X5 4.6is what to look out for?
Discussion
I would imagine a quick chat with your local BMW indy would give a good idea of parts prices, weaknesses and general service costs.
They are certainly not cheap to run for sure and it's not just fuel.
It's a heavy car so suspension joints need a lot of attention. The engine is Alpina derived from the 4.4 V8 which is pretty bomb proof albeit expensive to put major stuff right. My 4.6 averaged around 21 mpg with a mixture of 70:30 motorway to town driving.
There's a thread on the X5 board about tow bar fitting. Have a look for further advice from that.
4.6's come with most of the extras as standard. Heated rear seats are rare though as are elctrically adjustable rear seats. The leather is very soft and easily marked by and errant zip so be careful.
I now run a 3.0D Sport which is averageing 33. It's reasonably lively for an oil burner but the 4.6 is a much nicer vehicle.
The big advantgage at the moment is that no one wants big V8 petrol engines so prices are cheap, cheap, cheap.
They are certainly not cheap to run for sure and it's not just fuel.
It's a heavy car so suspension joints need a lot of attention. The engine is Alpina derived from the 4.4 V8 which is pretty bomb proof albeit expensive to put major stuff right. My 4.6 averaged around 21 mpg with a mixture of 70:30 motorway to town driving.
There's a thread on the X5 board about tow bar fitting. Have a look for further advice from that.
4.6's come with most of the extras as standard. Heated rear seats are rare though as are elctrically adjustable rear seats. The leather is very soft and easily marked by and errant zip so be careful.
I now run a 3.0D Sport which is averageing 33. It's reasonably lively for an oil burner but the 4.6 is a much nicer vehicle.
The big advantgage at the moment is that no one wants big V8 petrol engines so prices are cheap, cheap, cheap.
Edited by Denis O on Monday 3rd October 12:01
Avoid,unless you have money to burn,we have had a 4.8is for 13 months now & the petrol bills are crippling,i have used my tvr for the last week for work because it is genuinely loads better on fuel.
They are very comfy & good with a high driving position,but the weight & drive is unrewarding,i would really recommend a diesel version if you really like the x5 as the engine suits the style of car.
I totally agree that they sound awesome,but mine leaves me flat,but if you have plenty of cash for fuel then dont hold back & go for it,you get alot of motor for the money.
All the best with your search.
They are very comfy & good with a high driving position,but the weight & drive is unrewarding,i would really recommend a diesel version if you really like the x5 as the engine suits the style of car.
I totally agree that they sound awesome,but mine leaves me flat,but if you have plenty of cash for fuel then dont hold back & go for it,you get alot of motor for the money.
All the best with your search.
Discs and pads are available from the aftermarket and are pretty reasonable money. Watch out for the front thrust arm and rear subframe bushes, almost all gone by 50,000m but available from Powerflex in urethane with a lifetime warranty.
Look for corrosion on the brake pipes, mine were very bad at 60k miles and I replaced them with braided stainless lines.
Always get the alignment done as a KDS to save destroying tyres and scrap the runflats.
Then its just fuel, fuel and lots more fuel.
Look for corrosion on the brake pipes, mine were very bad at 60k miles and I replaced them with braided stainless lines.
Always get the alignment done as a KDS to save destroying tyres and scrap the runflats.
Then its just fuel, fuel and lots more fuel.
Here's a link to someone who knows a bit about the X5......
http://www.phoenixmotorsport.co.uk/Articles/heavyw...
http://www.phoenixmotorsport.co.uk/Articles/heavyw...
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