New To Me 4.6is

[OGX5M]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

OGX5M,'
Mine has a GM 5 speed auto. The M54 is finely tuned. It runs great. It would prefer to run above 2500 RPMs. Highway speeds feel smooth and nice. A total suspension rebuild was worth time and money. The M54 does need a valve cover gasket job. It's the last oil leak to fix. I'll have parts, I just need time to get work done. Waiting is a hitch install too. About the only item that makes me nervous is an old fuel pump. @167k miles, I should buy a fuel pump to have handy for a quick installation.

+1 to it being worth a suspension rebuild. They are really good chassis for an SUV/SAV if you ask me. What did you decide on - OEM or aftermarket?



New OEM Fuel pump on-hand in garage or car is never a bad idea w/ higher mileage. A 'good to have' just in case she decides to go kaput.



M54 at 167k miles is just getting it's legs stretched. Wishing many happy smiles per gallon ahead to you my friend.

[OGX5M]

Originally Posted by Henn28

Great looking X5 OG5xm! Very well done. Like the exhaust tips too. Nice size.

So how many 4.6 transmissions do you have now!?

Thank you!

'Only' 2 lol. Operating one in the car and a spare one that I wanted included in the transaction. Looking at the post, it seems I have 3 but I just wrapped the spare one up.

Have researched they can sometimes be a weak-point - but I know the entire trans assembly for the 4.6 is fairly rare - i.e. bigger L51 TQ converter. So, having a spare opens up a bunch of options on what I can do, IMO. + I am a wannabe NLA parts hoarder. It is an absolute beast - weighs a shit ton and the bell housing is enormous. At least a 2-3 grown man job to lift up.

4.4 to 4.6 conversion cannot be for the faint of heart. Mega props. What trans do you have hooked up to the M62?

[Henn28]

Nice. A spare tranny is awesome.

I hooked the 4.6 up to the OE 4.4 transmission. They are both 5HP24 gearboxes, but as you noted, the 4.6 version has a bigger torque converter and a modified bell housing that fits the TQ. It also has one more clutch.

So far so good with the 4.4 transmission though. Mine was a remanufactured transmission that was only a couple years old when I did the swap, so I figured it was worth a try to save some money. Plus, as you mentioned, the 4.6 transmissions are pretty rare.

[OGX5M]

@Henn28 Def. a smart/cost-effective play. ZF still making awesome gearboxes for OEMs.

Would love to know your thoughts on going from a 4.4 to 4.6? I've heard it really is a big difference... but you'd have a really good reference point.

+ where did you find a B46 motor?

[Henn28]

Originally Posted by OGX5M

@Henn28 Def. a smart/cost-effective play. ZF still making awesome gearboxes for OEMs.

Would love to know your thoughts on going from a 4.4 to 4.6? I've heard it really is a big difference... but you'd have a really good reference point.

+ where did you find a B46 motor?

The X5 is a beast with the 4.6 motor in it. I’m not sure how much of the huge power surge that comes in at 2800ish RPM is due to the motor, the 4.4 transmission and/or torque converter, or the fact that I’ve got the older M60 intake and N62 throttle body on it. I didn’t really think any of the mods through…just tossed them on as I was building the motor or things broke, based on what I was reading on the forums, etc. I actually tend to think BMW gets things “right” when the engineer these cars, but where’s the fun in leaving everything stock!?

The intake roar is great, the low end power in the ZF no-sport mode is strong, but a bit lacking. When i put it in sport mode it is a monster off the line however. I suspect the difference in stall speeds on the TQ has something to do with it too. Above 2800 rpm or so the motor pulls like a train compared to the 4.4.

I’ve got a line on an OE 4.6 intake that I plan on putting on the car to see if there is a difference. I’ll then use the M60 intake on the 4.4 I’m building. The X5 needs new injectors anyway so that will be an easy swap and make for a nice comparison.

I bought the 4.6 new from BMW 2 years ago. It was in stock and arrived as what we would call a long block, although BMW lists it as a short block in their parts system. The slip of paper that came with it said it had been assembled in 2017, if I recall correctly.

[OGX5M]

@Henn28 - I couldn't agree more. I've felt around that ~3K revs. you can almost feel the motor shaking the car side to side (in a good way).

Usually don't drive around in Sport-mode too often. It is for sure a bit groggy/lazy in non-Sport mode - you're right. To me, the car takes on a monster-like persona in Sport-mode.

Everytime I drive it, I realize how far ahead of it's time it was. 2002 and they put 315's on the rear of an SUV.

Do you know if BMW still sells these motors? I am jealous - that is mega you bought the B46 from the OEM. The right way to do it.

+ would like to know about your new X5? What specs? B58 is just too good. I couldn't bring myself to walk into a BMW dealer today with how far off the reservation they've gotten but the only design they haven't butchered is the X5 IMHO - thankfully. The only new model I would consider ever buying/leasing...

Did you drive the E53 on the way to pick up the G06?

[Henn28]

I would not pass in an M3 or an M2, if someone was buying for me. The M3 is odd, but I won’t say ugly. And it’s a monster, which makes up for a lot of sideways looks!

The 50e is also a serious machine. It’s very, very quick, with upwards of 480 ho, and over 500 ft lbs combined. A bit scary when you stomp on it if you aren’t ready. The AWD keeps it planted, but really snaps your head back.

Crazy levels of who asked for it technology is my biggest complaint. But to be fair, I’m sure many would have no problem with the tech. It’s also a big car. Much bigger than our E53s. The interior is very nice, especially the front seats. I do wish it was a bit quieter, although I’ve read that the run flats can transmit a lot more road noise.

We are seeing mpg in the mid 50s, and my wife has put 13 gal in the car in 3 months. It costs us $1.80 for a full charge (44 miles), and the car needs about 3 charges per week, with her work commute and misc. driving.

All in all I’m a believer in the plug in hybrid model. It works for us though because her drive to work is maybe 7 miles.

[OGX5M]

@Henn28 - S58 is a pure monster, forsure. 3rd gear in those and over is a first-class way to jail or license revoked in US lol.

Also a big believer in hybrid model = having your cake and eating it too. It should be what's being pushed, instead of the pure EV stuff. The new M5 hybrid tech. really intrigues me.

That MPG with the weight of the 50e is mind-bending. Plus never a bad thing saving money on gas as you know with a 4.6 in your stable (although highway mileage is shockingly good I've found with them).

What color is your 50e in? I think Skyscraper Grey is a highly underrated color as well as Manhattan Green.