How to properly start two BMW's after a 10 year slumber

[weak_link]

Yeah, Garaged is different from Barn Car, but I would also worry about everything rubber on the car.

We're just hoping to get them started and smogged. Any other shit that breaks will be the new owners problem. I'm not sure we'll get that far but going to try.

 

[TheRobSJ]

We're just hoping to get them started and smogged. Any other shit that breaks will be the new owners problem. I'm not sure we'll get that far but going to try.

Just start with new batteries and nothing more for now. Start em up and see what happens. Probably have to put a couple hundred miles on each to run the OBD monitors so they’ll pass smog. If you can get a couple hundred miles on them with nothing failing or a check engine light, then you’re golden. Sell them immediately.

 

[Climber]

Just start with new batteries and nothing more for now. Start em up and see what happens. Probably have to put a couple hundred miles on each to run the OBD monitors so they’ll pass smog. If you can get a couple hundred miles on them with nothing failing or a check engine light, then you’re golden. Sell them immediately.

 

[SFSV650]

You could try selling them as is. There are plenty E46 enthusiasts who might well take them off your hands for a figure which reflects the amount of time and money it would take you / her to make it saleable to a broader market.

Those people are idiots and it never, ever, goes well, but affection for old BMWs is an affliction.
Oh hey, speaking of, do you have photos?

 

[Climber]

You could try selling them as is. There are plenty E46 enthusiasts who might well take them off your hands for a figure which reflects the amount of time and money it would take you / her to make it saleable to a broader market.

Those people are idiots and it never, ever, goes well, but affection for old BMWs is an affliction.
Oh hey, do you have photos?

I don't know how anybody could be an E46 enthusiast, that was the model that made me swear off from any more BMW's, there were so many things wrong with that model!

 

[weak_link]

I don't know how anybody could be an E46 enthusiast, that was the model that made me swear off from any more BMW's, there were so many things wrong with that model!

I dunno, this lady and her husband loved these cars, really loved them. I belive they even did a couple easy trackdays. He did all the work so she never really felt the pain of E46-ness. I wouldn't even think about buying one, they are sure to be p.i.t.a.'s for years to come at this point.

 

[stan23]

I've owned 2 E46s, bought them both new. A 330Ci, and an M3. I love them. Great cars if you take care of them.

 

[mikev]

I reached out to a few people I know who are still into eurocars, I gave W_L a few contact numbers of people interested in the cars already.

 

[weak_link]

I reached out to a few people I know who are still into eurocars, I gave W_L a few contact numbers of people interested in the cars already.

Mike V is the motherfucking MAN, for those who could possibly be unaware of this fact.

Sharky also offered to help, you guys are all awesome!!!!

 

[weak_link]

Thanks to awesome BARF people, mainly Mike V, someone is coming to look this Saturday. How does she get around the seller must pay smog rule in CA?

 

[auntiebling]

Thanks to awesome BARF people, mainly Mike V, someone is coming to look this Saturday. How does she get around the seller must pay smog rule in CA?

CA DMV is a bit unpredictable in this scenario. they definitely do not cancel fees, and their memory is much longer than 7 years in my experience. there will be at least 3 years of fees and penalties accrued (i've seen 3 years cited as a "max allowed" ) and i'll be aroud 800-1k$

something so new as this will likely never fall out of the CA DMV memory system.




list and sell them as is. we're talking about 14 and 16 year old "enthusiast" model BMWs here. anyone that really wants one would like to be the one reviving it so they know it wasn't fucked up. they don't have to be smogged to legally sell, so long as the BUYER understands it'll have to be smogged before it can be legally driven on the street. insist that the vehicles be towed or trailered away from the property.

look for the DMV "Transfer Only" paperwork section in here
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/c...0-f454029b92a6/ch11_transfers.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

i've done it , it's not that hard. the drag is that they have to be on a valid non-op to do it so those back fees aren't going to be avoided unless someone had the foresight to no-op them years ago.

make an appointment

Transfer on Death might also apply depending on how the ownership is stated on the respective titles.

.

 

[mikev]

^^^ that

I am guessing that since they are (I assume) currently not registered, getting it running and smogged would fall under what the buyer needs to do in order to get it registered for street use.

 

[Schnellbandit]

Carb cleaner? Your advice does not apply to modern vehicles. There are no jets to gum up. No needles, no float bowls. A modern car takes very little effort to start, even after sitting for a decade. At worse, it doesn't start, plug in your odb2 reader and grab the codes.

Tell that to my 2001 BMW that sat for 2 years, the engine ran great when I stopped using it, it was a bitch to start and ran really ragged after sitting for 2 years.

Stan is right. The BMW 3 series have been fuel injected since around 1975, there are no carbs on the cars in question.

Maybe your 2001 BMW has a carb conversion? That would explain quite a few things.

 

[wazzuFreddo]

Are either of them a sedan? I like the E46, still looks better than any 3-Series there after.

 

[Junkie]

Stan is right. The BMW 3 series have been fuel injected since around 1975, there are no carbs on the cars in question.

Maybe your 2001 BMW has a carb conversion? That would explain quite a few things.

Fuel injectors getting gummed up from sitting isn't uncommon

 

[Schnellbandit]

Fuel injectors getting gummed up from sitting isn't uncommon

For sure they do. Like others have said though, it will probably fire right up and if it runs dodgy, then some sea foam might help.

Get it started first. I use sea foam, great stuff but not to fix anything, just a once in a while deal to help keep things clean.

 

[Abacinator]

Are either of them a sedan? I like the E46, still looks better than any 3-Series there after.

The F32 is a great looking car imo

 

[fast4d]

E36 and E46 were awesome.

mech waterpump can be changed in an hour. yeah the usual brittle plastic cooling system but can be swapped out in a couple hours.

no electric waterpump timebomb, no direct injection, easy as fuck to work on.

 

[Sharky]

There are ways people try to get around the smog requirement, however, that is risky and could come back to bite the seller. Hell get the cars running and they cars might just smog anyways and you will probably double what they are worth.

 

[stan23]

I really like my F80 sedan. I think it has the best rear end of all the modern BMWs. The rear fender bulges just enough...