Official X5 4.6is & 4.8is Thread

[E39LV]

I love the color blue and the look of the E53. I have a very very high mileage e39 with the M62 that I'm ready to move on from. Seems like the 4.8 is going to give me the closest experience to what I've been used to in my E39. Can anybody speak to their experience with oil leaks I've been reading about on these engines in much older posts please?
My budget takes me into the very early years of the F15'S but I'm reading about problems with the E70 V8's and don't want to exhaust my budget on an F15 if those problems were carried forward into the F15'S. Obviously newer with lowest miles is best but I'm not sure if I'm going to enjoy a similar experience as I would with the 4.8 given I love the power and feel of my E39. Any thoughts?


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[CleanIsFast]

Originally Posted by E39LV

I love the color blue and the look of the E53. I have a very very high mileage e39 with the M62 that I'm ready to move on from. Seems like the 4.8 is going to give me the closest experience to what I've been used to in my E39. Can anybody speak to their experience with oil leaks I've been reading about on these engines in much older posts please?
My budget takes me into the very early years of the F15'S but I'm reading about problems with the E70 V8's and don't want to exhaust my budget on an F15 if those problems were carried forward into the F15'S. Obviously newer with lowest miles is best but I'm not sure if I'm going to enjoy a similar experience as I would with the 4.8 given I love the power and feel of my E39. Any thoughts?


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I've owned E39 M5 (S62), E53 4.6iS (M62) and now a 4.8iS (N62). I would agree that you will have a very similar experience moving from an E39 to E53. Both are great chassis' and provide you with that analog experience. 4.8iS can be notorious for suspension woes (self leveling, 4 corner air ride), valve stem seal issues (but this common on all N62 as well so E70 included). I wouldn't say the 4.8iS is any worse than an E39 in terms of maintenance. The power and feel of the 4.8iS is great!

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by E39LV

I love the color blue and the look of the E53. I have a very very high mileage e39 with the M62 that I'm ready to move on from. Seems like the 4.8 is going to give me the closest experience to what I've been used to in my E39. Can anybody speak to their experience with oil leaks I've been reading about on these engines in much older posts please?
My budget takes me into the very early years of the F15'S but I'm reading about problems with the E70 V8's and don't want to exhaust my budget on an F15 if those problems were carried forward into the F15'S. Obviously newer with lowest miles is best but I'm not sure if I'm going to enjoy a similar experience as I would with the 4.8 given I love the power and feel of my E39. Any thoughts?

If you go with a 4.8is E53 it will have the same N62 V8 that is in the E70's. They share the same problems. Valve stem seals, alternator bracket seal leak, coolant crossover pipe, etc. I have no experience with the F15 V8's but I think the E70 V8 is the last generation V8 (in terms of complexity) that I will own. Unless I hit the lotto. The N62, while complex, is serviceable. The E53 is very E39 like... both in drive and interior so it should feel like home to you.

Edit: CleanisFast beat me to it.

[E39LV]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

If you go with a 4.8is E53 it will have the same N62 V8 that is in the E70's. They share the same problems. Valve stem seals, alternator bracket seal leak, coolant crossover pipe, etc. I have no experience with the F15 V8's but I think the E70 V8 is the last generation V8 (in terms of complexity) that I will own. Unless I hit the lotto. The N62, while complex, is serviceable. The E53 is very E39 like... both in drive and interior so it should feel like home to you.

Edit: CleanisFast beat me to it.

LOL Thanks guys! I'm being steered towards the N55 but it's a 6 cylinder Turbo. I just don't know if I could live with that... I know maintenance wise it's probably a no brainer versus of these V8's. I guess one of the considerations is at what point do these problems started occurring in the 4.8? I mean finding one with low miles would be a needle in a haystack, and even then the owner would probably want E70 money...

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[CleanIsFast]

Originally Posted by E39LV

LOL Thanks guys! I'm being steered towards the N55 but it's a 6 cylinder Turbo. I just don't know if I could live with that... I know maintenance wise it's probably a no brainer versus of these V8's. I guess one of the considerations is at what point do these problems started occurring in the 4.8? I mean finding one with low miles would be a needle in a haystack, and even then the owner would probably want E70 money...

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Depends on your definition of low mileage. There was a board member here who scored one with uber low miles but he definitely shelled out big bucks for it. They typically float around $8-12k for decent examples. For better examples with decently low miles I would say $15-18k.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by E39LV

LOL Thanks guys! I'm being steered towards the N55 but it's a 6 cylinder Turbo. I just don't know if I could live with that... I know maintenance wise it's probably a no brainer versus of these V8's. I guess one of the considerations is at what point do these problems started occurring in the 4.8? I mean finding one with low miles would be a needle in a haystack, and even then the owner would probably want E70 money...

I am of the mind that I would much rather buy a well maintained higher mileage vehicle than a lower mileage vehicle that has not had major maintenance done yet. But opinions vary on that. The main benefit of a lower mileage vehicle is the body is typically in better shape cosmetically. But mechanically, they can often be in worse shape due to still being on the almost 15 year old OE parts. What you are going to be willing to pay (or should pay) is going to depend heavily on the particular vehicle. I overpaid for mine because of all the Dinan stuff it had on it. Paid $15k @ 90,000 miles. Has treated me fairly well but have spend $4000 on it in parts over 3.5 years. Your value proposition will be a personal one.

[E39LV]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I am of the mind that I would much rather buy a well maintained higher mileage vehicle than a lower mileage vehicle that has not had major maintenance done yet. But opinions vary on that. The main benefit of a lower mileage vehicle is the body is typically in better shape cosmetically. But mechanically, they can often be in worse shape due to still being on the almost 15 year old OE parts. What you are going to be willing to pay (or should pay) is going to depend heavily on the particular vehicle. I overpaid for mine because of all the Dinan stuff it had on it. Paid $15k @ 90,000 miles. Has treated me fairly well but have spend $4000 on it in parts over 3.5 years. Your value proposition will be a personal one.

Respectable insight. Much appreciated.

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[CleanIsFast]

Estoril for sale on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254225983743?ul_noapp=true

[X5M-ISH]

I drove an e39 540i M-Sport with the six-speed manual and legit GF VIN code (only around 1000 imported to North America for the one-off year of 2003). Recently I picked up a 2006 4.8is. Aside from the obvious difference in the transmissions, the overall feel of these two respective vehicles are very close.

For how much this thing weighs, I am impressed at how capable it is with cornering and acceleration (especially in sport mode). The brakes leave a bit to desire. Driving position is taking me a bit to get used to with these comfort seats as all my prior BMW’s have had sport seats but this is moreso a personal issue and not a blight on fuction or design.

The engine bay has tons of room. Getting in there is easy compared to my e39. The front cabin area has much more room but eh, ones a car ones a truck. Rear cabin room is about the same. The cabin layout is very close to the e39 and aside from a few options my M Sport didn’t have, familiarity is there. Same ol’ tape deck, folding nav screen, dsp; all the same.

Visibility is enhanced because your driving position is elevated higher from the road surface and your FOV is better while blind spots are reduced. The park sensors are a great option and I am glad BMW put the passenger side tilt mirror in this model. The 4.8is is a big vehicle but since you’re coming from an e39, you will be fine.

[crystalworks]

Decently rare color combo on this 4.8is. Seems pretty fairly priced if the mechanicals are in fair shape. No affiliation, just an FYI to anyone looking. LeMans blue over truffle sport leather (can't tell if nappa or dakota leather).

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d...890256988.html