E53 4.6is or 4.8is (advice/comments)

[electricalserv x5]

I seen a road and track test drive against the cheyenne and x5, the x5 handled better and had better pick up, now that was against the 4.6is .it is a little different than the 4.8 i ,the new 4.8 i is 500lb more than the 4.6is.
And the cheyanne was 1.8 seconds lower then the slower and the 4.6is

[Icer006]

Originally Posted by electricalserv x5

I seen a road and track test drive against the cheyenne and x5, the x5 handled better and had better pick up, now that was against the 4.6is .it is a little different than the 4.8 i ,the new 4.8 i is 500lb more than the 4.6is.
And the cheyanne was 1.8 seconds lower then the slower and the 4.6is

yeah, probably not a Cayenne with twin turbos.

[Phr3d]

experience strictly from reading a lot.
hmm.. '01 4.6is, babied to death and gorgeous is worth percisely painful for trade-in, so you buy one -here- for not much money.
You prefer the pre-facelift.
You have Gobs of money left over to chase everything killcrap mentioned and more (and there is a Lot more, just not specific to 4.6/4.8).
You will have a sweet ol' X'er and confidence that the probs have been fixed correctly cuz you were there.
since you don't want a MT, seems one choice.

[Sergdman]

Hey guys, well I am still actively looking. I am 100 percent sure that I will be buying a 4.6is. Spoke with someone who had one with 70,000 miles and had transmission put in by dealer. A couple of other sellers I spoke with had over 90000 and original transmission. This is a stressful purchase. Man I hope that I get a lucky and buy one that will not crap out at least not anytime soon

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Sergdman

Hey guys, well I am still actively looking. I am 100 percent sure that I will be buying a 4.6is. Spoke with someone who had one with 70,000 miles and had transmission put in by dealer. A couple of other sellers I spoke with had over 90000 and original transmission. This is a stressful purchase. Man I hope that I get a lucky and buy one that will not crap out at least not anytime soon

Whatever you go with just try to get the "best" vehicle with a good known history.

IMO, a high mileage vehicle that has a lot of the trouble items already replaced and known maintenance/service history is better than a low-mileage unknown vehicle.

When you have problems, and let's face it you will regardless/eventually, best thing is you already discovered xoutpost.

Good luck and enjoy!

[jbny]

And make sure you get a PPI done, whichever you choose, I love my 4.8is so far and have had the following issues.
1. Dead battery - fixed
2. Dead rear brake lamp - to be looked into
3. NAV Dead Pixel - to be looked into.

I bought it with around 40K used and it's at 72K now, previous owner did fix issues when i found it during the PPI. (hoses/front bushings..some other stuff i forgot)

[TriX5]

Many ZF5HP24s let go at 90k+ miles, including my own on the 4.4i. I am convinced this is caused by the torq converter but same end result. The overhaul of the AT is not hard but you need some patience and a little ingenuity.

My 4.8iS has gone about 12k miles in the last 2 years and the only real issues were a broken fuel pump and the bushings in the tension struts. I am not convinced by the shift logic of the 6 speed either but I would still buy the newer car anyway.

[Sergdman]

What price do you guys believe a 4.6is with good -excellent condition between 90,000-100,000 miles should sell for. I am seeing a lot of 19,000-20,000 from private sellers. I would pay a premium for low miles, but 100,000, I don't know

[Curtis]

About a year ago I sold my 2002 4.6is with 188,000 miles. Original engine and original transmission. I was the original owner and it served me well. It was maintained by the book and aside from replacing wear and tear items no major issues. Worst problem were replacing the window regulators, probably 6 of them in total. As a side note, for about 160,000 miles it had an aftermarket supercharger on it and the 4.6 was not babied by any means. FWIW.

[SlickGT1]

I personally would go with the newer truck. I was in the same boat a couple of months ago.

1. I don't trust some dude with a 9 YO truck that has 50k miles. Stop looking for that, it probably bullshit. Go with higher mileage and find one with service history.
2. My thing, is that with newer car, more issues are addressed. At least you hope they are.
3. Standard features on the X are also very nice.
4. All things I have done, I did them because I care, and I want a MINT machine.

People that don't like the 6spd in the 4.8is, are the ones that never got the truck going like it can. I have to agree, that granny driving, the trans does some unexpected shit. I personally wouldn't up shift going up a hill, but this truck does it.

Once you get on the GO pedal, the truck, and the 6sp are amazing. So intuitive. It is almost like its ahead of you, and ready to rip out the hole before you are. The thing will even hold first gear, slowing down, waiting for you to get on the go pedal again, and be in the power band. It will take a block for it to get out of this mode, but I love it. It is a thrill every time. This car even drifts. Yes the fronts pull you out, but eventually, you get enough time sliding the rear to put a smile on your face.

I personally like the facelift more.

Either trim you choose, it will be fun, and an experience.