where are the 4.6is'
 

Is it me or is it becoming harder and harder to find nice 4.6is' that haven't been modified or beat up?

No it not you, it just that the cars are getting older and older and have gone through multiple ownership. Each owner want to experience the exhilaration of driving a 4.6is and drives it like it's stolen until the car needs repairs and when they find out the cost of the repairs, they will just either delay the repair, or just McGuyver something until they dump it.

Hello all 4.6ers. Checking in and still alive. 2003 at 148k. Just did s full overhaul with chain guide. Everything going well and running good beside the p1170 just came up couple days ago. Going to switch out the co2 sensor in the next couple days to see if that fix the problem.

:iagree:

Upallnight is correct. The gap between low mileage 4.6is in great condition and the daily driver models is getting wider and wider. Unfortunately, the majority of the X5s are treated as a minivan with a BMW logo, run 'em hard and put away wet. Just like all other vehicles.

This forum has lots of examples of X5 that are well cared for regardless of age, mileage, or engine size. Now that the magic 10+ year mark is here for the E53, the road forward will be hard and many will simply wear out beyond the ability ($$, time, resources, skills) of the third or fourth owner to care/resolve/complete. "For $XXX I can get another vehicle. Why spend it on this old car?" :dunno:

I hope many will check in to say "Still alive!" As I see one blue 4.6 frequently and it is sitting under its cover waiting for Spring as is my 4.8is.

Alive and still kickin' here. Mine was a little rough around the edges when I got it but also many things that were very nice. I've been picking away at getting her to a respectable "nice example" with the next item(S) being TCG and all associated while I have it open.

Mine is alive and well. 03 with 94K. I've bough it about 6 months ago. 2 owners southern car, all records and in extremely good shape.
I've put maybe 1500 miles so far and I've done quite a bit of PM (all fluids, plugs, front 02 sensors) and replaced failed MAF.
No modifications other than replacing stock exhaust tips with 4 3"SS tips and upgraded to electric fan (fan clutch delete) and switched to 95C conventional thermostat.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...psb82cf7ee.jpg

Bmw540san>> keep your eyes on the timing chain guide. Most will fail between 100k-130k. 25hrs job with $1500 in oem parts. My 4.46er just like your black/black with one downside 148k now. Handle a lot better and faster than my previous 4.4

Also remember that through the 2002-2003 production there were only about 2,800 produced, TOTAL of 4.6iS.

4.8iS had 3 years of production and probably at least double if not triple the total number sold, I see a lot more 4.8iS than 4.6iS

Dont have the 4.6is while thats older, and with age comes more wear and tear for people who use them normally...

It all really depends how you keep your cars, my 4.8is is a daily driver for me, but the paint always has protection on it in the form of a sealant / wax or both, regularly detailed and cleaned, and maintenance / fluids done on time and always fresh..

I believe the above is really the recipe for keeping any car in good shape, and the plus factor is you can use it and still looks like its a garage queen. The only thing that really gets wear is the front end from road rash (which mine almost has none except on the bottom of aero kit in front where its not really seen, with 97k miles and northeast winters), and the drivers seat which can be re-finished in the future if it gets bad.

Unfortunately I know all about the failure as I did the guides on my 540. Fortunately, I am very good diy with lift and tools and I'm not afraid if it comes to that. On that subject, I'll probably replace outside tensioner as pm.