2 car dilemma

[Mo996]

Looking for opinions on the following dilemma I have.

Always wanted a 3.0 M54 and finally got one. The bodywork is in bad shape but mechanically it’s strong.

I shopped around for body panels but prices were high. Any cheaper panels were collection only and far away. Also preferred colour matched panels as opposed to getting a respray.

I shopped around and found a 2.5si in the same colour and it worked out cheaper to buy the whole car for panels. Figured I could swap my bad panels for good ones and anything else I need. The donor car runs and drives and is actually mint looking but needs £500 worth of parts to get it through a mot. Brakes, shocks etc…

Question is, is it worth destroying an SI to restore an m54 I? If yes, would the car then sell better as a whole car or for parts?

Note, both cars are well spec’d with m sport seats.

 

[bigwinn]

Why destroy it (the donor)

Can’t you make a good and a bad car? Someone will still buy a 2.5si with poor bodywork even if it’s cheap?

 

[bigwinn]

Also what’s the mileage on the cars as that usually dictates worth along with spec

 

[Mo996]

Why destroy it (the donor)

Can’t you make a good and a bad car? Someone will still buy a 2.5si with poor bodywork even if it’s cheap?

Yeah that’s what I am thinking. I will just switch over what I need and auction off the donor car

 

[Mo996]

Also what’s the mileage on the cars as that usually dictates worth along with spec

M54 has 110k
2.5si has 140k

Heated electric seats, cruise control wind deflectors, sports suspension, good wheels and tyres etc…

 

[Mr Tidy]

Being a 2.5Si I think it deserves to live on. If it was a 2 litre maybe not so much!

 

[bigwinn]

I’m almost jealous that sounds like a lovely little project

 

[brillomaster]

Yeah swap bits over, make a mechanically and cosmetically good m54, and a ropey, higher miles 2.5si.

When you've swapped all the best bits on to the m54, auction off the 2.5si.

 

[Mr Tidy]

When you've swapped all the best bits on to the m54, auction off the 2.5si.

Or sell it to Stuart!

 

[GenZed]

whats the colour of the SI
if i have panels in hand and same colour i might buy it from you

 

[Mo996]

Some brilliant suggestions from all…steering towards brillomasters suggestion, a 3.0 m54 has always been on my wish list

GenZed - I need sapphire black 475 panels…and quite a few. Front and rear passenger wings, bonnet, drivers side rear wing and front bumper. The panels I have look like they’ve been through a war!!!

 

[Mo996]

Both cars are sapphire black 475

 

[tomscott]

Or sell both and buy one good car?? Especially when E85s are so cheap.

 

[Mo996]

Or sell both and buy one good car?? Especially when E85s are so cheap.

That is another alternative but would rather sell both to the same person so they can make at least 1 great car. Not sure there’s many out there willing to take that on. If there was, I would walk away and buy a sorted car outright.

I’d need around 5k for a decent one so would have to let both cars go for around 4k…might not work for everyone.

 

[GenZed]

Some brilliant suggestions from all…steering towards brillomasters suggestion, a 3.0 m54 has always been on my wish list

GenZed - I need sapphire black 475 panels…and quite a few. Front and rear passenger wings, bonnet, drivers side rear wing and front bumper. The panels I have look like they’ve been through a war!!!

I think i have all the panels in Black Sapphire but the bumpers are
pre-facelift

 

[Mo996]

I think i have all the panels in Black Sapphire but the bumpers are
pre-facelift

Pre facelift is fine with me….interested in a deal?

 

[GenZed]

Pre facelift is fine with me….interested in a deal?

DM me we'll see

 

[Mo996]

So it seems the donor car is far too good to break. It currently has no mot. I estimate it would cost around £400 in parts to get it through a mot. Check mot history for ‘issues’. Front springs do not need doing. If anyone is interested in this car please pm me. I may sell it as it is or repaired. As I say…only bought as a donor car for my M54….i’d be nuts to strip this..

 

[Mo996]

Ps for those wondering, I did offer GenZed first refusal but I am a bit far from him (Wembley).