13 months and 10,000 miles in my 4.6is

[epdarks]

XOP,

As of this morning I rolled over 149,000 miles, 10,000 miles since I purchased the truck. Here is a brief review of my ownership experience.

Coming from an M3 I knew the X5 wasn't going to offer the same performance. I was willing to sacrifice some speed for some practicality. Luckily, what I've found is that the 4.6is, at least in my current trim, will perform within 90% of my old M3 on the street.

I said this in my first post... this truck does a lot of things really well. It hauls ass in a strait line, it sounds like a muscle car, it handles like my M3, the storage is adequate, the comfort level is incredible, it's a great cruiser, has a good sound system, and it has most of the options that we would want in a luxury vehicle.

What is more important than all of that... and IMO... the most important question when reviewing any vehicle: How does it make you feel? When you walk out to the garage, and you look at the car... what emotions does it evoke? My answer: this truck makes me feel like a badass. I feel like a football player or celebrity or CEO or someone important. I feel "cool" driving this truck. Trust me, cool is not a word normally associated with epdarks.

The bad news is that I've put about $2,500 into maintenance over 1 year of ownership. Being cool, as it turns out, has a cost. I do 16 MPG on average, that ain't cheap either. Listening to the V8? Priceless.

When I first got it, my (ex) GF's family asked how I afforded a brand new BMW? I told them it was 10 years old and had 140,000 miles and cost less than their Chevy Malibu.

There have been random people approaching me and giving compliments to the truck. A gas station employee ran over to me once and started asking me questions. A young kid once yelled out "SICK CAR" as I drove past. It's that kind of positive attention that I've grown to appreciate.

Whatever happens with my love life, or work life, or home life... I get in the car and it all goes away. Any true car guy understands this.

Owning any BMW can be a love/hate relationship. When I was underneath the truck doing the transfer case job on those cold winter months in an un-heated garage... I questioned my loyalty to the brand. In reality, doing that job made me grow closer and more attached to the truck.

Now I put on 50+ miles per day. The next 10k miles should happen a lot faster.

So there you go, the worst review ever, epdarks' verbal diarrhea on Xoutpost. If anyone has any specific questions about the 4.6is, I am happy to answer.

Thanks for reading.

Dan

Pics from yesterday:

[Ricky Bobby]

Sooooo.....

Does that mean she's a keeper? (Fingers crossed I hope so!)

She belongs with you Dan, that 4.6 has now bonded to you and deserves your love and attention for years to come!


And btw, I loved reading your review, totally 100% right about how the car makes you feel when you walk out to your garage. Even though I have a lowly 3.0, the sport package/air suspension combo, with the huge OEM staggered 20's, and the 5 speed make for a real ULTIMATE DRIVING EXPERIENCE and feel.

I may be missing 2 cylinders but I know exactly what you mean about the E53 being timeless for it's age. People basically look at me sideways when I tell them its 10 years old (and it's in better shape cosmetically and mechanically than their 3 year old leased cars, but that's another story), I tell them I couldn't afford a new BMW, but in the same breath, if I could, I probably wouldn't even buy one.

None of the new BMW's stir up emotion in me, sure they look nice, but how do they drive, and don't get me started on all the new electronic gizmos I don't need. If I ever get rid of my E53 I'd probably look for a used 6-speed Cayenne GTS (prior generation), as that probably is the last example of a "driver's SUV", or I'd get another E53, hopefully a facelifted 6-speed, but if those are not to be found, a well cared for 4.6 or 4.8 would be feasible for me (giving up stick? GASP!) The E53 is here to stay for me as well, wait until I get new headlights on her, will be a totally new car again.


Glad to hear you're happy with her Dan, hope the house is treating you well!

[bcredliner]

epdarks,

I understand your feelings. This is the first vehicle that I have kept over 3 years and there have been many. When I purchase another everyday vehicle the 4.6 will still have a place in my garage.

[motordavid]

Very good looking E53...wheels are Titz, imo.
Good luck on your next thousands of miles!
BR, mD

[upallnight]

Wow $2500 in maintenance that about a third of what it cost me for my X.

Dealer/Indy service or Diyer?

[OptimusPriM5]

Good summary and BTW $2500 in care and feeding for a BMW is not unexpected or even that far out of line. Im curious what that was covering.

[Ricky Bobby]

I'm about $2500 into maintenance/repairs myself after 20 months of ownership.

Most of it was playing catch up from previous owner, but between new air struts, compressor, fresh front suspension, front wheel bearings, belts, tensioners, fan clutch, and driveline fluids, should add up to about 2.5k. That's not including the wheels/tires I bought as well.


Always the most maintenance done in the first 2 years of buying a used car.

[ukrcan]

i had an opportunity to pick up a 2003 4.6is a 5 years ago and chickened out due to the probable high maintenance cost...I have always wondered if that was the right decision... What a great cars those 4.6's are...
Now having Dinan bells and whistels on it, i can't even image what it feels driving that beast!
Thanks for sharing!

[bcredliner]

Different environment, different mileage, different driving, different engine, different year, repairs by dealer/indy/DIY=different expense per mile, miles or any period of time.

I may have had a year that exceeded $2,500 but I haven't averaged that much.

[motordavid]

Knock on wood, but I haven't spent $2500 on 'repairs', (exlcuding tire replacement & oil & fluid changes), in the almost 13 yrs I have had our E53.

Not bragging, just the facts...it could go kaboom tomorrow, but lucky 'so far', as in since Sept 2001.

If it did start costing a ~ $1G/yr or so, I would probably still keep it for some time...
GL, mD