Member
Well, I’ve been chiming in here from time to time, and have been looking for an E38 to purchase. As some of you know I have been chasing basically the bottom of the E38 barrel, and I was able to scrape up this 2001 Shorty Sport for $3700. This example seems like it was ridden hard and put away wet, and is in need of some love. I hope to provide some of that love with some elbow grease, a little help from some of you guys on this forum, and most certainly a chunk of cash from the car jar. I hope to keep it a manageable chunk as I don't need to turn this into a beauty queen, just a serviceable driver in decent mechanical shape.
This one has 178k miles and was purchased at a low-rent car dealer. Previous owner simply bought the thing, drove the crap out of it for a year, and traded it in. Now I inherited all of its problems, most of which I am hoping I can tackle.
Overall the car looks decent – interior is very nice, and the paint is pretty good. Couple of rust spots and looks like someone had a low speed collision because some front end parts have been changed, and the hood is painted or is an aftermarket replacement, but no structural damage is evident. You can see the chrome bumper trim in the photo that should be black. Will need to paint that to complete the evil look. The plastic rocker skirts are loose in the front. Doors squeak. Rear window regulators shot. Cupholders and the usual suspects. Runs and drives great though, feels solid and tight.
The first OMG item showed up about 30 miles from the dealer when I noticed the car running sort of uneven on the highway. Check engine light started flashing then came on for good. Yikes, was not psyched, but hoped for the best. Got home and checked the codes to find a P1343 (IIRC) misfire. Pulled the #1 plug it is totally oil fouled. It’s a wonder this beast runs at all. So first order of business will be spark plugs and valve cover gaskets as the wells have a good amount of oil in them.
Also need to replace the headlights because the xenon low beams have been cut out so the car has no low beams at all. WTF? Anyway, ebay used OEM lights should be delivered momentarily. I really enjoy driving this thing around. Feels regal and has way more pep than my old E39 530i. V-8 sound is awesome too.
So looks like I have something to do besides shovel this weekend.
UPDATE: I am adding the maintenance list here to the front page instead of being buried on page 4. You can see how expensive this car is getting. I will keep updated if possible, and have been includiung shipping costs, parts, any labor that I pay someone else to do. I try to do it all myself but once in a while I don't feel like doing it, or I know it's going to be a total PITA so I have my mechanics look at it. I try to do that as little as possible because it gets super expensive. But sometimes I remember that I am an architect dammit, not a mechanic.
So here you go in case you were interested:
2001 BMW 740i Maintenance Log Date Item Miles Cost 11/23/14 Purchased vehicle 177,980 $3,700.00 11/26/14 Install used headlights 178,230 $232.78 11/28/14 8 NGK Iridium plugs 6418 178,250 $60.00 12/01/14 State inspection, install winter tires 178,300 $83.48 Purchased used winter tires on wheels $250.00 12/10-1/11 Timing chain guide service 178,500 Timing chain guide rail 11311741236 $98.95 Timing chain guide rail 11311741777 $116.95 Timing chain guide lower left 11311745406 $40.95 Timing chain tensioner o-ring 07119906361 $0.95 Timing chain tensioner 11317531813 $68.95 Oil pan gasket 11131436324 $20.95 Oil separator 11151705272 $47.95 Timing cover gasket set (lower) 11141436978 $20.95 Crankshaft seal front 11141275466 $27.95 O-rings for air pipe 07119901511 $1.90 EGR Valve gasket 11727505259 $4.50 Alternator O-ring F00M258503 $5.95 Timing cover seal ring (green one) 11141736758 $2.95 Fan shroud clip 17111712963 $1.00 Center shaft bolt (Jesus bolt) 11231736585 $19.95 Crankcase vent valve 11617501563 $54.95 Beisan vanos seals and tools $70.00 Vacuum hose (white with black stripe) 11747797177 $5.95 Vacuum hose (blue with black stripe) 11747797082 $5.95 Air pump vacuum hose 11731438139 $8.95 AC drive belt 5PK1004 $10.95 Accessory drive belt 7PK1635 $19.95 VC Seal Washer (6) 11121721879 $3.00 VC Seal Washer ( ) Dipstick O-ring 11431707164 $3.95 Valley pan replacement kit (FCP) M62VALLEYPANKIT $192.70 Oil separator hose 11151705301 $34.95 Water pump (Graf) 11510393336 $109.95 Thermostat gasket 11511705408 $0.99 Expansion tank (Hudson) 17111741167 $39.95 Heater hose 64218390319 $15.95 Expansion tank hose 11531711381 $16.95 Water pipe from t-stat to trans cooler 11531711384 $37.95 Cooling hose from radiator to trans cooler 11531711385 $16.95 Cooling hose from cooler to metal line 11537511207 $14.95 Timing cover seal strip (cyl 1-4) 11141741127 $7.95 Timing cover seal strip (cyl 5-8) 11141741128 $7.95 Camshaft solenoid gasket (2) 11141435023 $15.90 Oil filter (Hengst) 11427510717 $8.95 BMW Blue Anti-freeze (2) 82141467704 $49.90 Brake booster vacuum valve (Jet pump) 11611440135 $42.99 Timing chain guide upper (cam to cam, 4) 11311435028 $31.96 VC gasket set (BFCP) 11120034104 $33.01 VC gasket set (BFCP) 11120034105 $33.01 Tax $3.96 Timing tool rental plus shipping $72.60 Shipping $9.99 Shipping $9.99 Shipping $9.99 Shipping $9.99 Shipping $9.99 Discount -$25.00 Discount -$25.00 01/15/15 Glove box latch replacement $45.00 Owner's manual package $25.00 Screwdriver and pliers $10.00 New jack $20.00 01/19/15 Front and rear suspension repairs 178,556 Rear integral links 33326770749 $39.90 Rear ball joints 33326767748 $77.90 Front lower control arm (left) 31121142087 $89.95 Front lower control arm (right) 31121142088 $89.95 Meyle two piece upper control arm kit FCP E382PIECEMY $241.99 Shipping $9.99 Installation and 4 wheel alignment $234.45 01/30/15 Tire balance 179,000 $59.96 02/20/15 Rear brake rotors (Bosch) 15010067 $78.22 Rear brake pads (Meyle) 34213403241 $41.99 Rear brake wear sensor 34351182065 $10.99 Shipping $9.99 Front left wheel bearing (FAG) $104.95 Wheel bearing nut $11.95 Front wear sensor $9.95 Wheel hub dust cover $6.95 Shipping $16.95 03/01/15 Replace rear window regulators $189.95 Repair side skirts (mounting clips) 51718259025 $3.90 03/23/15 Steering center link $139.95 Tie Rod Assembly - left $47.95 Tire Rod Assembly - Right $47.95 Oil Filter $8.95 04/08/15 235/55-18 and 255/45-18 Sumitomo HTR-Z tires $551.48 Mount and balance 181,500 $60.00 06/01/15 Behr Fan Clutch 11527502804 $114.99 Fan Shroud 17101440252 $45.99 Buffer stop w/ejector for trunk 51248137994 $10.99 06/06/15 Gauge cluster repair service 183,271 $129.99 07/18/15 Left headlight gasket 63128387085 184,754 $48.99 Right headlight gasket 63128387086 $48.99 Jack Pads (2) 51717001650 $23.98 Jack Pad (1 used) $0.00 07/?/15 C-pillar replacement gasket from GMC Paul $16.00 C-pillar support blocks (6) 51138157203 $7.74 C-pillar support block clamps (6) 51138157201 $4.14 C-pillar suport clamp grommets (6) 51318150943 $6.54 Moulding clip for grill at rear of hood (2) 51138174852 $3.18 Shipping $9.99 07/14/15 Oil change 8 Quarts Castrol 0w-40 (bought 2 5qt) $42.00 Filter $8.95 08/13/15 Repair OBD2 cover 51168218367 186,500 $7.99 Spring nuts for OBD2 cover 64111364257 $3.16 Remove phone, install arm rest tray 51168215770 $23.99 TRW rear upper control arm (right) 33326770059 $33.11 TRW rear upper control arm (left) 33326770060 $49.99 Repair wood dash trim with insert clip 51458161557 $4.09 Shipping $9.99 09/27/15 Trans fluid change (Valvoline Max Life) 187,400 $57.21 Trans filter kit (Mann) H2522XKIT $27.99 Trans mounts 22316771130 $17.98 Motor mount (left) 22111092823 $40.99 Motor mount (right) 22111092824 $40.99 A/C tensioner 11281742859 $63.99 Shipping $9.99 Discount -$10.00 10/04/15 Replaced sunroof gasket 54107245551 $31.99 11/03/15 OEM Windshield wipers from Ebay $15.00 Wiper inserts $9.95 RF turn signal light 63136905322 $36.99 Shipping $9.95 11/20/15 BMW bulb socket 63138361003 $16.99 Shipping $5.00 18" Mpar reps $150.00 Dismount and discard old tires $34.00 Repair of Mpar reps $60.00 Wheel paint $15.00 Used 255 45 18 Blizzak LM-22 $120.00 Used 235 50 18 Blizzak LM-60 $59.99 Used 235 50 18 Blizzak LM-60 $80.00 Mounting and balancing $70.00 Sell old snow tires and wheels on CL -$225.00 11/22/15 Mount snow tires on car 188,700 01/01/16 Replace center wood console 189,900 $100.00 01/13/16 Replace water pump gasket, O-rings, tensioner 190,060 Water pump gasket (BMW) $4.95 Water pump O-rings - 34mm $3.90 Water pump O-rings - 19.5mm $1.90 Dielectric silicone grease $1.49 Throttle body gasket $7.95 PS/WP drive belt tensioner 11287515865 $81.99 Shipping $6.95 03/04/16 Replace navigation drive with Mark IV unit $129.00 03/26/16 Tire Changeover 192,000 $0.00 08/11/16 Replace rear tires (totally bald. 12k miles.) with 95% tread used Sumitomo HTRZ-III 255-45ZR18 ebay 196,500 $182.99 Mount and balance rears, balance fronts Vianor 196,500 $47.00 08/21/16 Replace front pads and rotors. Reused sensor. Brakemotive 197,000 $133.95 10/01/16 Replace coolant expansion tank AGAIN! Expansion tank (BMW this time) 17111741167 $110.99 Coolant level sensor (Febi) 61318360876 $5.95 That little cap thing that is easy to break 17111723117 $6.99 BMW coolant 82141467704 $26.99 10/30/16 Oil and filter change 199,100 Mann Filter 11427510717 $7.24 Mobil 1 0w40 (22.95 per 5 qt jug plus tax) $39.00 11/20/16 Mount snow tires on car 199,600 12/16/16 Left front inner fender liner 51718150289 $85.99 Right front inner fender liner 51718150290 $81.99 Lower covering, outer left 51718242719 $35.99 Lower covering, outer right 51718242710 $30.99 Blind plug (for hole in bottom of spare tire well) 07147140849 $1.32 BMW coolant (car keeps losing coolant, grrrr) 821414677404 $26.99 Sway bar bushings - two (22mm) 31351096103 $35.98 Sway bar links, front, two - Febi 31351095695 $31.98 01/11/17 State inspection, install shocks, fuel filter, brake hoses, flush brake system 201,151 $641.05 Rear Bilstein Touring shock absorbers 19-028675 $209.98 Rear shock mounts - Sachs 802-104 $59.98 Spring pads 33521131523 $19.98 03/01/17 Replace wiper blades $12.39 04/22/17 Replace all four summer tires with Continental 235/50-18 front 285/40-17 rear tires 202,940 $573.44 Mounting and balancing $120.00 Replace oil filter rubber mounts 11421436982 $4.75 11/26/17 Winter tire changeover 210,837 255/45-18 Falken Eurowinter Tires $219.87 Mounting and balancing $40.00 Uninstalled PS hose o-rings 17221723803 $21.98 Muffler bracket - CRP (rear) 18211704198 $6.59 Power folding mirrors ($200+20 shipping) $220.00 Bilstein Touring Front Strut 22-045034 $82.89 Bilstein Touring Front Strut 22-045041 $81.59 Oil filter (Hengst) 11427510717 $7.21 Cupholder and Nav manual $107.00 Door Hinge Repair Kit $8.95 Steering idler arm 32211141592 $49.99 Total $13,178.17
Holy crap I can't believe I have this much money into this car.
Last edited by clarkitect; 02-16-2021 at 03:51 PM. Reason: Updated maintenance log - 5-22-2017
Member
Nice ride! if you do the valve covers also do upper timing cover gaskets and vanos solenoid gaskets as well...
BMWCCA
Does that plug show signs of oil in the electrode, or is it just how the picture makes it look?
Some Places remain unknown because no one has ventured forth. Others remain so because no one has ever come back......
Member
Ok. Dang did not order those for use this weekend. Will read more before starting.Originally Posted by purplecty
The fouling indicates oil consumption. No worse than the M54 in my 530i. No signs of raw oil other than drips from the VC that had oil pools in it from the bad gaskets.
No scaring me man....
Headlights are here. Going to put them in but it looks like the bumper may need to come off. Grr.
BMWCCA
Oil inside the combustion chamber, in these engines, is usually a sign of either a bad osv, or pcv plate. Not terribly difficult to deal with. No scare here boss!
Some Places remain unknown because no one has ventured forth. Others remain so because no one has ever come back......
Member
Ok. Whew! I did notice a little smoke the other day when I started it up. Thought maybe OSV. But I've been keeping a keen eye out and it's been smoke free ever since. Will look closely at the plugs when I pull them out this weekend to see if there's any oil.
Figured out the headlight replacement thanks to the all-knowing internet. Obviously no need to remove the bumper. New used headlights came with the bottom plastic bracket installed making it look like the screws were obscured by the bumper. Once I figured out removal of the torx 15 screws it was cake. Lights OK message now!
Now to the plugs and gaskets. And winter tires.
Member
Well, didn’t get much of a chance to try out the winter tires. Car ran great after new plugs installed, but after a while started making a rattling sound in the front of the engine. Figured it was just Vanos rattle, but suddenly car started making a whirring noise like a really bad power steering pump. Took off the oil cap and I could flick the timing chain up against the valve cover with my finger. Hoping that it was just a bad tensioner I decided to pull the oil pan and valve covers to take a look. Found some stuff in there...
Looks like guides are in my near future, as in right now. Damn I was hoping to wait until summer to do this inevitable job! I have to say I am kind of glad to get it out of the way right off the bat rather than worrying about it until they fail and getting stranded somewhere.
Questions: Figuring I should do the rest of the “while you are in there” list (Intake gaskets, valley pan, etc). Probably should do Vanos at the same time? 178k miles must be time. Do any members rent the timing tools and also the Vanos press that Beisan uses in their Vanos procedure?
Tear-down has begun.
My home for the next few weeks.
Wish me luck.
Last edited by clarkitect; 02-16-2021 at 04:04 PM.
Member
From seeing nick do the job, you should not have to swap the vanos... Replace guides and all gaskets, seals and orings.
Last edited by purplecty; 12-10-2014 at 09:37 AM.
Member
Wish I had heard a whirring rattle and replaced the guides on mine 3 years ago! But no I was giving it stick and then great calamity.
All the best with the work over the next few....... enjoy the labatts. Love the old school kero heater!!!
Member
Nice I might be buying a 7 for 3 grand soon. Small problems wrong with it, yours looks like it is coming out nicely.
Member
BMW CCA Member
Im selling mine too. For the same price. Just FYI if you would be of any interest. It's needs a little bit of work
I Void Warranties
The more threads I see the more certain I am I won't be driving my car again until I do the guides. Mine haven't failed, but I really don't want them to.
Member
Good to hear. Didn’t seem overly complicated but one more “while you were in there” item that if I can skip I won’t make me weep. I did notice that the car seemed to have a little bit of a surge/stumble at highway speeds that I attributed to Vanos. Maybe it’s just fuel filter. Better change that too.
Yeah that sound was definitely NOT there when I bought the car, but showed up 500 miles later. Hoping new guides bring one all important thing: Peace of mind.
My buddy is the North American Breweries Vermont Rep, so he helped decorate the garage with the pseudo neon sign. If I have it on he might stop over with beer.Old school kero heater is bit overmatched for the un-insulated garage, but provides a warm respite. Cardboard on the floors helps the feet.
I was hoping for small problems too! Oh well. When done I should be good for a while. Good luck with it! Maybe buy M I C H A E L S 740. Especially if it comes with those Style 89's.
“Peace of Mind”. Very important. Initially I was scared of this job but after spending every night reading about it on my iPad I am convinced it won’t be that bad. Long and involved, but I just invested in a Bentley guide, and have been printing out all kinds of reference material to put in a three ring binder.
If any New England guys feel like stopping by I will stock up on better beer than Labatt..
I Void Warranties
That's exactly right. It's about the only thing that would prevent me from taking this car on a long trip, and once its done I'll have only minor things to worry about in the long run.
Member
I'm buying a sport to get all the pieces off to make my 7 perfect then I might give it to my cousin as a first car so he can beat in it a bit.
Member
Looks like you are already into this deep.
Welcome to the e38 madness.
Current fleet:
1999 BMW e36 M3
1999 BMW e36 328is with rotary valve engine head
1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
1990 Jeep Comanche Eliminator
1962 Austin Healey Sprite
Member
Oh my that's a rough go for having just picked up the car. I guess if do the guides and about everything else that comes off in the process in hopes of enjoying the car for another 80k or so. Definitely change (not flush) the trans fluid and filter too.
2011 335i XDrive Coupe
2001 740i Sport
Member
That's the problem. Everyone thinks they can buy a 7 for 3k and that's the furthest thing from the truth. Op jus tspent $3,700 on the car and will now be putting in a few more grand to get it up to running standards.
Just buy a well sorted one. Buy mine!
Member
Thanks! Yeah, I’d say in pretty deep. A bit faster than I had hoped but that’s the way it goes I guess.
I hope so! At least 50k miles. I had my 530i for 5 years, 50k miles before I was ready for a change. It might be about the same for this one, we’ll see.
Thanks for the advice on the trans – will definitely do that job as well.
Yep, OP bought a clunker for $3700. Figure another $3k or so and I hope it will be considered "well sorted". So far I have $4500 in it (meaning part in boxes in the trunk) including the cheap flight to go pick it up. Still need to order the bulk of the guide parts and other sundries that go along with that job. Car is very nice inside with all the options I wanted but some small fixable blemishes outside. How much to buy your car? Never saw a price. $8k? $1800 to ship? That's nearly $10k. I hope to be well south of that figure all in.
I admit to being impatient. If I had been I might have found something better, but here we are. I think I can make it work. It's all money and time, and in the grand scheme of things, I will still be far below the cost of a new Kia. Not bad.
I plan to treat this as a build thread for my own edification. Feel fee to say "I told you so" or "Nice work".
Do post pictures of your car, I'd love to see it.
Last edited by clarkitect; 12-21-2014 at 07:05 AM.
Member
Does anyone have a crank holder tool I could rent? Cam timing tools are on the way from bimmertoolrental.com. Need to amass a few more tools though.
Thanks!
Last edited by clarkitect; 12-13-2014 at 09:24 PM. Reason: Just looking for a crank holder :-)
Parts Hoarder
I'll repeat myself as I have for years. Truth is 99% of the e38 for sale out there WILL need $2000 MINIMUM in parts cost within first 6 to 12 months of ownership.
Member
LOL. I'd have to agree with you Sig. But that was the plan all along.
Now about those tools...
Last edited by clarkitect; 12-13-2014 at 05:43 PM.
Member
I completely agree with this. Even after buying was seemed to be a very nice low mileage 01 back in 09, we probably put about $2k into the first year, granted that wasn't parts cost but parts cost + dealer labor.
Current fleet:
1999 BMW e36 M3
1999 BMW e36 328is with rotary valve engine head
1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
1990 Jeep Comanche Eliminator
1962 Austin Healey Sprite
Addict Number 45573...
Moderator
I've got one. Using it right now, but should be done with it by this weekend.
You'd want to come get it though, it's heavy.
Member
Thanks man, I appreciate that. I'll PM you later in the week to see where you are at with it. My son will be coming home from UNH late Friday and will be driving right by on 89. That might be too early for you. But you are not that far from here anyway.
Thanks again.
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