2004 E53 Project!!
 

Good day all!

I have an E39 that I love, but I found this 2004 E53 with the 4.4L for next to nothing. It was a deal I couldn't turn down despite the small problem with the title work that I am still trying to resolve. And so the adventure with this project begins!!

Here she is in all her glory! I really do apologize for not getting a picture outside of the garage. It was an after thought, but it would have been too much of an ordeal to pull her back out of the garage just for a picture. Her VIN is: 5UXFB53574LV01785 for those that are curious. She seems fairly well loaded with all the goodies I didn't have in my 2001 version a few years back. She has NAV with the 16:9 display, but the display is not completely perfect. The DVD for the NAV doesn't work right either. The PO moved the CD changer to the glove box. I moved it back today. The interior temp controls were stuck on. I tore that apart yesterday, cleaned it up, and put it back together. I've done a bunch of other small things. The outside mirrors have power fold-in. The DS mirror didn't work for some reason. I pulled that apart and found the stop point had broken off and was getting in the way of normal operation. I'm dealing with an air suspension issue that I will be getting to in a few.

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And the main reason why I got this so cheap... The motor had a bad knock in the bottom end. I have not diagnosed the exact issue, but I am going to suspect the number 6 cylinder is the cause. It is the only cylinder that I am not getting good power as evident of the valves and spark plug.

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The motor is completely covered in oil and road grime!! The oil pressure sending unit is leaking a ton of oil!! I suspect this is the root cause of the knock. The underside of the motor is a total mess. I am still debating just pulling the motor, cleaning it until it shines, and rebuilding it if the block is still perfect.

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Okay, now the fun part everyone!!!

I have done the searches. I have combed and sifted through all the posts I could find about the air ride suspension. My X5 is not following suit with the posts I have been reading. There are two fuses for the Air Suspension in the rear, along with the purple relay. However, the two fuses only have a power lead; no feeder to anything else. There is no relay under the cover with the compressor. I could not find the control box behind the glove box. I have the 5 on jack stands now and all the bags check out visually. I can not get the bags to fill cause I can't get the compressor to power up. The two fuses in the back, and the one above the glove box were the only three that I could associate to the Air Suspension. Thoughts?!?

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Here, I pulled the two fuses for the air suspension. The 7.5A three to the right of the open spot; and the 30A at the right end.

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So, I am at a loss for the Air Suspension! Short of pulling all the panels and tracing the wires, I don't know where else to look for the control module. I'll be updating this as I progress!!

Cheers for now!!

Maybe another member can chime in but it looks like your control box is missing? It's supposed to be behind the glove compartment in a white box. I can't see it from the pics

Okay wow what a project you have on your hands there. I suspect that some previous owner had a technician pull out a few control elements of your air suspension system because they did not want to deal with fixing it or figuring out what was needed to repair it. So you will have to analyze backwards to see whats missing. I am sorry that I cannot help you on this one, my vehicle is a 2003 X5 and has air only on the rear. There are a number of board members that have your year of vehicle and system and should be able to help you. One note of caution on the vehicle I know that your excited to have it and already tearing into the vehicle but you mention that you are sorting through a title issue with the vehicle. I would not spend any more money on the project until you get clear title of the vehicle. I once had a BMW of a similar situation and I was to receive the title within 30 days of the purchase and well that 30 days grew to 12 months and I had invested some serious coin on the project. Just beware

I agree with X53. Plus, you are putting a lot of effort and time into the suspension, yet you don't have a clear handle on whether the motor is even any good. Obviously, do what you want, but if it was me, I would prioritize getting the thing running correctly, than get into the ancillaries. For reference, I too thought I had a great deal on a 2001, but have been "challenged" by an engine issue from day one.
http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-Can-t-Be-Good
These are super expensive to repair even if you are doing the work yourself. Would love to know what you paid for it if you don't mind sharing. These can make great stories for the uninitiated. If you tackle it, and it's not your primary ride, it can be a great project and learning experience. Please keep us posted.

Thanks all!! I agree with all three of you!! I am waiting for one more week to see if the PO will just sign the title I have to make everyone's life easier... He still owns it, and will be responsible for the taxes due. And I offered to buy his family dinner just for his time... I have not spent any real money on the project as of today... Just my time figuring things out... Or trying anyway...

The Air Suspension control units I have seen were in black boxes... I have not seen one in a white box... I have one behind the glove box that might be what I am looking for... All the fuses are good... But, when I got the X5, the compressor connector was disconnected... So, I'm going to look at the part number on that module...

If I don't get a title for me to keep the vehicle in one piece, I'll tear it apart and part it out. I'll make more than I paid for it if I part it out, but I would rather drive it since it looks so good. $2000, plus $61 to get it home.

Cheers all!!

Haha. Whether you fix it or part out, cannot go wrong with $2000!

Agreed, especially with running boards. Those are $500-800 by themselves to the right buyer.

Nice score, and best of luck.
Picture of the said E39?

Thanks everyone!

Always happy to share pictures!! I don't have any recent pictures of the 540i, but this one was right after I got done putting the motor in, among other things...

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Additionally, I just checked the module I thought was the one in question for the Air Ride... It wasn't... It was the alarm module... So, the Air Ride module is still missing...

Cheers all!!!

^looking good. 2001? Look to be Anthracite.
My old anthracite 525i.
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