2019-04-01 BMW Car

62 BMWcar

BMW BUYER

A few years ago, anyone who

dared to suggested that a diesel

convertible might become a desirable

performance BMW, would have been

carted off to the funny farm. But times

have changed... and how! BMW’s F12

640d Cab is now a much sought-after

used buy, courtesy of its handsome

looks and its epic, refi ned, powerful

and economical powerplant.

A powerhouse grand tourer, the

F12 is more handsome than its

predecessor and, with 465lb ft of

torque from a mere 1,500rpm, is

capable of launching to 62mph in just

5.5 seconds. And yet the combined

fuel consumption fi gure is 52.3mpg.

Luxuriously equipped as standard,

the 640d’s soft-top roof is very quick to

operate – either from the centre console

button or the remote key fob – and an

upmarket cabin sees the dash angled

invitingly towards the driver.

These cars are generally well looked

after, with no expense spared, and our

£25,000 budget will buy a 2014, 44,000-

mile minter, such as this two-owner, Black

metallic example I found at Dorset dealers,

KJ Prestige (kjprestige.co.uk).

Advertised for £24,995, it comes with a

full service history, three month’s warranty

and an impressive spec that includes full

ivory leather, 20in, M Sport double-

spoke alloy wheels, active cruise

control and custom M6-style twin-pipe

exhausts.

Convertible

F12 640d Convertible

(2011-2018)

BUYING ADVICE

Some owners have had their engines

re-mapped – so do ask the seller if any

modifi cations at all have ever been carried

out. The electrically-powered roof seems pretty

reliable, but always check that it works properly.

There was a recall requiring work to the EGR cooler,

to prevent a potential fi re risk, so make sure with

your local BMW dealer that this has been done.

Other issues reported by owners include engine

management faults, leaky boot seals, condensation

in the headlights – some owners have drilled

a small hole at the bottom of each headlight

to allow any water to fl ow out – and

turbo failure. Main-dealer servicing is

expensive, so you may choose to

use a specialist.

ENGINE: 2,993cc, 6-cylinder

POWER: 309hp at 4,400rpm

TORQUE: 465lb ft at 1,500rpm

TRANSMISSION: 8-speed auto

0-62MPH: 5.5 seconds

TOP SPEED: 155mph

Fuel consumption: 52.3mpg (combined)

£25,000 buys you: 44,000-mile, 2014 640d M

Sport Convertible

F12 640d spec

Left: The hood

operates quickly and

effi ciently, and is

generally reliable, too.

You can cruise in

style in this desirable

convertible, although

not in the rear seats,

which offer next to no

legroom.

Parsimonious

fuel economy

and potent

performance, in

sleek soft-top

form, make the

F12 640d one of

the best BMW

used buys.