4.6is owners HELP PLS!!

116sty · #1 02-20-2008, 08:18 PM

Hello U lucky 4.6is owners

i'm considering buying a 4.6is 2003 from first owner, 89k km....sat nav, pneumatic suspension???!!! full...

please help me make a decision!

I'm worried about 2 things
1. pneumatic/air suspension self levelling etc
2. the infamous vanos problem...I've given up on a 2002M5 e39 because of this...Iactually lifted the hood on a warm engine and heard the vanos trouble "diesel" noise on this 65k beast...and read about all the problems and got scared..this was supposed to be a problem with early to 2001 model cars! how does this apply to the 4.6is...I've seen a Youtube link where I distinctly heard the clank clank noise on a 4.6is!!! what are the costs? or maybe this is just what it's got to sound like!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6n9Xw0BnrU

all help sincerely welcomed

thankU in advance and take care!

c'mon guys...give the newbie some advice...any advice!!!i'm like lookin and waiting and nothings hapening...sorry i'm impatient but understand...I want this car badly...U know hahahha...a BMW...Ive been driving a 540 manual and cant wait to get myself something like the x5

BMWLOVER · #2 02-20-2008, 09:19 PM

Your going to love the x5. The on on youtube is Dinan it has a supercharger and the noise miggt be normal. i dont have a 4.6is. i have a 4.4i. but thats just what i think.

chilliwilli · #3 02-20-2008, 09:37 PM

I think the knocking sound in that clip is probably KirkX5m's footsteps

...take her for a test drive, if she feels right, go for it! You won't regret.

My response below:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 116sty

I'm worried about 2 things
1. pneumatic/air suspension self levelling etc - Haven't had any issues, @ 53000k km.
2. the infamous vanos problem...No issue to date.

mrbmwx5 · #4 02-20-2008, 09:39 PM

i don't know why you given up the e39 M5? i am having 2 x5 now 1 is 01 and another is 07.At first i thought the 01 was old and giving me problems then went to buy new x5 ,the car just a year old and had gone back to dealer about 30 times. i mean it been in the shop more then on the road.( beside the X5 drive beultyful and handle good all the wise it made out of glass. )

116sty · #5 02-20-2008, 10:12 PM

Hello and thnx for feedback

i gave up the m5 because of the vanos issue...it was a model with individual trim mint condition perfect...practically all m5board members call the car a thrill to run but...but ...but the vanos problem is a main no sleep/worry issue...no one can say exactly but some cars suffer from the vanos past the60k km barrier and others just don't...but if it happens then it's expensive...from what i've read it was a new thing on that engine, it was a problem on early cars and from what I understand the vanos problem is also present on the e46 m3which i was considering for a while too..then decided to go for the e39 and ended up thinking that since the x5 is a later car so maybe the problem/risk is way smaller...maybe the problem doesn't exist since thebavarians had time to do something about it!!!

i love thebmw for what it is...i'm not seriously considering any other car but sometimes when i read some of these threads i start to panic and want to go for a lexus...but then thats not really an option

thnx

116sty · #6 02-20-2008, 10:29 PM

love your car...after lift and the moonroof is a die for option...the newer steering wheel does alot to refresh the interior

BMWLOVER · #7 02-21-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 116sty

love your car...after lift and the moonroof is a die for option...the newer steering wheel does alot to refresh the interior

. thanks man. yea i love the moonroof as well. that was one of the options i wanted really bad.. ill put up better pictures in summer when it is nice out. right now the truck is very dirty.

2002Silver4.6is · #8 02-20-2008, 11:08 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the 4.6is did not have Vanos. I thought it started with the 4.8is. Someone who knows for certain please speak up!!

I love me 4.6is! Amazing vehicle!! I only have the rear air suspension, not sure how reliable the full suspension is.....

xnsf · #9 02-21-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the 4.6is did not have Vanos. I thought it started with the 4.8is. Someone who knows for certain please speak up!!

I love me 4.6is! Amazing vehicle!! I only have the rear air suspension, not sure how reliable the full suspension is.....

VANOS....and Double VANOS

...and i don't recall the 4.6is ever having full air suspension.
there is full only if you have this switch

116sty · #10 02-21-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xnsf

VANOS....and Double VANOS

...and i don't recall the 4.6is ever having full air suspension.
there is full only if you have this switch

...eeeh...so what am i to think...do i understand right that the problem is with DOUBLE VANOS or what????

concerning air suspension if its not specified the air suspenion is only on the rear!!??