Thoughts about working on 4.4i from a 3.0i

[upallnight]

Rather than determining how easy it is to work on a car, I normally look at the reliability of a car.

[Meestahbig]

True. Good point.

[Meestahbig]

I watched a video about valve stem seal replacement. Yes, looks like a royal PITA to even just remove the valve covers. Too bad.

What percentage of these cars are having this issue at this age? Pushing 16 years now... I guess it's a matter of time on all of them since the rubber seal degrades.

[puddinboo]

If you want a X5 with less engine problems stay with the I6.

Originally Posted by Meestahbig

I watched a video about valve stem seal replacement. Yes, looks like a royal PITA to even just remove the valve covers. Too bad.

What percentage of these cars are having this issue at this age? Pushing 16 years now... I guess it's a matter of time on all of them since the rubber seal degrades.

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[dkl]

Originally Posted by LVP

Nope. Definitely more problematic and a PITA to work on. But, as crystalworks says, the driving experience makes up for it. My mechanic had the I6 and I used it for the day while he fixed mine. Merging on the highway was a different experience for sure. When I got back, I tossed him the key and said something was wrong with the engine. He panicked a bit. Then I told him when I looked under the hood it seems to be missing 2 cylinders. Not hating the 6's, trust me, my track car is a 98 328i. I love it, but when you stack it up against the swaps or M3's, or worse, a V8 M3, it shows that tired I6 a wee bit . That being said, she does tip the scales quite light, so I can hang with most of the M3's at Mosport - except for up the back straight...then it sucks.

I had the opposite experience. I wasn't that impress with the 4.4i when my mechanic loan me his ride while I had our 3.0 in repair - this was about 10 years ago. I didn't come back wanting to switch to the 4.4i after having it for the weekend.

[S3X 5]

I own a 3.0d a 3.0i and also a 4.4 v8 and the first two are great cars but they can’t put a smile on my face like the 4.4 does if only it had a rwd option or conversion that would make my day/week/year !!

[Meestahbig]

Well, I made the guy a fair offer. He is holding out for me money, but who knows. I could take it or leave it. 32 valve stem seal replacements won't be FUN, if it comes to that.