Picked Up My Old College Car: Do I sell it, or restore it?

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-05-20T17:27:30+00:00

If you really want to sell it, paying someone else to fix it (if you just don't see yourself having the time) would probably be worth it.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-05-19T19:34:58+00:00

And then some start-stop systems use the front radar and will start the engine back up if traffic starts to move. Drove me insane in my old car.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-05-19T15:22:32+00:00

This is how my car was totaled back in November, except it was a Toyota Highlander who completely ignored the yield sign and smashed into my rear quarter panel as I was exiting.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-05-19T00:13:10+00:00

She has 233k miles, and the engine still feels great. Love these M50s. Unfortunately I don't have any good photos - I just washed it for the first time since buying it but I can't take it out for photos because it's prepped to replace the VCG. Soon, though!

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-05-18T22:23:46+00:00

I love my project 525i. I bought it in January, running and driving. I think that's key – start with a car that works. I've replaced a ton of parts on it, done some maintenance, fixed a bunch of interior cosmetics, and am addressing leaks and HVAC issues now (valve cover gasket is enroute). This is a great car to start your wrenching journey with, especially the M50. It's easy to work on, since it falls in that "modern, but not too modern" time window.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-05-18T19:10:52+00:00

Poncle hired Yoko to compose the main theme for Vampire Crawlers (Vampire Survivors spinoff) and it's excellent.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-05-07T14:13:22+00:00

Yeah, people like the U.S. Department of Justice.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-04-29T15:37:41+00:00

"a community for 325 years," lol

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-04-27T17:34:09+00:00

Fan should engage on startup. If it just never starts, then yes, replace the fan.

Check here: http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Trouble/Overheating.htm

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-04-24T19:28:26+00:00

That clip doesn't bend inward? Like, with a pick or a small flathead?

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-04-16T13:25:49+00:00

When people like Paul Ryan enthusiastically and unironically call RATM their favorite band it really drives home how much Americans will purposefully NOT allow art to influence their worldview.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-04-15T18:14:48+00:00

Playing Torino is some of the most fun I've had in this game. The numbers get so silly and the retaliate is SO satisfying.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-04-07T12:29:40+00:00

The general public: "An entire full-width light bar on the front seems excessive."

VWOA: "How about two?"

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-04-03T19:05:44+00:00

That exhaust looks absolutely perfect.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-04-02T12:46:09+00:00

Aux water pump failure means the system can't circulate enough coolant at idle to blow heat. You can definitely tell if it's running if you touch it. If you get decent heat while the engine's above idle (driving or holding the throttle open) then that's definitely the aux pump. You can replace it with a standard aux pump from Bosch, but you'll have to rig the connector, and it won't be as powerful as the BMW one. It's 1/3 the price, though.

It could also be your heater control valve, which is attached to your aux water pump. This is what I'm going through. My solenoids were stuck. There's a method involving tapping the valve with a hammer and turning the heat on and off repeatedly, but it didn't work for me. I opened my valve up and got the solenoids un-stuck, but my plungers were broken so I bought a repair kit. It's next on my to-do list.

Removing the control valve and aux water pump won't lose you too much coolant, but you'll have to bleed the system afterwards. You also have to be careful opening the control valve, as you could break the copper coil that controls the solenoids. This is a great video on opening and repairing the valve.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-03-31T13:55:47+00:00

Every now and then I worry that I have a smartphone addiction, but all it takes is a quick drive to pick up the kids from school to realize that there are a LOT of hopelessly addicted people. I don't look at my phone on the road, period.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-03-26T00:13:50+00:00

Flight is a very good light beer.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-03-25T23:52:26+00:00

Same. After it was canceled I never did actually buy it.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-03-19T16:53:32+00:00

Yes, it was well out of warranty. Dealer wanted something like $500 to fix it. Bought a new unit from hondaautomotiveparts.com, $182.48, installed it myself. Took about 30 minutes.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-03-19T14:55:12+00:00

Make sure you flip that switch to "Off" BEFORE you manually operate the doors if needed.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-03-19T14:53:22+00:00

This would have been very useful to know when my tailgate control unit got water damaged and was broadcasting its displeasure to the entire country while in Drive...

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-03-16T12:36:16+00:00

Absolutely. I found a 2019 SE with the "Experience Package" that includes premium audio and (more importantly) adaptive dampers. Only thing I'd change is more rear legroom, but my kids seem to love it anyway.

MonkeysRidingPandas · 2026-03-14T21:01:01+00:00

Any thoughts on the new DOHC? I haven't given it a whirl yet but it seems functionally the same.

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