E53 4.6is or 4.8is (advice/comments)

[Sergdman]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

For me, that's a tough one.

I prefer stock rather than modified but that's no guarantee when it comes to problems. Less than half the mileage but $10K more.

On the other hand, if you like modified and it already has mods you like - with a known service record, plus $10k less, but double the mileage. Hmmm ...

$10K is hard to ignore but I would probably go with the 4.8 for the reasons that JCL pointed out.

How is your beast. I have heard and have been told that the 04 4.8is have more problems than the 05/06. What's your opinion. How is your baby holding up?

[Sergdman]

By the way guys the dealer I spoke to was where the previous owner took it for service the last 4 years. Contacted them today and the last owner took it there since 2008. They installed the Dinan parts in 2010. They are not selling the car. They just gave me history on the car. The car may be going there for the ppi.

And yes thanks in advance for everyone's opinions and advice. Greatly appreciated.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Sergdman

How is your beast. I have heard and have been told that the 04 4.8is have more problems than the 05/06. What's your opinion. How is your baby holding up?

I have no idea if that is the case or not.

If you care to read some of my experiences, check here:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-search-x.html


Things I can remember off the top of my head:
- One front air strut went bad (replaced both with Arnott units)
- Original BMW battery failed after 5 years (replaced with after market battery)
- Recently had a cracked coolant reservoir tank (replaced with dealer item)
- Recently experiencing some intermittent slippage during hard acceleration shifts from 3-4. Took it to the shop to get rebuilt and the shop could not reproduce and did not want to rebuild. 99.9 percent of the time acts normally.

EDIT: After going through my thread, it was serviced around 18 months after purchase.

(Actual prices charged)
2 Front lower control arms ($292)
Replace both control arms ($179)
2 Ball joints ($55 each)
2 Control Arm Bushings ($104)
2 CV boot kits ($73)
Replace Outer Boots ($269)
Wheel Alignment ($79)
Cabin Filter ($33)
Oil Filter Kit ($13)
Mobil 1 Oil ($56)
Oil Change ($20)

Total parts = $683
Total labor = $547 (I think they mentioned at least 6 hours to do all the work)
Shop Supplies, Tax, Etc = $83
Grand Total = $1,310


Currently, we have 88,766 miles and looks like this:



I feel our X has been very good to us.

[Sergdman]

I keep going back to the 4.6is. there is a silver 4.6is for sale with low miles In excellent condition. Should I wait and look for the imola red which i would prefer with low miles (may never find it)or settle for a silver with low miles. Silver is nice. I may never find the imola with low miles. I know it is personal preference, but my wife doesn't want to hear it anymore.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by Sergdman

I keep going back to the 4.6is. there is a silver 4.6is for sale with low miles In excellent condition. Should I wait and look for the imola red which i would prefer with low miles (may never find it)or settle for a silver with low miles. Silver is nice. I may never find the imola with low miles. I know it is personal preference, but my wife doesn't want to hear it anymore.

Low mileage is hard to find. Imola is hard to find.

People don't want to make the "wrong" decision but there really isn't one. Its all in how comfortable you are with your decision. If you don't have the patience to wait for the Imola (for however long that may be) then grab the silver one. As long as you can see yourself driving it every day without saying "eww, its silver" then you'll be alright. If anything but Imola is a dealbreaker then ...

How many low mileage, ANY color 4.6s have you come across in your search?

I wanted a silver one originally and ended up with the Lemans Bue. I don't have any regrets.

[Sergdman]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Low mileage is hard to find. Imola is hard to find.

People don't want to make the "wrong" decision but there really isn't one. Its all in how comfortable you are with your decision. If you don't have the patience to wait for the Imola (for however long that may be) then grab the silver one. As long as you can see yourself driving it every day without saying "eww, its silver" then you'll be alright. If anything but Imola is a dealbreaker then ...

How many low mileage, ANY color 4.6s have you come across in your search?

I wanted a silver one originally and ended up with the Lemans Bue. I don't have any regrets.

I like the silver. I think it would be easier to maintain the paint. I have two black BMWs. Love black and hate it. I came across few, three low mile samples under 50,000 mi. Black, silver and imola. Imola is cross country and don't really want to buy sight unseen plus it's on the high side. It's just that imola really pops and looks great on the road.