My 'new to me' 04 545i
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Members
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
So I had my new baby delivered last week.
The dealer gave me a list of issues including; timing cover leaks, oil pan leak, output shaft seal leak, control arms and ball joints all around, srs light due to the driver side pretensioner, lower control arms and an intake manifold gasket.
The car has slight collision damage which was repaired superbly since there are no signs of anything having been repaired.
Well my first drive in the thing to test it out left me sitting on the side of the road with a dead battery. Turns out the alternator was only putting out 11 volts. As for the other issues the dealer listed on the $7,000 estimate, the only things my indy shop found were; the alternator of course, the front right control arm, tranny pan, the seatbelt pretensioner and he's smoke testing the intake manifold tomorrow.
All in all, she's f'ing gorgeous and the repairs are a tiny fraction of what the dealer wanted. All in, about $1300, on a clean 04 545i w/ 65k miles that I purchased for a steal at $8,000 + $500 shipping.
Upgrades, in the works (pending completion of repairs and maintenance): H&R Coilovers, Umnitza headlights and M5 Bumper, replace faded tints and (if I can find the parts) navigation retrofit.
Here she is on delivery day:
The dealer gave me a list of issues including; timing cover leaks, oil pan leak, output shaft seal leak, control arms and ball joints all around, srs light due to the driver side pretensioner, lower control arms and an intake manifold gasket.
The car has slight collision damage which was repaired superbly since there are no signs of anything having been repaired.
Well my first drive in the thing to test it out left me sitting on the side of the road with a dead battery. Turns out the alternator was only putting out 11 volts. As for the other issues the dealer listed on the $7,000 estimate, the only things my indy shop found were; the alternator of course, the front right control arm, tranny pan, the seatbelt pretensioner and he's smoke testing the intake manifold tomorrow.
All in all, she's f'ing gorgeous and the repairs are a tiny fraction of what the dealer wanted. All in, about $1300, on a clean 04 545i w/ 65k miles that I purchased for a steal at $8,000 + $500 shipping.
Upgrades, in the works (pending completion of repairs and maintenance): H&R Coilovers, Umnitza headlights and M5 Bumper, replace faded tints and (if I can find the parts) navigation retrofit.
Here she is on delivery day:
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 663
Likes: 2
From: AZ-USA
Congrats - You'll love it - they are monsters to drive.
You will likely be replacing gaskets for a while like I have, especially if your car has the same history of CBM drain intervals like mine (luckily for me previous owner was nearly all highway miles).
You're right you got a steal! You must either have access to wholesale auctions or purchased a branded title car (which can be an excellent value when purchased at the price you paid).
I'm ready to pull the trigger on an Umnitza MTech bumper and look forward to seeing photos of your completed ride.
Best of luck!
You will likely be replacing gaskets for a while like I have, especially if your car has the same history of CBM drain intervals like mine (luckily for me previous owner was nearly all highway miles).
You're right you got a steal! You must either have access to wholesale auctions or purchased a branded title car (which can be an excellent value when purchased at the price you paid).
I'm ready to pull the trigger on an Umnitza MTech bumper and look forward to seeing photos of your completed ride.
Best of luck!
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Congrats - You'll love it - they are monsters to drive.
You will likely be replacing gaskets for a while like I have, especially if your car has the same history of CBM drain intervals like mine (luckily for me previous owner was nearly all highway miles).
You're right you got a steal! You must either have access to wholesale auctions or purchased a branded title car (which can be an excellent value when purchased at the price you paid).
I'm ready to pull the trigger on an Umnitza MTech bumper and look forward to seeing photos of your completed ride.
Best of luck!
You will likely be replacing gaskets for a while like I have, especially if your car has the same history of CBM drain intervals like mine (luckily for me previous owner was nearly all highway miles).
You're right you got a steal! You must either have access to wholesale auctions or purchased a branded title car (which can be an excellent value when purchased at the price you paid).
I'm ready to pull the trigger on an Umnitza MTech bumper and look forward to seeing photos of your completed ride.
Best of luck!
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 3
From: Orlando, FL
My Ride: 2005 530i Silver Gray/ Gray Leather. SP,PP
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey