any model/year to watch out for???
 

First off, let me say I'm currently reading through the pages of the E53 area researching/noting problems with the E53, but I'm just wondering if there is a census on if any year/model was particularily bad for issues?

I'm looking at buying an E53 in next 4 months (if not sooner) and just would like a heads up if this year xxx or this model xxx has a bad transmission problem, or engine issue, or suspension problem or electrical issue, etc.

I will continue reading through the forum to make my own decisions too.
Clockwork

PS: glad there is a forum dedicated to the E53. certinally opens a persons eyes to experiences had with these fine rides.

personally I would avoid the first year or two if possible - 2000-2001. From there get the best maintained and best condition newest model you can afford 2002-2006.

C4racer, fully agree.
I definitely know that 2 year rule for any bmw model! I currently have 2 other Bimmers at the moment and one is a 2nd year production and it has had its fair share of issues, that and it is 21 years old next month and I'm the 3rd owner. My problem to put her back together but at the same time, happy to take care of her again to her full glory.
I'm jsut hoping to avoid any of these repairs (as much as possible anyhow) with this SAV purchase.

Well, the E53 has it's share of trouble spots, as most BMWs do, but fundamentally is a solid car. From what I have seen there is not a huge difference in reliability as a general trend between MY02-06, but there is huge variability between specific examples. Some of that is luck, some of that is maintanence and service history. I tend to like former CPO cars just outside of the CPO warrantee as a good bet for not too much $.

I am selling my 06 3.0i with 49k miles for 27k with 2yrs left on extended warranty

+1 on avoiding the first year or so of production.

Consider that the 2004 was a significant refresh, with a new engine in the 4.4 model, new transmissions with more gears, and new x-drive. More features, and more to potentially go wrong. Some purchasers go for the 2004 up to get better mileage in the 4.4 models.

Than JCL, thats what I'm thinking so also.
there IS a 2002 4.4i loaded here i'm interested in, with just 62k miles on it for $14,500 so I'll keep my ear to the ground on that one, but also look for newer ones.
I like the idea of more gears, since i drive the highway every day, and that would be nifty.
Yeah vehichle history is also a huge benefit, and I will call on it to see if this dealership knows of it.
thanx for the replies guys.

I'm currently reading reviews on the xDrive system and trying to find if anyone finds it a night and day difference over the awd system on the pre-2004 models...

I will be driving this mainly in the snow/winter so it needs to have a great awd system.

I've had both, pre x-drive in the X5 and x-drive in the X3. I wouldn't say it is a night and day difference. Tires matter more than variable torque split IMO, if you are mainly concerned about winter driving. All things being equal, I would look for an x-drive model, but more for the newness than the x-drive system.

JCL, the 2004 definitely has some more attractive features that I like, but the price difference in Calgary is redic between a 2003 and 2004. I like the looks of both, but options in the '04 and higher seem better. Angel Eyes, cleaner light covers, adaptive lights, more tranny gears, more power in engine, smells newer and more, are enticing reasons to hold out for an '04 tho...

if you want a night and day difference, buy it out of the US. they are giving these things away down there...

I've driven xDrive and non-xDrive E53s back to back in a variety of off-road situations and xDrive makes a big difference in low-traction environments. If, however, you don't intent taking your X off-road then there's not much between the two. And, xDrive, or not, the E53 isn't really a proper off-roader due to its lack of wheel travel and lowish ride height. No dual range gearing doesn't help either. Off-roading an E53 also brings in the question of suspension (Sport isn't as good as standard suspension) and the wheel and tyre package (17s are better than 18s which are better than 19s etc).

Jeez, you guys are really begining to make me feel bad. My poor old pre-04-2000 is hanging in there pretty good. Hanging on to her because one day she might be a collectors item being one of the very first of the X production run. 140000 and no really major repairs such as engine, tranny etc. Just did put a set of new front axles in and seems to do being good right now "knock on wood". I would really like to do some other improvements but at the moment just doing routine maintenance. And about the AWD.... this vehicle is outstanding in the snow/ice we have been getting here in the southeastern USA.

all of them

clock, don't over look the fact of a far superior all wheel drive system with the '04's and newer. x-drive is a more capable drive system over the earlier trucks and i'm assuming you'll see quite a bit of nasty weather where you're at.

It you looking for one that is a few years old, you probably want a facelift model with more horse power, 6 speed, and better steering wheel, which begin production end 2003 to 2006. After that, I believe they are xdrive model(?).

The V8 is a beautiful machine, but if maintenance cost is a large part of your decision making, I would strongly suggest the I6. Solid proven engine (won best engine in its category many many times). I have an 03 3.0 and while I have had a fair share of issues, they have all been small and relatively inexpensive. More space to work in as well. Good luck, I wouldn't change my X5 for anything; bugs and all.

really? I looked at some sites in Colorado (I have a friend living there who will check them out for me) and they were no different priced than Calgary.

I'm also needing the cold weather package, so I'm not too sure how many vehicles in the states will have them, unless I buy from a state with cold winters.

BC have many for sale?

Sprocket1200, do you know of any good american websites where i can peruse for quality cars? I was told Craigslist.

Fraser, sorry I should have specified. I never intend to off road this beast. I just live in a city where we get MAJOR ice build up and snow heights. So a sick a$$ set of winter/ice tyres are necessary and an AWD system, IF a person can help it. I am lucky enough to be able to.

So I Just want a system that will help me get out of deep snow and ice conditions.

Glad you compared the two systems though. That makes a WORLD of difference to me, thanx for your input.

Thanx for the advice.
I actually do not mind doing maintenance to my cars, to some degree. God knows my 850 puts me to the test. now THATS maintenance required. NEVER get the V12 in an 8 series. Be for warned. (but after all the repairs, mine runs top notch now)
I have a 330 and LOVE that engine, but just feel it would be underpowered in such a large vehicle.
I currently have a 4.7L grand cherokee and that beast has a nice hp/weight ratio, so I'm looking for the same result in the X5

In this small town running into another X is hard to do..... I came out of the post office and a lady had parked her x beside mine, both 4.4, black..... hers was an '01 (mine '03). She was remarking how she loved her X and never had any major issues (bought it brand new ten years ago on the lot). She almost bought another (new) one last year to replace it, but her X was still too good to trade in.

i like the wheels on the X5 further away.

have you ever thought of buying tinted signal repeaters? Or covering the factory ones with a smoke tint, or black tint?

I have black ones on both my cars and it just makes the lines of my cars flow better than a clear or orange repeater, in my opinion.

Number one requirement is still tyres but given the same tyres, xDrive offers a significant difference especially where the surface in question isn't perfectly flat or even.

Technically, I agree that should be true. In practice, given on-road driving in snow and ice, I have found the x-drive to be not that different than my pre x-drive X5. It is better, but not by as much as I would have expected. We are generally on flat surfaces. I think on uneven surfaces, particularly off-road, there would be much more difference.

Certainly. That's where xDrive works best. On flat but ice/snow covered roads there's less in it.

I am not sure of quality cars. you always have to do your due diligence. always ask for receipts on work. having said that I use cars.com and pick the zipcode for an area. the further down in the US the better and sunny states like FL, AZ, CA NV cars will not be damaged by road salt, etc.

from the pricing on cars.com you can either go get the car yourself or use that price to approximate what is will be for getting a broker to bring the car in for you. x5's are made in the US so no duty on them. exchange rate may be your biggest cost and you will have to pay GST on the exchanged price once you get it to the border.

I'm not sure I agree with this. From the amount of reading I've done on the various BMW forums it doesn't appear BMW corrects problem areas in later years of the same model. Window regulators are a prime example. To my knowledge BMW didn't re-engineer the part in later versions of the vehicle. It seems most all of the issues that existed in the first version exist in the last version of any given model. Or am I wrong?

Just because the design of the window regulator hasn't changed, doesn't mean that a lot of the first-year niggling issues were addressed. Statistically, models later in the production cycle are more reliable, even if they aren't perfect. Same with all manufacturers, but particularly true with BMW given the complexity of their engineering solutions.

And if you want to improve your chances with window regulators, don't slam the doors with the windows all the way down, the glass isn't properly supported by the guide track in that case. Raise them a couple of inches.

Window regulators were just an example. Oil freezing in the oil separator during cold weather, dead pixels in the instrument cluster / BC computer, automatic transmission slamming are yet more examples. Perhaps there's something that affected earlier vehicles but does not later vehicles but I'm not aware of any (save for the E46 subframe issue which appears to affect MY 1999-2000 vehicles more than MY 2001-2006). Do you have any examples?

Cold weather package is popular here in Colorado.

Just look at published data for early hour dealer visits, comparing various years of production. Pretty clear trend lines.

Ask a BMW dealer about 2007 X5 customer complaint rates compared to other years.

Edit:

OK, found a year by year summary. Note how many recalls were done in 2000, and how the numbers dropped through E53 production:

Dont forget to add the famous $1200 letter from BMW Canada. This letter is to confirm that the imported vehicle is exempt of recalls, or to cover the fees of doing those recalls.
That's why I forgot the idea of importing an X5 from the states.

And don't forget to consider that your resale value will be diminished, at least in Canada. You can always ship it back to the US to sell it I suppose.

I'm not saying there haven't been some improvements. But generally speaking they're not overwhelming. Your recall list doesn't really help make your case. For example:

2001: Front-seat seatbelt anchorages may not have been properly secured.

Isn't a design flaw but rather an assembly issue. Something that could happen in in model year. Things like oil seperator valve freezing, window regulators, dead pixels, and jerking transmissions...those are evidence of design flaws.

OK. :thumbup:

I guess I considered loss of steering from the rack falling off, loss of brake fluid resulting in no front brakes, the brake pedal becoming detached, loss of steering due to the spindle and/or tie rods becoming disconnected, and loss of power assist to the steering, any of which could cause a serious accident, to be evidence of improvements year over year. All are more important to me than any pixels out in the display from a faulty ribbon connector. And all of these are just the safety recalls, none of the TSBs for various campaigns are listed here. By 2002, all of the above had stopped happening, as both the design and the assembly processes were improved. Recalls were down, until 2004, when the LCI was introduced, with another wave of first-year issues. Your point was that BMW doesn't improve things throughout a model run. I just disagree, that's all.

From the recall notice:

"VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT COUPLING INCLUDES A PLASTIC COLLAR WHICH FITS OVER THE LOWER STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT. THIS COLLAR IS PUSHED DOWN ONTO THE STEERING RACK AND TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. ON SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE COLLAR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PUSHED DOWN FULLY ONTO THE RACK AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.

"DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING RACK INPUT SHAFT COLLAR FOR PROPER POSITIONING, AND REPOSITION IS NECESSARY."


From the recall notice:

"ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE FRONT BRAKE LINE TO SLIP OUT OF THE RETAINING BRACKET LOCATED AT THE FRONT STRUT."

"DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO FURTHER SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT STRUT."

From the recall notice:

"ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT COULD LOOSEN FROM ITS SUPPORT BRACKET."

"DEALERS WILL CHECK THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIVOT SHAFT FOR PROPER SEATING IN ITS SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, A PIN WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE SHAFT TO THE BRACKET"

Can you provide me with the specific recall ID for which recall this refers to?


From the recall notice:

"VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO AN ASSEMBLY ERROR DURING VEHICLE PRODUCTION, ANY OF THE THREE BOLTS THAT SECURE THE PULLEY TO THE PUMP MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED."

"DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY TO SEE IF IT IS LOOSE. IF THE PULLEY IS NOT LOOSE ON THE PUMP, THE RETAINING BOLTS WILL BE TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION. IF THE PULLEY IS LOOSE, THE PUMP, PULLEY, ATTACHING BOLTS, AND DRIVE BELT WILL BE REPLACED."


The issues you referenced aren't inherent problems with the X5. They're manufacturing problems. Meanwhile the dead pixels, jerking transmission, window regulators, and freezing oil separator valves are inherent problems across the entire E53 model (and other models as well) regardless of year. These are the kinds of issues I'm referring to when I say "it doesn't appear BMW corrects problem areas in later years of the same model".

So I guess if 12 recalls in 2000-2001, reducing down to a single recall in 2005 near the end of the model run, doesn't indicate that they sorted out some problems along the way, then OK. Congratulations. You do seem to be selective in which factory issues you focus on. I am not sure why it is important if it is a design defect, a supplier problem, or a defect in the design of the manufacturing process, if you are stuck on the side of the road or in an accident as a result.

I fixed my dead pixels by reseating the plug in the wiring harness. Never had a jerking transmission, frozen oil separator, or broken window regulator on any BMW vehicle, ever. But if those are the only issues you want to focus on, then you are correct that they went on for several years, until the transmission model was changed, the software was updated, and the heated and/or insulated CCV was introduced.

My thought when I wrote what I did was in reference to problems in design and not easily corrected manufacturing mistakes.

Manufacturing problems are not design flaws requiring a redesign whereas engineering flaws do. If a bolt wasn't tightened down during assembly that's an easy fix: You tighten it. If an oil separator freezes because it is a poor design that's not an easy fix. It requires BMW to re-engineer the system or part to properly fix it. IMO BMW hasn't done a good job of resolving design issues. Most carry through an entire model run and many across different models.

And don't think for a moment that later model year vehicles don't have some manufacturing issues. They may not be subject to recall though.

Wow, does anyone else in here feel like "daddy just slapped mommy" and we are just sitting here quietly?

sorry, just had to lighten the mood a little.
I really do appreciate all the info you guys ARE bringing up though between your discussion.

e53's from 2000-2006. :rofl:

Just kidding. Carry on...

Hm.. you must have filled a couple of notebooks by now :D

i would stick with the 3.0L models....there is a guy on this forum with 300k miles and another with 200k all on original transmission. From reading this forum it seems like the 4.4, 4.6, 4.8 had transmission issue. Does anybody agree?

All BMW automatics had issues, whether they are the GM or ZF units, 5 speeds or 6 speeds. 4.6 models had additional issues with torque converters, but beyond that I don't think it is model-specific.

3.0 models are easier to work on, and probably more reliable. That said, a well-maintained 4.4 will be a better bet than a poorly maintained 3.0.

:thumbup::D

I admit, I have a flawless 3.0L in my E46 and its never once caused issues in her 190,000 kms, but I'm also a stickler for maintenance and NOT letting anything slide.
BUT I just fear the 3L engine would be too underpowered for this big a vehicle. I've spoted a 2005 4.4i with good options I'm going to investigate this saturday. ALSO still has 65,000 kms of warranty left on it.

I just made a huge rookie mistake

holy cow. I was looking for cargo space for both the X3 and X5 and noticed the X3 has more cargo space apparently.
Also, I assumed the 4.4i would have slightly better gas milage than the 4.6 and 4.8, but according to the Canadian Driver article ( CanadianDriver » BMW » Used Vehicle Review: BMW X5, 2000-2006 ) the 3.0 and 4.8 have best gas millage. Am I being lied to???

No, of course they are not the same mileage if measured to the last drop of gas. However, the difference is that small (less then half a liter per 100km) that it makes the 4.8 more worthy. If you live in an area where they don't tax you per engine capacity, you should definitely go for the 4.8.
As about the cargo space, yeah, the E53 does not excel in that area. Without the net (to prevent luggage to trip in the passenger area) I feel the trunk is pretty much the same as the E60.

Well, you hadn't mentioned the X3 up until now. Is it a candidate? It does have more cargo space, and more usable cargo space, than the E53, as it doesn't have the sloping rear window. It has a more usable roof rack as well (it is longer). That said there are things it doesn't have, like dual-zone climate control, and all the bells and whistles that you can find on the E53 on some models.

But if you don't need to tow more than 3500 lbs, if the SUV is for poor road conditions as much as for anything else, if you want x-drive, if you like the 3.0 in your E46, and you like the agility of the E46, then the X3 is a very good choice. It certainly has fewer issues than the more complex E53 in my opinion. I enjoyed our E53, but when it came time to replace it the E70 was not a consideration, as it was larger and heavier, two things I wanted less of. We went to a 2007 E83 and are very happy with it. Ours has the 260 hp 3.0, 6 speed manual, around 800 lbs less weight to carry around, and thus more performance than the 4.4 E53s.

The problem with comparing fuel economy is that the test changed over the years you are considering. There were various correction factors applied to try and get closer to real world conditions.

Up through 2003, the 3.0 got better mileage than the 4.4. From 2004 onwards, the government test figures showed very similar fuel consumption between the 3.0 and the new 4.4 engine. The trouble is, that is from a dyno test, and it didn't show up in the real world. On a simulation run on a dyno, the acceleration rate is predetermined, and is very slow. If an owner has power available in the real world, they tend to use it. In the real world, the 3.0 is generally better, all V8 models are worse, but the 2004+ 4.4 is the best of the V8s.

JCL. I was looking at E83's previously, but something keeps drawing me back to the E53. styling/luxaries.
I will never tow anything and it is just needed for Calgary winters/snowfalls.
I'm going to see a 2004 and 2006 E83 now. one being a manual (which I'd REALLLLLY like to buy for winter driving) but no moon-roof. thats a must for me :(
thanx for allll your help JCL, you freaking rock (as do the rest of you fine ppl on the site)

:iagree:

If you are after an E53 V8, the slight difference in economy between the pre and post 2004 4.4s, the 4.6 and the 4.8 isn't worth considering in the big scheme of things, IMO. Even the 3.0-litre doesn't do much better than the V8s in many circumstances. JCL also makes a good point about the X3. For reasons I don't fully understand it's always been underrated.

You're welcome.

Up until now, this thead was discussing E53 models. 2000 introduction, 2004 LCI (Update), 2006 end of production.

For the E83, it is slightly different. All had x-drive, even before it was brought to the X5. Engines vary between a 2.5 at 185 hp, a few different 3.0s around 215/225 hp, and a newer more powerful 3.0 at 260 hp. What changed significantly was the ride and handling. It got better several times, importantly in 2006 (for the 2007 model year). That was when it stopped being something of a buckboard, the early models rode pretty hard. All E83s are firmer than E53 models; I think the non-sport E83 is pretty close to the sport E53. If you aren't looking at a 2007+ vehicle, you may not want sport package. I didn't, as I couldn't stand the ride. Drive them yourself and decide.

I know what you mean about the image of the X3 vs the X5. The X5 has more presence. The ride is more luxurious, while the E83 is more tossable and sporty. The E53 has some nice luxury features, but on a used vehicle that can also mean more to fix. I sold my E53 after four years, even though it had zero issues, and even though I could wrench on it myself, because I didn't want the hassle of dealing with it out of warranty. I don't have those same concerns about the E83. It is an E46 underneath. Essentially bulletproof, with the possible exception of the ATC transfer case, which isn't servicable.

Thanx again JCL.
I never mentioned in this E53 forum about the E83, strictly cause I didn't wanna cross-contiminate and make some people upset that I'm talkinga bout X3's on an X5 forum :)

I'd be foolish to not atleast be looking at the little brother of the X5, BUT I still think I will end up with a 4.4i.
And not cause it may or may not be more gas efficient (cause I know thats amute point with V8's) but because there are a LOT more 4.4L's floating around and parts would be the easier/cheaper/faster to get.

I will mention that I took an '07 3.0si M Sport out tonight, but it was an automatic unfortunately. Great handling/braking but very bumpy ride (i understand its based off a 3er chasis) and less ammenities than I'd LIKE (not need, but like) to see in a vehicle that expensive.

I will try to test drive 2 more X3's tomorrow. a manual and an auto.

The '05 X5 4.41 I have lined up for a test drive saturday is loaded with comfort package and also has extended warranty. Which would tickle me pink to have warranty again on atleast ONE of my Bimmers hahaha

If one of the vehicles you are looking at is an X5, I don't see the downside of discussing both. I am sure some members view only one forum on xoutpost. Personally, I consider it all one book, with chapters, so I look at all the new posts and don't mind if they are about E53, E70, E83, M, Other, Lounge, Politics, or Premium Members. I don't go into the brakes/tires/detailing/stereo subsections, but that is just me.

There may be more X5s than X3s around Calgary, but there shouldn't be more 4.4 models than 3.0 models. The 3.0 held 65-75% of the X5 market share during its life, so they outnumber V8 models from 2 to 1 up to 3 to 1. If there are a lot more 4.4 models around, it means that a lot more people are selling them, given that they are a smaller population.

Good luck with your search.

Just a side question: Are Canadian delivered X5s and X3s the same as US delivered models in tune/spec/options etc?

shoot, sorry, should clarify that.
there are more 4.4L than 4.6L or 4.8L engines here in Calgary.
I was not including the mass population of M54 3.0L engines in that group.

Fraser, they usually have the winter package included more often (not too sure why :p)

Same engines/transmisisons, since our emissions regulations are harmonized.

Some small regulatory-driven differences due to km vs miles on odo and speedo, C vs F, daytime running lights, etc.

Slightly different option packages, configurations. We sometimes get things that the US doesn't get, additional colours, etc. We pay a premium for that, on all models, due to our smaller market size relative to the US.

We also don't get the same included maintenance on new models, and there are no BMW extended warranties offered (unless you buy CPO). Warranties used to be shorter here, but have now been harmonized.

I think the bigger difference is our dealer networks. Dealers in Canada appear to offer far better service departments than the US, likely because they can afford to in the BMWCA business model. On the other hand, vehicles cost more, we don't have the common practice of buying for invoice plus $x, we are usually dealing down from MSRP. Much smaller number of dealers, bigger distances, so many of us deal locally.

Don't know how it worked over there but in Oz the 4.6is (pre 2004) and the 4.8is (post 2004) were special high-performance models with 20-inch wheels/tyres, special suspension etc, etc, while the 4.4 was just the bread and butter model. If you want an E53 and want the V8, I'd be looking at a very late '05 or '06 4.4.

Cheers for that. Just wasn't sure.

So had seen a bunch of X5's the weekend past and have narrowed it down to a 2004 4.4i with sports package, OR a 2003 4.6is (pure gorgeous), though the 4.8is is just tooooo nice (just more than I want to pay).
but the more I do research, the more negativity is all I read.

I have a perfect condition, 190,000 kms, 330Ci but also a 206,000 kms 850i which causes maintenance nightmares (but getting less and less, i'll admit).

Now I'd be the first to tell someone to not buy the 850 cause of its maintenance issues, and from what I read from this site and from Edmunds.com, it sounds like the X5's are just nightmares for reliability.
Is this correct, OR are there a LOT of satisfied owners out there too which never see repairs/problems?
I just don't want to buy another "850"

clock, these trucks are awesome. as i'm sure some on this site have stated previously, you need to be preventative with your maintenance and it helps if you have the ability to wrench on a lot of issues that come up. i actually really enjoy working on mine and find it very empowering when i tackle and complete a difficult repair. there is nothing like the driving feel of the x5. make sure that you have the service history of the truck that you potentially buy and you'll be good to go. enjoy and welcome to the family.

:)
I really enjoy working on my E46 and E31 as well, but not every weekend haha and I fully agree with preventative maintenance and NOT letting anything slide once it HAS broken or starts too. I am anal on how maintained my cars are and will be over this X5 too
As I said, my E46 has been flawless from day 1 that I bought her used.
the E31 has been a nightmare, and probably spent $20,000 in upgrades/maintenance.
I'm just hoping to avoid having to do that with the E53, so knowing its history is worth its weight in gold.

I am thinking the best bet will to be buying the '04 4.4i since the owner has allll service records and said its been a flawless vehicle for him, to date.
it just came off warranty 1 year ago and has not had a single issue (to date).

I will admit though, I LOVE the look/sound of the 4.6is.
tough decision. old technology and hot looks or new technology but more subtle looks

There are no guarantees, but if an E46 is at one end of the reliability scale (good), and the 850 is at the other end (not so good) then I would but the E53 squarely in the middle of those two. Just my $0.02.

JCL, I could handle that.

Hope you are well out west.
Cheers

JCL, forgot to tell you, I managed to take a 2004 3.0 X3 manual for a rip, an dwow is that EVER more enjoyable over the automatic!!!!!
I bet your model is even MORE fun.
Good call on your purchase,

I think it's a bit harsh saying the 4.6is is old tech and the 2004 4.4i is new tech. And, in a way they can't be compared as the 4.4 is the bread and butter model and the 4.6is is a special model. I'm not sure how many 4.6is were sold over there (compared to pre up-date 4.4s) but it could/should have a better retained value than a 4.4i. It certainly would here in Oz.

Hey Fraser, I just mean old as in the fact that there were less transmission gears, no angel eyes, no XDrive, no bi-xenons... small, yet notable things.

don't forget that the exclusive 4.6is comes with the exclusive 4.6is parts cost. it's not really that bad but it could definitely be more dollars to upkeep.

yeah, i have to sort that into the mix as well.
It IS sort of an "M" X5, and like any M vehicle, they cost more :p

I'm thinking there may be a slightly less enjoyable driving experience in the 4.4i, BUT it's probably the more reliable/safer choice.

I wouldn't think a 2003 4.6is would be any less reliable than a 2004 4.4i. Perhaps more expensive to fix if something does go wrong. I believe it has a beefed up tranny compared to the pre update 4.4.

Clockwork, I'm at the same point as you. I'm selling my E46 for a X5. I too was tempted by a 4.6 over a 2004 4.4.
Just because of the cost of maintenance, and the fact that the 4.6 is the one with the worst fuel consumption vs the 2004+ 4.4 which has the best of V8s, I will go for a 2004 4.4.
To make it sportier I will remove the resonator and install a H-pipe to have some sound, and do some other cosmetic upgrades.
In my case, the X will be my daily driver and I travel a bit more than 100km per day to go to work, so the fuel consumption difference means > $1000s per year, that I can put on tires, rims ... :D

Fraser, I've been reading and it seems there are more problems with the engine/tranny of the 4.6 than the 4.4, for some reason. :(

I'm approaching my one year anniversary with my 2001 4.4i on Friday. The only repairs I've had to do to it since purchase have been:

• MID repair for dead pixels - A couple of columns of the pixels had gone out. Not an operational thing but I like my vehicles to be in top shape.
• Window washer pumps - Washer fluid kept getting low despite light use. I decided to replace all of them and be done with it (this was actually an issue I noticed at the time of purchase but thought the fluid was just low).

Other than that everything else has been maintenance / cosmetic issues (like a new BMW roundel). I did perform some repair work upon initial delivery of the vehicle (SEL was on, torn CV boots, front bushings) but those were identified in the PPI and I negotiated an additional discount on the vehicle to address them.

Other than that it's been a trouble free vehicle this past year. Taking it in for an oil, air, fuel filter change in the next few weeks but that's maintenance. Vehicle has ~108K miles when I purchase and it now has ~118K miles.

HTH

TB, I am thinking the same.
I read the reaviews about gass consumption, and like you I drive a LOT every day and the difference is about 100 kms per tank. That adds up quickly in savings.
I'm leaning towards the '04 4.4i myself.

Sunny, I believe as long as I am on top of maintenance and fixing problems as soon as they happen, I think they could be great vehicles.
my 8 has a single dead pixel column and it drives me nuts.

The question is: How many problems will you need to be on top of? Regardless of how quickly you address them if you deem them excessive, as some people have, it will detract from your enjoyment of the vehicle.

Clockwork, I just Love your phrase, about cars and girlfriend.))))