Confused with 4.6is and the facelift?

[maximusiv]

First post guys (first of many:)

So i'm looking into a 4.6is, 2003 UK car. Ive read that the facelift E53 not only had a front indicators and larger kidney grills but had a much better gearbox and suspension.

My question is does this also apply to the 4.6is or does that already have the better gearbox and facelift?

Very confoozled!!

[shadrack]

4.6is is pre facelift, if your after power and facelift with the better 6 speed box you need a 4.8is

[X5Sport]

As above the 4.6 became the 4.8.  The 4.4 continued and is available in both pre & post facelift versions.  If you can go for the late 2003 or early 2004 to make sure you get the better (IMHO) version.

[maximusiv]

This makes more sense. I like the idea of a 4.8 but I've read or miss read too many stories about diffs letting go, gear box always hunting for gears etc. from what ive read the 4.6 is the more reliable car.

Did I just make all that up lol?

[Raj]

[quote="maximusiv"]
This makes more sense. I like the idea of a 4.8 but I've read or miss read too many stories about diffs letting go, gear box always hunting for gears etc. from what ive read the 4.6 is the more reliable car.

Did I just make all that up lol?
[/quote]

The 4.8 is no worse or better although the newer 6 speed box is actually better than the old 5 speed one.

[AW8]

The "lurch" can be googled and relates to the alleged characteristics of the auto box on all facelift V8's and facelift 3.0d auto's.

I believe it can be improved with some firmware upgrades but reports of jolts and shoves in the back are still not unheard of. Those with the cars with that box better able to comment than me...many owners don't even mention or report this alleged issue.

The twin axle adjustable level suspension as standard on both 4.8is and 4.8is has been known to cause a few to have some woes.

The facelift 4.4i with 320hp has best mpg of all V8 E53's...........if concerned re such fuel saving improvements and if you can find a nice one with good spec for sensible money.  Many will say looking for more desireable mpg is irrelevant in ownership but a 320HP facelift V8 4.4i should return circa 30mpg on a sensible motorway run if - worth bearing in mind depending on intended use and mileage. Cheaper to insure than the 4.6is and 4.8is also.

Beware facelift cars registered after march tax hike date as significant differences in cost of same p/a.

I have said it before but there is a running and maintenance cost logic to sourcing a tidy 3.0i manual if you can find one albeit it allegedly runs out of steam a little when north of legal UK motorway speeds. Plus they are usually in poverty spec as many were specced that way to keep purchase cost down as auto was a cost option....... cloth interiors often accompanied manual boxed cars.

The 4.6is still a very nice thing if you can cope with official combined consumption of just 19 mpg. Some have gone for LPG conversions though woes not unheard of with LPG and the 4.6is.

For purchase cost gap between 4.6is and priced to sell 4.8is is narrower than ever but do check that suspension on both these cars and ensure the car is subject of multiple cycles  i.e engine on/off during an extended test drive as the suspension inactive issues known to reset themselves only to return after a few cycles/trips.

If mpg not a concern then the 4.6is carbon edition can be a nice thing to get yourself into.

Of course any used E53 can leave your wallet straining.......inspect & buy carefully & budget for some issues to sort and allow for some ongoing maintenance expenditure.

Think very carefully before buying a car with various and mixed make tyres as this can indicate cost avoidance in ownership you may end up paying to rectify over time.

Apparently I have written a few lines re buying used E53's and these are at top of this section.............Needs a tidy up which I need to get around to at some point but info all there.

Good Luck

 

[Nat]

Hi,

I had a 4.8iS and I have to tell you that if I were to get another E53 ( and I am thinking about it as they are so cheap now ) I would go for a 4.6iS. I prefer the styling of the early car to the later car. Yes I hear all the arguments about the 6 speed box and other enhancements, but all I can tell you from personal experience is that 4.8's are a nightmare. ( & I have the bills to prove it ). The suspension is a recurring expense. In fact so many things went wrong with it , that it would take less time to tell you what didn't go wrong. From pan roof failure to electricals, gearbox, suspension several times etc etc .
The 4.6 on the other hand, used  tried and tested components from the E38 7 series and was less complicated. If you are going to quible about a bit of MPG difference between a 4.8 and a 4.6 then you shouldn't be buying a V8.
I am currently also looking for a nice  2003 4.6 to charge around in.

Regards,

Nat.

[MrMaloo]

[quote="AW8"]
The "lurch" can be googled and relates to the alleged characteristics of the auto box on all facelift V8's and facelift 3.0d auto's.

I believe it can be improved with some firmware upgrades but reports of jolts and shoves in the back are still not unheard of. Those with the cars with that box better able to comment than me...many owners don't even mention or report this alleged issue.

The twin axle adjustable level suspension as standard on both 4.8is and 4.8is has been known to cause a few to have some woes.

The facelift 4.4i with 320hp has best mpg of all V8 E53's...........if concerned re such fuel saving improvements and if you can find a nice one with good spec for sensible money.  Many will say looking for more desireable mpg is irrelevant in ownership but a 320HP facelift V8 4.4i should return circa 30mpg on a sensible motorway run if - worth bearing in mind depending on intended use and mileage. Cheaper to insure than the 4.6is and 4.8is also.

Beware facelift cars registered after march tax hike date as significant differences in cost of same p/a.

I have said it before but there is a running and maintenance cost logic to sourcing a tidy 3.0i manual if you can find one albeit it allegedly runs out of steam a little when north of legal UK motorway speeds. Plus they are usually in poverty spec as many were specced that way to keep purchase cost down as auto was a cost option....... cloth interiors often accompanied manual boxed cars.

The 4.6is still a very nice thing if you can cope with official combined consumption of just 19 mpg. Some have gone for LPG conversions though woes not unheard of with LPG and the 4.6is.

For purchase cost gap between 4.6is and priced to sell 4.8is is narrower than ever but do check that suspension on both these cars and ensure the car is subject of multiple cycles  i.e engine on/off during an extended test drive as the suspension inactive issues known to reset themselves only to return after a few cycles/trips.

If mpg not a concern then the 4.6is carbon edition can be a nice thing to get yourself into.

Of course any used E53 can leave your wallet straining.......inspect & buy carefully & budget for some issues to sort and allow for some ongoing maintenance expenditure.

Think very carefully before buying a car with various and mixed make tyres as this can indicate cost avoidance in ownership you may end up paying to rectify over time.

Apparently I have written a few lines re buying used E53's and these are at top of this section.............Needs a tidy up which I need to get around to at some point but info all there.

Good Luck


[/quote]

Never heard of a 4.6 carbon edition - whats that?

[Nat]

Just a Carbon Black X5 basically.

[maximusiv]

feeling the love! wish all forums were as helpful!

Ref the air suspension, worse case if it goes wrong can it be replaced with aftermarket like coilovers for example?

[Raj]

[quote="maximusiv"]
feeling the love! wish all forums were as helpful!

Ref the air suspension, worse case if it goes wrong can it be replaced with aftermarket like coilovers for example?
[/quote]

It certainly can as I have done it a couple of times including my own.

I've even got a set of used KW's to sell...

[JimmySpeed]

I have recently sold my 4.6is, when I bought it, it almost immediately needed a timing chain guide rebuild and then a gearbox rebuild. These are the 'normal' problems with a 4.6 along with a load of other smaller issues which affect all X5's. Once all done it was a brilliant car.

The 4.8is has its own 'normal' problems, valve stem seals which cost around the same as the timing chain job AFAIK, air suspension issues which may or may not be an expensive repair (the 4.6 was available with regular springs up front, air in the back which halves the chance of problems) and also the whole host of 'other' issues that X5s suffer from.

So either way, they can be painful to maintain when they go wrong. Read the American forums, I do and there is post after post regarding 4.6 and 4.8 issues. I presume there are more problems reported there because they sold so many more of them in the States. A good source of info for owners and potential owners alike.

[Sanj]

Link to the American site mentioned below.

[shadrack]

have to agree with aw8, get a 3.0i manual and convert the rear to coil springs and its as simple as any bmw then. re nat i cant say the 4.6is has any less maintainance than a 4.8is and lacks the power of the 4.8is, the 4.6is doesnt have the 6 speed box, having owned a pre facelift and a facelift i was just constantly spotting little things all over the car that had been rectified and improved on the facelift

[graemeX5]

Angina it's horses for course some prefer the pre facelift over the facelift.

To be honest the first car I looked at was  a 4.6is in Escoril blue, although that didn't have running boards so didn't buy it, it was sold to a local chap who when I the saw it was being driven like it was stolen which was a shame and then it disappeared.

I know my brother in law said you don't want one as very thirsty and yes all the V8's are round town, but on a run then a different beast. Yes they all have their faults and short comings but if you read the guides and buy the best maintained one you can of the example you are after that's the best you can do.

Cars do go wrong, I have a smart car which was cheaper to buy than the BMW  and in just over 15 months has now with latest escaped a new computer stands me in £3k in repairs & parts, which is close to what it's worth but it does get used every day.

Where as the BMW cost 1600 to correct all the faults at the start including tinted windows and treating the leather and road tax and sorting any mechanical issues. Two years later had a service inspection 2 and that was £500 over 2 years wasn't bad. But I have improved my car and am happy with it and last year on holiday a chap wanted to buy it, which was a nice compliment but I wasn't and am still not ready to sell it and when on holiday I had the computer saying 31mpg on cruise at 50mph, and the 11.7 last week round town!

I now understand why the cars cost £50k approxsome more or less especially the prices of some bits but I wouldn't change having one and it puts a smile on your face when driving and still turns heads and the car is 10yrs old.

Whichever you buy you will enjoy and get the one you want, check very thing and put some money aside for repairs or buy a warranty. Even if you have the car for a short time you will remember the experience good or bad, but hopefully a good one.

If you get to the point of a specific car the if you post a link of the cars you are looking at I am sure the the forum members as well as myself would be able to spot good and bad points just from the photos as there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise and they don't mind helping fellow members pick a good car and avoid problems

Hth