Is the E53 4.4i really that bad?

[upallnight]

Read this thread about testing the ZF trans on a V8.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ml#post1026647

Unfortunately that was his only post after joining the forum. Probably flipped the X when a shop told him that the trans needed to be replaced or rebuilt in order to fix the problem.

[E53fan16]

Originally Posted by admranger

Negotiate an extended warranty into the deal on the X5. I'm a DIY'er, having raced for years doing all my own work including two engine pulls, etc. However, the X5 is a close second in needing extra attention. Not a race car, but she does need her care and feeding. Great vehicle though. Love it.

Oh, make sure you check out the size (or lack thereof) of the cargo area. Will it be enough for all the stuff a baby seems to require you to carry?

Good luck!

First, I would like to thank you guys for chiming in thus far. Seriously, your feedback has been invaluable compared to me just arbitrarily searching for information online in regards to the reliability of the e53.

I'm glad you brought up extended warranty. The extended warranty they were trying to push on me is completely trash ( CARS Auto Protection Plan I believe ). They said it's one of their best contracts(I laughed in my head)and most dealers use this company they said . I told them I never heard of the company and did not feel confident about buying the warranty. Once home Saturday, I researched the hell out of the company and found a lot of fraud complaints, the company is consistent in denying claims, and only paying out $100 dollars on a $3,000 claim as an example. Once they told me the contract cost was $1,500, I knew it would be a waist. That would be me just giving away $1,500. Any exclusionary extended warranty for an E53 4.4 at that mileage should start at minimum $3,500 through $6,000 to be worth a piece a mind in the event something breaks you will be covered.

The rear passenger area and cargo space are more than adequate for our needs.
We were super comfortable sitting in the rear seats of the e53 to the point we did not want to get out. Lol.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by E53fan16

First, I would like to thank you guys for chiming in thus far. Seriously, your feedback has been invaluable compared to me just arbitrarily searching for information online in regards to the reliability of the e53.

I'm glad you brought up extended warranty. The extended warranty they were trying to push on me is completely trash ( CARS Auto Protection Plan I believe ). They said it's one of their best contracts(I laughed in my head)and most dealers use this company they said . I told them I never heard of the company and did not feel confident about buying the warranty. Once home Saturday, I researched the hell out of the company and found a lot of fraud complaints, the company is consistent in denying claims, and only paying out $100 dollars on a $3,000 claim as an example. Once they told me the contract cost was $1,500, I knew it would be a waist. That would be me just giving away $1,500. Any exclusionary extended warranty for an E53 4.4 at that mileage should start at minimum $3,500 through $6,000 to be worth a piece a mind in the event something breaks you will be covered.

The rear passenger area and cargo space are more than adequate for our needs.
We were super comfortable sitting in the rear seats of the e53 to the point we did not want to get out. Lol.

True the extended warranty companies have be well researched before buying into. Obviously a warranty from the manufacturer is most desirable but as these vehicles age in years the manufacturers let the aftermarket insurance companies carry on with offering of extended warranties. Let me just say that if you really like the X go for it. Just have it checked out to see what potentially will have to deal with. The mileage on the unit your looking at is low. My biggest concern would be the valve stem seals. You can verify the condition of these by letting the vehicle idle for a while then sharply rev the vehicle. Then look for smoke. If there is no smoke your good to go.

[sunny5280]

So...after having received some feedback what are your thoughts on the 4.4? It sounds like a nice vehicle.

I've owned two E53 4.4's and I loved both of them. The first was a 2000 which I purchased with 85K miles on the clock. I ended up replacing the valve body in the transmission (due to the common clunk issue you may have already read about). That could have been a $2,600 repair had my indy not obtain the part directly from the manufacturer for literally 1/5 of the cost BMW was asking. The other was a 2001 with 112K miles on it at the time of purchase. It needed a few things, including a CEL, which I used to negotiate the price down. I put a few bucks into each one but nothing over the top. I parted with the second one merely because I ended up purchasing an E70 4.8. I hang out here in the E53 forum because I really like the E53 (especially the 4.8is).

[E53fan16]

Originally Posted by sunny5280

So...after having received some feedback what are your thoughts on the 4.4? It sounds like a nice vehicle.

I still like the 4.4i even though it comes with its fair share of concerns. I'm going to test drive the 3.0 this week so I can have some sort of comparison point. Although I feel my favor would still be towards the V8 due to having the e90 M3 as my weekend toy and the intoxicating sound that naturally aspirated motor makes. Driving the 4.4i with that big burly V8 Saturday, I felt right at home.

The e53 will primarily be for my wife, so I'm trying not to get caught up with my enthusiasm for cars with power(That V8 though).

Call me crazy, but I prefer the shape of e53 over the e70, there is just something about the e53, especially when equipped with sport package,very sexy.

[sunny5280]

Originally Posted by E53fan16

I still like the 4.4i even though it comes with its fair share of concerns. I'm going to test drive the 3.0 this week so I can have some sort of comparison point. Although I feel my favor would still be towards the V8 due to having the e90 M3 as my weekend toy and the intoxicating sound that naturally aspirated motor makes. Driving the 4.4i with that big burly V8 Saturday, I felt right at home.

The e53 will primarily be for my wife, so I'm trying not to get caught up with my enthusiasm for cars with power(That V8 though).

Call me crazy, but I prefer the shape of e53 over the e70, there is just something about the e53, especially when equipped with sport package,very sexy.

E53 is a great SAV...I still love it. I ended up parting with mine because of a concern with the CCV issue. My driving habits were inline with the requirements for it to freeze and cause problems. To my knowledge the E70 is not susceptible to that issue.

I've thought about buying another E53...especially the 4.8is...love the look of the 4.8is. But I'm firmly in the E70 camp having just purchased an X5-M this past Saturday.

[E53fan16]

Originally Posted by edogg

I've had mine for 2 years now and love it. I've put about 20k miles on mine in that time and had about $7000 worth of repairs (so glad I bought the warranty). Even with that, if I were to do it over again, I'd choose the 4.4i over the 3.0i for the V8 grunt. Or instead of an X5, I'd go with a used E39 or E60 530i or a new Passat or Accord.

The one you found sounds worthy of spending $300 to have an independent shop inspect it.

The oil you found could indicate any number of things. A leaky oil pan gasket, leaky alternator seal, leaky oil filter housing, or simply spilling some oil during a change (some dealers will do an oil change when they get a vehicle). It could be a problem or it could be nothing.

A major thing to be aware of is the valve stem seals, which is unique to the N62 engine used in the 2004-2006 models. Warm the car up on a test drive. Then let it idle for 5-10 minutes like you're sitting in a drive through. Then have your wife get back in and drive away (or just hit the gas while in park) while you watch for smoke in the exhaust. If there's smoke, that's a $4000-5000 repair to do it right. Or some oil additives to swell the seals back up. Thankfully, my warranty covered this.

Some things I've done are below, most of them could happen to any car. And most of them were covered under warranty

Valve stem seals (unique to 4.4)
Mechatronic sleeve (unique to the ZF tranny in the 4.4) + services the tranny
Alternator
Transfer case motor
Oil pan gasket
Passenger side mirror motor
Lower control arm bushings
Pulleys and belt tensioners
CCV valves
Driver door handle carrier

Which extended warranty did you go with?

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by E53fan16

......Call me crazy, but I prefer the shape of e53 over the e70, there is just something about the e53, especially when equipped with sport package,very sexy.

Not crazy at all.

The first owner of mine (fellow BMW club member) traded it in for a 2010 Acura MDX (his wife liked the "edgy" look). When I heard it was traded, and still in stock at Sanford Acura (FL) I got out there (2 hr drive) and bought it!

We've kept in contact thru the years, and was told they referred to operating the MDX as "steering", where the E53 was "driven".

I stopped by his home in FL last year, he traded the MDX in for a 2015 X5 50i. I let him and wife drive his traded-in, over 200k miles now E53, said he forgot just how good the "old" E53 drove. Much more fun then the F15.

That first owner/wife made me SWEAR I would call him FIRST if I ever consider selling.

[E53fan16]

^Wow! over 200K that's awesome.

[TiAgX5]

Still on original trans, vanos seals and timing chain guides too.

One set of Genuine BMW valve cover gaskets and one Behr/Hella radiator.

The original transfer case chain went over 200k miles with towing duty (needs replacing, $80 part).

All told, this E53 has needed under $4,000 in maint/repairs (including tires/brakes!) to go the last 100k miles.

That's the payoff in DIYing EVERYTHING.