E53 4.6is or 4.8is (advice/comments)

[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.

[nitrorocket]

Ill sell you my 4.8is for $18,500.

I have had a few x5's and this truck is very nice, hard to beat all the standard options the 8 has. The 6 speed automatic is very nice too!

[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.

[Blade69]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

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.

MAN!!!! I am so glad to read this. I just bought my 4.8is a few weeks ago and I thought something was wrong with the trans!! I mean I was love with the idea of it expected me to hit that turn at 40 and held it in the powerband, but it scared me too cuz I thought I was in for a major repair. WHEW!!!! It's on now!!

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by Blade69

MAN!!!! I am so glad to read this. I just bought my 4.8is a few weeks ago and I thought something was wrong with the trans!! I mean I was love with the idea of it expected me to hit that turn at 40 and held it in the powerband, but it scared me too cuz I thought I was in for a major repair. WHEW!!!! It's on now!!

Yea it has some sort of race logic in it. I came off the highway at about 60 and stayed at that speed till the turn, slammed the brakes right before the apex, the car downshifted at this point (I didn't realize), when I slammed on the throttle, it peeled all 4 tires, fishtailed, and made the turn. I almost shit myself. I was expecting it to downshift, then take off, but the car was ready. When I let up, it held the gear for a block, waiting to do it again. After that, I learned how to get it in this mode at will. Sport mode helps by the way.

It takes the car, maybe 10 seconds to get into this logic. At which point it keeps you in the power band. The longer you stay aggressive, the bigger the smile.

To get out of this mode, just hold it steady, it will up shift and settle down. Letting go of gas doesn't really work as fast. It just locks up that gear till the RPM comes down low enough. And if you get on the brakes, the trans down shifts and still keeps the revs up to stay in the power.

And yes folks, that why my mileage is below 10mpg. I like to shake out the loose components lol.

Oh I don't know about the 4.6, but the 4.8 with the 4 corner air bags, can take a jump, nicely at that. Really nails the landing, no drama. Only thing that lets you know inside the car, is the 4x4 keeps flashing when in the air. Not that I expect this to be a selling point, but it's the things that give me a pleasant surprise.

P.S. I practice safe low altitude flying.

[Blade69]

What the hell!! Are you a rally racer or something? lol.. Thanks for the info. I'm an aggressive driver but I've been holding back until I got a good feel for the vehicle. Kinda like when I first got my ZX-12R. Damn near threw myself off of it when I got it. I have a good handle on her now, but she still scares the hell outta me...lol

[SlickGT1]

No. I am just push my toys. I started out with slow cars, and bikes. First bike was a Suzuki 250 upright. Next gsxr 600. Next GSXR1k (my fav). Next Busa. Next near death 30mph, got T-boned, gave up bikes till I retire and move to the country.

And no, I start out slow to take it easy too. Just push a little harder here, take a turn a bit faster there. It takes time to find great spots for stunts. Thankfully the spots stay at the same place and seldom change too much. So over the years I've collected enough locations to have fun without too much danger to others, and out of sight from the cops.

You can't really outrun Motorola on a car. Bike on the other hand.....lol.

Sorry for jacking the thread.

Point being, either X will be a lot of fun as long as you don't mind the maintenance. And if you do it yourself, you are ahead of the game.

[Blade69]

Oops...yeah sorry for jacking the thread. Besides the impending repairs, so far I love the 4.8. If you don't care to much abt power, then I would say go 4.6 or 4.4.

Fyi....my ZX-12R CAN outrun Motorola :-)

[Sergdman]

okay, so what do you guys think would be the better buy. A 03 4.6is imola red, 100,000 miles, dinan upgrades, high flow mass meter, throttle body, exhaust, CIA, trans and engine stage 4 software 2 owner BMW dealership serviced up to January 2012. Or, 04 black 4.8is 45,000 miles two owner stock. Looks like both cars have original trans. Price difference would be $10,000. I am thinking the 03. Save the 10 grand and if the PPI goes well, make the purchase. What do you guys think?