Looks like my time with an E53 is almost over
 

My poor E53 was parked outside during the recent hail storm last month in Austin, and took a pretty hard beating. Overall it still looks ok, and runs and drives well, but the insurance company is totaling it due to age as much as anything else.

I know I could take a lower offer and keep it, but I think it's time to move on, and I don't think I'll get a better offer on it even if I go through all of the effort to fix the roof.

If any Austin area owners need/want anything from this car before they come get it let me know quick and I can pull things this coming weekend. If it's something major like the black sport seats, you'll need to come out and swap for yours so I can hand over a complete car.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...730e3ddc_b.jpg

More pics here from the original auction listing - https://carsandbids.com/auctions/92q...001-bmw-x5-30i

Nothing major has changed since then other than the head unit and the hail damage.

Oh, and if someone wants to swap their wheels/tires for the OZ Racing 20" with new Continental tires that are on this, I might be persuaded for even a little money.

Looks like she was a beauty and a manual. I'd try and keep it...

Fix it, these are becoming hard to find in decent shape and replacing it with something newer will cost you far more than repairing this X5.

Wow what a shame! Surely it's worth saving?

Wait! Do you need a pano roof? i have one in Alabama. I just need to go get it! I can help out.

Does it have a hitch? Wish I had more notice!

I'll take a few things if possible. PM me.

No hitch, and it needs a replacement roof with regular sunroof. No glass breakage thankfully. I've been daily driving it since the hailstorm trying to burn out the full tank of gas it had din it. I'm still over half two weeks later.

PDR and an excuse to put in an alcantera headliner?

Why can't someone keep it and donate to let's say Ukrainian refugees etc.?

If the car is still functional, why junk it?

:iagree:

ABSOLUTELY! Dude. That X is too nice to got the the bone yard. Especially a manual! :dunno:

We had the same thing happen here in Arizona, but fortunately, the insurance did pay to fix it. PDR, man. It works and they have a lifetime warranty on the work.

Damn, those wheels look good on that! :thumbup:

2006 X5 on marketplace that needs a motor! It’s here in Austin!

I asked that, and the only reason was "it's old and too expensive to fix". With insurance it's all about loss prevention.


The photo I shared made this car look better than I think it should have. Thought I would share some pics to show a few of the other things this needs. First the bad - RUST


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5c2b22a806.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5253ed97c0.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a44673020a.jpg


There's rust in all of the doors, suspension and front brakes. I'd already replaced the rear brakes to get rid of it, and solve a grinding. This car spent several years in Maine and shows it underneath. Including the hail damage it needs every body panel replaced.



Now the SAD


I'd only owned my X5 just over a year. In that time I had gone through all of the mechanical parts as thoroughly as possible, doing maintenance that I didn't have any previous documentation for as well as the alternator and aux water pump. I pulled out the original nav unit and put in an android head unit. I also replaced the tail lights to fix the fading centers and fixed the gauge cluster pixels.


The only thing currently wrong, other than the extensive hail damage is that the central locking switch/hazard light switch doesn't work.


It'll go to IAA (Insurance Auctions of America) with all of it's original parts, including the Type 69 wheels that a previous owner powder coated black and the factory nav in a box. Unless anyone wants me to pull easy to grab parts? I do have the pet divider net. I expect someone will pick it up at auction and have it back on the road next year.

PM sent. I'm interested in a few parts.