Thoughs on getting a High mileage 4.8is?

Dking05 · #1 03-30-2011, 09:11 PM

Just wanted to know a thought of high vs. low milage, specifically to the 4.8is, any know issues that the other models don't get? (excluding air susp.)

I thinking of going in the 50-65k range.
Would any good come out of a properly maintained 75k+?

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mrbmwx5 · #2 03-30-2011, 09:30 PM

I was told don't buy a 4.8is that were built befor November 2003/4
You shuold look for anything that built from December 2004 up.

-chc- · #3 03-31-2011, 08:32 AM

I bought a 2006 X5 4.8is with 50k miles (80k km) about 1.5 years ago. So far I had no problems.

Bear in mind that you need a good repair shop to maintain your engine. The 4.8is has the N62 (not M62) engine. The N62 is a very advanced engine with a lot of specifics, that (in this version) was only used for the 4.8is and one of the 7 series of that time. In my case, I had some engine issues, and I had trouble finding the right workshop with enough experience to troubleshoot my engine.

Also, note that most of the 4.8's come full optioned => which means in turn that there is more that could potentially break and needs to be fixed :-)

Otherwise, the 4.8is is a gas guzzler, but still a solid choice.
Hope this helps.

CTSportX5 · #4 03-31-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -chc-

I bought a 2006 X5 4.8is with 50k miles (80k km) about 1.5 years ago. So far I had no problems.

Bear in mind that you need a good repair shop to maintain your engine. The 4.8is has the N62 (not M62) engine. The N62 is a very advanced engine with a lot of specifics, that (in this version) was only used for the 4.8is and one of the 7 series of that time. In my case, I had some engine issues, and I had trouble finding the right workshop with enough experience to troubleshoot my engine.

Also, note that most of the 4.8's come full optioned => which means in turn that there is more that could potentially break and needs to be fixed :-)

Otherwise, the 4.8is is a gas guzzler, but still a solid choice.
Hope this helps.

Kind of contradictory there. What was your engine issue?

westside · #5 03-31-2011, 10:36 AM

Hi I own a 2006 750 sport an dI have just brought the mrs a 4.8is 2005 with 71k on the clock so far I havent had any major issues and TBH (however its only been 2 weeks) I do alot of work myself. The biggest issue I assume would be the air suspension..however I have just fitted smaller regultor arms front and rear to lower it lol (it hasnt complained yet)

Engine wise I have looked after all my V8 and stright 6 BMW's myself there not actually hard engines to work on, however having a garage with autologic equipment does help! but plugs, oil, coolant, brakes filters etc etc you can do yourself

Buy a nice example and enjoy it, your be surprised how quick it is!. There are some nice examples out there for not a lot of money!

Get some pics up when you buy one :-)

-chc- · #6 03-31-2011, 11:58 AM

@ CTSportX5:

EDIT: so far I had no "major" issues :-)
I do have trouble with a rough idle on cold starts (below -10C). But I guess that's an issue for many other X5 models, and not 4.8is specific.

The 4.8is is a lot of fun to drive, I've had it for 1.5 years now and it still thrills me just to start the engine :-D

JCL · #7 03-31-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dking05

Just wanted to know a thought of high vs. low mileage, specifically to the 4.8is, any know issues that the other models don't get? (excluding air susp.)

I thinking of going in the 50-65k range.
Would any good come out of a properly maintained 75k+?

I don't think that the 4.8si has any more or different issues than the other models. I do agree with the poster above that they tended to be loaded up with options and features, and so there is more to go wrong.

If 65 k is low mileage, I wouldn't say that 75 k is high mileage. They seem pretty comparable to me.

c4racer · #8 03-31-2011, 01:28 PM

75K isn't high mileage for a BMW, IMHO.

Figure it's a 200K+ vehicle with proper maintenance.

Sometimes you are better off getting a 80K mile example, especially if a former CPO car. There are some common failure items on the V8 models that come into play between 60-90K miles. Not always mind you, but there are a few items that can fail.

- water pump
- radiator
- expansion tank
- radiator hoses
- valley pan
- valve cover gaskets
- water cooled alternator

So buying one with 80Kish miles may end up saving a ton of money between already completed fixes for some of these items and the lower resale values as they move towards 100K. There is nothing magic about 100K miles btw. I bought mine with 94K miles and 5 of the above items had been recently addressed. I am at 120K miles now and just completed the rest of the list as PM prior to any failures. Oh, and add the air suspension to this list for the 4.8is too.