How reliable is the 4.8i X5

[GoCart]

Fanatics,

I have a deep love for the late model E70's.

How reliable is the 4.8i. I know the turbo charged V8's later released had a bunch of clever people scratching their heads, so, is this NA V8 as good as the NA I6 engines?

You are welcome to educate me in this regards.

 

[Blue Shirt]

The N62 has only one weakness, the valve stem seals tend to wear out causing high oil consumption and smoking at idle. Typical cost of replacing the valve stem seals is around R25k. Maybe the later LCI models had the improved valve stem seals, but its best to expect the worst and plan/budget for the cost when buying.

Other than that, they are bulletproof as long as the gearbox oil is changed every 80k km or so.

I drove an E70 4.8i for 10 years and 250k km. It really was an awesome, capable and reliable car in all respects.

 

[splintheter]

The N62 has only one weakness, the valve stem seals tend to wear out causing high oil consumption and smoking at idle. Typical cost of replacing the valve stem seals is around R25k. Maybe the later LCI models had the improved valve stem seals, but its best to expect the worst and plan/budget for the cost when buying.

Other than that, they are bulletproof as long as the gearbox oil is changed every 80k km or so.

I drove an E70 4.8i for 10 years and 250k km. It really was an awesome, capable and reliable car in all respects.

And I drove that X5 for another 38k afterwards, car never missed a beat. I spoke to the latest owner about 2 weeks ago, car is now north of 300k and still going strong.

Shouldnt have sold her and Im sure Blueshirt feels the same.

 

[RAArmstrong]

Doo eeeet

 

[GoCart]

Thanks guys, I've done some Googling also, seems the 4.8 is well known for the valve stem seals, and not a DIY for the easily offended apparently.

I should have also asked about the suspension, assume there was a choice between hydraulic and conventional suspension??

 

[Blue Shirt]

The 7-seater E70s all came standard with rear air suspension.

I had to replace both rear air springs on mine at around 150k km due to slow leaks. It is an easy DYI and cost is around R4k each.

Cars with conventional spring suspension have no issues other than normal wear & tear.

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Shouldnt have sold her and Im sure Blueshirt feels the same.

You and me both bud :blueCry:

 

[msm]

Fanatics,

I have a deep love for the late model E70's.

How reliable is the 4.8i. I know the turbo charged V8's later released had a bunch of clever people scratching their heads, so, is this NA V8 as good as the NA I6 engines?

You are welcome to educate me in this regards.

Only other issue with them is consumption. Had one for a while - averaged 16-18l/100km in heavy JHB traffic.

Never skipped a beat though in the year or so that I had it. Mileage was just over 100k KM when I sold - zero problems with it.

 

[GoCart]

Appreciate the feedback guys.

 

[ChefDJ]

Speak to Gert OBD as well. He has good knowledge on these.

 

[Blue Shirt]

Only other issue with them is consumption. Had one for a while - averaged 16-18l/100km in heavy JHB traffic.

Fuel consumption on the 4.8i is not an issue, it is a design feature and a fact of life. 270kW has to come from somewhere.

 

[GoCart]

Only other issue with them is consumption. Had one for a while - averaged 16-18l/100km in heavy JHB traffic.

Fuel consumption on the 4.8i is not an issue, it is a design feature and a fact of life. 270kW has to come from somewhere.

Agreed, I wouldn't say consumption is a "issue", one should rather expect it to be on the dangerous side.

 

[Steph745]

Besides the stem seals issue which is almost guaranteed to happen (even n63s are starting to show these symptoms), higher-milers may also have a leaky waterpipe that resides in the valley of the V, and also timing-chain guides that break as they are made of plastic. The parts themselves may not be too costly but the labour is a killer. Great engine though!