E38 worth fixing?

[SergeBMW]

Ive been unable to sell my E38 and id rather not junk it but even then, they offered $150 for the car... No way. Long story short, my E32 was my main projects and that is now 98% done which means I now thought of repairing the E38 and driving it again.

I just need some opinions on whether it would be a wise decision to repair it or just keep pushing to get it off my hands. What the car really needs now is a transmission rebuild and maybe replacing the engine. Transmission has the typical A or E drum failure, spoke to my long time transmission mech. and quoted me $1200 for that repair. Even after I do this, the engine may/will need work. It leaks oil through god knows where, maybe everywhere. It has a lifter tick than never could be bled off and burns oil like crazy on startups and sharp turns to the left. I believe my mechanic quoted me approx. $1000 for an engine replacement, total. Believe me, I have spent endless hours on this engine and it has been nothing but headache, it never really produced all the power either, always lacking for some reason that I could not figure out. My last check would have been the CATs. I even did the timing chain guides myself.

Is it really worth it? The suspension on this car is pristine as well as the interior being in pretty good shape, A/C runs colder than my current newer VW daily and it has a brand new set of tires.


Or if anyone is interested in it as a parts car, let me know.

Regards,
Sergio S.

[Cosmic E38]

Why do you think you need to rebuild the engine? We just re-gasketed and resealed the vanos units on my buddies car. We had about $850 into everything. I have a good step-tronic automatic left over from my 6 speed swap if you need one.

[SergeBMW]

Honestly I think the engine was not taken care of by the PO. I did the TCGs and replaced the oil seperator behind the chain while I was in there. Replaced the PCV behind the intake and its still blowing blue smoke on hard turns and some cold starts. I was getting a slight timing chain rattle at high RPM but that went away, almost as if the engine was oil starved. The thing leaks like a sieve and I cannot find out where it is coming from. One of the plugs on the drivers side closes to the firewall was covered in what looked like baked on coolant, was a light tan crust all around the threads and electrode, caused a misfire. Ive resealed the intake and grommets, done plenty of work but it keeps giving me problems. If I do decide to keep it, ill fix up the transmission first and then see what to do with the motor, maybe speak to my mechanic.

That steptronic should work on my E38 regardless of age correct? If I was not mistaken, it was all in the TCU that did the steptronic function? Mine is a 08/98 build I believe. How much you looking to get for it?