What to do with 520i?

Mena

I've a BMW 520i (2002, Auto, full leather, electric seats, dual zone climate control) that's been sitting in the driveway for the better part of 10 months now. I've not been using it due to travelling a lot for work to Europe and the States (almost weekly).

It has a full set of winter/snow tyres on and with winter fast approaching, the plan was to get her ready to roll again, just in case. However it has more issues with it than I had thought. So, I was wondering, is it possible to sell it as is in this condition and what would it be worth (if anything)?

In my mind it's not economically feasible to get it all running again.

So what's wrong with it?

• Windscreen spray does not work (loose pipe somewhere I guess)
• A/C does not work (re-gas lasts 2 hours at best)
• Front left headlamp is loose - BMW say it needs replacement...
• Front left upper control arm / wishbone needs replacing
• And the one I spotted today, the rear foot wells are both flooded. I'm assuming this is due to the known vapour barrier issue on the doors.

It's due an NCT/hasn't been taxed since March so I've no idea what other issues that would highlight.

So, in your opinion, scrap it? Keep it? Sell it? Could you get anything for it in this condition? I could possibly have to move for work in the next 12 months so buying something new is off the table for now.

Just looking for others opinions on it really.

Matt Simis

Put a car cover on it anyway to keep the water out and put some crystal de-humidifiers in there. You could sell it for "hundreds" but unless you can do something useful with that money, Id keep it and drive it. Fix the windscreen washer yourself and ignore the AC (get some anti-fog screen treatment in Halfords).

A loose headlight... man that sounds like a 5min fix right there? Did you actually show it to BMW? I assime a new headlight from the dealer is like EUR400, they saw you coming. :pac:

Mena

It's the headlight adjusters that are busted I think, and yeah, €500.00 all in to replace it, even I'm not that thick :P

Boskowski

Windscreen water is easy. Look under the bonnet, lift the felt. Snap it back on. Headlights can be had for 25€ on adverts.
Who needs A/C in Ireland? Mine is working and I use it about twice a year. Ignore.
The suspension bit needs fixing alright.
Take the water out and watch it. Mine is a 98 and that never happens.

They're a great car. Don't do anything rash.

Boskowski

Mena wrote: »

It's the headlight adjusters that are busted I think, and yeah, €500.00 all in to replace it, even I'm not that thick :P

Adjusters can be bought for a tenner on eBay. After that it's an hour or so on a Saturday afternoon. DIY. There are instructions on google/bimmerforum. Pm me and I can send link.

bmstuff

Boskowski wrote: »

Windscreen water is easy. Look under the bonnet, lift the felt. Snap it back on. Headlights can be had for 25€ on adverts.
Who needs A/C in Ireland? Mine is working and I use it about twice a year. Ignore.
The suspension bit needs fixing alright.
Take the water out and watch it. Mine is a 98 and that never happens.

They're a great car. Don't do anything rash.

Nobody is going to sell you a facelift headlight for 25 euros, even on Adverts.
Pre-facelift alright

Boskowski

bmstuff wrote: »

Nobody is going to sell you a facelift headlight for 25 euros, even on Adverts.
Pre-facelift alright

True. Replacing adjusters then.