Opinions on purchase: 4.6is

[Ispeed]

I have the opportunity to buy a 4.6is from a mechanic who picked it up at auction and breathed some new life into it:
113k miles, got the full timing chain and guide job as well as new vc gaskets, radiator water pump, hoses, and some other new gaskets and parts. Fresh brakes and tires. Engine is clean, dry and runs well. No idea on transmission except that it ran well enough on a 20 minute test drive.
I have a 2001 525it wagon that leaves me wanting the sound and grunt of a v8 again. I have had an e38 740i, e39 540it, e34 540i/6 and other V8 cars in the past. The 525it gets the job done at 23-25mpg combined driving, and I am just dreading the tough mpg of the 4.6 (balanced out by v8 goodness) and the fear of doing a tranny rebuild on the 4.6 at some point.
It's imola on red/black interior (love that), needs some cosmetics but not too bad. Clean title.
It's $10k which makes me want it, it's a lot of machine for that $$$.
Any comments on value etc?
Thanks.

[Ricky Bobby]

4.6iS is rare.


Imola 4.6iS is uber rare.


If you have the coin for a future maintenance bill and/or transmission rebuild, go for it. Just don't be that guy that stretches the budget to get into the 4.6iS and be posting up in 2 months that the repair bills are too much to bear and you're going to offload it.


Not that I think you come off that way, but recently it has happened to some "new members".


New tires and brakes alone are at least $1500 worth, are the 87's in good shape? Did you scan the car with DIS to see what faults if any are being thrown?

[four.8is]

With that kind of maintenance and at that price , it is worth it in my opinion...what year?
Btw, Welcome to the forum!

[Ispeed]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

New tires and brakes alone are at least $1500 worth, are the 87's in good shape? Did you scan the car with DIS to see what faults if any are being thrown?

The mechanic has been driving it for 3 months as his DD, and it isn't throwing any codes. The wheels are in good shape, a few smaller scuffs.
I just passed up a hellrot '99 540it with 6 speed manual in South Carolina. Its now listed on bimmerforums. The 6mt would have been fun, but I can easily live with an a/t at this point with the driving I am doing. I have drooled over the imola on red 4.6is color combo for a few years.
I would not begrudge the beast its due maintenance and what it costs to keep it going.
I agree on the value of tires especially and brakes. Nobody likes paying for 20" rubber.

I actually don't know if it an 02 or 03... Were there any updates or changes?

[electricalserv x5]

I had a 4.6is great sav, has great low end. for that price You should be safe,suspension repairs are sure to come up.

[OptimusPriM5]

I'd say unless this mechanic is a friend of yours have a full PPI done dont trust the word of anyone. Did he show you receipts of work done to validate it has been done or some other proof?

Have them pull all codes as was said.

So do you know why he is unloading it? Is he another flipper to be tryin to make a buck? Even more reason to have a PPI done.

Jus my .02

EDIT I saw one sounds a lot like that in CT but was listed for a lot more

[g300d]

Sounds like a good deal!

No mention of the suspension but if it ran fine during the test drive it cant be too bad. Easy to inspect too.

[electricalserv x5]

thruster arms always go on them,just have someone stop in front of you and see if the tire jumps around.

[g300d]

^you can actually check those by peeking in the wheel well.

[Ispeed]

Thanks for the info everybody. I am listening, and it is all helping me figure out what to do.