BMW X5 4.6is Road Test Review: Future Classic?
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- Опубліковано 30 лис 2020
- BMW X5 4.6is Road Test Review: Future Classic?
We got it registered so its time to take it for a proper drive and see what the 4.6IS is all about. Oh and if that gearbox fix is actually ok.
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I’ve got two X5s of this gen - my daily drive 2006 e53 3.0d with stage 1 remap, drives like a train.. mid range is as good as ‘is’ badge. And, my weekend fun car 4.8is, with a modified exhaust which is bit louder than OEM, oh boy it’s a brilliant machine! Planning to remap the gearbox to spike the initial rev range response.. your review is spot on, true performance of ‘is’ badge e53s are seen in the mid range; and I’m after initial power bump while takeoff. Hope I’ll be able to achieve with gear box remap, also the engine (not sure for ‘is’ though)! Will keep you posted. Btw, love your X5 reviews/videos. Cheers!
I've owned an imola red 4.6is. Drove it on a metro Atlanta interstate one day, got up to 120mph for about 2 minutes. Scary how well these cars handle. Dangerously deceptive for sure.
I sold that car years ago. Just bought another. Lol
I absolutely love the way my old 4.4 X5 pulled, not huge power but a very large fun jump once the revs are up there.
Ahh mine is rip but ima bring her back to life
Love my 4.4 such a spirited vehicle and puts a huge smile on my face every time i drive it, i sold my 04 hilux to get this car and i was quite nervous at first, selling a super reliable slow car and buying a notoriously unreliable vehicle to replace it, have never regretted it and i am so happy with it a year on!
Don't cane it too much or the transmission will, had same combo zf 4.5 liters BMW you break the transmission with violent downshifts and savage kick downs with a loaded car/heavy car anyway.
Good to see the X5 driving with no gearbox issues, nice to hear you talking about the X5 engine / gearbox too. Learning things!
More to come!
Most of the "is" models become future classics. They might not be a true "M" car but they are special and the limited numbers produced help.
Approx 4000 world wide
Still loving mine in 2021
@@drtomoyah8805 Same! I've got a 335is. The N54 and DCT combo is hard to beat. I stay up on the maintenance and haven't pushed for single turbo power yet so breakdowns haven't been an issue. I'm just waiting for my maxed out stock turbo's to go then it's to the moon.
@@drtomoyah8805 4000, where does the numbers come from?
Future classic , no doubt about it !
Absolutely loving watching this channel grow. Keep up the good work, smashing out some rippa content 👌
Thanks man! It’s started as a hobby but we live what the channel has turned in to.
Cool video. Very fair assessment of the 4.6iS. I daily drove a 4.6iS for 4 years and generally enjoyed it. I still regularly drive a 4.8iS and it’s become one of my all-time favorites. The 6-speed transmission, air suspension, thick-rimmed heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and X-Drive are all nice additions to the 4.8iS. Still, the 4.6iS is great because it’s the original “high-performance” SUV* from BMW; back before the M badge was plastered over the entire model range. (*SAV, forgive me). The 4.6iS has a more classic look, when compared to the 4.8iS. The 4.6iS also sounds sinister with a custom exhaust system. We lovingly call our 4.6iS “the Bulldog” - - - Side note: In my daily 4.8iS, I return 20.6 mpg (90% highway driving). I have another 4.8iS running RWD that returns over 23 mpg (over the past 30k miles.. 90% highway). BUT on an open backroad with a heavy foot, it will easily dip to 11-13 mpg.... Have you guys driven a 4.8iS? Very curious to hear your opinion... I’m almost flabbergasted at how far 4.6iS prices have fallen. For DIY garage-mechanics, few cars are as rewarding and satisfying to wrench on for the money. Thanks again for taking the time to film; Imola red is just such a awesome color on the E53’s. Cheers!
Thank you for the in depth comment. It’s awesome our followers are legit petrol heads like us. Congrats on the 4.8is. Not gonna lie I have searches setup to try and snag one of those as well hehe
Really like the effort you put in to this episode, the review type content is really cool
Thanks man, “reviews” are hard I don’t know how the good guys do em. This was all off the cuff, but I think it turned out ok.
@@ZeroTo60TubeNo, you smashed it and could really tell the effort you put in with the the cameras and editing. Great job
Superb. Very happy it all worked out.
I've had my 4.6is for 3 years now. After changing the "lifetime" fluids in the transmission , diffs and transfer case and some engine maintenance its a comfortable fun car to drive. Like all 20 year old BMW's the plastics under the bonnet are an area that needs extra care. But its a very rewarding drive. The road feel is awesome for an SAV. When pushed you can hear the engine roar, but when your faffing around town it doesn't attract too much attention. I'm getting ~14l/100km for mixed driving, which is decent for a older V8 (200K on motor).
love your videos. used them when planning a few maintenance items. You should do a video on changing the PCV and CCV. I picked up fuel economy and power when i replaced them. they are cheap to buy but an absolute bastard to changeout. :) keep up the good work
Yeay, it's working. You got yourself a very nice, rare, daily. I'm stoked. Dutch regards, Nico.
Thanks!
Since you plan to tow with it, I would definitely replace the front and rear differential and transfer case fluid so it will be nice and fresh. If I recall, i used ATF in the transfer case and 75w90 Synthetic gear oil for the front and rear diffs. Mine does not have a tow hitch so I would double check if towing requires different fluid specs.
Really like the red on the x5, and i prefere to see them as you get them and see the difference a wee bit of andrew love makes 🤣🤣, keep smashing it boys 👍🏴
I never knew about the x5 is before you guys got one but its so cool. With an exhaust, cams and a tune i reckon you get some more low end power out of it.
I blame you and your baby driver mate for my current BMW obsession. M235i stage 2 full bolt ons. Its mad. Was going to buy a GTi, then I found your vids.
Pretty hard to go past a b58 powered car. Great engine with no where near the problems of the n54/55 before it.
hahaha, baby driver. love it. How is your M235i going? Still loving it?
@@TheMultiDouche N55 champ. Burger intercooler going on Saturday, the off to Eastern Creek for the drags sunday. Love it!
@J B hahaha J B that made me laugh.
My parents had a 4.4 for years with the m kit and wheels. Great vehicle alternative to an e39 if you need the wagon practicality with handling . Great video :)
Thanks man! Just saw your comments in the group chat. Kind of excited to hear about your previous collection of rotors.
Lovely car!. The "is" badge is very underrated, if you ask me. I've owned the E36 318is and I currently drive an E92 335is DCT/DKG with stage 2+ MHD. With the latter, I get M3 performance while maintaining decent fuel economy (11-12km/l).
Love the old girl BMW's, at bit of TLC and they will go forever
Nice update hope the diff brace arrives soon
yeah, not getting my hopes up. But it is what it is. These axles should be fine at this power level as long as i dont try and too harsh launches
@@ZeroTo60Tube sent you a pic of my 335i was 8k NZD have been ordering so many parts off AliExpress 👌
Great that the transmission is working well. She will be a pretty thirsty daily. Running and maintenance costs may be a killer.
Gearbox sorted! Seems like it was a bargain! should last a long while with that engine as long it's maintained properly, which I'm sure you will. 😎
Consider rebuilding the Vanos adjusters! That wave of power felt at 4000 are the cams waking up. The functioning vanos will shift this power band about 1000 RPM lower, restoring your "missing" torque.
Nice video, keep it up
Thanks!
Great vids guys,, future classic lol.
Future Money Pit TBH😛
About 50,000 pennies but pennies non the less
The gearbox on these 4.6 is are connected to your ABS module, when i purchased mine from Canberra it would only drive on 4th gear and all I had to do was change the ABS module $1500 all up with labor and it was perfect. Now after 3 years of driving, it jumps to low gears when the oil is warm, I happen to have a BMW scanner and the problem is from the oil sump teprmreturer sensor on the gearbox causing the issue beacause even when it sits overnight, the temperature reads high. The sensor is part of the wire harness, on eBay they are about $160 new plus labor not that much.....
I’ve had an 01 4.4 sport for the last 6 years. I keep looking at other vehicles but I’m loath to get rid of it as it’s such a capable car. I had the timing chain break a few years ago unfortunately but other than that the car has never not worked when I needed it too.
I’ve thought about getting a 4.6 or 4.8 but having driven a few I didn’t find them different enough from mine to warrant a swap.
Couldn't agree more!
I actually have one of these in the same color and just to add to the information you provided, only nine of these are available in Australia in red and I know 1 has been written off so only 8 left. They are extremely hard to find. 3800 of these are in the US and Canada, only 4000 where ever made of the4.6is world wide. I would never sell this viechle. I had an m3 e46 in the same color which I regret selling but this x5 e53 4.6is definitely has M work, this held the title of the fastest SUV in the world 2002/ 2003 and they only made them 02 03 no o1s
Hey guys, good to see you fixed your trans woes. I've been inspired by your videos and purchased the Mercedes AMG version of this, the ML55. Unsure of whether I'll keep the car whole or remove the engine (trans?) and put it into a W210 chassis E430 for a budget E55.
Hell Yeah!!! I have to admit i dont know much about the ML55 at all. What do you think of it?
@@ZeroTo60Tube Dunno yet. Haven't picked it up. My grandparents have had a 270 CDI from new and feels a bit like a truck. My CLK55 with the same engine is thirsty, I'd imagine fuel economy would be on par with your 4.6is lol.
Great video! If you’re replacing the head unit and audio module, do you mean you’ll replace it to an aftermarket one with modern features, or you’re looking for some OEM ones with better condition?
Will be putting a new android in. I was hoping to reuse the dsp just to save some work. But it’s looking less likely.
@@ZeroTo60Tube Let me know if you’re letting go of the radio (audio) module and the head unit later on as I’m looking for a replacement for mine 👌🏻
been driving a red 2003 4.6is daily for 7 years. sport mode is nothing. slap it into sport mode AND manually shift. that's when the fun begins
Does yours have a delay when shifting manually? This one is probably half a second. Wonder if it can be tuned to be more responsive for manual shifting like you can the ZF6 speed boxes.
@@ZeroTo60Tube no delay on mine that i can detect. i shift with one hand and hang on for dear life with the other. lol
course one of the reasons i have to hang on is because the thing drives like you are sitting on TOP of a sedan. lol
@@ZeroTo60Tube so i tried sport mode again tonight without manually shifting and you may be right. i think maybe it does shift faster. i'll have to play with is some more
I wanna get my hands on one of the 4.6 motors. I hear the swap into a M62 540 is a pretty painless (although pricey) feat.
But now I wonder if the 4.8 would work just the same? 🤔
The 4.8 is the n62 which is a different generation. No good for swaps.
Get the exhaust done !? Give her a nice roar!
Loving the new car and hope the m5 is all sorted soon! Unfortunately I blew the torque converter on my n54 335i :( so it's not that bad lads ! Positive thinking !
Damn sorry to hear man. Any indications on why the converter let go?
@@ZeroTo60Tube about 2 months ago I had td04h 16ts , decat , big boost induction kit and downpipes , stage 2 + .
It started to slip when giving it some and
It's just got worse over time and just let go , new gearbox I think too much torque 644nm 417.5 whp , hope to see some content on your n54 soon mate 😀
If it has an oil temp gauge, in my book it’s an M car
I 100% get your soft spot for older cars, personal weak spot are "old" 90 early 2000 japanese cars, and no I dont mena only the halo cars but also weird or more common cars like the bg5 legacy or baja from subaru, the vr6 from mitsubishi, colts with 4g63 swaps, coronas celcias and starlets, olds cars had a magic to them, unlike super new cars which feel way too disconected, even the e92 feels a bit removed when compared to them
Opening up the exhaust would do a lot for the perception of the car, I think. Resonator delete maybe.
Hmmmm hmmmmm my old one had a muffler delete. Which I really liked the sound of. Might experiment with a mid res delete first on this. Questions is, should we learn to wed on the channel or just take it somewhere 😂
Wow $3,000 what a bargain! I just bought a 4.8is in le mans blau and spent nearly 4 times than that but it's had lots of maintenance done (gearbox, torque converter, water pump, pretty much every engine seal, rear suspension airbags, front CV boots, drivers window regulator, rear tailgate motor, rear number plate lights etc and been checked over by BMW who said it's in great condition) so I think it's not a bad buy and should provide a few years of trouble free motoring (touch wood) 👍😁
Very nice!
Estrol Blue 2002 4.6is, have had it for almost 4years and still loving it in 2021!
Lease BMWs on hold as I don't do the mileage these days.
i have an x5 3.0 with the same 20 inch wheels i only see these on the 4.4 or 4.6 models were these only on the v8s?
They are 4.6is specific wheels. Well from the factory anyway.
@@ZeroTo60Tube nice brother ! Who ever owned mine had great taste those wheels look crisp 👀 way better than the 15s just ordered new toyos
Speaking of aftermarket infotainment, what's your recommendation for getting android auto on a early F series?
I am a big fan of androids. But its important not to cheap out. Get a decent one. However you dont plan to watch video the apple car play boxes are a bit cheaper and car play is easier to use than android.
@@ZeroTo60Tube Do you have Amazon affiliate links?
Not for an F series unit unfortunately, i would need to do some research before properly recommending one.
Do you use GoPro's for all camera angles?
9 times out of 10 yes.
'not direct injected' music to my ears
It might not be as efficient but the old school motors are certainly more involving to drive
@@ZeroTo60Tube no carbon river rocks in the valve faces and intake ports...dont forget that one mate
It won't help the fuel economy one bit, but I'm just going to leave this here -- is there a supercharger available for it?
Haha, I’ve seen the Dinan kits. Not gonna lie. Would love to supercharge this and get it sounding even a little like Dave’s m5.
Is the torque converter slipping? It should not be lazy if I remember correctly :)
What makes you think its lazy?
@@ZeroTo60Tube Well, your words when you tried accelerating, you said that it is lazy down low :)
Ahhhhhh i see. That was is in reference to the power of the engine, as i was saying it doesnt make power down low like a modern turbo engine. They lazy engines compared to the low end torque boost and direct injection has spoiled us with. These old things you have to get them revving to feel strong.
@@ZeroTo60Tube But it is a V8, it should have power down low. Friends 4.6is had quite a punch down low, however I am comparing that to my car which is 530i touring, that does not have that much power down low.
A modern 4 cylinder turbo petrol engine will have more power down low than these things. Its just crazy how much engines have evolved. I have a feeling an f15 3.0 diesel would actually be quite a bit quicker than this....... which is kind of upsetting. But hey at least these sound amazing as they rumble down the road.
21 ltr per 100km is the killer
Just be careful next time, you been driving on the wrong side of the road the whole time.
Thank you for the video.
hahahah shhhhhh.
have you ever heard these straight piped....damn check out on youtube
Am I finally first
Did u used to be a car salesmen because I’m now looking for one lol
Haha. That’s all we want. Spreading the love of old cars trying get people to keep them on the road and keep enjoying them.
owned, nice, just make peace with plastic-engine life, replacing parts that just fall apart from age. budget 3k / year and take yourself out to dinner on new years eve it your old BMW required less of you that year