Hi all.
Youthful stupidity (and a series of events involving a Volvo 240 with a bad alternator AND transmission) led me to drive my 535i/5spd on very slick roads on 300tw tires last night, and I biffed the passenger side (very neatly) into a telephone pole, pushed the b pillar in probably 8-12". The car is most definitely totaled beyond repair. Could have been much worse had the accident involved another vehicle or a passenger.
Pretty sure the insurance is state minimum on this car so it very likely won't give me a payout.
It has ~150k on the original drivetrain and runs great. Suspension is unaffected afaik. The wheels are a set of 17x12 style 5s that I built myself by cutting off the outer lips and bolting the inner barrels together. No idea if they're worth anything in those circumstances. The tires are 275/40r17 Continental Extreme Contact with under 500 miles on them. Fresh set of BC Racing coilovers with under 1000 miles.
I have a parts car 1000 miles north, Euro "dirty m30" 535i auto that I swapped interiors with and robbed the bumpers from. It would be tempting to try to manual swap that car and get it up and running but that is a much bigger project than I've ever tackled, and I need to sort out my daily driver situation. Currently I'll have to use my wife's Fiesta until I get the transmission in the 240 replaced and the alternator working.
So here are my questions:
Is there any value in a not-high-mileage 535i that's quite wrecked?
What's a Getrag 265 worth? What's an m30b34 worth?
Would there be any value in the coilovers/steering knuckles?
If you were in this situation, would you hold onto both e28s and swap, or try to partout and cut your losses?
Thanks for your input, I wish I was logging back on with happier news but it is what it is.
Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
If you liked the car as you had (or similar), it would definitely be a great bet to go with your parts car and build the two into one good one. Euro high compression engine is a bonus, though you have to be able to have the time, space and tools to do it... It isn't hard per se but could be a good learning experience if you have the space and willingness to learn and take your time.
That's how a lot of people get into the car hobby is to jump right in with a project and try to do the next step challenging themselves with a little harder next project.
I believe the parts all together are more valuable individually, but harder to find in the future if I ever wanted to try to rebuild another, so I haven't parted out my wrecked 633 for this reason. I keep thinking I will find a good cheap shell. But it is a lot harder to take parts off and then get rid of a partial chassis that doesn't roll, stop or move by under it's own power.
Values:
G265/6 with driveshaft: $1000-$1500
clutch/flywheel: $300
manual swap pedals: $200
M30B34 running: $500
BBS Custom sized wheels: Worth the value in parts to rebuild back to orignal specs
Coilovers: $800 if not damaged
Euro bumpers: $600-1000
feners/doors: $150 each
Need some photos and rust assessment to say much more. Though I am amazed at prices of cars in general, I do wonder if the 'floor' for a running but rough e28 is higher than I realize. They are getting sort of hard to find if you wanted a project and nota $15k car...
That's how a lot of people get into the car hobby is to jump right in with a project and try to do the next step challenging themselves with a little harder next project.
I believe the parts all together are more valuable individually, but harder to find in the future if I ever wanted to try to rebuild another, so I haven't parted out my wrecked 633 for this reason. I keep thinking I will find a good cheap shell. But it is a lot harder to take parts off and then get rid of a partial chassis that doesn't roll, stop or move by under it's own power.
Values:
G265/6 with driveshaft: $1000-$1500
clutch/flywheel: $300
manual swap pedals: $200
M30B34 running: $500
BBS Custom sized wheels: Worth the value in parts to rebuild back to orignal specs
Coilovers: $800 if not damaged
Euro bumpers: $600-1000
feners/doors: $150 each
Need some photos and rust assessment to say much more. Though I am amazed at prices of cars in general, I do wonder if the 'floor' for a running but rough e28 is higher than I realize. They are getting sort of hard to find if you wanted a project and nota $15k car...
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
Yeah with that perspective I think it might be most ideal to keep both cars and get the Volvo going again.
I had cut up this one quite a bit to fit fender flares to accommodate the wheels - the euro car would let me start with a clean slate and some experience to go off of. Worst of it is that I cut the ends off of my euro bumpers because the wheels/tires had a massive scrub radius.
We'll probably borrow a car for a week or two to get around, in that time I'll probably get a transmission on hand and pop it into the Volvo. They go together like Legos.
Thanks for the perspective, I will probably be kicking myself for the rest of my life if I cease to have an e28 in the stable. Could be a bit complicated to get the euro car from Michigan down to Virginia though.
Now I'm off to continue nursing my wounded pride.
I had cut up this one quite a bit to fit fender flares to accommodate the wheels - the euro car would let me start with a clean slate and some experience to go off of. Worst of it is that I cut the ends off of my euro bumpers because the wheels/tires had a massive scrub radius.
We'll probably borrow a car for a week or two to get around, in that time I'll probably get a transmission on hand and pop it into the Volvo. They go together like Legos.
Thanks for the perspective, I will probably be kicking myself for the rest of my life if I cease to have an e28 in the stable. Could be a bit complicated to get the euro car from Michigan down to Virginia though.
Now I'm off to continue nursing my wounded pride.
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
Sorry for your loss
and best recovery wishes
as you sort thru the rubble.
and best recovery wishes
as you sort thru the rubble.
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
Guess I should show it pre-accident. I had made a thread awhile back asking about scrub radius for tires this wide, and found that it did handle pretty stinkin well on 17x12s. Felt like I was driving the Buster Sword from FFVII.
Hate to think what could have happened to a passenger here, the b pillar probably would have smacked them in the head.
Hate to think what could have happened to a passenger here, the b pillar probably would have smacked them in the head.
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
Sorry to hear about your car.
My vote is combine both into one.
I did that with an E36 and it was a very fulfilling Covid project.
Initially getting the car on the road was not expensive.
However undoing the previous owners mods and completing deferred maintenance has proven to be costly.
Since you are the previous owner, perhaps your time will be easier.
http://e36.panici.ca
There's a bunch of pictures in my build thread if you want some motivation.
My vote is combine both into one.
I did that with an E36 and it was a very fulfilling Covid project.
Initially getting the car on the road was not expensive.
However undoing the previous owners mods and completing deferred maintenance has proven to be costly.
Since you are the previous owner, perhaps your time will be easier.
http://e36.panici.ca
There's a bunch of pictures in my build thread if you want some motivation.
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
I think Tschultz valuation on the parts is fair for normal forum/friend/move quickly prices.
If the euro car is solid, that sounds awesome to build on top of assuming it isn't that rusty. Not to mention the euro 535i motor.
It wouldn't be that bad to get it running and driving, since you have a running and driving parts car. I understand the time thing though. After a weekend of getting it to you. I would assume in another weekend you could get that car running enough to get to work with your wrecked car sitting there for parts, and then slowly keep swapping stuff over.
I would love to watch you build another car, but if you decide you want to get out of the E28 game.
Please let me know more about that Michigan/euro parts car.
Hope the next time you are logging in, is to post about a successful shell swap.
If the euro car is solid, that sounds awesome to build on top of assuming it isn't that rusty. Not to mention the euro 535i motor.
It wouldn't be that bad to get it running and driving, since you have a running and driving parts car. I understand the time thing though. After a weekend of getting it to you. I would assume in another weekend you could get that car running enough to get to work with your wrecked car sitting there for parts, and then slowly keep swapping stuff over.
I would love to watch you build another car, but if you decide you want to get out of the E28 game.
Please let me know more about that Michigan/euro parts car.
Hope the next time you are logging in, is to post about a successful shell swap.
Last edited by LeiseyJr on Jan 18, 2024 12:27 PM, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
Yikes. I may be unrealistically optimistic here but it certainly couldn't hurt to wrap a cable around the b pillar at the top and bottom and try to pull that body structure back out with a hydraulic jack or something. That, in conjunction with a slide hammer and a little bit of alcohol would be my first attempt. Got nothing to lose at this point.
I have seen worse fixed on an e24 M6. Anything is possible.
I have seen worse fixed on an e24 M6. Anything is possible.
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
Let me be the first to say, that'll buff right out. Ok, it won't, it's an easy total, but I guess you're ok which is the big part. If you really want an E28, as hard to find as they are these days, it seems like a no brainer to put your parts car on the road, assuming it's not too rusty or otherwise beyond saving. Obviously not a weekend task so having the room to transfer things would be a requirement, along with the willingness to put the time in. But outside of a few prize things like the heater core, they're not bad to work on, not VW Beetle easy, but not bad.
So, my suggestion would be, get the Volvo on the road.
Get the parts car close to you.
Get the parts car drivable, even for now with the auto, just get it on the road so you're starting with a running, driving car.
Start swapping things, like the 5 speed etc.
Not that people haven't made money parting cars, to me the bulk of the value is the 5 speed and related. Might be worth 2-2.5K.
So, my suggestion would be, get the Volvo on the road.
Get the parts car close to you.
Get the parts car drivable, even for now with the auto, just get it on the road so you're starting with a running, driving car.
Start swapping things, like the 5 speed etc.
Not that people haven't made money parting cars, to me the bulk of the value is the 5 speed and related. Might be worth 2-2.5K.
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
Thanks for all the input guys.
I'm already thinking about the upgrade route on the euro car. Shark has a 3.25 LSD, and the euro car has a 3.25 large case if this forum is to be believed. I would love to get a 3.73 into this car, though they're getting hard to find in LSD and a bit expensive.
What would the 3.25 med case lsd be worth, and what would the large case open 3.25 be worth?
Also, considering the cost to rebuild an LSD these days would it be best to find an open 3.73 and swap in a Quaife/Mfactory/Wavetrac diff?
I'm already thinking about the upgrade route on the euro car. Shark has a 3.25 LSD, and the euro car has a 3.25 large case if this forum is to be believed. I would love to get a 3.73 into this car, though they're getting hard to find in LSD and a bit expensive.
What would the 3.25 med case lsd be worth, and what would the large case open 3.25 be worth?
Also, considering the cost to rebuild an LSD these days would it be best to find an open 3.73 and swap in a Quaife/Mfactory/Wavetrac diff?
Re: Wrecked my long-term project 535i. What to do?
I really suggest getting the parts car home and running, then proceeding with upgrades. Not suggesting you will lose interest, but you're a lot better off if you do and you haven't purchased a bunch of stuff for it.
The diffs. Yeah, it would provide more pop, but are you sure you really want a 3.73 with a 218 HP euro engine? Assuming it is the good and not the green engine. It's going to feel a whole lot different than the 182 HP US spec engine. A whole lot different, I would suggest driving it for a bit, then deciding. And are you really sure you need a LSD? Bragging rights or are you having problems spinning the inside tire cornering hard while accelerating? You've found out the hard way a LSD won't do that much good in the snow.
Numbers. Hard to put a value out there and part of it depends on your marketing and willingness to ship etc. I tend to sell stuff cheap because I'm lazy and not into marketing and shipping.
The diffs. Yeah, it would provide more pop, but are you sure you really want a 3.73 with a 218 HP euro engine? Assuming it is the good and not the green engine. It's going to feel a whole lot different than the 182 HP US spec engine. A whole lot different, I would suggest driving it for a bit, then deciding. And are you really sure you need a LSD? Bragging rights or are you having problems spinning the inside tire cornering hard while accelerating? You've found out the hard way a LSD won't do that much good in the snow.
Numbers. Hard to put a value out there and part of it depends on your marketing and willingness to ship etc. I tend to sell stuff cheap because I'm lazy and not into marketing and shipping.