2001 525iT - Dead Engine. Sad End - Parting out

[AquilaBMW]

This is a sad day and sad post. I have an Alpine White 525iT some of you might know about. A couple of month ago, I got an SES light for no apparent reason and the car start idling bad. It was mis-firing badly. I checked it out and replaced the plugs and at this time, I found out it was REALLY LOW on oil. I mean there was a whisker of oil on the dip stick.

I topped the oil back up and car seemed to drive okay for about a week. Then it started running bad again. It would drive fine on the freeway at 60 - 80 MPH. However, in traffic or at idle it stumbled a lot and would sometimes stall.

I recently replaced the plugs and coil packs, but that did not help. Then this weekend, it started making a clunking sound in the engine. I tried replacing the MAF, DISA and intake hoses thinking it might be a lean issue caused by a vacuum leak or such. However, that sound is now making me think the engine is done and was caused by oil starvation.

Car has 240K miles on it and while it is clean - apart from a dent in the driver's door - I don't want to invest anymore time or money into it. As such, I will be parting it out and then sending it to the scrap yard in the next couple of weeks.

I am posting it up here in case some has any idea what might be wrong and if it is fixable before I get rid of it. Also, in case someone might be interested in it, I need to get at least $1K back out of it. However, I have stopped driving it. I am concerned about the risk of the engine dying catastrophically on the road. It has the SES on and so will not pass smog either.

The tires are relatively new with about 3,000 miles on them. The plugs are brand new and there are a bunch of usable parts on it that someone might be interested in. If so, please let me know. Just respond to the FS thread I will be posting in the appropriate section


Here is the FS thread: https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-Grey-Interior

[Island Grown]

I'm sure someone will ask... any details on the interior? Factory options? Clean title? Still looks good... hopefully it can be saved.

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[Thrifty S50]

Man i couldnt imagine how bummed id be, RIP...

That being said, id be interested in Xenons + Ballasts as long as they are in good working order? Of course only if you dont end up fixing it, which i hope you do!

[AquilaBMW]

I'm sure someone will ask... any details on the interior? Factory options? Clean title? Still looks good... hopefully it can be saved.

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It has a Grey interior in decent shape. However, this is a base model car - mechanical HVAC, only Driver's seat is electric, though both front are heated. No shades, no CD changer, just a player. Very base model car. It does hold a clean title.

Man i couldnt imagine how bummed id be, RIP...

That being said, id be interested in Xenons + Ballasts as long as they are in good working order? Of course only if you dont end up fixing it, which i hope you do!

I need to confirm the condition of the head lights - I think one side has a broken adjuster.

[Island Grown]

If set on parting, I'd be interested in the intensive headlight washer/ reservoir next to the ABS module.

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[Island Grown]

It has a Grey interior in decent shape. However, this is a base model car - mechanical HVAC, only Driver's seat is electric, though both front are heated. No shades, no CD changer, just a player. Very base model car. It does hold a clean title.

Sounds like a solid platform for a drivetrain swap project. ☺

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[AquilaBMW]

If set on parting, I'd be interested in the intensive headlight washer/ reservoir next to the ABS module.

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Okay... respond to the FS thread and you have first dibs.

- - - Updated - - -

Sounds like a solid platform for a drivetrain swap project. ☺

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I already have too many projects... LOL!

[nauqneyugn]

I would like the trunk panel that covers the battery as well as the subwoofer beneath it!

[AquilaBMW]

I would like the trunk panel that covers the battery as well as the subwoofer beneath it!

Okay... please respond to he FS thread.

[cheapE46]

I am sorry to hear that. Best of luck in parts sales.

[adm750]

maaaaan....Aquila.....really sorry to hear.....

I'd snatch that car up in a hot minit if I were on your side of town. I assume rust free (haven't read the ad..), and I'd swap all my stuff into it....( ooh...white with cinnamon interior, black headliner, etc.. ).

Hmm...I do have a cousin that lives near you though... The missus would kill me for sure though....

[AquilaBMW]

I’m currently exploring fixing the car at the moment. Seems like such a waste to part it out

[e34m50tu]

That car looks awfully familiar. Sounds like it is deciding its own fate.

[DennisCooper]

Hi M/Aquila,

It's Alpine White - So Save It!



With your skills and contacts, I'm sure you could find a decent and relative cheapy replacement engine for it! That'd at least allow you to keep it as a daily hack ..

Given some time and as I think you have access to decent storage etc, you could indeed do as Island Grown mentions and put in another engine?! If it was a much more common colour, then yes, perhaps part it out etc..

Cheers, Dennis!

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

I’m currently exploring fixing the car at the moment. Seems like such a waste to part it out

Yeah!!!! I saw this post in my sleep the other night, keep it alive man!!!

[vinceinIL]

Great to hear you're fixing it! I was thinking it's such a shame to part out a nice car just 'cuz it needs engine work. Would have tried to buy it but I am 2000+ miles away and have enough projects already.

[AquilaBMW]

Well... the car is scheduled to go to a new home and in the care of a fellow BMW enthusiast. So, while I may not be the one to save it, it seems it will get another lease on life. I will update.

[Mike WW]

Well... the car is scheduled to go to a new home and in the care of a fellow BMW enthusiast. So, while I may not be the one to save it, it seems it will get another lease on life. I will update.

Cool! That car is just begging for a 3.0 upgrade.