FUN FACTS
“Fastest SUV on the planet”
When it was new, the media called the 4.6iS the fastest SUV on the planet. BMW Blog still uses that phrase — and it was BMW’s first quickest SUV ever.
Michelin Diamaris U.S. debut
The Michelin Diamaris tires made their U.S. debut on the X5 4.6iS. BMW fitted 275/40 front and 315/35 rear — massive for the era.
Outbraked a Porsche 911
Car and Driver tested the 4.6iS and found it stopped from 70 mph in just 164 feet — outperforming a lighter Porsche 911 Carrera.
Why it wasn’t called X5 M
The product manager told Road & Track: “It just did not feel right — it did not deliver the right driving experience.” M cars were rear-drive, manual, with torque near redline.
Alpina-inspired engine
The M62TUB46 draws inspiration from Alpina’s E39 B10 V8. Bore +1 mm, stroke +2.3 mm, custom intake cam — gives the 4.6 its distinct muscle-car rumble.
1 in every 59 E53s
Exactly 10,467 4.6iS were produced (BMW Classic). Total E53 production: 616,867. Divide 616,867 by 10,467 — that’s 1 in every 59.
Dinan from the dealer
Many 4.6iS left BMW dealerships as Dinan Stage 1, 2, or 3. Stage III included a Vortech V-2 centrifugal supercharger (S-Trim / Si-Trim), high-flow throttle body, Dinan software, cold-air intake, and MAF — kit was upwards of $15,000. Rumored ~27 4.6iS were upgraded to Stage III; rare and coveted today.
Imola Red & Estoril Blue debut
These colors were introduced for the 4.6iS and remain the most desirable and valuable. Imola-on-Imola was a factory option — red dash trim, console, and shift knob.
Built in Spartanburg
Every 4.6iS was assembled at BMW’s Spartanburg plant (South Carolina). Shared some components with the Range Rover after BMW’s Land Rover acquisition.
20″ Style 87 wheels
The 20×9.5″ front and 20×10.5″ rear Style 87 wheels were 4.6iS-exclusive. No other E53 X5 came with them from the factory.
Quad oval exhaust
The chrome quad oval exhaust tips were 4.6iS-only — similar to ALPINA models. The 4.4i had a different exhaust setup.
Most powerful E53
At 342 hp and 480 Nm, the 4.6iS was the most powerful E53 ever. Car and Driver called it “the tank with jet engines.”
Unique block
The M62TUB46 block (11117512872) is 4.6iS-specific. Bore and stroke differ from the 4.4i — you can’t swap pistons or crank.
White third brake light (late 2003)
Late-model 2003 4.6iS came with a white/clear third brake light lens on the rear spoiler, while the majority of 4.6iS (and other E53s) have a red lens. A rare, sought-after detail.
Clear turn indicator side lamps
All 4.6iS came from the factory with clear (Euro-style) turn indicator side lamps on the front fenders, not amber. Other E53 variants typically had amber lenses.
Gauge cluster: italic numbers, no M logo
The 4.6iS (and 4.8iS) instrument cluster is specific to these models: italicized numbers and light gray faces — but unlike the E39 M5 or E46 M3, it lacks the M logo. A subtle “is” identity.
3.91 final drive & higher stall converter
The 4.6iS used a 3.91:1 final drive (vs 3.64:1 on the 4.4i) and a higher stall speed torque converter for quicker off-the-line response.
Anthracite headliner standard
US-market 4.6iS came with anthracite (dark gray) headliner as standard — part of the sportier, more upscale interior spec versus other E53 variants.
Period road tests and articles from when the 4.6iS was new. Click through to read or watch.
BMW X5 4.6is (E53) — Official model page
Official BMW Classic model page: production 12/2001–09/2003, 4.6L V8 (M62B46), 347 hp, 240 km/h, 10,467 produced. Series equipment, specs, and archive.
Read at BMW Group Classic →
Driving the BMW X5 4.6is — Once The “Fastest SUV on the planet”
Experience the power and luxury of the 2003 BMW X5 4.6is. Test drive of a low-mileage example with Michelin Diamaris U.S. debut, Alpina-inspired engine, and why it wasn’t called X5 M.
Read at BMW Blog →
2002 BMW X5 4.6is Tested
“Remember the tank with jet engines?” Short take road test — 6.5 sec to 60 mph, 0.84 g skidpad, 340 hp, Alpina-inspired 4.6L V-8. Beats ML55 to 60 and in the quarter.
Read at Car and Driver →
Road Test: BMW X5 4.6is vs. Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG
Head-to-head with the ML55 — the 4.6iS vs Stuttgart’s AMG SUV.
Read at MotorTrend →
Off-road? Why bother? BMW X5 4.6is
Instantaneous power and layers of electronic enhancements — period take on the 4.6iS.
Read at The Morning Call →
2002 BMW X5 Review & Ratings
Full 2002 X5 lineup review including the 4.6iS.
Read at Edmunds →
MotorWeek: BMW X5 4.6iS Road Test
MotorWeek road test of the 4.6iS — watch the full segment on YouTube.
Watch on YouTube →
4.4i vs 4.6iS
Key differences at a glance. Factory stats and engine/parts breakdown — 4.6iS‑exclusive vs shared with 4.4i.
| Spec / Feature | 4.4i | 4.6iS |
|---|---|---|
| Factory stats (at a glance) | ||
| Engine code | M62TUB44 | M62TUB46 |
| Displacement | 4.4L (4,398 cc) | 4.6L (4,619 cc) |
| Power | 282 hp (210 kW) @ 5,400 rpm | 342 hp (255 kW) @ 5,700 rpm (340 hp SAE net US) |
| Torque | 325 lb‑ft (440 Nm) @ 3,600 rpm | 354 lb‑ft (480 Nm) @ 3,700 rpm |
| Transmission | ZF 5HP24 (variant 029, 5‑speed Steptronic) | ZF 5HP24A (variant 034, reinforced for 480 Nm, Sport mode) |
| Chassis | E53 | E53 |
| Performance (engine geometry) | ||
| Bore × Stroke | 92 mm × 82.7 mm | 93 mm × 85 mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:1 | 10.5:1 |
| 4.6iS‑exclusive (block & internals) | ||
| Block | Standard M62 4.4L block | 4.6iS‑specific assembly (11117512872) |
| Pistons | 4.4i pistons (92 mm) | Alusil Mahle 92.98 mm — 4.6iS only (11257512411) |
| Crankshaft | 4.4i crank (82.7 mm stroke) | 4.6 crank with shells — 4.6iS only (11217512876) |
| Lower oil pan | 4.4i / E53 V8 part | 4.6iS‑specific (11137500210) |
| Connecting rods | 4.4i rods (82.7 mm stroke) | 4.6iS‑specific (for 85 mm stroke) |
| Intake manifold | 4.4i manifold | 4.6iS‑specific — high-flow, larger runners |
| 4.6iS‑exclusive (heads & valvetrain) | ||
| Cylinder heads | M62TUB44 heads | 4.6iS‑unique (11127512607 / 11127512608) |
| Intake camshafts | 4.4i cams (9 mm lift) | 4.6iS‑specific only, 10.5 mm lift (11317513227 / 11317513231) |
| Exhaust camshafts | 4.4i cams (9 mm lift) | 4.6iS‑specific; also shared with E52 Alpina (11317513235 / 11317513238) |
| Head gaskets | 4.4i cylinder gaskets | 4.6iS / E52 Alpina only (11127519410 / 11127519406) |
| Valve springs | 4.4i valve springs | 4.6iS‑specific (stronger) |
| Shared (same on 4.4i and 4.6iS) | ||
| Intake / exhaust valves | 35.0 mm / 30.5 mm | 35.0 mm / 30.5 mm |
| Hydraulic valve lifters | 11321440256 | 11321440256 |
| Timing covers, valley cover, rear main seal | Shared E38 / E39 / E53 V8 | Shared E38 / E39 / E53 V8 |