New To Me 4.6is

[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?

[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]

Hey guys -

Hope everyone doing well!

Went to fire up X5 this past Easter Sunday (04/20) and it went into 'Engine Failsafe Mode'...up until then, car was running like a sewing machine. Thanks Mr. Easter Bunny.

A a week-ish prior, I took car to shop to have new radiator installed and low/high-beam repairs for upcoming trip and the few times I drove it after - it was running really smooth.

Was planning/preparing to go to CCA MiX event in S. Carolina for b-day weekend, but I will be attending 60 Year Anniversary of ALPINA in Greer in mid-May instead. I guess this is a blessing in disguise that this all happened in my garage at home and not somewhere in Kentucky or Virginia... want to get this resolved ASAP so I can road trip with X5 down to Greer in May.

Suspecting it is a throttle body-related issue and the shop has nearly confirmed but doing some further DD & test driving to figure out.

I'll report back with what we find and gonna try to post more updates/pictures here this summer!

[OGX5M]

Originally Posted by OGX5M

Hey guys -

Hope everyone doing well!

Went to fire up X5 this past Easter Sunday (04/20) and it went into 'Engine Failsafe Mode'...up until then, car was running like a sewing machine. Thanks Mr. Easter Bunny.

A a week-ish prior, I took car to shop to have new radiator installed and low/high-beam repairs for upcoming trip and the few times I drove it after - it was running really smooth.

Was planning/preparing to go to CCA MiX event in S. Carolina for b-day weekend, but I will be attending 60 Year Anniversary of ALPINA in Greer in mid-May instead. I guess this is a blessing in disguise that this all happened in my garage at home and not somewhere in Kentucky or Virginia... want to get this resolved ASAP so I can road trip with X5 down to Greer in May.

Suspecting it is a throttle body-related issue and the shop has nearly confirmed but doing some further DD & test driving to figure out.

I'll report back with what we find and gonna try to post more updates/pictures here this summer!

--- 04/27/25 UPDATE ---

Picked up car this past Friday (04/25). After a couple codes were initially cleared - No codes popped back up when putting 100+ test miles on it. The car has been feeling/running smooth.

Keeping a sharp eye on it but the guys at the shop believe it could've simply been a sort-of 'glitch' or weird technological thing-y. Of course these DINAN TB's are NLA so hoping it does not go kaput.

DME is clean/dry, no issue or concern with throttle potentiometer, etc.

Here are some pictures I took today... follow me on Instagram - @ogx5m

[Henn28]

Very nice. I do like the body color front and rear air dam and valance on the 4.6 x5s.

I can’t recall which throttle body I have on my 4.6 motor, but its from a later v8 and just needs the plug to be wired into the loom. I’ll see if I can find which car it came from, it in my notes…just in case yours fails it may be plug and play. I don’t really notice any difference, other than maybe a better intake sound on acceleration, but my OE throttle failed and my Indy recommended this one. Been 2 or 3 years and it’s working fine.

Edit….I seem to recall it being 84mm and from the N62 powered 540i. RealOEM has the part number as 13547535308

[OGX5M]

Originally Posted by Henn28

Very nice. I do like the body color front and rear air dam and valance on the 4.6 x5s.



I can’t recall which throttle body I have on my 4.6 motor, but its from a later v8 and just needs the plug to be wired into the loom. I’ll see if I can find which car it came from, it in my notes…just in case yours fails it may be plug and play. I don’t really notice any difference, other than maybe a better intake sound on acceleration, but my OE throttle failed and my Indy recommended this one. Been 2 or 3 years and it’s working fine.

Edit….I seem to recall it being 84mm and from the N62 powered 540i. RealOEM has the part number as 13547535308

Thanks a bunch, @Henn28. Appreciate all the replies, too. You the man!

Below is URL to DINAN TB for E53 / V8 models of the period (of course it's NLA):

https://www.dinancars.com/products/d...rts/D760-3440A
According to their site --- The throttle body is 3mm larger for an 8% increase in airflow area (Stock bore 79.5mm; Dinan bore 82.5mm).


Features:

• More Power (E53 X5 4.6is): + 8 HP @ 5500 RPM, + 7 LB-FT @ 5500 RPM (coupled w/ engine software)
• Improved throttle response
• Bored 3mm larger for a 8% increase in air flow area

I do have the OE TB that I'll travel with, just in case.

[OGX5M]

Sharing some photos I took of probably the nicest 4.6iS I will ever see. It was being shown at ALPINA 60th Anniv. Exhibit at the Ultimate Driving Museum in Greer, SC. Highly recommend to check it out before it closes in 6-8 months...

What do you guys think??

My 4.6 did so well. 1200+ mi. round-trip and no hiccups. It is really a special machine. I am planning to get TCGuides done this winter, preventatively. Crossed 130,000+ miles with this road trip. Not bad for a 22+ yr. old. V8.