more reliable 4.6is or 4.8is

[chris95559]

guys i need some quick answers before i pull the trigger on one. whats more reliable or would you trust with 150k miles? i know the timing chain guides on the 4.6is and trans can be issue and stem seals on the 4.8is were replaced at 80k. not sure which to buy both have great service history.????

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by chris95559

guys i need some quick answers before i pull the trigger on one. whats more reliable or would you trust with 150k miles? i know the timing chain guides on the 4.6is and trans can be issue and stem seals on the 4.8is were replaced at 80k. not sure which to buy both have great service history.????

The biggest difference will be the technology between the two. X Drive began in 2003 for MY2004 production. The 4.8is will also have some more techno-goodies like auto headlights, 2 axle air suspension, etc.

I like the smaller sunroof in the 4.6. And the sunglasses holder it allows. It's the little things. My '04 3.0 was early enough production that it had the smaller roof. Still wish I could have that in my 4.8is.

Of course those things also break.

For reliability at 150k miles on any E53, you're going to find many of the same costs for the 'big things' that go wrong. 80k is low for the seals. Mine were fine at 114k but I replaced them proactively.

[chris95559]

I had a 4.8is back in the day. i have a 15 m5 and looking for an around town car and suv when i need it. both cars have full documented service history and the 4.8is had stem seals at 80k, will it need them again? the 4.6 has tons of service all at bmw 1 owner but i can't find anything on the chain guides and that scares me. i don't know which is the better bet? seems like the 4.8 is because at least the stems seals were done once, where the 4.6 never had the chain guides?

[smokeyyank]

Ha ha reliable e53, I don't know if those words can go together. Are you planning to work on it yourself or have a shop do everything? That should be your starting point. If you can DIY, 4.6 just because they are a little more rare. Personally get a 3.0 if you're dead set on a X5 and want something decently reliable. The 3.0 is pretty solid for the E53's but doesn't have the same "fun" factor as a big ol V8. If you want a secondary back up car that is decently reliable I'd honestly look for something else.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by chris95559

guys i need some quick answers before i pull the trigger on one. whats more reliable or would you trust with 150k miles? i know the timing chain guides on the 4.6is and trans can be issue and stem seals on the 4.8is were replaced at 80k. not sure which to buy both have great service history.????

Pick your Poison and enjoy the outcome!!!

[andrewwynn]

If you are fairly handy the chain guide job is not terrible but the V8 is not in the same class of reliable as the i6 no doubt. We have two 3.0i and I would be ok with trading ONE for an 8 for the fun factor but I've taken advantage numerous times to steal a part from one car to get the other operational and if I switch to an 8, a lot of parts no longer swap.


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[chris95559]

I've owned two 4.4, a 3.0 and 4.8is in the past when they were fairly new and I'm very familiar with these vehicles. I know the 3.0 is the best of the group of reliability. I only want a 4.8is or 4.6is and my questions is between the two which do i go for? again, both have similar miles great service records 4.8is had stem seals done at 80k but i can't find anything on the timing guides for the 4.6. The 4.6 is the cleaner of the two. I need to pick one like tonight and I'm stumped. I wish someone with mechanical experience on both could chime in...

[electricalserv x5]

I have had both.The4.6is got me hooked and I now have the 4.8is......much moe reliable.....the engine is better design too[2 timing chains] if its a 06 4.8is then the valve stem are the up dated ones.........You really have to change the oil every 4k

[electricalserv x5]

also a great tip..............change out the vanos solenoids ........the old ones are most likely stuck in the advances position.

[chris95559]

its an 04 BUT the stem seals were changed in 2012 so it would certainly have updated stem seals. are you sure the newer stem seals are "updated" so if they were changed i don't have to worry about that? it was done at bmw too