Did just purhase the cheapest X5 ever?

[Skyline]

Originally Posted by theblue

So I need some advice.

I definitely need to do both valve cover gaskets and maybe the valley also, but I'm going to hold off on that since I'm not losing coolant fast enough right now and I have plenty of other projects to get done.

I looked at the how tos for the valve cover gaskets and it looks easy enough. My question is do I really need to do the 22 gaskets for the bolts holding the cover down? They don't look perished on mine and I don't think they are the source of any leaking. I know I didn't bother on my E36 and didn't have any issues.

thoughts?

Yes, get those gaskets. You will not achieve correct torque values with used bolt seals. The may look good, but chances are, they are pretty hard.

I just did this job, and I can tell you that the ONLY hard part, is getting the driver's side cover back in place without disturbing the pressed in gasket. The semi-circular pieces on the gasket that stick out and fill the camshaft clearance holes just want to catch on the top of the valvetrain as you're reinserting the cover. The tangle of heater hoses that reside on that side of the engine is just too much in the way, even if they are pulled back. After quite a few attempts to get it on right, I ended disconnecting all those heater hoses and pulling them fully out of the way.

So I would say, be prepared to partially drain the coolant, and get all those hoses that connect to the firewall fully out of the way from the start. (Have some blue BMW coolant on hand!) While it does NOT say to do this in the Bentley book or the DIY video I watched, believe me, you will definately have a MUCH easier time of it if do this. Also, I would have on hand one of those large telescopic inspection mirrors. You can not see the back of the engine at all, so you need some way of making sure the gasket is properly seated before torqueing down the cover.

[theblue]

UPDATE. so much more done, I'll go into detail later, but first some pics

way overdue thanks to lost camera cable I present picture from my turn with the village bicycle:




















sunroof leaks fixed forever (cleaned up after curing not shown here):

old rear pads and rotors beyond done.

front before new hood:

new hood arrived ($500 shipped and the right color!)

installed and front bumper "improved"

needs new wheels, thinking of plastidipping them gunmetal for now

zee back


that's all for now... I'll elaborate on other stuff I did once I have a bit more time.

[epdarks]

How do you rate the overall difficulty of the subframe bushings?

Those rear brakes were so bad, extremely dangerous IMO.

Either way you deserve applause for injecting life into a tired X.

[e30mpower]

Originally Posted by epdarks

How do you rate the overall difficulty of the subframe bushings?

Those rear brakes were so bad, extremely dangerous IMO.

Either way you deserve applause for injecting life into a tired X.

Props to you man. Every time I see an X at one of those "Javier's Used Car Emporium - Buy Here Pay Here No Credit Bad Credit OK" places, it calls to me, cries in fact, begging me to do what you've done for yours.

[sockethead]

Hood and bumper repair gives the best visual improvement. nice that it was the right color too. No matter how much you do mechanically, if it looks like crap, well, you know... Gunmetal would be a big improvement on the rims
I like how you have no fear of really getting into the major repairs

[ProfessorX5]

Congrats, hope she doesn't cost you a lot in repairs/projects.

[RFaber]

Hello Blue (and all others) I think i may gotten the same deal as you!
I picked up my X5 for a whopping $2000 (canadian to boot!)
however, it needed work!!
-two passenger doors, $600 at a wrecker, same color too! they threw in a OEM hitch too, because i pulled the doors! (and brought donuts!!)
-most of the front suspension $450 from FCP Euro, i used Meyle HD and Lemfoerder parts! did the pressing in and out myself!! saved $$$
-an O2 sensor, (bank 1 sensor 1 ) $70 bucks from parts store (its an Bosch one)
-misc interior trim. $50 from wrecker light covers, ash tray, weatherstripping for door. floor mat.(singular!)
-folding mirror motor, $50 from wrecker,
-front brake pads, $80 Akebono's from friend without BMW anymore!
-tires $200 for some michellin "take offs" from a friends tire shop with 75% tread left! mounted and balanced!!
-driver door carrier, $115 from BMW Langley (yike$!)
-brand new key from BMW in Germany ($200 double Yike$)(picked up at BMW Langley also.
The quotes the guy got from the dealership were astronomical! so he basically deducted the cost of repairs, from the market rate for an excellent condition one, and came up with $2000.
I think i became a member here the day i took delivery! (actually he delivered!!)
The truck has been a joy, and I absolutely love it! I have enjoyed working on it, (tinkering as my wife says!!) its been alot of fun here!
There are a few things left to do, but for the most part, its completely road worthy, and i wouldnt hesitate to drive it across the country!
(i might look into installing "mediabridge" for my Ipod,and maybe a bluetooth phone system but thats later!!)
I got really lucky with my truck, i paid as much for it as the original owner paid for the leather seat option! lol, not bad!!
It is amazing how, with a little enginuity and some tools (ok alot of tools and some specialty ones) you can save thousands in repair costs!!!
My pride still rises, when i close the door with a solid thunk and lock it up for the night, knowing i saved a beauty like this from a scrap pile!

[bcredliner]

I've never seen brake pads that looked that bad--wow!

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by epdarks

How do you rate the overall difficulty of the subframe bushings?

Those rear brakes were so bad, extremely dangerous IMO.

Either way you deserve applause for injecting life into a tired X.

Replacing the subframe bushings is not that difficult if you have the proper tool--as pictured, to press the bushing in and out. There are also bushings out there that are much easier to install but they are very expensive in comparison to OEM bushings.

[Ricky Bobby]

Rfaber, awesome story about your X, I think you did a great job saving it from death! And she looks resurrected and awesome now, a few bucks in repairs is always cheaper than 5 years of a 400 a month car payment!