Official X5 4.6is & 4.8is Thread

[Squiggy]

One thing I've noticed on my 4.6 is that downshifting in Sport Mode is harsh, so I only put it in Sport Mode if I am accelerating. If I'm about to hit the brakes or let off the gas I will jump out of Sport Mode first. Not sure if this will 'prolong' the life of the transmission but the car seems to complain a lot less. just fyi

[aaalbedo]

Sorry to ghost y'all for a month, especially after all that excellent information and advice. This is a fourth vehicle for me and I'm waffling a lot; hate to see another Estoril 4.6is parted out, but choking on the $9K quote to install a rebuilt (and also doubting that the shop can actually find one). There were two silver 4.6is's posted for sale here in Denver in the last month for $2,000 and $1,200 but I missed them both.
Anyway, here is more information.

Transmission was serviced (flush and filter) by PO at 140K miles, now at 170K. I bought it at 160K and asked a local indie if I should service again, and they said no, they have never seen a 4.6 transmission last to 160.

At about 165 I noticed symptoms; after braking it seemed to slip out of gear as there was a very mild lurch as I opened the throttle; most noticeable after a sharp right turn. It also seemed to fight me when braking; it was still trying to pull as I came to a stop. Took it to a different, less specialty shop (tech claims to be a 540 fanatic). They said it was overfilled (which is a red flag since that's nearly impossible) and the fluid smells burnt, needs rebuild and estimated $6K.

About a month later I was on the highway at ~70 mph and the trifecta lit, but it did not seem to go into failsafe, shifting normally for the rest of the 4 miles home. Only short drives for the next couple of months with no change, and eventually the trifecta went away. Then I drove it ~20 miles to work, and trifecta returned at the very last stoplight. Still shifted normally for the drive home with trifecta on.

I bought a reader based on forum advice (I've used OBD fusion heavily for my 330, and have INPA but no german). But the reader results seem pretty vague; four drivetrain issues and here is the entirety of that report:

1.EGS: Symptom, Gear Monitoring
2.EGS: Speed Signal N-Ou (Output)
3.EGS: Converter Lockup Clutch, Excessive Slip
4.EGS: Batt. + Supply, Term. 87

So I think I need to fire up INPA and have a better look; hope to do that this weekend. Also note that there are 3 safety and 17 body issues reported by the reader (including an apparently dead left rear wheel speed sensor), and I may have some electrical issues as well.

Truck is super clean inside, has some fairly major paint issues on the front end. Hoping to keep it alive! Thanks for all the input so far. Stay tuned.

Larry

[aureliusmax]

Originally Posted by aaalbedo

Sorry to ghost y'all for a month, especially after all that excellent information and advice. This is a fourth vehicle for me and I'm waffling a lot; hate to see another Estoril 4.6is parted out, but choking on the $9K quote to install a rebuilt (and also doubting that the shop can actually find one). There were two silver 4.6is's posted for sale here in Denver in the last month for $2,000 and $1,200 but I missed them both.
Anyway, here is more information.

Transmission was serviced (flush and filter) by PO at 140K miles, now at 170K. I bought it at 160K and asked a local indie if I should service again, and they said no, they have never seen a 4.6 transmission last to 160.

At about 165 I noticed symptoms; after braking it seemed to slip out of gear as there was a very mild lurch as I opened the throttle; most noticeable after a sharp right turn. It also seemed to fight me when braking; it was still trying to pull as I came to a stop. Took it to a different, less specialty shop (tech claims to be a 540 fanatic). They said it was overfilled (which is a red flag since that's nearly impossible) and the fluid smells burnt, needs rebuild and estimated $6K.

About a month later I was on the highway at ~70 mph and the trifecta lit, but it did not seem to go into failsafe, shifting normally for the rest of the 4 miles home. Only short drives for the next couple of months with no change, and eventually the trifecta went away. Then I drove it ~20 miles to work, and trifecta returned at the very last stoplight. Still shifted normally for the drive home with trifecta on.

I bought a reader based on forum advice (I've used OBD fusion heavily for my 330, and have INPA but no german). But the reader results seem pretty vague; four drivetrain issues and here is the entirety of that report:

1.EGS: Symptom, Gear Monitoring
2.EGS: Speed Signal N-Ou (Output)
3.EGS: Converter Lockup Clutch, Excessive Slip
4.EGS: Batt. + Supply, Term. 87

So I think I need to fire up INPA and have a better look; hope to do that this weekend. Also note that there are 3 safety and 17 body issues reported by the reader (including an apparently dead left rear wheel speed sensor), and I may have some electrical issues as well.

Truck is super clean inside, has some fairly major paint issues on the front end. Hoping to keep it alive! Thanks for all the input so far. Stay tuned.

Larry

I've got a 4.6 transmission core. A rebuild will be about 6K to do 'all the way through' but seems a little rich.
A local transmission shop quoted me (canadian dollars so that's 25% off your USD)

A & M transmissions "quote" for ZHP24 rebuild. include RE+RE and 60KM warranty, new TRQ convertor. one week turn-around with access to rebuild parts. 3500-4000 clutches and seals. 4800-5800 for extra failure parts.
I also have a new valvebody that I didn't use either, but it's the for the 4.4 engine and I didn't end up by using it but I'm sure 99% of all the parts inside are good to carry-over like all the solenoids.

It would be nice to sell this kit to another member here.
I managed to get a recently rebuilt transmission by a local guy off a bmw group for $1500 so that's the route I went.

[x5Alpine]

Send the transmission to Erikkson Industries back east. They're one of the few ZF distributors in the US and they quoted me under $3,000 to rebuild the transmission and torque converter. Don't let your 4.6 die, a transmission is rebuildable and should never mean the death of a rare car.

[bcredliner]

Does anyone know if the 4.10 differential from a 01 X5 3.0 is a direct fit in a 02 4.6 which has a 3.90 ratio?

[Analyte]

Just picked up an 06 Imola 4.8is, and the NAV screen has seen better days. I did some searching and it seems they the replacements are all over ebay, but they state one part number in the title, i.e. 51, and then show a pic with the 54 screen.

Is there a recommended seller in the US for the 51 screens so as to avoid an issue with a potential return to China?

Thanks!

[Canadian_E53]

This imola red 4.6is popped up in my city and is being parted out. I robbed the front, rear bumpers and style 87 wheels for 500 bucks. It's got red interior too. I don't imagine too many of these cars with red interior were sold in canada.

https://www.facebook.com/share/127oL...ibextid=kL3p88

[BimmerBreaker]

What is a fair price for an 06 4.8is with 220K miles?

Clean title, runs great, needs engine mounts, front window regulator, and the sunshade reupholstered. Needs a detail too as it's being stored out side right now sadly (was garaged up until a few months ago).

Some recent maintenance, all pulleys, water pump because I was in there, it's had the "big" n62 things done. I have maintenance records for some of the work done to it over it's life, but not all. Has never smoked once for me, a solid driver overall.

Has the aerodynamic body kit, black sapphire metallic over the cream white interior with 18 way seats

Loved this truck but time to move on, I want to do another engine swap, maybe swap the 4.8is drivetrain into an E39 wagon, or a B48 Z3... but, need to clear out some of these other toys first and I just don't drive the X5 anymore. I think I've put 100 miles on it the past year - after putting 25,000 on it the first few years with it. My work supplies me with a truck now so I'm either in that or driving my wife's E39.

[ajacks8]

Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker

What is a fair price for an 06 4.8is with 220K miles?

Clean title, runs great, needs engine mounts, front window regulator, and the sunshade reupholstered. Needs a detail too as it's being stored out side right now sadly (was garaged up until a few months ago).

Some recent maintenance, all pulleys, water pump because I was in there, it's had the "big" n62 things done. I have maintenance records for some of the work done to it over it's life, but not all. Has never smoked once for me, a solid driver overall.

Has the aerodynamic body kit, black sapphire metallic over the cream white interior with 18 way seats

Loved this truck but time to move on, I want to do another engine swap, maybe swap the 4.8is drivetrain into an E39 wagon, or a B48 Z3... but, need to clear out some of these other toys first and I just don't drive the X5 anymore. I think I've put 100 miles on it the past year - after putting 25,000 on it the first few years with it. My work supplies me with a truck now so I'm either in that or driving my wife's E39.

I’d say you should expect $4k+. $4500 if someone is REALLY searching for one with an aero kit. There are more factors to your solicitation for value estimate that pictures would help to pinpoint the number. There is an imola red 4.8is near me in Omaha that hasn’t sold for asking price of $3500 at a dealer in over 3months. Price unchanged in that time…236k miles. Trouble is, the “right” buyer will need to appreciate VSS and coolant pipe being complete and there are fewer and fewer educated e53 buyers out there. GLWS!

[BimmerBreaker]

Originally Posted by ajacks8

I’d say you should expect $4k+. $4500 if someone is REALLY searching for one with an aero kit. There are more factors to your solicitation for value estimate that pictures would help to pinpoint the number. There is an imola red 4.8is near me in Omaha that hasn’t sold for asking price of $3500 at a dealer in over 3months. Price unchanged in that time…236k miles. Trouble is, the “right” buyer will need to appreciate VSS and coolant pipe being complete and there are fewer and fewer educated e53 buyers out there. GLWS!

That's exactly what I'm looking for, I have it listed for $5k and I'd take the first $4000 offer. Cosmetically the interior is in excellent condition, exterior needs a good detail because it's been parked outside but nothing major, paint is still in good shape overall. I have pictures on a build thread I posted here somewhere, it looks the same inside these days, just a little layer of arizona dust on the exterior now. I guess I'll just keep waiting for the right buyer to come along and re-evaluate in another few months if it hasn't sold by then.