Ryengoth

Let's just say that if I had the spare cash right now this mom/son deal would be in court.. Saw the car, cranked it, checked electronics. Only code was brake sensor, which I was informed of - needs pads. Sunroof visor needs fabric rework. Bought for 5k and drove home (less than a mile).

What was hidden and what I missed:
1) both high beams were smashed apart inside the active HID assemblies, just sitting in place with no bulbs
2) the pulley was missing from the AC compressor
3) the amount of oil soaking the drip tray and amount of oily-sand on the front cross-member
4) the short belt swap, with a brand new belt
5) the RDC buried in the trunk that had dissolved
6) the missing front seal rubber
7) the huge hole a belt had sawed into the high-side AC line.

I bought this car with no idea about how N54 engines ate belts... and it had catastrophically digested one and an AC pulley had been ripped off its hub.

twh

Call them up and calmly explain that you want to return the car for a refund. That this is not just a case of old cars need maintenance.

Ryengoth

I spoke my mind to her already. I should have known better and done my homework. I was looking for a new project to work on and this one is now way more than I cared to deal with on an 08 model auto. I'm in the middle of a 94 SAAB 9000 project and wanted a change of content for the YT channel. Meh, the title is already done. I'm going to repair it and drive it long enough to get my $ out of it then probably scrap it. The same mechanic that gave it a good bill of health also services her other cars. So either she is a gambling lady or she had him "fix it for sell". I'll be posted some info on what I've had to do and what I've seen for others to review later if a 535xi falls into your lap. BTW, don't buy one.. If you did, take it back and save yourself from the horrible engineering issues.

Ryengoth

Completely dissolved terminals in the RDC connector replaced with new terminals.

Ryengoth

$800 and 3 hours later, refurbished active HID headlights from eBay..

Ryengoth

New AC compressor, new high side line, belt, tensioner and idlers. Oil cooler filter was leaking at the block and likely caused all of the damage. Such an illogical and horrible component design all-around from location to sealing method. Walnut blasting the intake ports once the engine support is out of the way. 175k miles and looks to never have been cleaned or maybe cleaned once.

plus1111

But... they are SO much fun to drive... Ours is just shy of 250,000 miles now.

Ryengoth

That is what I'm planning on. I'd like to have this car for a touring option outside of our '14 Acadia Denali. That said, I'm not sure I want to venture too far away from home either.. Will see how reliable it is as a DD to work and back. Between the diag laptop and parts I've already paid for a decent model year Lexus IS.

Ryengoth

N54 like oil with a side of belt. The pickup tube was totally blocked with compacted nylon and rubber. The steel strands were scattered around the outside of the engine, in the pan and hanging from the pickup.

Ryengoth

Hope the belts stay on the outside of the crankcase now. No more ripped belts, no more oil leaks up top as long as I keep an eye it