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Originally Posted by tmv
They are pretty much in the same era as your E39 and E46...
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Ditto TMV...while reading through the thread...my thoughts were basically the same as he wrote.
The e39 & e46 are generational cousins of the e53. So engines, electronic systems, and much of the design architecture is basically the same or VERY similar. The biggest difference is obviously the early AWD system (40/60 front to rear torque split), and then later, the "variable split" xDrive AWD system starting in 2004 model year.
And if you are hesitant about BMWs that go into the next generation of BMW technology (MOST communication bus)...like iDrive...then the e53 is your last hooray...and takes you to the brink of the "new world" while allowing you to hang on to the old.
The 2004-06 V8 e53s (4.4 & 4.8is) do have a "toe" dipped into the next gen in that they have the N62 engine & 6 speed trannys used in the e60 & e65 5 & 7 series...but yet retain their mechanical connection to the transmission by still having the old gear shift lever. For me, that was a plus because I really don't care for the new "joy stick" (electronic) gear shift lever...and electronic parking brake.
Below are some common maladies that were printed in the June 2006 issue of BIMMER: