Dinan 4.6is needs timing chain guides on letgo.com (is it worth buying?)

[Skeletor]

I was looking through craigslist and letgo and stumbled upon this machine. It's a 2003 4.6is and from what I can see, it has the Dinan exhaust on it. (wonder if there's any more Dinan equipment on there...) Here's the only info that's listed in the ad:

" 124k needs timing chain brand new Trans. RAre truck tons of extra 4.6 motor still good 4500.00 ,obo Dinan "

Would this be worth the project? I'm big into DIY so I would plan on doing the timing chain guides myself/having a professional lend me a hand. I'm assuming it still runs and it says that it has a new transmission.

I'm pretty cheap, and I'd rather not get something unless it's an absolute steal. I like to think my DD black 5 speed was a steal only paying $2,300 and it not needing more than $80 worth of sensors to get all of the lights off the dash and pass PA emissions + inspection.

So what would be a good price for this? Assuming that I could talk him down...

Any input is appreciated.

[dannyzabolotny]

I say go for it! I bought my 4.6is with 213k miles and bad chain guides for $3500 from a dealer in Seattle. Had a rebuilt transmission and was otherwise in excellent condition. Check my thread for my coverage on the chain guide job, I took a lot of pictures.


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[Skeletor]

If I do go for it, I would probably need as much dirt on the car as I can "what can go wrong, or is wrong" to look for and try to talk the guy down. Any differences between the 3.0 manual and the 4.6is? (besides timing chain guides and one has a clutch....)

[CleanIsFast]

I would try to talk him down in a price a little but you can always part it out if the TCG replacement isn't working out. New transmission alone could fetch a couple thousand, then you have the wheels, interior, exterior iS flares, etc

Biggest differences between 3.0 and 4.6iS is the TCG and transmission. Everything else I would assume are very similar when it comes to cooling system woes, window regulators and door carriers, etc

[dannyzabolotny]

The 4.6is is usually higher-specced in terms of amenities, since the 4.6is was the most expensive X5 you could buy at the time. Some of those amenities might break, so that's worth noting. Parking sensors go bad, lumbar support in seats stops working, window shades break, navigation screens have pixels that go bad, the 4.6is cluster is very prone to pixel failure, and the front driveshafts sometimes fail like mine did. The 20" wheels are often curbed by idiot owners and the tires are often neglected or replaced with improperly sized cheap crap because proper tires are quite expensive in the stock sizes (275 front, 315 rear).

Other than that, you have all the typical X5 woes like the cooling system and window regulators.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by Skeletor

I was looking through craigslist and letgo and stumbled upon this machine. It's a 2003 4.6is and from what I can see, it has the Dinan exhaust on it. (wonder if there's any more Dinan equipment on there...) Here's the only info that's listed in the ad:

" 124k needs timing chain brand new Trans. RAre truck tons of extra 4.6 motor still good 4500.00 ,obo Dinan "

Would this be worth the project? I'm big into DIY so I would plan on doing the timing chain guides myself/having a professional lend me a hand. I'm assuming it still runs and it says that it has a new transmission.

I'm pretty cheap, and I'd rather not get something unless it's an absolute steal. I like to think my DD black 5 speed was a steal only paying $2,300 and it not needing more than $80 worth of sensors to get all of the lights off the dash and pass PA emissions + inspection.

So what would be a good price for this? Assuming that I could talk him down...

Any input is appreciated.

Doubt seriously that the vehicle got a new transmission. Rebuilt perhaps.

[Skeletor]

dannyzabolotny:
I had heard about how the front drive shafts don't like to be stressed, Speaking of which... How's yours going?
What should I expect to spend in maintenance for the TCG and if I have the time, other general maintenance while the engine is apart? (I don't plan on removing the engine)

X53Jay4.8is:
I would probably have to agree with you, if it's selling for the price that it is (with dinan parts). I've tried talking to the guy over letgo and the conversation was pathetic, but ended with a phone number, so we're making progress. So what I'm thinking is: It's probably beat, or it could be the owner doesn't know/want to spend the money, or a combination of both. If it's the last scenario, I've already been through it with "The Black One" and it gets to be a pain sometimes, but I enjoy the challenges.

CleanIsFast:
That's good to know. I've seen how much the 4.6is + 4.8is parts fetch when they're totaled, But I would rather not see another 4.6is parted out if it doesn't have to be.


I'm not sure if I have the ability to take on another project at this moment, I'll show why soon. Here's the link if anyone is interested in looking at it (and maybe rescuing it!):

https://us.letgo.com/en/i/2003-bmw-x...5-e756bf5d4b64

[dannyzabolotny]

Originally Posted by Skeletor

dannyzabolotny:
I had heard about how the front drive shafts don't like to be stressed, Speaking of which... How's yours going?
What should I expect to spend in maintenance for the TCG and if I have the time, other general maintenance while the engine is apart? (I don't plan on removing the engine)

What happens is that the front driveshaft is a little too short so it slips out and wrecks its splines, along with the splines in the transfer case. My X5 is actually beginning its resurrection! I bought all the parts needed and I started disassembling it last night, so I'll update my thread later tonight when I get the old transfer case out.

The chain guide job is around $600-700 in parts for just the chain guide job. Factor in another $60 for the new Vanos seals, $250 for the timing tools (get the GAS toolkit), and another $200 if you choose to do the valley pan gasket + intake manifold reseal like I did. I did a pretty comprehensive job, doing the chain guides, Vanos rebuild, replaced all three chains, resealed the valley pan, resealed the intake manifold, replaced the CCV + OSV, and some other stuff. Figure about 30-40 hours for everything, so 2-3 weekends of work. I didn't need to remove the engine, there's decent access to everything once you remove the expansion tank, windshield washer fluid tank, and cabin air filter housing.

You really should experience a proper running 4.6is, the 3.0L is a total dog in comparison, even with a stick. 340hp is almost enough power for these heavy beasts.

[Skeletor]

I just got off of the phone with the owner. This is what he said:


Dinan got done in California (has paper work to go with it)
Dinan S2 package:
ECU and TCU upgrade
Cold air intake
Throttle body
exhaust
Dinan floor mats

The interior is in good shape.

New tires (bought it as a winter vehicle for his M3)

It does have a new transmission direct from ZF

He heard the chatter coming from the front end, and shut it off the second that he got to work and left it there. Over the phone he sounds like he knows what he's doing, but doesn't have the time. Any thoughts?

[dannyzabolotny]

That sounds pretty legitimate, especially if there's paperwork involved. I'd make an offer and buy it. He's asking $4500, offer $4000. I think that would be more than fair for a Dinan 4.6is... heck, even if you pay the full asking price it's still a steal, especially considering the relatively low mileage. With all those Dinan goodies it's probably putting out close to 360hp (mostly due to the intake, throttle body, and exhaust).

The owner put a bunch of money into it and the chain guides were the final straw— it's a common story with these X5's. My X5 went through nearly the same ordeal. A dealership in Seattle took it in, rebuilt the transmission, and then the guides went out 500 miles later so the dealer just threw his hands up and sold it at a loss. Mine came with nearly-new Continental Extremecontact DWS tires as well.