Thinking of buying 2005 4.8is, any thoughts?

[srg.one3]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum and was hoping to get some feedback before I make my purchase.

I have always loved the 4.8is and found one (75K miles on it) that seems to be in good shape. I will be the 3rd owner of this car. I do plan on taking it to a BMW dealership for a prepurschase inspection, prior to pulling the trigger.

I have done much research and know that with this sort of mileage will, there is a good chance I may incur problems with the transmission and air suspension, but wanted to see if any current owners had any feedback.

I would appreciate any and all feedback.

Thanks!

Stephen

[TriX5]

My 4.8iS is at 74k or somewhere thereabout. I got it at 64 and have replaced the fuel pump, the LF airspring, both tension strut bushings and ball-joints as well as the front wheel bearings. While I was in to the front suspension I also changed the CV boots as they we starting to show cracks.

Apart from the fuel pump I am pretty sure you will be close to needing these items as well unless they were already dne previously.

[srg.one3]

TriX5,

Thanks for the response. The current owner has told me he has all service records, so I am going to be reviewing them tomorrow.

Have you been happy with your purchase?

Thanks!

[motordavid]

I would suggest a BMW oriented Indie vs a dlr...it may be more objective, and preclude any motive the dlr SA might have for future work, imo.

Some might hope the previous 2 owners were attentive. ;>)

I assume you have read here awhile; some posters have had great success and few problems, others have the usual myriad of probs. The Trans is the big expense if it decides to glitch or go, and with no warranty, it is costly to chase the potential
re-program(s), or fix.

Not a pessimist, just a realist, based on fading memory of reading posts here for years.
GL, mD

[SlickGT1]

Get service history if you can. My car had so much replaced that it Meade my eyes bulge reading through all the pages. I'm glad the previous owners took care of everything at dealer.

I got it with 77k miles. 2006. 4.8is.
I've replaced the following.
Window motor pass side.
Trunk latch mechanism
Engine mounts
Thrust arm bushings

Navi screen needs replacing
And I needed new tires right away.

Car is major fun otherwise. Just be reedy to do some wrenching, it's a modern BMW, so stupid stuff will break, and then break your pocket if you take to dealer.

[julezw]

Make sure you really know what you are getting into! They are beautiful cars with not so beautiful ownership experiences for many owners. Sorry. I suppose it all depends on how much you like dealing with problems because they will occur.

I have a 4.4 so it is similar for this discussions sake but I also know someone who had a late model 4.8. You have an N62 engine which isn't the most reliable engine and a transmission which isn't the most reliable transmission. And BMW's miscellaneous parts like you to know they are there by breaking on you cooling systems, air suspensions, window modules, electronic gremlins etc.

At that mileage get ready for some financial pain

I have slightly higher mileage......

right & left CV boots
Water-pump
Thermostat
Expansion tank
all belts and pulleys
regass aircon twice
rebuilt vacuum pump
Front bushings
Bluetooth died
ccv replaced
side mirror assemblies replaced
transmission overhauled
rear tail lights replaced - can repair though

stuff that is faulty or bugs me but yet to fix:

air suspension inac warnings
Nav screen pixels dying
air con is noisy as hell sometimes
side mirror fold function faulty again
transmission is jolty
smoke from idle- valve stem seals yay!
possibly defective T-case actuator motor
Gap in rear bumper

stuff that will probably go wrong in the next 50 k kms

cv boots again
window modules
various engine gaskets
rest of cooling system
air suspension
battery
cluster

You'd think I own a lemon......but how do you classify a car where the majority of these things are known/common issues?

Buy if your wallet is very very large and you like problem solving. Good luck!

[srg.one3]

Thank you for all the responses, I love the 4.8is and hoping that the past owners maintained it.

Will keep you posted.

[sapphireX5]

Originally Posted by srg.one3

Thank you for all the responses, I love the 4.8is and hoping that the past owners maintained it.

Will keep you posted.

How much is the owner asking?

I have an '06 4.8iS with all the options. I purchased from BMW Tulsa in 2009 as CPO with around 40k miles and currently have 72k. The only issues I had with mine were the Bluetooth, rear air suspension and most recently the CCV were replaced. Other than those three repairs I perform oil change at 7500 mile interval, coolant flush, brake fluid flush as well as boots replaced and brake pads/rotors. Those are all maintenance items all cars will need.

I absolutely love this car and the only contention I've had were the tire replacement. I was mortified with the $2200 bill for 4 tires.

I have a hang up about who works on my car so I always head to my trusted dealer for service/repair.

[Phr3d]

uhmm. might wanna mention -Which- tires cost you $2.2K, that is not usual - 18" should come in at under $900.

Presuming you like the X, you'll be happy with it if -ALL- maintenance is performed at the outset of Your ownership, if you have the pocket for incidentals, and if you Know you are buying potential engine/auto-trans probs, even with a clean bill-o'-health from the pre-inspection from a trusted BMW mechanic.

The Xer appeals to a wide variety of drivers, and the forum is populated by many modders and rodders, as well as DIY people that may put things off.

IF you can afford the dealer thing, or at least a talented indy thing, my reading -between the lines- says you'll have far fewer problems.

My take is screw the oil-change interval, having a mech, who has a vested interest (monetarily and reputation) in spotting and repairing items that -will likely- fail in the Next 5k miles until my Next visit is utterly invaluable against the apparent cost of an oil change.

The Xer does not like to be put off 'til nex-week when it comes to maintenance. it really bites hard.. So my oil change inevitably results in a bill of half-a-kilobuck, replacing the 'incidentals' so he purrs for another 5K.

I have driven old BMWs since my twenties, I knew what to expect.

[sapphireX5]

[QUOTE=Phr3d;869874]uhmm. might wanna mention -Which- tires cost you $2.2K, that is not usual - 18" should come in at under $900.

That was true for my previous '04 3.0 with 18" inch square set tires. But...

My '06 4.8iS comes with 20" inch tires staggered. I kept the same tires the vehicle came with new.

Michelin Latitude Diamaris 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 rear. I purchased them from Tire Rack for best price I could find then after mounting at my local shop that had the appropriate equipment to mount that fat a tire I was at $2100 and some change.

If the OP is looking at the same model as mine, he too, will have 20" staggered to deal with.