I just finished my previous project - 2001 330ci 6 speed manual swap (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=901286) and I was thinking to get another project, something like Z3 or maybe even Mini. Or, e39 touring (I still want it, btw). So, on last Sunday I was browsing the local craigslist when I found this:
2000 BMW 540i - $1900
Of course I set an appointment to look at the car as soon as I could (today) and made more pics and inspected the car as hard as I could (I had unlimited time since car is parked at the shop (the one that estimated 2800 for TC guides job) and nobody watched me either).
So, here is the 'inspection report':
Good:
1) engine really looks clean inside
2) body looks good, not much of the dents, paint is in ok shape for the age
3) almost every electric thing works
Expected:
1) oil leaks here and there (valve cover gaskets, power steering)
2) dim headlight lenses due to age
3) interior requires a lot of cleaning
Bad:
1) rear driver's side door's power window doesn't work
2) some cracks on interior parts
3) condensation inside driver's side headlight
4) some cracked parts in engine compartment (not critical though)
5) windshield rubber gasket is completely dried, cracked and destroyed
6) tranny pan leaks some oil (seems to me, but I admit I didn't lift the car)
7) and the worst thing I found (besides all the timing chain guides thing) - I was completely unable to communicate with the car via OBD-II interface. I have several scanners and neither of them was able to connect to the onboard computer. This is what bothers me the most, since there is nothing worst than trying to fix electrical issues in cars.
So, the only issue that bothers me is the #7, I tried to connect PASoft 1.4.0 and INPA (which work fine with my E46) and nada. Maybe, need to reset everything by disconnecting battery, maybe battery didn't have enough juice, maybe something else. Unfortunately, I didn't take a regular ELM327 cable that time. Anyway, will see.
And more over, I started her! She is actually alive! See video of the engine running:
http://youtu.be/-Q9nyJE4afo
And I moved it a bit (a couple fit on R and then back to the spot) - it works!
I contacted the guy by email, sent him my report and he called me back. Considering all negative stuff I found (aside the TC guides issue) we settled the price at $1600! For really good car with really clean engine and plus I found a lot of receipts in the glove box! I definitely wanted to seal the deal tonight and couldn't allow the deal to slip if tomorrow/tonight another potential buyer calls. This happened in the past where I missed 2002 530i 134Kmi with blown auto tranny: I offered 2200, another buyer offered 2300, I offered 2500, he offered 2600 and I passed (and I am glad, since the engine sounded really bad and the owner admitted it was overheated in the past). So, I said we need to do it today and we met at 9pm, signed the title and the car is mine! For just 16 hundred! The ex-owner is a really nice guy, btw.
Need to tow it to my house (15 miles apart), since even though it is driveable I don't think it is a good idea to drive it with broken tc guides, right? And I'll post my progress here with pics and the first what I will do - I'll clean/wash the car. Then - tc guides, vanos, all seals, CCV, etc. Then all fluids (incl tranny and diff) and all other required maintenance (I have yet to learn a lot about e39s). I do not plan 6 spd swap for now (however, I see a deal on 6 spd tranny and driveshaft on CL, I still will try to get them, probably.... For future 540it ). I do not plan any mods at the moment (well, may be I'll retrofit steptronic EGS/shifter, will see).
2000 BMW 540i - $1900
I immediately contacted the seller via email (he didn't put his cell in the ad) - I thought it would be a great deal, if engine survived (timing chain didn't snap and valves are not hit), even if this is automatic. He replied pretty fast:
He also gave me VIN and Autocheck came out clean. Wow. He sent me pics also:
Of course I set an appointment to look at the car as soon as I could (today) and made more pics and inspected the car as hard as I could (I had unlimited time since car is parked at the shop (the one that estimated 2800 for TC guides job) and nobody watched me either).
So, here is the 'inspection report':
Good:
1) engine really looks clean inside
2) body looks good, not much of the dents, paint is in ok shape for the age
3) almost every electric thing works
Expected:
1) oil leaks here and there (valve cover gaskets, power steering)
2) dim headlight lenses due to age
3) interior requires a lot of cleaning
Bad:
1) rear driver's side door's power window doesn't work
2) some cracks on interior parts
3) condensation inside driver's side headlight
4) some cracked parts in engine compartment (not critical though)
5) windshield rubber gasket is completely dried, cracked and destroyed
6) tranny pan leaks some oil (seems to me, but I admit I didn't lift the car)
7) and the worst thing I found (besides all the timing chain guides thing) - I was completely unable to communicate with the car via OBD-II interface. I have several scanners and neither of them was able to connect to the onboard computer. This is what bothers me the most, since there is nothing worst than trying to fix electrical issues in cars.
So, the only issue that bothers me is the #7, I tried to connect PASoft 1.4.0 and INPA (which work fine with my E46) and nada. Maybe, need to reset everything by disconnecting battery, maybe battery didn't have enough juice, maybe something else. Unfortunately, I didn't take a regular ELM327 cable that time. Anyway, will see.
And more over, I started her! She is actually alive! See video of the engine running:
http://youtu.be/-Q9nyJE4afo
And I moved it a bit (a couple fit on R and then back to the spot) - it works!
I contacted the guy by email, sent him my report and he called me back. Considering all negative stuff I found (aside the TC guides issue) we settled the price at $1600! For really good car with really clean engine and plus I found a lot of receipts in the glove box! I definitely wanted to seal the deal tonight and couldn't allow the deal to slip if tomorrow/tonight another potential buyer calls. This happened in the past where I missed 2002 530i 134Kmi with blown auto tranny: I offered 2200, another buyer offered 2300, I offered 2500, he offered 2600 and I passed (and I am glad, since the engine sounded really bad and the owner admitted it was overheated in the past). So, I said we need to do it today and we met at 9pm, signed the title and the car is mine! For just 16 hundred! The ex-owner is a really nice guy, btw.
Need to tow it to my house (15 miles apart), since even though it is driveable I don't think it is a good idea to drive it with broken tc guides, right? And I'll post my progress here with pics and the first what I will do - I'll clean/wash the car. Then - tc guides, vanos, all seals, CCV, etc. Then all fluids (incl tranny and diff) and all other required maintenance (I have yet to learn a lot about e39s). I do not plan 6 spd swap for now (however, I see a deal on 6 spd tranny and driveshaft on CL, I still will try to get them, probably.... For future 540it ). I do not plan any mods at the moment (well, may be I'll retrofit steptronic EGS/shifter, will see).