BMW 6 Series Drive Shaft Replacement Parts

The modern BMW 6 Series ran across two main generations: the E63/E64 from 2003 to 2010, and the F06/F12/F13 from 2011 to 2018, with the F-series receiving a facelift in 2015. Knowing which generation you have is the starting point for finding the right drive shaft, as the two generations are mechanically distinct and parts do not cross over. Check your V5 or run a VIN check to confirm your exact build date if you are near those boundaries.

2009 sits in the E63/E64 generation (2003–2010) and 2011 is the first year of the F12/F13 generation (2011–2018), so these are different platforms with different driveline architecture. A drive shaft from the earlier car will not be a straightforward swap onto the later one. Confirm the exact part references with the breaker against both registrations before buying.

Trim and badge names like 630i, 640i, and 650i reflect different engines, and with drive shafts the engine code is what matters above everything else — so no, trim level itself does not affect fitment, but the engine behind the badge very much does. A 640i and a 650i use different engines and will require different drive shafts, even within the same generation and year. Supply your engine code (found on your V5 or via a VIN check) to the breaker rather than just the badge to get the right part.

Yes, gearbox type is a key fitment factor for drive shafts because the output dimensions and shaft characteristics can differ between manual and automatic transmissions. Always tell the breaker which gearbox you have alongside your engine code and year so they can match the correct shaft. Never assume a drive shaft from an automatic car will drop straight into a manual, or vice versa, even if the engine and year appear identical.

The F12/F13 generation ran from 2011 to 2018 with a facelift introduced in 2015, so a 2014 car is pre-facelift and a 2016 is post-facelift but both sit within the same generation. Whether the drive shaft crosses that 2015 facelift boundary will depend on your specific engine code and gearbox type, as running changes can occur mid-production. Confirm fitment with the breaker by providing both registrations or engine codes rather than relying on the generation alone.

For a mechanical component like a drive shaft, body style — coupe or convertible — does not determine fitment; what matters is your engine code, fuel type, gearbox type, and build year. You can safely disregard whether the donor car was a coupe or convertible when speaking to the breaker, as long as the engine and transmission details match yours. Focus on supplying your engine code and registration to the breaker for an accurate match.