Questions you thought were too dumb to ask E53 edition

[glenc]

Hi folks

What a great thread Since car's became more electronic I have avoided cleaning the engine in case water got into some little connection somewhere and made my life hell (and expensive). Is it possible / safe to use some kind of degreasing spray on the engine (the whole compartment) and use a gentle jet wash to clean it off? I'm not pedantic enough to pull out a toothbrush and clean it top to bottom that way

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by glenc

Hi folks

What a great thread Since car's became more electronic I have avoided cleaning the engine in case water got into some little connection somewhere and made my life hell (and expensive). Is it possible / safe to use some kind of degreasing spray on the engine (the whole compartment) and use a gentle jet wash to clean it off? I'm not pedantic enough to pull out a toothbrush and clean it top to bottom that way

I use BikeBrite (total motorcycle cleaner).

Bike Brite Inc. High Quality Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, Bicycle and Automotive Products

This stuff is great, turns to foam when sprayed on and lifts dirt/grime. Contains rubber/plastic conditioners to keep those item from drying out and shrinking (degreasers are bad news, dries these items out).

[glenc]

Thank you TiAgX5

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I use BikeBrite (total motorcycle cleaner).

Bike Brite Inc. High Quality Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, Bicycle and Automotive Products

This stuff is great, turns to foam when sprayed on and lifts dirt/grime. Contains rubber/plastic conditioners to keep those item from drying out and shrinking (degreasers are bad news, dries these items out).

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Here's the same info but just written out with a bit more detail by each model that you've already gotten. As you've discovered...the numbers you listed basically represent the engine's liters. But since the 4.6is & 4.8is where the largest engine offerings during their production run...they also came with extra interior/exterior options, too:

A stock 4.6 0-60 time is not 7.0 it is 6.2. And the 4.6 did not come equipped with a retractable floor.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by glenc

Hi folks

What a great thread Since car's became more electronic I have avoided cleaning the engine in case water got into some little connection somewhere and made my life hell (and expensive). Is it possible / safe to use some kind of degreasing spray on the engine (the whole compartment) and use a gentle jet wash to clean it off? I'm not pedantic enough to pull out a toothbrush and clean it top to bottom that way

I have been soaking down engines with Gunk products and spraying them off with a hose for decades. Have been doing so with my X5 since I bought it new. Never a problem. I don't do anything other than let it sit for a couple of hours after I am done

[TiAgX5]

I usually look to Car and Driver new/long term tests for "real world" 0-60 & 1/4 mile figures (been my go to for around 30 yrs).

The long term tests on BMWs almost always show faster 0-60 times, about .2 or .3 (40k miles "break-in")

Was unable to find a long term test on the 4.6is, new, C&D found 6.5sec 0-60 (would be as Brian stated above around 6.2 after break-in).

C&D did a long term test on the 4.4, found the 0-60 to be 6.7sec after 40k miles.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ce-time-page-2

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

A stock 4.6 0-60 time is not 7.0 it is 6.2. And the 4.6 did not come with equipped with a retractable floor.

The write up didn't say that the 4.6is CAME WITH retractable floor...it said:

"with the EXCEPTIONS OF nav, rear side airbags, comfort seats & retractable load floor...every conceivable comfort feature was included as standard..."

The above quote from the June/2006 BIMMER issue...I interpret as saying that the four things listed were "optional"...not "standard equipment".

Not sure how the 0-60 times were recorded or even if 0-60 represents miles or kilometers...but here's an excerpt from BMW NA's BMW magazine that lists 0-60 MPH times as 6.2 as you mention.

[TiAgX5]

Really sucks that BMW put a limiter on the 4.6is, holding it back to 149.

The unrestricted 4.4i Xs that left the factory with "V" rated rubber were stated by BMW as 143mph top speed. Personally saw 147mph (GPS indicated) with mine. The speedo was up around 153 indicated. The 2 plus miles of WOT getting from 125mph to 147mph game me LOTS of time to think about all the things that could go wrong, my butt cheeks where clamped TIGHT!

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

I usually look to Car and Driver new/long term tests for "real world" 0-60 & 1/4 mile figures (been my go to for around 30 yrs).

The long term tests on BMWs almost always show faster 0-60 times, about .2 or .3 (40k miles "break-in")

Was unable to find a long term test on the 4.6is, new, C&D found 6.5sec 0-60 (would be as Brian stated above around 6.2 after break-in).

C&D did a long term test on the 4.4, found the 0-60 to be 6.7sec after 40k miles.

Service Time

My reference is the BMW factory rating of the X5 4.6, not an any miles after calculation. I assume the Bimmerworld quote was intended to be the same. Performance after any amount of miles will vary notably if only considering how those miles were driven. 6.7 could just as well have been 7.2 or 6.5. Personally, I don't think that information is meaningful. And that does not consider all the variables similar to dyno runs used to declare HP/TQ.

Dyno runs on engine or chassis dynos involve using a formula to extrapolate estimated HP/TQ. Generally engine dynos are more accurate than chassis dynos. There are several different technologies applied to various engine or chassis dynos. Brands and dynos within a brand do not deliver the same results. And there are too many other variations to list but here's a few---calibration of dyno, formula in software, how tight the tie down straps are, tire pressure, torque convertor slip, tire size, diff ratio, tire slippage, CFPM of air the shop forces into the engine, if or what they hook the exhaust to, barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, operator expertise, etc. All dyno results are at best an guesstimate. Same is true of A-B timed runs. IMO comparisons to other vehicles are just for fun or a good way to initiate a d*&k dance.

I don't consider dyno runs to be useful except to an individual that wants to see the results of their mods or to mess with the tune to see if there is more there to get out.

I think the only way to know who is faster is to line 'em up and cut them loose and see who gets from A to B first. Even then it is only the results of the race on that day and those two vehicles.

[bcredliner]

Oopsie, you are correct Qsilver7