Taking the leap!! X5 4.6is or 4.8is?

[gavp84]

Hi all,

I have always owned Bmw's, in fact my first car was a E30 320i se coupe! since then I have been a huge fan of the E36 328i's, however I have not needed a car for a while now but am taking the leap into owning my first X5 and not being very faint hearted I am looking a purchasing the 4.6is or the 4.8is!

Been doing some research on both models and have come up with varied options or reliability. I personally love either an Estoril Blue or the Imola Red. Obviously I will not be making my choice based on colour though!

If anyone has any tips/hits etc on what to look out for I would be very grateful

Regards

[X5Sport]

The 4.8is is the later version of the 4.6 so you get the facelift upgrades.  If you can, then that would be the way to go. (IMHO    )

[gavp84]

Yes, I am aware that the 4.8is is the face-lift model however I still really like he pre face-lift.

[IanP]

Think that someone posted recently about wanting to  sell a low mileage 4.6is. Might even have been Estoril Blue

[Davrosbimmer]

That was me!  We have now spoken, although I hope to list it on here properly in the next week or two

[graemeX5]

Hi

I would have a read of the E53 purchase guide first, I would go for the later facelift 4.8i as it has 6 speed auto box as the 4.6 has the 5 speed but it's what you want, some earlier cars are having gearbox probs.

Another is the 3.0d are popular, and later cars are better spec'd but buy on condition whichever one you go for.

Pistonheads usually have a few good examples on there to look at. I wanted a 4.8 but settled for a facelift 4.4 and made it look like the 4.8 without the front air suspension probs that can occur on them. Again check everything electrical works esp pan roof as about 2.5k to fix so I bought one without a pan roof.

http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,25.0.html
Hth
Graeme

[CondorX5]

I have owned a 4.8is for 6 years now - have loved it but its had its share of hassles which were fortunately nearly all covered under extended BMW warranty. You need deep pockets, good luck or mechanical skills or a combination to own one of these in their vintage.  Most have had numerous owners by now, or you might be lucky and find a low mileage one owner vehicle.  No BMW warranty as they are unlikely to be available via dealers now, given their age, and third party warranties can sometimes be pretty worthless. 
Loads to go wrong and electronic gremlins start creeping in as they age further.  Can't understand why some people like to dress their cars up as a different model though, its either a 4.8 or its not - else its just a wannabee!  .  Good luck whatever you decide - you will definitely need a fair amount of it to own one of these in their old age without all sorts of unpredictable issues popping up.  We have kept our wheezy old 4.8 as she still serves a good purpose as our second car and she has served us very well over the years - over 130,000 miles now.

[gavp84]

I have read the guide and found it very useful, both the 4.6is and the 4.8is both have their issues plus buying such an old vehicle is bound to have parts that need to be replaced due to wear and tear, no vehicle is pullet prove no matter what some might think!

Fortunately my father has a vast knowledge of mechanics and bodywork which has always been useful in fixing problems I have previously encountered.

I am defiantly not one to have a "look alike" and much rather source a nice example. I have been chatting to "Davrosbimmer" about his who is looking to sell and looks very clean, just need to arrange time to go and have a look.

Cheers

[gavp84]

Well my search continues for my perfect match. I will keep you guys updated.

If anyone knows of any for sale let me know please.

Thanks

[graemeX5]

Hi

There are a few 4.8 for sale the first one is nice but pricey

Graeme

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... is/1167395

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... dr/6373655

This one has later wheels
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... to/6329106

Or this but it has the wrong wheels
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... -s/5905856

[Davrosbimmer]

Mine has had quite a bit of money spent on it mechanically since I posted above...will prob list it in December or January....can't really bear to part but with it but can't live with 18mpg and a newborn to pay for!

Looking at those listings above, £16k seems quite steep for a 2006 4.8! Mine is a 2003 with the same miles and similar condition and I'm only asking about half that!

[Pete]

16k for an 06 4.8is ???

I wonder what he gave in px for it  )

[lezmtaylor]

Davrosbimmer, get the lpg conversion, 35 mpg equiv, had mine for 10 years now, best £1400 spent.

Lez

[gmc15]

[quote="gavp84"]
Yes, I am aware that the 4.8is is the face-lift model however I still really like he pre face-lift.
[/quote]

The 4.6is was released in 2002. The 4.6L V8 engine was based on the M62TUB46 Alpina engine from the Alpina B10. In 2004, 4.6is was replaced by a 4.8is model which had a 4.8L N62 engine.

I'm not sure but I don't think the 4.8 is just a bored out 4.6, I think they are slightly different engines. The 4.6 was tuned by Apina - and mine sounded fantastic

Good luck whatever you choose, they are both fantastic beasts.

[the shreksta]

have any of you v8 owners changed the timing chain tensioner as precaution?

the stories of them failing is what put me off having the v8, i would have loved a v8 x5