Opinions wanted
 

Hi everyone,

I have a choice between two cars. Help me decide please!

02 4.6is
122k
Silver exterior with black leather interior, aluminum trim
Fully loaded w/ nav also
Mods:
oem BMW 20" cross spoke wheels. They kind of look like e92 m3 comp package wheels.
Eisenmann exhaust
Bull bar, under ride protection
Lowered
Dinan intake, performance software and strut bar
Very fast and loud

Or

05 4.8is
93k miles
Lemans blue with a champagne color inferior, wood trim
Fully loaded with nav and pano roof as well
I think the only mod is Matte black 4.8is wheels.

So what do y'all think?

Edit: this IS the 4.6is in question
http://i48.tinypic.com/vg77s.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/6yej5j.jpg

Those are Y spoke wheels. I don't see the underride protector but maybe its just the angle. Are those black things on the front of the hood for scaring deer?

Looks like the 4.6 has 1/2 the aero package. Its missing the front bumper area and the rear bumper area. Also, I've never seen the rear stock flares used with the rear aero package flares like that.

Its hard to say without more details especially the prices. Myself, I like to buy as close to stock as possible.

Good luck in your search.

Supposed to look like this:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2475/3...dd84d67f_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2423/3...f13cdee2_b.jpg

Also depends on pricing?
I'm more of the newer the better, but, that's just me.

Douglas

I'm thinking maybe the black things were for a bug deflector? Also sorry correction- no under ride protection.

Wow it looks a lot better with aero kit flares and oem bumpers. I think those aero bumpers look weird

Price of the 4.6is with all the mods is 16 and the 4.8 will be around 18 I think.

Also what the f is an m52? Lol besides an engine

While there are a few posters here, with high/higher mileage cars, either of those cars is a leap of faith, imo...the 4.6 pictured, looks 'nice', but has some odd conglomerations, and both have considerable mileage. The mileage itself may not mean that either one are bad deals, or won't run well, but both are nearing that mystical time frame when auto trans, and other stuff may be suspect.

RE: "I have a choice between two cars."
There must be other Xs, out there in your locale, with fewer miles, but if those are the two you are enamored with, it may pay to dig deeper, and a PPI is a must.

No used car pricing maven, but that "$16" sounds high, and "all the mods" are just that: stuff previous owners did, but should have little impact on real selling price, imo.
GL, mD

O...M...G, are you serious? walk away as fast as humanly possible from that 4.6is. that car has been horribly molested. WTF is a ///M52? the M52 is a 6 cylinder motor. it's got paint where paint should not be. love the wheels, the rest of it is just pieced together and looks like garbage.

Come to think of it it does like kind of bad lol

Holy mother of God! What happened to both Xs? The ONLY thing good on those things are the rims. No X should be subjected to aftermarket aero kits. Worst thing ever! They took away the original skin that differentiated the 4.6 and 4.8 from the 4.4 and 3.0. Those mods. are horrible.

M52 . . . hahahaha . . . idiot

+2

:iagree: However, if I had to choose b/w these two, I'll go with the '05 4.8is stock.

I concur with david. There has got to be other E53's out there that are a better value. Those black clips are for the BMW bug deflector. In any case, there is a member on here selling a 4.8. From what has been said, it is in great condition and I think is a one owner.

Uhh, just to clarify. The aero package was a factory option.

what kit is that?

If that question is not for me, disregard.

4.6 version:
RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.6is Aerodynamics package

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/w/v/138.png


4.8 version:
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...-aero-kit.html

http://www.xoutpost.com/images/articles/14/aero2.jpg

Factory or not, still does not take away the fact that the aero kit is FUGLY.

I dont like how both of them have the M badges but i'd go with the 4.8 just because it's blue.kind of a rare color in my opinion and it looks good with those style rims(dont remember the name of the style) so yeah thats my 2 cents

Attachment 54581well here is the 4.8. Has a few issues so gotta get those kinked out before buying.

Question. On the dash it says, suspension inactive, and the button for it doesn't work at all. Any ideas?

Ask the owner if the air suspension was removed and replaced with a regular suspension. As low as it is in the pic and with what you mentioned, could be the case.

See here: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...usp-error.html

What are you looking to spend on a 4.8is? I have an '06 with 76k in perfect condition, all records and has not been molested at all. It's loaded with every option and everything works!

I have it listed on Cars.com for $23,500 or best offer.

David

I want my truck like that ...

Why so many ///M badges!?

What are all the possible culprits of the suspension issues on these cars

Usually the air bags start to leak and then need to be replaced or the fittings are failing and letting air out of those lines. Those are the two biggest and most common problems with Air Suspension.

Attachment 54582I have to admit, it does look cool like this lol... Except for the terrible bouncy ride

Also on the level adjustment switch, when you press it. Nothing comes on at all. No lights, no movement.

Did the OP buy that car, dropped like that, or is that a new glitch?

Man that looks nice:iagree:

I'd pass on both. They seem to have been modified in one way or another, and not in a good way of any kind IMO.

The 4.8 looks dropped a lot to me, and if the ride is bouncy??? Stiff, I get, but bouncy??.. that's going to be o.k. for a while since its a new ride for you, but you will get sick of it quick, I can almost guarantee it. Then you're going to be trying to get the stock parts back on it, or get a decent lowering kit on it.. all of which add up to PITA time,, and $$$$ to boot.

Again your call for sure. But why not start bone stock, and get the mods done yourself and make it yours, not someone else's idea of individualization..

Hey OP, why don't you give this poster a call and work out a deal for a nice 4.8is? Why are you looking to inherit somebody elses problems by possibly buying these horribly hacked vehicles?

Is the car on when you press it?

Yes

A little out of my price range

If $23K is out of your price range, then perhaps a 4.8 is not such a good choice. These cars are expensive to maintain from transmissions, air suspension to tires. These cars cannot be driven as if they came from Japanese origin. They must be maintained regularly or you will suffer expensive repairs. Perhaps a 3.0 would be a better choice as they can be modified cosmetically to look like a 4.8.

just figured if the suspension fix wasnt too high of a price, then it would be a good deal on the 4.8. ive talked them down to 16k.

anyone have ideas on it? the car is low, suspension feels bouncy and bumpy, the level switch light doesnt come on and it doesnt work at all.

You can always convert to regular springs for a few $$$Ks and beg some dealer to get rid of the suspension inactive thing.

I assume since its bouncy that they're still using the stock air suspension. If the switch is not working or lighting maybe the simply disconnected it?

If I was in your shoes, I'd find a way to get it inspected/checked out by a BMW dealer or reputable shop. They will probably find other things you are not aware of.

Hopefully the owner will be cooperate.