Thoughs on getting a High mileage 4.8is?
 

Just wanted to know a thought of high vs. low milage, specifically to the 4.8is, any know issues that the other models don't get? (excluding air susp.)

I thinking of going in the 50-65k range.
Would any good come out of a properly maintained 75k+?

I was told don't buy a 4.8is that were built befor November 2003/4
You shuold look for anything that built from December 2004 up.

I bought a 2006 X5 4.8is with 50k miles (80k km) about 1.5 years ago. So far I had no problems.

Bear in mind that you need a good repair shop to maintain your engine. The 4.8is has the N62 (not M62) engine. The N62 is a very advanced engine with a lot of specifics, that (in this version) was only used for the 4.8is and one of the 7 series of that time. In my case, I had some engine issues, and I had trouble finding the right workshop with enough experience to troubleshoot my engine.

Also, note that most of the 4.8's come full optioned => which means in turn that there is more that could potentially break and needs to be fixed :-)

Otherwise, the 4.8is is a gas guzzler, but still a solid choice.
Hope this helps.

Kind of contradictory there. What was your engine issue?

Hi I own a 2006 750 sport an dI have just brought the mrs a 4.8is 2005 with 71k on the clock so far I havent had any major issues and TBH (however its only been 2 weeks) I do alot of work myself. The biggest issue I assume would be the air suspension..however I have just fitted smaller regultor arms front and rear to lower it lol (it hasnt complained yet)

Engine wise I have looked after all my V8 and stright 6 BMW's myself there not actually hard engines to work on, however having a garage with autologic equipment does help! but plugs, oil, coolant, brakes filters etc etc you can do yourself

Buy a nice example and enjoy it, your be surprised how quick it is!. There are some nice examples out there for not a lot of money!

Get some pics up when you buy one :-)

@ CTSportX5:

EDIT: so far I had no "major" issues :-)
I do have trouble with a rough idle on cold starts (below -10C). But I guess that's an issue for many other X5 models, and not 4.8is specific.

The 4.8is is a lot of fun to drive, I've had it for 1.5 years now and it still thrills me just to start the engine :-D

I don't think that the 4.8si has any more or different issues than the other models. I do agree with the poster above that they tended to be loaded up with options and features, and so there is more to go wrong.

If 65 k is low mileage, I wouldn't say that 75 k is high mileage. They seem pretty comparable to me.

75K isn't high mileage for a BMW, IMHO.

Figure it's a 200K+ vehicle with proper maintenance.

Sometimes you are better off getting a 80K mile example, especially if a former CPO car. There are some common failure items on the V8 models that come into play between 60-90K miles. Not always mind you, but there are a few items that can fail.

- water pump
- radiator
- expansion tank
- radiator hoses
- valley pan
- valve cover gaskets
- water cooled alternator

So buying one with 80Kish miles may end up saving a ton of money between already completed fixes for some of these items and the lower resale values as they move towards 100K. There is nothing magic about 100K miles btw. I bought mine with 94K miles and 5 of the above items had been recently addressed. I am at 120K miles now and just completed the rest of the list as PM prior to any failures. Oh, and add the air suspension to this list for the 4.8is too.

Fixed it for you. ;)

Thank you.