03 4.6is or 04 4.4i???
 

Hi all,

I can pick up either model for the same amount, give or take a few dollars.

Does the 4.6 suffer the same issues (oil leaks, coolant) as the standard 4.4 or is it a bit more robust as it was built by Alpina?

Or should I just get a 04????

Thanks
Brent

P.s. no one suggest I get a diesel please!

Condition of both being equal, I'd take the 4.6!

If the 4.6 is estoril blue buy it... otherwise buy my 04 4.4i so i can!

It might be....

4.6is if both are equal no question about it

4.6iS is an M62 engine, 4.4i is N62 engine... they each have their own problems, so look out for those... well optioned 4.4 can be almost as loaded as standard 4.6 but there are some little things that you will not be able to retrofit the 4.4 to match the 4.6 - the raw power, the certain powertrain tweaks, like having the front shaft going through oil pan (the gurus here, please correct this statement to reflect the correct info!!) to lower the center of gravity... Some other things you can retrofit, like the silver rings on the cluster, or the ceiling lining, maybe even the vented rear brakes...

some things that you can't easily retrofit on the pre-facelift model (4.6iS), like the front headlights with coronas (hard to open lights), or you can opt to facelift the front yourself, new fenders, hood, bumper, headlights... some options, you can do, like facelifted tail lights... but not the panoramic sunroof... the 4.6 would have only rear air suspension, the 4.4 might have all 4 corners...

I personally would take 4.6 (or, better yet, get a 4.8iS), but that is me... if you go for M62 engine, check on the chain guides, they killed my 4.6iS... i am still crying over it...

hey!!! how about a diesel????

:nanana::nanana::nanana:

just kidding... lol...:bustingup

Another vote for the 4.6iS
BTW, the engine wasn't built by Alpina.

not alpina... perhaps, Alpina inspired...

Back 3.5yrs ago..i had the option of either 4.8is or 4.4i......I end up picking up the 4.4i...but guess where im at not.....have a 4.4 and 4.8is.....get the 4.6is....youll be happy with that !....BOOOM!...have a good day.

Mike speaks the truth at the end of the day if you have the choice of an iS then get an iS, they are special X models for a reason.

To do an accurate comparison, I'd like to know:
color, trim packages, interior color, options, mileage, maintenance history

I went and looked at a 03 4.6 today.*
Presented reasonably well. Looked nice and clean inside and out.
120000kms on her and no visible oil leaks ( couldn't get fully under the car though).*
The only thing i could really find visually was the *rear roof mounted DVD player wouldn't open freely.
I didn't take it for a drive as we discussed price pretty early but was on idle for 15 maybe 20 mins and I noticed the thermo fan didn't kick in and I'm not sure if that is normal or not???
The things that concern me are he said, he (the dealer) was driving it and noticed when slowing down when it changed down to 1st you could really feel it. He said he sent it to a transmission guy and had it fixed for about $3000.
The other main thing he said when it was on the hoist at the trans workshop "they must of left the keys on accessories and the compressor pumped up the rear airbags and when they put it back down the rear was very high so I took it to a mechanic who has one of those code readers and he reset it for me to sit level again".
I'm worried that airbags may be on the way out.
But more importantly, the gearbox got a quick fix and didn't get 3 grand spent on it and may have trouble down the road...
Service history ok, but due to 20000km service intervals it hadn't been BMW services in about 3yrs....
The car does come with a 3yr warranty that covers the gear box, engine etc for 3k a piece.
Also new tyres (nitto invo) had been fitted.
Price wise I could pick it up for 23k (aud) *with six months rego, which is a touch above my budget (2-3k) but it does look rather nice...

In case you can't tell I'm hopeless at making decisions!

Go with the 4.6is. I love mine. They will both have have a few problems but at least you will be happy when you step on the gas.

4.6iS... is it really a question?