4.4 V8 engines in X5s?

[jpilk99]

I currently have an '03 X5 with the 3.0 6-cyl. I also have an '01 740iL with the 4.4 V8. I'm not a fan of the 3.0 in the X5, feels like it's struggling most of the time to get up to speed and maintain it, so I am looking for an X5, ('01 to '05... or '06 if I can afford it).

Someone with what he says is an '06 X5 with the 4.4 and 122k miles, responded to my question about "Have you done the timing chain guides yet", said: "I haven't done the timing chain guides. These motors don't have an issue with them - it's the previous gen 4.4 V8 that has the problem, usually come in cars pre 2003".

Am I missing something, or isn't the N62 in the 2005-2006 X5 the same as my '01 740iL?

[R Shaffner]

Yes, you're missing something. A 2001 740 would be an e38. It came with the 4.4 M62 engine (specifically the M62TUB44). It uses timing the chain guides that must be replaced every 150,000 - 200,000 miles.

BMW changed the 7 series to the e65. A 745 of that series uses the N62 engine (specifically the N62B44). It uses 2 timing chains instead of 1. That means there is no U-shaped guide in the middle of the engine, where guide failure is most common for the M62.

While the N62 doesn't have the same chain guide issue, it is notorious for many other issues (including oil and coolant leaks).

[jpilk99]

Yes, you're missing something. A 2001 740 would be an e38. It came with the 4.4 M62 engine (specifically the M62TUB44). It uses timing the chain guides that must be replaced every 150,000 - 200,000 miles.

BMW changed the 7 series to the e65. A 745 of that series uses the N62 engine (specifically the N62B44). It uses 2 timing chains instead of 1. That means there is no U-shaped guide in the middle of the engine, where guide failure is most common for the M62.

While the N62 doesn't have the same chain guide issue, it is notorious for many other issues (including oil and coolant leaks).

Okay, thank you. An oil or coolant leak I can take a lot more than a timing chain guide replacement...

[BimmerBreaker]

The N62 is notorious for having valve stem seal issues. They make a special tool to be able to service the without removing the heads but the job is a lot more fiddly and imo more difficult overall than M62 timing chain guides. I like the N62, but after my recent experiences with it my appreciation for it is waning a little bit...

The E53 had M62's up to 03, 04-06 models are N62. This is also when the top of the line model went from a 4.6is to 4.8is - the earlier 4.6is had a 4.6L M62, the 04+ 4.8is uses a 4.8L N62

[jpilk99]

The N62 is notorious for having valve stem seal issues. They make a special tool to be able to service the without removing the heads but the job is a lot more fiddly and imo more difficult overall than M62 timing chain guides. I like the N62, but after my recent experiences with it my appreciation for it is waning a little bit...

The E53 had M62's up to 03, 04-06 models are N62. This is also when the top of the line model went from a 4.6is to 4.8is - the earlier 4.6is had a 4.6L M62, the 04+ 4.8is uses a 4.8L N62

Thanks BimmerBreaker. So, if I'm reading this correctly, maybe an earlier 4.69s M62 might be a good one to look for?

[Henn28]

E53 X5 4.6is had the M62TUB46 in it. Not as many made (as the 4.4i) and so they come at a premium today, assuming in decent shape. The 4.6 is the same basic M62 motor as the 4.4, but different cams, and a little more displacement so it makes 60 or 70 ish more HP.

[Qsilver7]

Here’s some info about the e53 X5 from the 3.0 to the 4.8is engines…and the 5 & 6 speed manual or 5 & 6 speed auto transmissions:

[Henn28]

If you find E53 4.6is, or just the motor to transplant, they have all the same problems as the 4.4 motors: leaks of all sorts, timing chain guides and CCV/oil separator failures (back of the motor fortunately though, unlike the 5 series separator under the timing chain covers). Fortunately the two motors are 90% common in terms of parts. But cams, rotating assembly, and 4.6is specific transmissions or torque converters will cost you a lot, if you can even find them used. BMW still has a lot of new parts on the shelf for the 4.6 it seems.