So what is the best E53 X5?

[x5Alpine]

M62 is a much better engine. I've put 15,000 miles on my 02 4.6is since Feb. Love it to death. When I drove the 4.8is, it just didn't feel as "BMW" as the 4.6is.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

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

Aye... thats a damn shame!

[TwinTurboGTR]

I concur with most. There is no best. It's personal pref. I had an '01 4.4. then moved on to an 04 4.8 and I love them both. M62 and N62 are two completely different breeds. Can I tell the difference between Valvtronic and not? No. Is X-drive any better than the fixed? I've never gotten stuck in either X. The only noticeable difference I can tell is power and torque. I just spent 2 days under the hood of the 4.4 fixing the Valley pan for the SECOND time... while on a test drive, it was nice. As soon as I parked in the garage, I got cleaned up and went to my office and hopped in the 4.8... as soon as I power it on... it always puts a smile on my face.

If I could have it my way though, I wish I could have a 4.6 that was facelifted. Just sayin. Already dealt with an M62 and tearing it down to bits... timing chain guides??? BRING IT ON!

But not now... I just got done puttin er back together. I need a break. lol

[pezho405]

Originally Posted by TiAgX5

Really? A poll?

Oh come on just having some fun

[TerminatorX5]

i would say, from the fun point of view, the 4.6 was a raw beast (not an M3 or E39 M5), it still felt a bit heavy but in my opinion was quicker to take off, and the 4.8 is a little more refined beast (it says on paper it is faster to take off, but it does not feel so)...

I went with the top of the line (the "iS") because i HATE retrofitting and those beasts had so many items standard that the retrofitting was minimal... as a matter of fact, the only retrofits the 4.8 got, was the TV module, rear camera, aspheric mirror, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, TV Switch and the TV AV in/out modules, AUX input... the mods included headrest monitors, 2 x 110 VAC converters under the front seats, blacked out badges on everything except for the engine cover and the keyfob, power distribution for the aftermarket mods via Wake-on-LAN signal...
I did not have to worry about rear seat heaters, silver gauges on the dash, nav system, sport seats, etc - they were already part of the car...

so, for me - being lazy was a deciding factor... lol... but, i strongly believe that laziness moves human progress - if we were not lazy, we would still get up to change the channel on a TV!!!!

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by pezho405

Oh come on just having some fun

More like poking a stick in a hornets nest!

[X5SND]

To sum my opinion into one word: Wuzin.

(The older members will know what I'm on about!)

[pezho405]

Originally Posted by TerminatorX5

i would say, from the fun point of view, the 4.6 was a raw beast (not an M3 or E39 M5), it still felt a bit heavy but in my opinion was quicker to take off, and the 4.8 is a little more refined beast (it says on paper it is faster to take off, but it does not feel so)...

I went with the top of the line (the "iS") because i HATE retrofitting and those beasts had so many items standard that the retrofitting was minimal... as a matter of fact, the only retrofits the 4.8 got, was the TV module, rear camera, aspheric mirror, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, TV Switch and the TV AV in/out modules, AUX input... the mods included headrest monitors, 2 x 110 VAC converters under the front seats, blacked out badges on everything except for the engine cover and the keyfob, power distribution for the aftermarket mods via Wake-on-LAN signal...
I did not have to worry about rear seat heaters, silver gauges on the dash, nav system, sport seats, etc - they were already part of the car...

so, for me - being lazy was a deciding factor... lol... but, i strongly believe that laziness moves human progress - if we were not lazy, we would still get up to change the channel on a TV!!!!

Let me know when you decide to sell yours, cause then i can be trully lazy and wont have to do any more retrofits because youve already done them

[bcredliner]

I have no experience with the 4.8.

I have owned a 4.6 since it was new. I have kept it 7 years longer than any other new vehicle I have purchased in a very long time. In the past I would find something that was newer technology and didn't look dated. I still think the 4.6 is absolutely great in all ways. When I do decide to get something else I will keep the 4.6. Any of the newer X5s I have driven, including each year of the X5M have been woody killers.

I see the posts about how terrible X5s are about parts failures. That is so far from what I have experienced. I added all Dinan mods available except the supercharger before I took delivery. Last year at 105,000 miles I added methanol injection and 150 shot of nitrous. The clock is now at 110,000 miles. I upgraded the suspension, I think it was at about 85,000 miles. There was nothing wrong with the original suspension at that point. Other than OCD maintenance I have replaced one radiator hose, an expansion tank and the plastic overflow tube. I have never had to go inside the engine and have the original transmission. I don't like that I have gone through two new MAFs and have had to clean each one since the nitrous addition, but that is a small penalty that is fine with me. I go through tires and brakes more than I would like but there is a reason my tag is Redliner instead of recliner.

The voices in the wilderness of folks that are not having problems with their X are heard far less but this is a forum where most the the discussion is about how to fix something. I say that if they have had all the problems some shout about about without any reason why they still own an X5 they are placing an ad about their poor judgment or they have taken a break from beating their dog and their wife if she hasn't already divorced them.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by X5SND

To sum my opinion into one word: Wuzin.

(The older members will know what I'm on about!)

Is that an exclusive fraternity or do we all get to know what it means?