I BOUGHT A CHEAP BMW M5 COMPETITION WITH ONE HUGE PROBLEM

Summary

The video follows the journey of purchasing a damaged BMW M5 Competition from an auction. Initially seen as an easy repair, the car had front-end damage, a broken oil cooler, and numerous internal issues. The buyer attempts to diagnose and fix the problems, struggling with a dead battery, electronic handbrake, and a damaged strut tower. After multiple troubleshooting efforts, including bypassing the oil cooler, the engine cranks but fails to start fully. Despite setbacks, the video highlights the risks and challenges of buying a crash-damaged car with potential for high repair costs.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The speaker purchased a BMW M5 Competition from someone who bought it at an auction but couldn't fix it due to an issue.
• 💰 The car was listed on eBay for £33,500, which is significantly lower than its typical value of around £50,000.
• 🛠️ The BMW M5 had a front-end collision, missing a bonnet, bumper, headlights, and coolers, with airbags deployed, but the buyer thought it could be fixed easily.
• 🛑 A major issue is that the engine doesn't run because the oil cooler at the front bottom of the engine was smashed in the accident, causing it to lose all its oil.
• 🔧 The car has various mechanical issues, including a damaged strut tower and electronic handbrake that wouldn't release, making it difficult to move the vehicle.
• 📉 The BMW M5 was written off as a Category S vehicle in February 2021, meaning it had structural damage, and nobody had repaired it for over a year.
• 👷 The strut tower has a large hole and dent, potentially requiring engine removal for repair, adding to the complexity of the rebuild.
• 🧰 Despite several attempts, including bypassing the oil cooler and attempting to get power into the system, the engine failed to start properly.
• 🔌 A potential pyro fuse issue was identified, affecting the engine's ability to start, and temporary fixes were attempted to bridge connections for a start.
• 🏁 The car eventually cranked but didn't run consistently, leaving the owner uncertain about the engine's condition, but it's not seized.

Q & A

Why did the original buyer sell the BMW M5 to the current owner?

The original buyer sold the BMW M5 because they encountered a problem that was stopping them from fixing the car, which made the repair more difficult than expected.

What attracted the current owner to purchase this specific BMW M5?

The current owner found the BMW M5 listed on eBay for £33,500, which was significantly cheaper than the usual price of around £50,000 for similar models, making it an attractive deal despite its crash damage.

What were the initial damages noticed in the auction photos of the BMW M5?

The auction photos showed that the car had a front-end collision, missing the bonnet, bumper, headlights, and possibly a few coolers. Additionally, the driver's side wing looked repairable, but the passenger side needed a new inner wing and all the airbags were deployed.

What specific issue did the BMW M5 have that caused concern for the current owner?

The car's oil cooler, positioned at the bottom front, was damaged, causing the oil to leak out. The owner was concerned about the engine potentially having run without oil, which could cause serious damage.

What makes the BMW M5 Competition model special?

The BMW M5 Competition comes with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing over 600 BHP, has four-wheel drive with an option to switch to rear-wheel drive, and is a high-performance sports sedan.

What was one of the main obstacles in moving the car into the garage?

The car had no power, making it difficult to release the electronic handbrake and put the car into neutral. The owner had to manually work around these issues, including climbing through the back seats to access the battery.

What unexpected damage was discovered after purchasing the car?

The car had significant structural damage, including a large hole and dent in the strut tower where the suspension sits. This damage suggested that the engine might need to be removed to complete the repairs.

Why is the strut tower damage particularly problematic for repair?

The strut tower is made from special cast aluminum, which needs to be bonded to the car’s frame. It’s a critical structural component, and repairing or replacing it may require removing the engine due to limited access.

How did the owner plan to assess whether the engine was functional?

The owner planned to bypass the damaged oil cooler by bridging the oil lines and refilling the engine with oil to see if the engine would start. The goal was to get the engine running before investing in further repairs.

What challenges did the owner face while trying to start the car?

The owner faced multiple issues while trying to start the car, including power problems, the potential of a blown pyro fuse (a safety fuse that blows during airbag deployment), and the car not responding despite attempts to bridge connections.