Potential New Owner
 

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/f...W/daf15b86.jpg
This was our 99 540i Wagon. Loved that car. The V8 ate the timing chain guides...

Started looking again for an X5. I drove this beauty. I was totally seduced by the twin turbo V8. And the M Sport options. And the price.

Then I started reading this forum and the other BMW ones and it seems like the timing chains are still not fixed on the V8s.

So now I need to look at the 6, which I don't mind, they are sweet engines.

So I will have some questions! Stay tuned.

Potential New Owner
 

You are driving one of my favourite cars atm, Just needs a 6 speed [emoji4]

Good luck!

I WAS driving it. Timing chain guides disintegrated and we had to ditch the car as I didn't have time to fix it. :(

My wife couldn't figure out why all these strange guys would ask her about the car when she was driving it. :cool:

My e39 was my favorite BMW. That was their best chassis ever in my opinion. I've got the e70 4.8 now and after a few warranty repairs it's been problem free (knock wood). Just picked up an e90 335 though and the e70 is currently gathering dust in the garage.

I just can't do another V-8. It doesn't seem they ever solved the cooling issues or the timing chain. Not sure why they with a 3 mile timing chain was a good idea unless they knew it would only last as long as the warranty.

Well, I think that you'll be lucky if you purchase a V8 from BMW that is durable. They really have a lot of issues especially the N63s. They are poorly made for long term durability and low cost of ownership. But in exchange they offer the ability to be batman, let her idle and give some gas for that neat smoke cloud :-)

I think the N62s are probably the most reliable of the current era V8s and with a low temp thermostat, some seal rejuvenation, they can be reasonably reliable. Yes, they blow up oil seals, have water pipe leaks, eat valve stem seals, and drink oil. The N63s do all of that plus, eat batteries, timing chains, injectors, fuel pumps, and still smoke at 60K miles. Basically the N63 is crap unless its under warranty or modded BMW N63: Teutonic Trouble*

If "reliability" or at least lower cost of ownership is your thing the best two engines in my opinion on the E70 would be the naturally aspirated 3.0 inline 6, or the N55 inline 6.

The diesels are just as bad as the V8's. Trust me I own both of them, and they compete for most unreliable. But they are both fun in their own way, though at this point I wish I had gotten an N55 instead of the 4.8i. I was just tallying up the maintenance and repair costs on my 4.8i. Most work I did myself, but I've spent $4500 in 6 months in repairs and maintenance on the 4.8i. So you gotta be rich to own a cheap BMW.

So to reiterate we'll be looking for a six cylinder. :confused:

Yes, and don't buy a diesel 6.

I assume, and I can do more research, that the N55 is directly related to the venerable six from the 80s?

Is there anything wrong with the N52?

BMW's inline 6. Engine is bullet proof in a sense. Very reliable, just make sure you keep an eye on the cooling system and the regular maintenance. You should be good. I could have gotten the V8, but I don't want to deal with the problem those engines have. I'll stick with the six! :cool: