Breaking an E39 540i/6 Touring
Discussion
This was my Bangernomics car - bought for £1300 at the start of the year, with the intention of running it until it broke beyond economical repair.
...which is exactly what it has done. The timing chain tensioners have disintegrated, so although it still starts and runs, you can hear the chain tapping the cover. I was quoted £1k to fix it, the majority of which is labour. Not worth doing, sadly.
So, I've been breaking it with a view to recovering my initial outlay.
So far I've managed to sell:
1. Steering wheel - £75
2. Sports leather interior with doorcards - £250
3. Headlights - £100
4. One rear suspension airbag, nearly new - £100
5. Gearbox, prop, clutch, flywheel, pedal box - £650
6. Graphite trim set - £75
So, I'm only £100 off the initial purchase price, and I've still got a set of Style 66 alloys with tyres to go, a set of winter wheels and tyres, a nearly new alternator, all the body panels, the complete engine (easily repairable out of the car) and various other odds-and-sods.
Pretty pleased really, not least because the parts sold have gone towards an XJR
So, although it seemed a punt when I bought it, it's worked out OK. Just a shame there's one less of these cars around, but hey ho.
...which is exactly what it has done. The timing chain tensioners have disintegrated, so although it still starts and runs, you can hear the chain tapping the cover. I was quoted £1k to fix it, the majority of which is labour. Not worth doing, sadly.
So, I've been breaking it with a view to recovering my initial outlay.
So far I've managed to sell:
1. Steering wheel - £75
2. Sports leather interior with doorcards - £250
3. Headlights - £100
4. One rear suspension airbag, nearly new - £100
5. Gearbox, prop, clutch, flywheel, pedal box - £650
6. Graphite trim set - £75
So, I'm only £100 off the initial purchase price, and I've still got a set of Style 66 alloys with tyres to go, a set of winter wheels and tyres, a nearly new alternator, all the body panels, the complete engine (easily repairable out of the car) and various other odds-and-sods.
Pretty pleased really, not least because the parts sold have gone towards an XJR
So, although it seemed a punt when I bought it, it's worked out OK. Just a shame there's one less of these cars around, but hey ho.
And I even managed to put the jack through the rusty rear jacking point and into the floor. Oops...
Just realised that reads a bit like an advert - it isn't meant to, more to highlight that it is possible to run something a bit "interesting" without taking a huge financial gamble.
Even if I sell nothing else and end up making a £100 loss, I'm happy enough with that as a depreciation figure
Even if I sell nothing else and end up making a £100 loss, I'm happy enough with that as a depreciation figure
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