

1-10-2010: Worldwide recall of 350,000 BMW 5-Series, 6-Series and 7-Series and Rolls Royce Phantoms fitted with V-8 or V-12 engines because of a leak from the power assistance to the brakes. Affects 10,500 car s in the UK. Owners will be notified by post.

27-3-2012: BMW is recalling 109,000 previous generation UK 5 Series and 6 Series models because of a potential electrical problem. The problem could cause a fire in the boot, but no injuries or accidents related to the fault have been reported and the recall is precautionary. All type of 5 Series and 6 Series are affected, including saloon , touring, coupe and M models. Build dates are March 2003 to July 2010. According to BMW the battery cable in the boot could be mounted incorrectly, resulting in malfunctions, problems with starting the car, or in extreme cases some scorching or, possibly, a fire. There’s no reason to panic, though, because BMW says that only 1% of cars checked so far have shown the fault. If you own the E60/E61 BMW 5 Series, built from 2003 to 2012, or the E63 6 Series, built from 2004 to 2011, then your car may be affected. BMW is working with the DVLA to gather details of current BMW 5 Series and 6 Series owners, so you should expect a letter withing the next few weeks.

31-3-2012 Canada: BMW 5 Series 2004 to 2010; BMW 6 Series 2004 to 2010: 16,748 units. On certain vehicles, the insulated bulkhead connector (used to join the two halves of the positive battery cable) may have been incorrectly installed during vehicle assembly. Over time, the bolt connection could loosen, which would increase electrical resistance. In addition, an incorrectly insulated bulkhead connector could allow humidity to accumulate at this location, causing current leakage. These issues could cause the cable connection to overheat, which could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, secure the insulated bulkhead connector. In addition, protective grease will be added to the area and the plastic battery positive terminal cover will be replaced.

24-5-2012: UK Recall R/2012/039: BMW 5-Series, 5-Series Touring, M5 Saloon, M5 Touring, 6-Series Coupe, 6-Series Convertible, M6 Coupe, M6 Convertible & Alpina: Risk of Fire: The positive battery cable, routed from the vehicle battery to the engine bay, consists of one cable in the luggage compartment and one cable in the underbody. Both cable are connected by a screw connection and covered by a plastic cover. In single cases the plastic cover may have been fitted incorrectly during the vehicle production. Over time, an incorrectly fitted cover could cause the screw connections to come loose, leading to an increased resistance, also humidity may affect the connection and cause high resistance and drop in current. This can lead to the vehicle not starting and in extreme cases the connection could over heat leading to the possibility of a fire in the luggage area. Remedial Action: The clips on the battery will be checked the cover replaced and sealed.

15-4-2014: Worldwide recall of 489,000 BMW cars with six-cylinder 2.5 and 3.0 litre petrol engines of which less than 3,000 are in the UK. These are: N51 (1991-1995), N52 (from 2005) and the N55 6-cylinder petrol turbo (from 2009). The screws for the housing of the adjustment unit of the variable camshaft timing (Vanos) for the intake and exhaust camshafts could potentially become loose or break. An engine warning lamp ‘should ’ appear in such circumstances, but if drivers experience any loss of power they should contact their BMW dealer immediately.

28-7-2014: R/2014/068 BMW 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, X1, X3, X5, Z4 Build Dates 1-9-2009 to 30-11-2011: Concern : ENGINE EMERGENCY MODE MAY BE ACTIVATED DURING DRIVING Description : The screws retaining the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) housing may loosen and under certain circumstances the heads may break off. This can lead to the VANOS leaking oil internally and adversely affect the valve timing adjustment. If found to deviating from targeted data the engine emergency mode will be activated. This will be indicated by a distinct change in engine running. The orange engine management warning lamp and a check message; On vehicles with N51/N52 engines this will appear at ignition recycle, on N55 engine it will display immediately. Remedial Action : Replace bolted connection of the VANOS adjustment unit.