BMW E63 650i: The Shark, Reimagined. Shooting Brake's UK Road Review

BMW's E63 6-series faced a controversial reception when new. Journos loved the lightweight concent woven throughout the car and the new N-series of NA engines provided a new generation of silky smooth, torquey and free-revving power.
Chris Bangle's styling however proved divisive. The new direction was a decisive step forward from BMW's conservative, if handsome, past, and for many it was a step too far. 16 years on from launch however the big Coupe has aged beautifully, the once controversial flame surfacing seeming lithe and elegant today.
With that said, what is the E63 like to drive in full-fat 650i guise? With 363bhp and a 50/50 RWD chassis it's certainly no slouch. Ghaleb's here to tell us what the big Six is really like to drive.
If you fancy this well-sorted 650i? Head on over to shootingbrake.com/Listing/Det... where you can read more about the car, study over 100 detailed photographs and place a bid through our exciting, innovative and transparent auction platform.

[@Birmingham_racing]

Used to think it was ugly at first but few years later it suddenly become gorgeous

[@shootingbrake]

They have aged beautifully

[@liamsxa]

We have to be living in another dimension since this came out never looked good. 😂

[@williamdarrie9354]

I have a 2007, 650i in monaco blue, love the thing.

[@deaks25]

Almost everyone back in the day had one Bangle-Car they liked. For a good friend of mine it was the Z4, for me it was the 6-Series, and the facelift is subtle but makes it even better, it's a car that's aged really well. I own an '08 650i that I bought in 2022 and it's brilliant, I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and have not regretted it. It's a brilliant GT; fast, comfortable, practical, surprisingly good on fuel when cruising (Mine happily tips over 30mpg) and just an effortless thing. Around town the fuel economy is not great but I get to drive around in my V8. I love that it's quiet and classy, a Baby Bentley rather than a German Mustang. I'm 6ft and there is enough rear space for someone to sit behind me, the boot is cavernous and the front cabin is massive. Plus it comes with isofix, so I've been able to take my two nieces out in it safely, which is fantastic; I can share my passion for cars with my family and help make memories with them. Mine is the tan and aluminium interior and even now it still feels a special place to be. The power is just right too. It's bloody fast if you poke it but not too powerful to be sketchy in really bad weather. The engine does need lots of TLC to not have niggles, the engine does not like old, dirty oil, but service it on time and properly and it is pretty bullet proof. Good service history is important.

[@shootingbrake]

Baby Bentley is spot on. Great to hear about yours getting used properly!

[@samvick2011]

I’ve got an E63 650i myself, factory 6 speed manual too which is very rare in the UK. It really is in a league of its own when it comes to the aesthetics and driving dynamics, I adore it.

[@shootingbrake]

Very rare in manual! Enjoy!

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

That is a handsome coupe. That was the player's chariot back in the early 2000s

[@marinnikolic6763]

One of best reviews of things that really matter in a car. Well done!!!

[@btmasscom]

Thanks for the detailed SB review. The E63 and E64 have always been my favourite BMW design. I’ve owned four over the past decade (a 635d, two M6s) and still currently drive a 2010 E64 650i as a daily which remains the sweet spot for me. What you mentioned about its happiness to potter along in town and also devour long distances with ease is bang on. An immensely capable all rounder which if maintained properly are a steal at current prices. The last of the BMW naturally aspirated engines before turbo chargers became the norm. The instrumentation issue is helped if you can find one with a HUD which the later 650i’s came with. Out of interest, although Chris Bangle was the Design Director at the time, the E63 was designed by Adrian van Hooydonk who later succeeded Bangle as head of design for BMW.

[@shootingbrake]

You're completely correct about the Hooydonk/Bangle distinction on the E63's design! Thank you for highlighting this. The E63 remains BMW's boldest statement of that era's design language in our opinion.

[@Qmark78]

Nice review. I’ve had my E63 635D for a year now, quite simply the best car I’ve ever owned. I know the rear is so divisive, but I personally think it’s the best angle. So far all I’ve done is basic maintenance and servicing, Just about to tick over 153k miles and barely a rattle or squeak

[@carmadnab]

Chris Bangle really did his thing here!

[@terryjesper9640]

London with its 20mph speed limit is definitely the place to drive a 650i 4.8 V8 XDXDXD

[@StephenGarnett]

Had an e63 630i, then a f13 640d, and now a f13 M6. That e63 is such a handsome car though, especially in a bright colour (my 630i was black). I agree with this great review, the 'shark' has aged beutifully.

[@UtaHagawi]

Hi mate how was 630i ownership for you?

[@StephenGarnett]

@UtaHagawi it was expensive, these are expensive cars to run. They will throw you a big bill from time time. Prepare your wallet... The e63 was, IMO, the best handling of the 3 six series I've owned. Possibly down to the lighter engine up front? Beautiful car to drive!

[@carmadnab]

8:42 That Shot is spectacular

[@ssb8344]

Good video. I’ve done 80k miles across 2 x 635d models. Also 20k in a 640d. The 35d is a much better driving car

[@shootingbrake]

Interesting to hear your thoughts, the E63 is a much lighter car than the 6 that came after!

[@donnythomas0078]

I have a '10 550i saloon. I love it..

[@XclusiveAaron]

Lovely cars! Can't believe I used to think they were really really ugly. But now at 30 years old I think they are absolutely beautiful so I bought a 645Ci about 8 months ago now, it's not been totally trouble free but it's an amazing car, does everything, has so much charisma, absolutely love it! Also have an E46 330ci but that's so pristine it doesn't do many miles. Great review 👍

[@shootingbrake]

Great to hear. 645cis are incredible value for money at the moment, I think they are due a price correction in the near future!

[@XclusiveAaron]

@@shootingbrake I've been thinking this for ages, it will be like the £1,000 E39 540i models that are now like £6k or something! I paid only £4k for my 645 and it's in amazing condition. I paid over £6k for my E46 with higher mileage, only a 3L and worse condition!

[@shootingbrake]

@@XclusiveAaron Absolutely. As you say, the value for money of the E63 platform is crazy when compared to the older E series cars. People will catch on at some point!

[@sammik3959]

I drove this model for 4 years. Great vehicle with magnetizing design, but will spend a lot of time in repair shop.believe me

[@andriyglovatskiy]

It’s a great car and perfect daily. I’m currently using 650 and I was surprised how comfy it is. Also sound of v8 is fantastic. It uses H pipe style exhaust (usually BMW has X pipe) so it has deep sound. E60 with same engine has completely different exhaust tone. But, one thing that I don’t agree about is that it is competitor for e46 or Porsche. E63 is more into GT car - it’s comfy and hides a speed, feedback from steering and chassis is muted. So, those are a bit different in breeds of cars. Thank for such a good review.

[@shootingbrake]

Agree. Definitely a GT. Interesting to note the exhaust, I definitely noticed it sounded more like a V8 than other V8 BMWs I have driven!

[@Saschadjordjevic]

Great Car! I like the glas in the back of the Cabrio version. Absolutely underpriced actually. One of the last real v8 engine 🤗

[@shootingbrake]

The cabrios are fantastic in this generation of 6!

[@amirhashm1]

It truly is the ideal daily car! ULEZ compliant, good on fuel, loads of storage and ample seating, comfy but also huge fun. Great review!

[@carmadnab]

I dunno about good on fuel😂

[@amirhashm1]

@@carmadnab ha I mean for a 4.8L V8 it's good! Low twenties isn't too shabby.

[@carmadnab]

@@amirhashm1 no low 20s is excellent but do they get those in a realistic commute? Ide be really surprised 😭

[@amirhashm1]

@@carmadnab they do yes. It's quite impressive

[@Dejve]

I have exactly this car imported from Japan - I love it ....

[@shootingbrake]

Must be very clean if its a JDM import!

[@roshanpanchal8889]

very informative, excellent review! I replaced my TT quattro TDI for a 2008 630i lci as I don't do long journeys everyday but whether it's short or occasional trips on the motorway it's always pleasant to drive. E63 definitely handles really well and amazed me that my last car F10 530d M sport pre-lci felt like a boat in comparison.

[@shootingbrake]

Yes we were pleasantly surprised with how well it handles. BMW's efforts in lightweighting the E63 chassis definitely paid off.

[@stevie750iL]

I have a 2009 630i Sport in Space Grey. Now on 172k. Returns over 30mpg on a run and just a beautiful drive. I love it. ❤️

[@roshanpanchal8889]

@@stevie750iL you give me confidence as mines just about to hit 70k, not sure how long I'd keep it but seeing how I've lost interest in newer cars I may keep this for a long time. Would love to get an E24 some day!

[@shootingbrake]

@@roshanpanchal8889 In our experience, all of BMW's straight six engines (petrol, diesel, turbo and naturally aspirated) love miles and have no inherent mileage related flaws. We'd happily buy or sell high mileage example of one of these cars.

[@constantinrenoir8273]

Very great job man! It could be great, especially for manual cars, to fix a camera on the pedalbox to film your footwork for next videos please! ;)

[@shootingbrake]

Definitely want to do this in future videos!

[@constantinrenoir8273]

@@shootingbrake Great, thank you very much! ;)

[@mickylogic]

I see this car is for sale now on ebay! Looks like the big brother to my grey e92 330i. I upgraded my CCC idrive to the CIC with combox and I think in this car that would really modernise it, or getting an android screen. Along with an XHP gearbox remap.

[@shootingbrake]

Advertised on eBay but for sale through Shooting Brake's own auction platform! I didn't know when testing this car but it actually has an aftermarket Android Auto / Apple CarPlay interface which brings it bang up to date. I've heard good things about the XHP gearbox map!

[@mickylogic]

@@shootingbrake That is brilliant, probably just needed a long press on the idrive controller to switch over. Yea with a gearbox service and remap, really helps bring them up to date!

[@GPR111]

Have a 630i coupe as a second car and love it, 18 yrs old this year, 145000 miles but it still feels like its got lots of life in it, always liked the shape personally. Must have been great having one brand new ! Think the 3 litre is maybe the most "useable/practical" ?

[@StephenGarnett]

I loved my 630i. I tested the 640/650 but preferred the more nimble feeling 630i, it felt a little less 'boaty'. The 3 litre had a pleasant burble too.

[@zsb707]

I've owned my 630i E63 LCI for 14 years. I bought it new and used it as a second car. It has 70,000 miles on it and going strong.

[@tylerrickards]

Great review - 2007 M6 owner and would be interested in the Apple CarPlay upgrade that you mentioned. Any specific hardware / install procedures that you can point to?

[@shootingbrake]

I believe it is an MMI box. The new Mr12Volt solutions sold by Evolve Automotive are the best solution on the market in our view.

[@CarlGeorgTsigakis]

Only thing missing is the V10... ;)

[@shootingbrake]

The 650i definitely has its own use case and advantages over the M6 however!

[@Krezo200]

I live the e63 and e64

[@stelioskostaras9717]

What do you think of the '08 facelift version of the e63

[@zsb707]

It looks even better than the pre-LCI. The full LED tail lights are nice, and so is the third brake light on the trunk. The headlights also look more stylish and high-end.

[@Jeebus86]

do your research. Get one that's been maintained and loved. Get one that's had the usual stuff done. I'm in my 2nd year of ownership and have spent less than 1200 euro in maintenance in 20 months. And do your own repairs otherwise do not get one

[@Krezo200]

Your face looks a bit like steve jobbs

[@andrewdavies3584]

I bought the F13 because the ass end on the previous gen is ugly AF

[@shootingbrake]

We love the Bangle influenced design on the E63 but it is certainly divisive!