m539restorations
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I got another one!
🕑 Added 2024-08-03 10:18:04 +0000 UTCThat's right, fellas and fellettes! We are saving another one!
I scooped up yet another 1 of 1364 6-speed manual E60 M5s for the North American market.
You all know by now that I'm deeply in love with project Raleigh, and that the E60 M5 has become my favorite car, all because of the glorious S85 V10 engine paired with a 3rd pedal.
This purchase was totally unplanned. I actually bought this car while on our honeymoon in Hawaii.
Me being me, I couldn't resist searching for broken BMWs while in the US, and somehow I stumbled upon this gem going for an auction on Copart.
Accident-damaged cars aren't my thing, but this is slightly different. It was listed as a non-runner with undercarriage damage. The body of the car, as you can see in the pictures, is totally clean.
However, if you look closer, you can see an oil mat under the engine, and you know what that means. Combine that with a busted wheel and deployed airbag, likely a curb or something has totaled this car.
Upon checking the VIN, it's actually a rather rare specimen of an already rare car. It's 2010, which is the last production year, Alpine white over black leather interior with the best comfort seats, California car, 112k miles / 180k km, and only 1 owner from new!
I was hooked and decided to bid on the car. I was sitting in Ihop for breakfast when the auction was coming to an end, and in my very first auction, I did the rookie thing and got into a bidding war. I went way above what I wanted to pay, but I really wanted it. So, I won!
Now, here's the plan. This wounded M5 won't be coming to Germany. The car was at Copart in Fresno (project Fresno!), and I got talking to Jason Cammisa about my latest purchase. He generously offered to store it in his warehouse in San Francisco as it wasn't too far away. He then suggested I should come during Car Week to fix it, which planted the seed.
Car Week happens every year in Monterey, CA and it's a whole week of automotive paradise. I always wanted to attend, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity.
Jason has a 2-post lift in his warehouse and every needed tool. So, the plan is to fly in a week earlier, revive the M5, do a bunch of maintenance and upgrades, and use it during Car Week together with Jason and his E31 850CSi!
As I figured, once the car was delivered, Jason confirmed that the oil pan was busted. The good news is that when the airbag is deployed, the battery safety terminal is triggered and the power to the car is cut. This means there's no chance that the engine was running without oil in it. I found a replacement oil pan, and we'll, of course, do the rod bearings and all while-in-there items.
I am working again with BimmerWorld who came through big time with parts for this project, as well as Bilstein, Eventuri, and Liqui Moly on this project.
I also have a final blubbery on the cake lined up if everything goes to plan and it rhymes with Ring Taxi! Since the moment I saw the M5 was white, I knew what I needed to do.
I am flying out on Monday morning, and immediately starting the work on it to get it ready. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to finish even one video to post while I'm away. Maserati messed up my plans pretty badly.
Speaking of that turd, I managed to source a replacement thanks to Patreon Vousaty_sensei. He found an ad in the Czech Republic that initially looked like a scam to me. A whole engine with the transmission was listed for 5.500€ and said that they have only 3.000 km which is nuts.
I talked to the seller, and it turns out, he bought a bunch of parts and engines directly from the factory in Italy. This engine was removed from a pre-production test car (not test engine) that Maserati dismantled and inspected chassis components for wear. I offered him 5k and he agreed. This is a steal if the engine is good.
It arrived on Thursday, and the damn thing is literally brand new! I attached some pictures and the condition is unbelievable. It's a bit dusty and dirt from storage, but as you dig deeper, this thing clearly didn't do many km.
I inspected it as much as I could, did a leak-down test and it passed everything with flying colors. I had to replace the entire wiring harness as it was crudely cut, and today I'll be installing it. The old engine was from 12/2012, this one is from 04/2012 so they are relatively close.
I truly hope this works out and that it runs. I am not going to celebrate until I do at least a few hundred kilometers if it ends up running. The seller did give me a warranty on the engine so there's that too. I'll keep you posted on how it goes!
Lastly, thank you so much for the overwhelming support from the last video! It means a lot to read all of the positive comments and feedback, and it's keeping me motivated to keep going!
I love you all, and a lot of good stuff is coming up!
Comments
Nadav Ravid
Hi Sreten. My friends tell me you’re posting a lot of updates on this project on Instagram. Not all of your Patreons have access to that platform - is there not a way to cross-post those updates here for us? Thank you!
Apoorva Gupta
Cannot tell u how eagerly I’m waiting for the videos on this project with Jason!
Derek van Veen
Sreten - your wife has the patience of a saint. 😉
Kees Pameijer
Great to hear that in the end, everything will be fine! I am so exited that there will be an other collab with Jason! You and Jason have such good chemistry! I really hope Jason and Derek will invite you for the Carmudgeon show. Talking nerdy about cars for over an hour would be cool to listen to. Can’t wait to hear a screaming V10 too! Enjoy everything you do, so we will too!
