Bought an X5 for $600...but is the Valve Train Blown Out?

[archlab7]

I figure that this purchase will either be a great SAV to drive, or will end up being a 'Part Out' car. Here is the situation:

* I want to buy this X5 from a Mech Shop who got the title because the owner didn't want to pay the cost of correcting a misaligned timing chain.

* The Mech Shop Owner says: The X5 runs, but has no power. He says that he thinks that the Timing Chain is probably off by a link or two - most likely from an installer who didn't use the Camshaft alignment tools (eye-ballin' it!).

* The battery was mostly dead when I did the primary inspection, but it turned over. However, the battery died again, so I didn't get the X5 running. The 'turn-over' didn't sound out of the ordinary (aka- no 'clanging' or other impact noises)...but that might not be relevant.

* All other things considered:
* Overall, very Complete, straight, 'un-molested' (kreepy term, eh?) car
* The Body is in Very Good Shape.
* The Door Handles have the usual bad quality failures & the Key Lock Cylinder fell out of
the Driver's door handle.
* Driver's Door Panel has been disassembled, but the electrical components work

* Interior = Fair-Good
* Underside is really clean, not leaking, no damage
* Engine/Eng Compartment is very Clean, Fluids look great, no sign of 'hacking'

* Transmission: Owner says that it was able to move...Shifter engages, so linkage seems fine.
Won't really know until car can move under its own power though.

* Suspension/Drivetrain/Brakes = Good, straight, no rattliing, no issues apparent
* Electrical is Good overall, but looks like the Instrument Gauge Cluster may need
replacing (displays have lost pixels & are illegible). Radio display is...well, shriveled
, but otherwise works great.

* Heating/Cooling/Climate: All seems to work. Won't really know until the car is
fully operational, I suppose

* Tires/Wheels: Wheels show no sign of damage. Tires are about 60% with some cracking,
but overall, in good shape.

All that Said, here's My question: Is it more possible than not that the misaligned timing has not resulted in catastrophic valve-train/piston failure? That's the main 'Go/No-Go' question.

As Fox Mulder always said: 'I want to believe.'
THX

[MIKYZZ4]

I'm not a gambler,
and even I would gamble on it,
an x5 for $500?
HELL YA!!

[MauiM3Mania]

What year, engine and transmission are you dealing with?

[archlab7]

What year, engine and transmission are you dealing with?

Oops....forgot the most important info:
* 2000 Model Year
* 4.4L V8 (M62TUB44?)
* Trans= ? (5spd auto, I suppose)

[bmwdirtracer]

Sure, for $500, you should buy it, if you have room for a project car in your life. The first thing to do is to put a battery in it, and read the codes with a BMW specific scan tool.

[archlab7]

Thanks. I think I'm gonna get it. Any recommendations for a decent priced Scan Tool? I like my WiFi OBDII, but I agree, I likely should get a BMW-Spec Scan Tool.

[MIKYZZ4]

Well then, here are some options,
concerning diagnostic tools,

For a good BMW scan tool, I feel you have 3 options:

• Foxwell nt520:http://www.foxwelltool.com/search/?q=NT520
• Carly for BMW:http://www.mycarly.com/product/bmw-app/
• INPA software for BMW: Do a search on bimmerforums
  
  I recommended them in no specific order,
  as selection is based more on preference.
  
  INPA is an excellent diagnostic tool,
  but is a proprietary BMW factory tool.
  So all available copies are technically bootleg versions.
  This requires a copy of the INPA software downloaded into a laptop computer,
  along with the correct cables for your particular model of BMW.
  I recommend this only for computer geeks, or the mostly computer savvy among us.
  
  For an affordable standalone unit, Foxwell nt510(nt520 Updated version) is the preferred unit, along with required cables.
  It can scan for BMW codes, among other things, as it can communicate with all BMW modules.
  
  Carly for BMW is an APP,
  and as such, requires a smartphone,
  along with a connection to the OBD2 port in your vehicle,
  supplied either by cable or wireless connection via Bluetooth dongle

Update: Now the full version is $74/year on a recurring subscription

[archlab7]

For a good BMW scan tool, I feel you have 3 options:

• Foxwell nt510:http://www.foxwelltool.com/wholesale...e-and-obd.html
• Carly for BMW:http://www.mycarly.com/product/bmw-app/
• INPA software for BMW: Do a search on bimmerforums
  
  I recommended them in no specific order,
  as selection is based more on preference.
  
  INPA is an excellent diagnostic tool,
  but is a proprietary BMW factory tool.
  So all available copies are technically bootleg versions.
  This requires a copy of the INPA software downloaded into a laptop computer,
  along with the correct cables for your particular model of BMW.
  I recommend this only for computer geeks, or the mostly computer savvy among us.
  
  For an affordable standalone unit, Foxwell nt510 is the preferred unit, along with required cables.
  It can scan for BMW codes, among other things, as it can communicate with all BMW modules.
  
  Carly for BMW is an APP,
  and as such, requires a smartphone,
  along with a connection to the OBD2 port in your vehicle,
  supplied either by cable or wireless connection via Bluetooth dongle.

Thanks for the info, gonna check them out.

[stvsxm]

at that price and assuming you have both the skills to do the work and space to put it, its a no brainer... assume for a minute the car can't be made serviceable for whatever reason... any of the myriad computers in the car will be worth that kind of money on ebay if they work ... in parts alone with a little work the car is worth 4 times what youre paying for it.

[White94RX]

My money is on broken/damaged/crumbling timing chain guides. Timing chains don't just jump a tooth or two...

[bmwdirtracer]

My money is on broken/damaged/crumbling timing chain guides. Timing chains don't just jump a tooth or two...

Absolutely....it's an M62tu.