Here's a whole lot removed.
https://i.postimg.cc/pVYdcWN5/20190813-203034.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/DZ1zTF8D/20190813-203020.jpg
Here's a whole lot removed.
https://i.postimg.cc/pVYdcWN5/20190813-203034.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/DZ1zTF8D/20190813-203020.jpg
Ooooh it does get better! Double washers on the PS hose and is that oil pan welded or just taken off-road?
Arms probably installed wrong... Surprised that bushing isn't leaking. You are moving along fast!
Yep, some genius used 4 crush washers on that PS line. The oil pan is beaten up pretty good, scraping and dents all over. I bought a good used one that I dropped off with powder coater.
New springs in.
https://i.postimg.cc/B6528hTt/20190815-210659.jpg
The difference between front EDC springs and standard springs is staggering.
https://i.postimg.cc/tJ2PkYmj/20190815-211022.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/VsRjmVsV/20190815-211052.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/kXYKtRbN/20190815-211124.jpg
The rear ones are about the same, maybe the standard springs are a tad bit shorter.
https://i.postimg.cc/8PzL5mjP/20190815-210830.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/Wz2g0M88/20190815-210920.jpg
But here's the main difference and why EDC springs are not compatible with standard struts.
This is how standard stock springs are sitting on the strut, fits like a glove.
https://i.postimg.cc/fyKFvfNR/20190815-215147.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/bYHK8ptf/20190815-215203.jpg
And here's EDC springs, they simply cannot be installed properly.
https://i.postimg.cc/sg4FcWp8/20190815-215243.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/3w8sbw1w/20190815-215255.jpg
I'm aware that the car will be sitting higher in the front (like from the factory) but I sure do hope they compress easier and settle because the difference in length is unbelievable.
Here's a bit of a closer look into the E38.
But first, meet my new best friends. #sadlife
Phenomenal versatile Bosch work light. Has a strong magnet and a hook, best 100 euros I ever spent.
https://i.postimg.cc/SKgYLngS/20190731-193830.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/YCfX1BTr/20190731-193843.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/jSrgwSg3/20190731-193851.jpg
Cordless impact wrench. Should've gotten one years ago.
https://i.postimg.cc/s2L5Wnff/20190811-154157.jpg
As mentioned, the car has 125.000 km on the clock (77k miles) but it has no service history other than few invoices from recent years. Judging by the state of it and general wear and tear I'd say it's probably original km. Also PA Soft is reading this km in the ECU as well.
My impression of the car is that this was a very well maintained car while it residing in Japan and then got neglected last few years in Dubai and serviced by hack mechanics.
Here's what we have in the interior.
The window switch button is worn. I'll replace it with E39 window switch panel since they feel much sturdy and are a direct fit.
https://i.postimg.cc/DZXFfzYf/20190730-114005.jpg
The ashtray is crooked.
https://i.postimg.cc/Rh1BfDBj/20190730-114021.jpg
The front armrest is melting.
https://i.postimg.cc/7hr45yp3/20190730-114027.jpg
Rear sun blinds are falling apart and/or missing.
https://i.postimg.cc/KvNb8wQT/20190730-114056.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/3xfHgGsJ/20190730-114100.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/BZ2sdXKM/20190730-114104.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/vZZsghSN/20190730-114210.jpg
C pillars are obliterated.
https://i.postimg.cc/CKZpJ10C/20190730-114114.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/HsHHHd0H/20190730-114120.jpg
Lower B pillar trim: tabs broken on both sides.
https://i.postimg.cc/hGHWYB4k/20190730-114125.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/hjTWW5ff/20190730-114225.jpg
Crack in the windshield.
https://i.postimg.cc/fy7vNxcc/20190729-205139.jpg
Right mirror glass spilled its guts.
https://i.postimg.cc/263CBwcw/20190730-114327.jpg
Also drivers side door panel is flimsy and tabs need to be replaced, interior lighting not working (fixed, a fuse was blown), rear electric headrests are not working, headliner still holding up but needs to be redone, tint needs to be removed and the interior smells like a chemical plant from some glue or whatever was used inside.
But the cup holders work! That's astonishing since they are always broken on E38's.
Overall, not the worst condition of the interior that I've had. Leather is in very good condition and once all of the broken plastic bits are replaced, headliner and pillars rewrapped in Alcantara and interior fully detailed and cleaned it will be a very nice place to sit in.
Mechanical condition after a quick look around.
The radiator was replaced in 2012 and thankfully they used an OEM part.
https://i.postimg.cc/mrbkX7kx/20190729-203157.jpg
The lower oil pan is beaten up and leaking from the gasket.
https://i.postimg.cc/cLdtjpk5/20190729-203205.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/W3qdgTtt/20190729-203218.jpg
Power steering leak from the line on the pump. Note the 4 crush washers.
https://i.postimg.cc/PrSdX0r7/20190729-203214.jpg
The serpentine belt is looking lovely and by that, I mean on a verge of snapping. Plus there's a grinding noise coming from one of the pulleys.
https://i.postimg.cc/13HBjhPv/Capture.jpg
Lower control arm ball joints shot.
https://i.postimg.cc/J0PChBmX/20190729-203232.jpg
Thrust arm bushing improperly installed and now twisted because of it.
https://i.postimg.cc/jS6Qn6mB/20190729-203340.jpg
Sway bar links are shot. Actually, the complete suspension is shot.
https://i.postimg.cc/HsHdwXLb/20190729-203236.jpg
Dent in the spare tire wheel well.
https://i.postimg.cc/WbL5D4tF/20190729-204444.jpg
Oil leak from the selector shaft seal.
https://i.postimg.cc/QdNk5KDt/Whats-...t-00-09-11.jpg
Then the radiator brackets are broken, there's an oil leak from one of the oil separator valves, brake booster hose was replaced with a generic one, rear brakes are shot, brake lines are looking poor, rear-wheel speed sensors are bad, hood insulation looks like crap, headlights need to be converted to right-hand traffic... plenty more to come and discover as I move my merry way through this vehicle.
In case it's not clear enough, yes, it's yet another turd that's going to get some love.
But there's some good news as well. The complete car is in original paint!
I find this to be outstanding considering the age of the car and places its been to. After paint correction, it will def look great.
https://i.postimg.cc/SK0hKMHX/20190723-160444.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/yNFz3NzL/20190723-160455.jpg
That said, the front bumper is damaged and cracked.
https://i.postimg.cc/dQzP6dt5/20190802-154837.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/76st5vbB/20190730-113938.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/m2Fpg54w/20190730-113940.jpg
And the plastic trim around the car has been poorly repainted in body color so that needs to be sorted as well.
https://i.postimg.cc/26MJHRm1/20190730-114341.jpg
But look how good it looks after its first wash!
https://i.postimg.cc/7Y6G3Fh3/20190809-171228.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/mrxPGhwj/20190809-171240.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/sgGM85p1/20190809-171255.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/q78zB0DT/20190809-171306.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/G2d9HN6s/20190809-171309.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/QtmC5mrY/20190809-171313.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/vTmBvnYY/20190809-171322.jpg
I'm starting with sorting the car mechanically and first on my shitlist was to pull struts and shocks and learn why the car drives and handles like a sack full of potatoes pushed down a very steep hill.
Here's the whole lot removed.
https://i.postimg.cc/cJr6YwJd/20190813-202952.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/ydRdpK95/20190813-203020.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/3NHwPqFw/20190813-203028.jpg
I learned a couple of things. A person that deleted EDC shocks on this car and installed Bilstein's is a proper dumbass as they didn't do it properly. All they did was install new shocks and reused old EDC hardware which couldn't be more wrong.
First of all, EDC springs don't and can't fit properly on standard struts as shown here.
https://i.postimg.cc/sg4FcWp8/20190815-215243.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/gk1G5Qcb/20190815-215243.jpg
Here's how a correct spring for standard suspension sits on the strut.
https://i.postimg.cc/4NYJWsg1/20190815-215203.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/bv3WXS0S/20190815-215147.jpg
Notice the difference in height between old EDC spring and the standard one.
https://i.postimg.cc/FRbZtMXW/20190815-211022.jpg
Rear mounts for EDC have a larger hole and are different, they used custom sleeves which resulted in broken shock mounts.
https://i.postimg.cc/Hk2dxx4d/20190812-210825.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/W41jJvXr/20190812-210829.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/1z7SGjjd/20190812-210839.jpg
Rear springs are also different and so are the metal plates and cups. I had to buy everything new.
Anyways, after around $2.500 being burnt on spare parts, big boxes started to show up and I quickly became the most hated person for the delivery guys.
https://i.postimg.cc/LsG9dW31/20190815-185450.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/J7N1gPDs/20190815-190137.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/vTtbVZFr/20190815-190150.jpg
Look at this bad boy. Surely the delivery guy didn't curse my name once.
https://i.postimg.cc/43WczXZT/20190821-185929.jpg
Btw, I hate the Italian who bought my M5 new and didn't tick the box for rear folded seats. It's probably the most useful thing to have in a car.
https://i.postimg.cc/PfSXbKCY/20190821-193720.jpg
I'll close out with some parts porn. Complete front and rear suspension laid out.
https://i.postimg.cc/sXtvcXNb/20190821-200453.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/dtF0tzPR/20190821-200505.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/y6cdK75Y/20190821-200533.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/PJWrQMZ8/20190821-200543.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/brcwn5Gh/20190821-200555.jpg
Attachment 35562Quote:
Originally Posted by Sreten
The car needs new belts ASAP.
Funnily enough, nothing spectacular, just piss poor packaging by the seller. The only large item was the windshield cowl which got bent.Quote:
Originally Posted by holyc0w
https://i.postimg.cc/Y2X0HmJN/20190821-190113.jpg
And randomly scattered nuts and bolts in a box that has holes.
https://i.postimg.cc/XqT0v3KW/20190821-190316.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/fb2WhGPz/20190821-190322.jpg
Went to fix the power steering leak yesterday and of course the 2 washers that I ordered for this were not there.
Indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by fredo
That is tough luck with the poor parts packaging. Sreten, do you think it was the exposure to high ambient temperatures in the Middle East that may have caused the console degradation? Maybe the high ambient temperatures also affected the headliner components?
FCPEuro is that you?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sreten
I kkeed...I keed
SavageQuote:
Originally Posted by holyc0w