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-   -   The story of "Swamp Thing" (https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/x5-e53-forum/112449-story-swamp-thing.html)

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:08 PM

Looking at all the rust on the floor and thinking about whatever else could possibly be lurking (I haven't even done a thorough code scan at this point) I started wondering if it's worth getting into this...

I sent a buddy (a fellow enthusiast and also e53 owner) a few pictures of what I was looking at.

Me - "See all that rust? Think I should get into all of this? Sanding and painting?"

Friend - "From the looks of things you're all ready into it, might as well do it right"

Right! A moment of weakness!!

https://i.imgur.com/84tWEQg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4rkKwBg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wFizSjj.jpg

The sanding was a slow and unpleasant process but I got everything cleaned up and ready for paint, but don't hate me...
















































I used the white rust paint I had on hand :D

I KNOW! I KNOW!! But nobody is going to see it!!

Look it's not so bad I promise ;)

https://i.imgur.com/XpXdjP1.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NG0nXtb.jpg

When I was painting the floor around area around the gas pedal I noticed that the carpet area was STILL a little wet, so out came the fans again but the rest was ready to be put back together.

https://i.imgur.com/ezahSCH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BwFCN2F.jpg

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw540san (Post 1192214)
I've been messing with BMW's pushing on 20 years now but I haven's seen one in this bad / nasty condition yet.
I understand that $1200 can be considered a deal for this X5 but after seeing all of this, I don't think it's worth it considering the effort it has to be put in.
But that is just my opinion and hats off to PO and I trully hope he gets her back in decent condition.

My backup plan was if it was a total heap I would pull the motor and throw it in my E83 which currently has 375,000 km on it.

Around here a motor with similar mileage that Swampy has would be about $800-1000.

And I totally agree that it probably should be put down, but then you don't get to watch the carnage :D

Tell me with a straight face you don't want to keep watching :wow:

c-bass 09-27-2020 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effduration (Post 1192215)
Not to add to a big list of to-do items, but you should have a peak under the driver's side plastic under-cladding to see how good the rear brake lines are in that location. It's a big issue with any E53 living in a moisture environment. Mine were rotted.

Will do :thumbup:

bmw540san 09-27-2020 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-bass (Post 1192218)
My backup plan was if it was a total heap I would pull the motor and throw it in my E83 which currently has 375,000 km on it.

Around here a motor with similar mileage that Swampy has would be about $800-1000.

And I totally agree that it probably should be put down, but then you don't get to watch the carnage :D

Tell me with a straight face you don't want to keep watching :wow:

Don't take me wrong, I'm very interested to see the happy ending. It's just that I've done so much over the years that it literaly pains me knowing how much effort goes in things like this.
And yes, you're right, as a parts car it's defintely worth the $1200.

wpoll 09-28-2020 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw540san (Post 1192214)
... hats off to PO and I trully hope he gets her back in decent condition.

I think you mean OP. The PO needs to be whipped.... ;)

bmw540san 09-28-2020 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll (Post 1192222)
I think you mean OP. The PO needs to be whipped.... ;)

Correct, lol.
Sadly, for most people car is like an home appliance. Use it till falls appart then get a new one. Or, get a new model every few years because of latest bells and whistles.

c-bass 09-28-2020 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw540san (Post 1192225)
Correct, lol.
Sadly, for most people car is like an home appliance. Use it till falls appart then get a new one. Or, get a new model every few years because of latest bells and whistles.

Yup, I totally agree.

From my experience it seems outside of North America buying and owning a car is still a pretty big deal or an expense big enough where most people are almost forced to take care of their vehicle.

Most countries you need to keep your car in tip top shape and it can't be "too old". The registration, insurance and fuel prices are super high so only those who are really want to own a car will do so.

In Mexico and South America there isn't much of a used car market and new cars are super expensive. The average VW Jetta was a $50k US car down there, so anything that's used is worth MUCH more than it would in the US. Owning a car down there is relatively cheap and the laws are fairly lax so some of the things you see on the road are mind boggling.

Cuba has a fleet of 50s era cars they keep running using mostly their imagination Etc...so while we're looking at Swampy thinking it's had a rough life someone is thinking it's a creampuff compared to what they have available.

Even though I left when I was very young, growing up around people that lived in communist Poland and later on in Mexico it's embedded in me that anything can be fixed and the "That's still good" (aka garbage picking) attitude is very much alive and well in my soul.

Having said that...I do know when to pull the plug (read: still learning) and have VERY limited finances (read: the actual reason behind my "I've learned to pull plug claims") so it's not like I'm going to run up a huge bar tab I'll have a hard time dealing with.

bcredliner 09-29-2020 12:44 PM

It's worth what you are willing to pay so the purchase price was fine. Enjoy!

crystalworks 09-29-2020 03:50 PM

I'm ready to nominate this for greatest transformation from PO to OP in terms of condition for this year. And the work has just started.

I'm like you, have a soft spot for saving things that would ordinarily be considered junkyard material. Good luck, have fun, and slowly bring it back to life so as to not hit the piggy bank too hard all at once. Once bought a 3 series out of a field after it had been sitting for a couple of years. Fun stuff.

bmw540san 09-29-2020 06:03 PM

I totaly agree with c-bass post about different countries and car ownerships in them because I came from one.
I came to US in 1996 as a 23 year old refugee from bloody Yugoslavian war (1991-1995).
Before war Yugoslavia was very stable and good Country to grew up in regardless of fact it was Socialist system.
My father owned 1973 VW Bug for 23 years and that was nothing unusual. Of course we also had the famous "Yugo" although I have to agree it's really big POS, lol.
Anyway, I worked hard and I'm doing well today but I am softened up now and older of course because 20+ years I would go in this project with gusto and now I'm whining how much effort it will take.
So again, my respect to you c-bass and I hope you inhale new life into old girl.


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