Copart X5 - question(s) on damage

slag · #1 10-09-2018, 04:13 PM

In the past year I've purchased 3 vehicles from copart, a 2005 F150 (my tow rig), a 2002 BMW 325 XIT (Wagon), and now, this 2002 X5 3.0.

This X5 was involved in a front end collision and it pushed the bottom of the radiator into the pulleys and shredded the power steering belt. Radiator looks fine, I've pulled it out of the car and it was not leaking, and most all damage was to the lower radiator support bar with some minor scuffing to the bumper cover. My questions are, how does the radiator mount to the lower bracket? Does it just rest on it, or are there bolt holes for it? I've already purchased a used bracket for the car and am waiting for it to get here, but I can't find it on realoem.

How does the cooling holder, RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog , mount to the bracket that sits below it?

For reference, this is the bracket I purchased. Mine was all bent and the arms broken at the weld points.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-2000-20...72.m2749.l2649

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oldskewel · #2 10-09-2018, 04:22 PM

I had my radiator in and out a few times over the summer. As I recall, no, there are no bolts involved. Everything, including the fan shroud, just slips into place, perhaps behind clips at each corner.

So for example when slipping the fan shroud in place, the shroud and the fan go in at the same time, and you need to make sure the clips on all 4 corners slip in together.
Then once in place, there are 3 little plastic body clips that go through 3 holes along the top edge of the radiator to hold the fan shroud very securely there.

The radiator is held in place on the one hand by sitting in a little channel at the bottom. Then it is held in place at the top with the cross bar thing, and the two big plastic threaded screws to provide a little pressure and sufficient compliance.

One tip I'll suggest - since you've got accident damage, and may not be completely sure your fix is good right away - fill the cooling system with water at first. Once you're sure everything is good, just drain it and fill with the proper coolant at that point. Just in case you find issues that require later removal of the radiator, it will be easier this way.

slag · #3 10-09-2018, 04:39 PM

I'll take a closer look at the bracket tonight then and see if I need to replace or repair that. Thanks for the information. I'll post some photos of the car in the near future. For reference, I paid $650 plus fees and taxes, so a total of $1045.42. I bought a battery for it and a few misc trim parts so far off ebay and this bottom bar, belt, and PS pulley. I thought it was a lower radiator support bar, but maybe it was just for an underside wind deflector? At any rate, I have spent a total of about 1 hour messing with the front end so I need to take a better look at things and get an idea of how exactly it fits together.

andrewwynn · #4 10-09-2018, 05:32 PM

The lower bracket as you suggest I believe only holds plastic parts. All the BMWs I've helped with radiator, they are held in place with big plastic hooks on the side and clips on the top.

There will not be any steel to aluminum contact as that creates a battery

oldskewel · #5 10-09-2018, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slag

I'll take a closer look at the bracket tonight then and see if I need to replace or repair that. Thanks for the information. I'll post some photos of the car in the near future. For reference, I paid $650 plus fees and taxes, so a total of $1045.42. I bought a battery for it and a few misc trim parts so far off ebay and this bottom bar, belt, and PS pulley. I thought it was a lower radiator support bar, but maybe it was just for an underside wind deflector? At any rate, I have spent a total of about 1 hour messing with the front end so I need to take a better look at things and get an idea of how exactly it fits together.

That sounds great.

If you do get it running for $1045 that will be a great deal.

It would not be too surprising if you end up finding a few more things with hidden damage (e.g., PS pump - if the pulley was damaged, ...), but for the low price you paid, it sounds like you're in good shape to end up well.

slag · #6 10-09-2018, 10:23 PM

Productive evening. Ended up ordering a new radiator frame support (plastic frame) as mine was broken at the bottom where it fits in. Radiator itself looks great and the ps pump rotates true. I also ordered a couple key blanks to get cut locally and I’ll program them with the ak90+. Overall, very happy with the apparent lack of damage and I hope to get this all back together early next or as parts arrive. Time will tell. Thanks for the advice.

slag · #7 10-10-2018, 09:01 AM

Also need to pick up a radiator shroud and the accordion style air intake boot that goes between the air horn and airbox as mine was brittle and falling apart.

slag · #8 10-24-2018, 03:59 PM

Update! Got the parts in, got it all back together, and it runs like a dream. Originally when we fired it up, it had some valve train noise, but I ran a can of liqui moly through the engine at idle for 10 mins, drained the oil, put a new WIX filter and 7 quarts of Mobil 1 European formula 0w-40 in it, and the car is super quiet. We drove it around all day Saturday and Sunday.

Something odd did happen though. All day Saturday, the ABS and Brake lights were on. We tried the reset trick to turn the wheel full stop a few times, but the lights stayed on. Sunday morning we went out with the code scanner to check it out and the lights were off when we started it. We were going to check the wheel speed sensors in real time to see if they were all reporting, but the light has stayed off all day Sunday and all week. My son ended up with the vehicle as its his first real car, and he loves it. I hope to pick up a 4.4, 4.6, or 4.8 liter one at some point later.

four.8is · #9 10-24-2018, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slag

Update! Got the parts in, got it all back together, and it runs like a dream. Originally when we fired it up, it had some valve train noise, but I ran a can of liqui moly through the engine at idle for 10 mins, drained the oil, put a new WIX filter and 7 quarts of Mobil 1 European formula 0w-40 in it, and the car is super quiet. We drove it around all day Saturday and Sunday.

Something odd did happen though. All day Saturday, the ABS and Brake lights were on. We tried the reset trick to turn the wheel full stop a few times, but the lights stayed on. Sunday morning we went out with the code scanner to check it out and the lights were off when we started it. We were going to check the wheel speed sensors in real time to see if they were all reporting, but the light has stayed off all day Sunday and all week. My son ended up with the vehicle as its his first real car, and he loves it. I hope to pick up a 4.4, 4.6, or 4.8 liter one at some point later.

Sounds like you got a good deal on it.
Something to keep an eye on, that WIX oil filter. I've had an off brand like that in my X5 years ago(by off brand I mean not original Mahle/BMW filter) and posted a picture here on the forum about it. When I did the oil change at regular interval, it was twisted like crazy and almost collapsed. Ever since, I bought only original filter and nothing else.

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