Help with PPI on a 4.6 in San Jose
 

Hey!

New here but been with the Bimmer family for some time. I am in Houston, TX and the X5 4.6 I picked up on eBay is in San Jose (2003 BMW x5 4 6IS Sport Utility 4 Door 4 6L | eBay).

Anyone:
1: know of this 4.6? he had the whole top end and timing done. is that super OCD or was there something I should know about the 4.6 (familiar with the 4.4 but not the 4.6) that he's done I should red flag?

2: PPI (see, look for known problems) this for me? Buy you dinner/drinks/lap dance/hooker/blow/hooker&blow (not judging here, different strokes for different folks!)

very new to the X5 scene (want to know about E39 540's? PM me) and am excited to get back into a BMW.

Thanks!!

I checked the ad and it says it is sold.

To answer your questions: The top end work at 93,000 mi. is PM. That's a good thing not a warning flag. There may be other things that have not been done. For example, PM the cooling system or rebuild the suspension, replace transfer case and diff fluid. A PPI from a shop that specializes in BMW should be able to see if any of those or other potential problems exist or will need to be done in the near future. A PPI should always be done before purchasing any used vehicle.

The 4.6 was a low production run with increase HP and TQ over the 4.4. It was the highest performance X5 offered until the 4.8 was introduced and has several unique exterior differences from other X5s. There are not that many that come up for sale and if that is what you want you will have to get after it quickly.

I bought mine new, have 112,000 miles on it. I have done many mods. It has been a fabulous vehicle. The first daily driver I have ever kept over 3-4 years.

Yes, it has been sold... to me! :D That is good news you use it for DD. I need a DD for my 400 mile twice a month commute to work. My 95 Bronco is great and all just the MPG (it's definitely less than the 4.6) and speed. it takes me over 7 hours to do the 400 miles and the truck doesn't even do 400 miles a tank with the AC on. Need something that'll do at least most of it and do it quick. The Bronco has to struggle to do 85; I'm sure the 4.6 would be doing 90 without knowing it like my 540. Oh how I miss Jersey autobahn (NJ Turnpike) and cruise at 90-100.

it's good to know the job was more of a PM than a red flag. He has not done any suspension work since he owned it and said everything is 10/10; he did the top end because it started to do this whistle thing that was driving his wife nuts and his mechanic said it is a known problem so he just went ahead and did it all.

he's too far from Stevens Creek BMW to do a PPI (it's like 80 miles from him). He's in the way south end of SJ (Gilroy?).

Any shops closer to him that can do a good PPI instead of a dealer down there?

Much thanks!!

Um if you bought it isnt it a bit late to do a PPI now?

hah exactly my thoughts...although PPI can be translated as Post Purchase Inspection too:rofl:

To the OP, that is a nice 4.6is and the price seems right for the mileage and condition.Welcome and enjoy!

It would now just be a I. Or maybe a Post purchase inspection I suppose.

Regardless, congrats!

Edit: Four.8is beat me to it.

Don't know any place down that way for a PPI. The top end work doesn't concern me. I just did similar on my 2003 4.6. Known issue of the timing guides being a potential fail point. If the guides go you'll most likely grenade the motor. The 4.6 motors are so rare that you may as well scrap it.
I would find out exactly what cooling hoses were replaced if any and plan on doing it. You can wait until one fails but then you're stuck. If you do wait, replace them all. I speak from experience. I tried piecemeal and blew one, then another a month later. Don't for get the heater hoses on the back of the motor. ��

I do love the vehicle and plan on having it for a long time.

Nice find. That's about what I paid for mine with same year and miles. I hope you got the receipts for those claims. I don't believe people usually do TC guides as PM unless they're replacing TC covers and decide to do it.

You do know that due to 3.91 diff, 315/275 tires and 340 HP engine, you'll get lucky if you get 19 mpg on interstate. That is if you stay under 80 mph.
Mine is not DD and I've been getting 16 mpg mixed driving , but the grin is permanent on my face.

thanks for the replies! yout's all are great!

i've mentioned to the seller if everything doesn't check out the way he described it, there's going to be a problem. yes, it's a Post Purchase Inspection but it's a hybrid of it actually.

I'm not too concerned about the MPG as much as time. Takes me 7-7:30 to drive the 400 miles in the Bronco and it struggles to maintain 80-85 on some stretch of the highway... and it doesn't get 15 mpg at that speed; it can do 15 if I cruise at 60! This X is going to cut the time down even if I achieve 17mpg as long as I can cover it in 6... 6:30. Plus it's a 4 door so when I need to head anywhere with my girl and some friends, it isn't becoming a cliff climbing expedition for the rear passengers to wedge themselves between the B pillar and the front seat to get in.

Pretty excited about this though. I can't pick it up for another 3 weeks. After this hitch, I have a 4x4 Fall run with the TX4WD club this weekend and by the time I'm done with that, I'll be back for my next hitch which covers wed-wed so it'll be two weekends before I can go out there and pick it up.

I'm just concerned when the cooling system has been done. Owning a BMW, we all know the cardinal rule of the cooling system: if you're not sure, change it. lol

BTW, are there any 4.6 that DIDN'T come with any Dinan modifications? read somewhere that practically all 4.6 left the dealer with some Dinan mod, either 1, 2 and the highly coveted 3 with the supercharger.

Thanks!!

As I said, I hope there are records, otherwise you have to take PO word on it, which may or may not be true.
As you know you can still get some records from dealer while car was under warranty and maybe some cooling work has been done.
Not all 4.6is are modified. Mine is bone stock and it will receive new SS T304 3.5" dual round tips and electric Spal fan instead clutch fan and that's about all I'm going to do to it.