Considering a 4.4i V8

[ispencer]

Hi Everyone,

I'm Ian from Dayton, Ohio. I owned a 2002 3.0i for about 5 years now. I really like the car and I'm looking to buy another one. The reason for this is because my wife got hit in her Honda, which totaled the car... so she took my X5! lol

Our 3.0i has been a good car and we are very happy with it. I've dealt with some of this issues... like the DISA valve, leaky sunroof, noisy rear hatch, door handle carriage breaking, stuff like that. All things I can handle, so between me, and my mechanic, who specializes in BMW, I feel pretty good. I guess what I'm hoping to find out with this post is... What I should be watching for when looking at 4.4i V8 X5's? How does the 4.4i V8 compare to the 3.0i 6 from a problems point of view? Is is a better engine? Just seeking advice I guess.

The reason I am interested in the V8 is because I have occasional need to pull a 7x14 cargo trailer for my boy's Boy Scout troop. I think the added HP would be beneficial.

[NYCSterling]

lol. where do i start...

from my experience, i had to do the valve stem seal to stop the smoking issue, then the alternator bracket seal and O rings.
Those were my major ones. An ignition coil recently and a valve cover seal.

Plus the usual ones like door carrier, shaky side mirrors etc...

[TiAgX5]

If you want a V8 X5, go with an M62 (pre-04).

All the major issue (coil and VCG are 3L issues too) noted above are N62 (post-03) related, along with coolant leaks that require engine/trans removal. Some repairs take DOUBLE labor hrs on the N62 when compared to M62.

A downside to the M62 is timing chain guide wear/failure, BMW designed/installed longer chain tensioners during the last year of production.

I researched this in detail prior to purchase of a late '03 M62 X (in 2010). At over 200k miles now, still original guides (BMW oil first 100k miles, Mobil 1 0w-40 LL-01 spec eurocar oil to date). Still on original trans with one fluid/filter change too (with towing).

[X53Jay4.8is]

I love the V8 X5s for what they produce and the power they have. Between V8 engines i would say that the the N62 is more expensive to maintain particularly from the perspective of the valve stem guides. That repair job is a $3-$4k job. The timing guides on the M62 is the biggest point but many have been able to do it as DIY and there are lots of procedures out there to help with this one. The M62 also have the vanos rattle tractor sound but a seal repair on these is pretty simple and highly documented as far as the procedures for the DIYer. I like the 2001-2003 4.4L but the 2004-2006 V8s are nice once you have the valve stem repair completed. I 4.6is just because it was that slightly different M62 motor with more power and I love it.

[crystalworks]

Yep, as mentioned above both M62 and N62 have their foibles. I like the N62 personally, but that's just me. More power/Tq is nice and comes with the LCI body style, though minor, does add to the youthful appearance of the 04+ E53 chassis.

Had a 4.4i and now a 4.8is. With the relatively minor difference in pricing... I'd get a 4.8is or 4.6is to get as much power out of the N62 or M62 as you can.

[jsoto]

I would walk into either engines knowing what the failure points are.....and whether it's something you're okay with spending with a Indy if you can't / don't want to tackle it.

Timing Guides/Valley Pan

VSS, coolant pipe, alt. bracket gasket, timing cover gasket...etc.

They all have their issues. Just a matter of which one you prefer ;-)

[ispencer]

Thanks guys! That's the kind of info I was hoping for. I obviously want to find a X5 that I won't immediately be dumping a bunch of money into right after purchase, so knowing what to watch for up front is helpful. I like the body style of my 2002 3.0i, so was hoping to stick with that same model year... give or take so sounds like the M62 is the direction I'm heading.

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Yep, as mentioned above both M62 and N62 have their foibles. I like the N62 personally, but that's just me. More power/Tq is nice......

No additional torque with the 4.4 N62, only around 25hp (315hp) vs the '03 M62 (290hp). Early M62s had 282hp.
Torque figure is 324 @3600 rpm for both.

[ArmyX5]

Hey ispencer,

Glad to see another Daytonian in here. I have a 3.0i and when I comes to reliabilities, the M54 engine have no comparison. Good luck with your search

[TiAgX5]

OPs looking to tow with his X, the 4.4 has over 50% more torque vs the 3.0.
325 is WAY more then 214.