So what is the best E53 X5?

[pezho405]

Im just thinking, what is the Best X5 to own. Or more to the point, the 4.6is VS 4.8is

Ive thought about possibly "upgrading" to a 4.6is. But this thread is designed to be in general whats the best you can get.

Main concern, Is the M62 more reliable than the N62? These valve seals and smoking and oilleaks on the N62 are getting annoying.

My thoughts For the 4.6is
---------------------------
+ Comes in ESTROIL BLUE
+ M62 (Better stronger more reliable engine?)
+ Style 87
+ Much Rarer than the 4.8is
+ Some different possible interior combos (Seat centers fabric/alcatara possible?)
+ Can get Bright aftermarket AEs, Headlight housing openable.
+ The movie Bumer 2
+ Classic 90s mafia look (on the black one)
+ The Lovely bull bar!
+ Supercharger available

- Older (Doesnt mean anything to me)
- Chain Guides
- interior trunk cover isnt a roll out but a slide instead? (not the floor)
- No stock angel eyes
- No X-Drive
- Less reliable Gearbox?
- Chain guides
- No Panoramic roof

My thoughts for the 4.8is
---------------------------
+ Newer
+ Less early production errors
+ Faster
+ X-Drive
+ Stock AEs
+ Facelift front end more modern classy Luxury look
+ Probably newer electronics in Nav and such?
+ Panoramic roof

- N62 Engine
- Less Possible performance upgrades (ie No supercharger made yet)
- Leaks
- ???

4.6is
-----




4.8is
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[Ricky Bobby]

For me, 4.6 over 4.8 any day. I too am getting sick of hearing about the problems of the N62.


Only problem is, there are MUCH MORE 4.8's that are used to choose from, not all are in great shape though and the ones that are cost a premium. Much fewer 4.6's on the market because there were less of them, and in recent months I haven't found any that are in great shape, most are over 100k miles and definitely have seen some wear. As long as the tranny and the chain guides on the M62 don't fail you, its a good motor.


Then again Artem, your 4.4 is the devil you know, after owning it for years and maintaining it yourself I'm sure its as reliable as anything. Why not just get an exhaust for your 4.4, and put the 4.8is kit on yours? Would give you most of the look and the sound, and keep you in the reliable X you've been working on for years.


All the cons of the 4.6 you mentioned can be fixed and/or are moot points. Angel eye headlights for 600, if you have DVD nav in the 4.6 the firmware can be updated to the latest version on all E53's anyway, which is basically a free flash. Xdrive vs. NV125 transfer case is silly, Xdrive transfer case is much more sensitive as far as fluids go, and has issues with actuator motors going bad. The NV125 is pretty much bulletproof with good maintenance and parts are readily available for fixing (Cobra transmission for the NV125 as opposed to basically BMW only for the Xdrive). Also, you might have pull-out load floor in the trunk as opposed to standard trunk, but its not a fixed option, differs with each 4.6 (for example I have sliding load floor on mine), but don't know how either of the floors are a con, do you haul much? Either way most of the cons you mentioned are moot IMO, the 4.6 is beautiful, its just finding the right, well cared for example that will make you give up your well taken care of 4.4

[04e53x5]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

For me, 4.6 over 4.8 any day. I too am getting sick of hearing about the problems of the N62.


Only problem is, there are MUCH MORE 4.8's that are used to choose from, not all are in great shape though and the ones that are cost a premium. Much fewer 4.6's on the market because there were less of them, and in recent months I haven't found any that are in great shape, most are over 100k miles and definitely have seen some wear. As long as the tranny and the chain guides on the M62 don't fail you, its a good motor.


Then again Artem, your 4.4 is the devil you know, after owning it for years and maintaining it yourself I'm sure its as reliable as anything. Why not just get an exhaust for your 4.4, and put the 4.8is kit on yours? Would give you most of the look and the sound, and keep you in the reliable X you've been working on for years.


All the cons of the 4.6 you mentioned can be fixed and/or are moot points. Angel eye headlights for 600, if you have DVD nav in the 4.6 the firmware can be updated to the latest version on all E53's anyway, which is basically a free flash. Xdrive vs. NV125 transfer case is silly, Xdrive transfer case is much more sensitive as far as fluids go, and has issues with actuator motors going bad. The NV125 is pretty much bulletproof with good maintenance and parts are readily available for fixing (Cobra transmission for the NV125 as opposed to basically BMW only for the Xdrive). Also, you might have pull-out load floor in the trunk as opposed to standard trunk, but its not a fixed option, differs with each 4.6 (for example I have sliding load floor on mine), but don't know how either of the floors are a con, do you haul much? Either way most of the cons you mentioned are moot IMO, the 4.6 is beautiful, its just finding the right, well cared for example that will make you give up your well taken care of 4.4

That sounds like a good idea
- like for mine i replaced basicly everything on it at least once so its practically brand new in some sense and you know what you replaced and whats next for replacing if you get a 4.6is you may be getting someone elses headache... but dont getme wrong id love to pick up a 4.6is but like Ricky said not many in good shape.

[Riggodeaux]

What is best? "To conquer your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!" So sayeth Conan the Barbarian ....

I understand the 4.4 vis 4.8 V8 debate, but I'm convinced a late model [05-06] E53 3.0 [the classic bmw powerplant] with a six speed and none of the suspension gimmicks is the way to go. See my sig. Of course, I'm looking for everyday driver performance, handling and reliability. You still get electronic gremlins, waterpump weakness, and the window/doorlock glitches, but if you are talking about 'the best' .....

[Riggodeaux]

Correction, 4.6 vis 4.8. Great pix in the original post, btw. That Estoril Blue is pretty special. I also like the pic of the red one fording what looks like a South African streambed ......

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

I understand the 4.4 vis 4.8 V8 debate, but I'm convinced a late model [05-06] E53 3.0 [the classic bmw powerplant] with a six speed and none of the suspension gimmicks is the way to go. See my sig. Of course, I'm looking for everyday driver performance, handling and reliability. You still get electronic gremlins, waterpump weakness, and the window/doorlock glitches, but if you are talking about 'the best' .....

x2 Riggo, I brought my X5 to my indy for the first time after purchase, and he basically told me an inline BMW 6 cylinder with a manual transmission, the body will quit on me way before the driveline ever will.

[tmv]

Originally Posted by pezho405

Im just thinking, what is the Best X5 to own. Or more to the point, the 4.6is VS 4.8is

Ive thought about possibly "upgrading" to a 4.6is.

Main concern, Is the M62 more reliable than the N62? These valve seals and smoking and oilleaks on the N62 are getting annoying.

My thoughts For the 4.6is
---------------------------
+ Comes in ESTROIL BLUE (Some 2004 4.8iS come in ESTORIL BLUE too)
+ M62 (Better stronger more reliable engine?) They both have strong points and weak points. Vanos rattle, chain guide and tensioner on the 4.6iS VS. rear main seal on 4.8iS
+ Style 87 Can be bought and fit on 4.8iS just fine
+ Much Rarer than the 4.8is
+ Some different possible interior combos Wrapping trim in vinyl and 2-tone interior is pretty easy to me. Just did that on my 03 540i MSport
+ The movie Bumer 2
+ Classic 90s mafia look (on the black one)
+ The Lovely bull bar!

- Older (Doesnt mean anything to me)
- Older firmware on the nav?
- interior trunk cover isnt a roll out but a slide instead? (not the floor) Sometime it comes off the track and the connected ends pop out. Happened to my 3.0
- No stock angel eyes Retrofit if you want them
- No X-Drive

My thoughts for the 4.8is
---------------------------
+ Newer
+ Faster
+ X-Drive
+ Stock AEs
+ Facelift front end more modern classy Luxury look
+ Probably newer electronics in Nav and such?

- N62 Engine
- ???

I had the chance to buy epdark's well-maintained 4.6iS but opt for the 4.8iS that panchosouth passed on. That's my vote.

[OptimusPriM5]

Wasnt there someone on the board trying to sell a 4.8 in Estoril recently? Not sure of mileage and details but I seem to recall something along those lines.

Some valid points here and a debate I went through and quite frankly my requirements were even more basic: 1) HAD to be Estoril (So right there my choice was very limited as there were way more 4.6's available than 4.8's). 2) HAD to have service records 3) mileage under 80K and of course very clean. I was encouraged by loads of folks to look for a 4.8 except one indy who provided rebuttal much as done here that most every issue is well known on the 4.6 and he has owned 3. Each problem has a fix just be aware of those issues, do a PPI and buy the best in a price range you can afford otherwise you will feel as though you "settled". He was exactly right.

I found all three in a 4.6 after looking for quite some time and found it locally to me as well and turned out to be a 1 owner, he "ordered" it through the dealer and he had all maintenance records. Plus honestly and again more cosmetically, I way prefer the Style 87's.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by tmv

I had the chance to buy epdark's well-maintained 4.6iS but opt for the 4.8iS that panchosouth passed on. That's my vote.

Good thing you bought your 4.8 Tan, I was just talking to Dan (epdarks) the other day and he told me that the new owner was taking care of the 4.6, but then a week later he found a craigslist Ad for it, saying the chain guides blew and it was being sold on Craigslist without the motor running, so sad

So if you did buy it you'd have to have done the chain guides right away (to Dan's defense, he told me he was fully up front with the new owner that the guides should be done preventatively at the mileage)

[J.Belknap]

4.6

Totally not biased or anything.