Quick (Belated) Intro

[BimmerM3inGA]

Hey Gang! I'm a regular over on Bimmerforums, and have posted a here a few times, but I think it's time to properly introduce myself. I've been a BMW addict for nearly 20 years and my hobby is to buy BMWs in need of TLC and nurse them back to health. Sometimes I'll keep one, but most of them get passed along to new homes so I can fund the next one.

I just picked up an aggressively neglected 2001 X5 3.0 which was abandoned at a repair shop. It sat for nearly a year before the paperwork was completed allowing them to sell it. I was the first one there with the money, so it got to come to live with me for a little while.

It has a long list of problems, some major, most minor. I can probably sort most of them myself, but will probably be calling on the community for help with some of the trickier ones.

Here is what I've found so far:

• Coolant leak (I think from the expansion tank)
• There is something seriously out of whack in the front suspension. The left front tire has about 10º of positive camber and at least as much toe out. To go straight, the steering wheel has to be held at 90º from center.
• Leaking oil from the rear crankshaft seal
• It needs to have the ABS controller rebuilt (ABS, BRAKE, DSC warning light trifecta).
• Tons of dead pixels in the MID
• Driver's seatbelt won't retract
• Broken regulator on right rear window
• CEL is on - code reader says O2 sensor faults
• Lots of burnt out light bulbs
• Broken outside door handle on front passenger door
• Windshield wipers non-functional
• Needs rear tires

I think that's everything. The only one that really has me worried is the rear seal. I've never pulled a transmission. I think I can handle everything else. But time will tell. I plan to start digging into it tomorrow afternoon.

[epdarks]

Welcome! I love the "fresh out of the barn" look on your X5!

Most of your issues seem relatively minor. Use the search function and you can take care of 90% of that stuff. That front suspension issue could be tricky, and the crank seal is a big job... but it sounds like you're up for it!

[Ricky Bobby]

Sounds like the front suspension took a major hit from riding up a wall or something! Or it took a major smack on the front left side and impacted the front suspension.


Good luck with the fixes, the tranny and suspension ones seem the worst. Coolant leaking is probably expansion tank, I would do that, the hoses, the T-stat, and water pump, belts and tensioners preventatively, probably about 400 bucks-500 bucks for parts and get it all done in the weekend.

The crankshaft seal I don't know a thing about, but it sounds fun.

ABS module and MID can be rebuilt/repaired for about 100 bucks apiece as I'm sure you know from many sellers on ebay. Window regulator is about 150, replace the clips as well. Same with door carrier, you'll need to replace that to get the passenger door to open again (100 bucks from dealer).

Wipers not working, might be a General Module issue, or it could be something as a blown fuse. I'm banking on a GMIII needing to be rebuilt however.

O2 sensor faults could be a vacuum leak, or could be bad sensors, hard to tell.


How many miles on this "barn find?" Good luck with it, you're braver than I am with the unforeseen maintenance costs. I hope you shine her up real nice and bring her back to life! And for gosh sakes that drivers seat needs a thorough leather cleaning, the tan seats look brown!

[BimmerM3inGA]

I must have seen too many episodes of Chasing Classic Cars, because I hated to wash off the "barn find patina". But it really looked nasty. Besides, it's not a one-owner 1937 Bugatti. So I took a hose to it last night. The paint is actually shiny underneath the thick layer of dirt and mildew! It smelled pretty bad, too!

I can rebuild the suspension if needed, but the crank seal does have me worried. It seems like EVERY BMW I've owned with the M52TÜ or M54 has a leaking rear seal. It must have something to do with the aluminum block. I couldn't take it any more on my E39 528iT, so I paid a shop $600 to replace a $30 part. The X will probably cost twice as much because of all the extra hardware. That's why I'm considering tackling it myself. I'm sure it's doable, the question is: Do I really WANT to?

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

How many miles on this "barn find?" Good luck with it, you're braver than I am with the unforeseen maintenance costs. I hope you shine her up real nice and bring her back to life! And for gosh sakes that drivers seat needs a thorough leather cleaning, the tan seats look brown!

140K. I think it'll be okay after some remedial maintenance and TLC. The interior is nearly as filthy as the exterior. Can you recommend a good cleaning product for the leather? I'm good at the mechanical and electronic stuff, but not so much at detailing. I don't want to damage the leather when trying to clean it.

[tmv]

Good luck.
I don't think it worth to flip that one. Too much time and money invest with little profit. If you have time and space, part it out might be a better option.

[BimmerM3inGA]

Hopefully I'll be okay. I didn't pay very much for it. Also, my brother has already said that he wants to buy it when it's ready.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by BimmerM3inGA

140K. I think it'll be okay after some remedial maintenance and TLC. The interior is nearly as filthy as the exterior. Can you recommend a good cleaning product for the leather? I'm good at the mechanical and electronic stuff, but not so much at detailing. I don't want to damage the leather when trying to clean it.

Visit our forum sponsor Detailers Domain, and pick this up:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Griot...Kit_p_768.html

It comes with all the products I use, I recommended this kit because he includes a brush attachment and the 3" griots random orbital, which you will need to use on those seats, and the carpet for the most part.

the 1Z Deep Plastic Cleaner is what you need to use to clean the grime off the seats, and it will clean up the dash panels, dashboard etc. Once the seats are cleaned up use the Lederpledge for conditioning the leather, its not greasy or shiny and just leaves them looking supple and new.

After you wipe down all the interior plastics with the 1Z Deep Plastic Cleaner, use the 1Z Cockpit Premium on all interior surfaces for protection and to show a clean matte finish.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/1Z-ei...mium_p_70.html


Or, if you're like me and are ballin' on a budget (and don't need the Griots machine since its out of stock now that I looked on the website), just get the Lederpledge separately (its 15 bucks), and get this Interior Basics kit (the white towels work great, but i'm warning you you will need to let the cleaner sit on that leather for a couple minutes and really use some elbow grease to get that grime off before applying Lederpledge!):

http://www.detailersdomain.com/1Z-ei...Kit_p_656.html

And get some carpet cleaner while you're at it, and also use some soft but stiff bristled brushes on the interior carpets (and don't forget to use some on the headliner, i'm sure there are stains!):

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Adams...aner_p_94.html

Basically you need to get about 70 bucks worth of products (use code BMW for 10% discount), and a few hours of cleaning in the driveway and the interior could look close to new again. I'm sure the A/C smells musty as well, get a new cabin filter, but while you're switching it out, vacuum all the leaves and sticks near the filter housing, and turn the A/C on full blast with the filter out of the car, and spray some Lysol directly into the cabin filter housing to disinfect the A/C system (old detailers trick)

Once you sprayed a decent amount of Lysol, close up all the windows, let it run for a minute, then put in the new filter, close up the housing, and press recirculate to really clean out those vents!

[BimmerM3inGA]

EXCELLENT advice! I will get that stuff ordered and attack the interior. Thanks!

[Ricky Bobby]

you may want to order a 10 pack of Uber All Purpose microfibers (black) as well, they are 25 bucks on DD website, and you're going to need them with all the glass, carpet, headliner, leather seats, and dash/door panels you need to clean/wipe down!

the 2 interior microfibers in the "interior basics" kit are great, but you definitely need more than 2 by looking at those pics LOL

[bcredliner]

Interested in updates as you Tic through your list. Also, how it turns out as far as percent profit you make on the X or your expectations on a project.

Great hobby! Lots of fun and satisfying to see the transformations isn't it.