Greetings from Maryland. New member here in the DC Metro area. I picked up my 05 Sterling Grey metallic 2.5i (5 speed manual with now 34K miles - it had 32600 when I picked it up) in Nashville on the 6th of November 2024. It was quite the journey as I'd been looking for a second car to alternate with my 2013 Volvo C70 (which I love btw). I initially brushed it off because of a salvage/rebuilt title, but the wonders of google were able to find me pictures of the car at the salvage lot before the dealer took ownership and of course the Car Fax report. I still don't quite understand why the car was considered a total loss as it had paint scrapes on the drivers side of the bumper and three semi-deep scratches (two on the upper fender and 1 on the top of the drivers side a-pillar) and the top was identified in the carfax report. After some hesitation, I decided to find a local Nashville BMW specialist who would give the car a PPI. It's not easy buying from out of state and building trust with people who are willing to do the little things such as picking up the car for you, but I had zero intention of buying a car without the PPI and I stayed patient without being too pushy. The nominal outlay of $$$ for the PPI far exceeds making a very expensive mistake. After about 3 weeks of waiting, the local shop finally was able to pick up the car and completed their PPI and I was off and running (and the top was sound!). German Motor Works, who did the PPI ended up doing a bunch of work before I drove back to the DMV - some required but others were requests on my part as preventative overdue maintenance.
Spark plug(s) and coils replaced
Air intake hose replaced
Brakes serviced
Valve cover gasket(s) replaced
Engine Air filter replaced
Starter replaced
Differential fluid flushed/changed
Transmission fluid changed
High mount brake light assembly replaced
Wiper(s) replaced
Four tires replaced with Vredestein Hypertracks (I purchased from my local shop I use and they shipped for free down to TN)
Oil and filter changed
Emblem replaced
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Engine oil filter adapter gasket replaced
Drive belt idler pulley replaced
Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
Once I arrived home I realized the drivers side low beam was out and replaced that bulb myself along with the Hazard Warning Flasher Light Switch w/Door Central Lock Locking Button.
I methodically cleaned up the interior with multiple DIY detail jobs. I'm a big fan of the 303 products (to include their soft top cleaner) as well as Honey Leather Conditioner for the seats. I color matched the leather with Seat Doctors Leather dye and cleaned up the numerous wear on the seats.
Over the last couple months I've purchased the cloth floormats (drivers side is in the trunk as I have an all weather), a leather mesh wind blocker and other various trinkets such as the original emergency med kit, a couple of oil pouches for the trunk and a pretty cool 90's solid brushed bronze BMW license plate frame
Since some of you may wonder what became of the scratches I mentioned I may as well continue this story. I have an old 92 BMW 318i which I've owned since 1999. It's been through a lot with me including a paint job and has been a third car covered year round and driven very lightly for what feels like forever; especially since the rear plastic for the top ripped (again). I admit I have neglected her from a maintenance perspective, but she was a clean car that needed about 3K in repairs and new odometer gears (stuck at 123K). So, one day back in the early Fall of 24 a guy happened to be in my neighborhood and saw the car when I was washing her and offered to buy it since he restores cars and owns a couple body shops. I politely turned him down at the time, but he stayed persistent and I finally realized that as much as I loved her, I loved this Z4 more and between her and the C70, I was committed to keeping them always up to date on maintenance and the 318 would continue to be overlooked. So, I decided to go old school and bartered. After bringing the Z4 to a couple body shops for estimates I had a baseline for a deal (about $3300 to repair) so I asked the guy to repair the Z4 and he could have the 318i. Hard to let her go, but at the end of the day, everyone is now happy and the Z4 looks outstanding. Sometimes we have to let go of things and in my case, it was time.
The Z4 is now beginning to feel more and more like mine every day and she also stays under a car cover. I am far from a DIY car person, but I absolutely love finding great deals and learning about the cars I own. Looking forward to continuing the journey here. I'll post some pics in the near future
Spark plug(s) and coils replaced
Air intake hose replaced
Brakes serviced
Valve cover gasket(s) replaced
Engine Air filter replaced
Starter replaced
Differential fluid flushed/changed
Transmission fluid changed
High mount brake light assembly replaced
Wiper(s) replaced
Four tires replaced with Vredestein Hypertracks (I purchased from my local shop I use and they shipped for free down to TN)
Oil and filter changed
Emblem replaced
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Engine oil filter adapter gasket replaced
Drive belt idler pulley replaced
Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
Once I arrived home I realized the drivers side low beam was out and replaced that bulb myself along with the Hazard Warning Flasher Light Switch w/Door Central Lock Locking Button.
I methodically cleaned up the interior with multiple DIY detail jobs. I'm a big fan of the 303 products (to include their soft top cleaner) as well as Honey Leather Conditioner for the seats. I color matched the leather with Seat Doctors Leather dye and cleaned up the numerous wear on the seats.
Over the last couple months I've purchased the cloth floormats (drivers side is in the trunk as I have an all weather), a leather mesh wind blocker and other various trinkets such as the original emergency med kit, a couple of oil pouches for the trunk and a pretty cool 90's solid brushed bronze BMW license plate frame
Since some of you may wonder what became of the scratches I mentioned I may as well continue this story. I have an old 92 BMW 318i which I've owned since 1999. It's been through a lot with me including a paint job and has been a third car covered year round and driven very lightly for what feels like forever; especially since the rear plastic for the top ripped (again). I admit I have neglected her from a maintenance perspective, but she was a clean car that needed about 3K in repairs and new odometer gears (stuck at 123K). So, one day back in the early Fall of 24 a guy happened to be in my neighborhood and saw the car when I was washing her and offered to buy it since he restores cars and owns a couple body shops. I politely turned him down at the time, but he stayed persistent and I finally realized that as much as I loved her, I loved this Z4 more and between her and the C70, I was committed to keeping them always up to date on maintenance and the 318 would continue to be overlooked. So, I decided to go old school and bartered. After bringing the Z4 to a couple body shops for estimates I had a baseline for a deal (about $3300 to repair) so I asked the guy to repair the Z4 and he could have the 318i. Hard to let her go, but at the end of the day, everyone is now happy and the Z4 looks outstanding. Sometimes we have to let go of things and in my case, it was time.
The Z4 is now beginning to feel more and more like mine every day and she also stays under a car cover. I am far from a DIY car person, but I absolutely love finding great deals and learning about the cars I own. Looking forward to continuing the journey here. I'll post some pics in the near future
