PPI Results - Good, Bad, Run? Help Needed

JPGisMe · 1st June 2006, 00:41

Hi, I just had a PPI done on a 2001 M5, approx. 30,000 miles, $36k. I'm not a car guy (yet!), so I have no idea if the problems listed are serious, consistent with any 5-year old M5, or something that should warrant a significant reduction in price. Any thoughts are very, very much appreciated.

Here's the list:

Tires Cupped and Noisy
Valve Cover Gaskets Seeping
Both Front Motor Mounts Leaking
Moisture on Bell Housing. Fluid Accumulating in Belly Pan.
A/C Belt is Dry Rotted and Cracking
Oil is Dirty. Due for 30k Major Service.
Rear Differential is Seeping
Window One Touch Feature Inoperable from all Switches except Driver's
Front End of Car has been Painted
Cigarette Lighter Element Sticks when Pushed in

The shop didn't give me an exact quote, but seemed to suggest it would cost several thousand dollars to fix everything. Rear differential and motor mounts were said to be major expenses. No warranty, so everything will be out of pocket.

Again, I appreciate any comments you all have. The car drives well (fast, tight suspension) and has a color combination I like, but if this is a list of problems that I wouldn't have to deal with on another car, I'm willing to wait it out.

Thanks for the help. If this isn't the M5 for me, there's one out there with my name on it!

cassino95 · 1st June 2006, 02:39

Hi,

Sounds like you had a thorough inspection...ie. cigarette lighter sticking
, dam thorough. From the list the ones that trouble me are the leaks
which from the rear to beneath the engine are a royal pain and costly too.
Valve cover leak is no biggie. The front end paint suggest that it's been in
an accident or fender bender.

With all the M5's out there, I would personally keep looking, but that's just me. Keep your emmotions out of it until you bought one.

JPGisMe · 1st June 2006, 17:38

I just got a quote from the PPI shop for $5500 for all the work, so this deal looks like a no-go. But I'm still not clear on whether any of this is "normal" for a beast of this age, and how much should/could have been avoided through routine maintenance or servicing while the car was still under warranty. Thoughts?

The car does drive well, so I'd still be tempted if the price were right, but I've got no idea what other issues could be lurking with this particular beast if some of the issues listed above have arisen as a result of poor maintenance or operations.

Thanks for the help. This board has really been great (although it's a TREMENDOUS time suck once you get addicted!).

Salty · 1st June 2006, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPGisMe

I just got a quote from the PPI shop for $5500 for all the work, so this deal looks like a no-go. But I'm still not clear on whether any of this is "normal" for a beast of this age, and how much should/could have been avoided through routine maintenance or servicing while the car was still under warranty. Thoughts?

The car does drive well, so I'd still be tempted if the price were right, but I've got no idea what other issues could be lurking with this particular beast if some of the issues listed above have arisen as a result of poor maintenance or operations.

Thanks for the help. This board has really been great (although it's a TREMENDOUS time suck once you get addicted!).

Looking at it another way, if you buy the car (colour combo you like!) and do all the repairs, you will have a 100% sound beast for $41,500 ... or less if you can bargain them down a bit with your repair list.

I personally would have an oil analysis done - the very dirty oil and the leaks are evidence of poor maintenance practices. Many M5 diffs have seepage. It is a common problem and does not necessarily mean the diff needs replacing. Change the diff oil, snug up the bolts and "Bob's your mother's brother".

Virtually any M5 you end up buying will have to have something done to it right away.
Then again, hold out for a board member's M5 and you know it will have been treated right. I like my car but wish I had waited a bit longer before buying.

Does the M5 in question have any after-market goodies?

Good luck.
Salty.

JPGisMe · 1st June 2006, 18:18

The beast in question has an aftermarket exhaust and suspension. Both are nice, and I'd take the car with them over without, but not enough to make or break the deal.

I can inquire about the oil analysis. Is that the same thing as a leak-down?

My concern is exactly what Salty's raised--namely, that these issues aren't all "normal" and might be indicative of other potential problems down the road related to maintenance or servicing. Thus, $5500 might be just the beginning.

While I'm prepared to spend the cash for a beast and am aware of (and comfortable with) the expected annual operating costs, it seems like most of the advice on this board is to limit the potential downside on the back end by getting as good a car as possible on the front end.

But oh how I want to be zooming along in my very own beast right now!

Ben Carufel · 1st June 2006, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPGisMe

I can inquire about the oil analysis. Is that the same thing as a leak-down?

The oil analysis mentioned above is not a leak-down, which tests (in general) the strength and performance of the gaskets in the motor.

The above poster was referring to an actual microscopic oil analysis done by a lab. See the following link:

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/gas_engines.html

Habu · 1st June 2006, 19:42

JPGisMe,

$5.5K may be just the start. I wouldn't think the cracked belt, lighter & window would be a big deal. The front end paint, if it was just to clean up the rock marks, would be ok. I'd check to see if the seems on the fender, hood and bumpers are lined up. I wouldn't be too concerned about the dirty oil. I think the oil turns color pretty quickly even after its been changed recently.

The front tire cupping may be a suspension issue, you mention you have aftermarket suspension pieces so if there was uneven tire wear I'd think it may be an alignment issue but cupping of the tires could be balancing or shocks. Moisture from oil could be elusive to repair. To me, low $40K is a good deal for the mileage and year. But like you mention, is this it or the tip of the iceburg?

I'd walk unless you really have your heart set on this car.

Bob

wilsodh · 1st June 2006, 19:54

This list does not look terribly atypical. As Salty mentioned, slow seepage is not uncommon and may not necessarily be an issue ("leaking" is obviously a different matter). I wonder how many M5's on the road today could hold up to a thorough PPI without some of these items being flagged. That said, the previous owner does not seem to have been a maintenance fanatic. I assume you have the records of when the oil was last changed? You would need this to properly assess whether 'dirty oil' is a concern.

I'd say it may be in the running... IF you are crazy about the color combo and features and it drives perfectly. You could used the PPI to talk the price down. Otherwise, keep looking and get a better feel for what's out there.

Dave

ard · 1st June 2006, 21:31

Pass.

This is indicative of a car not well cared for...

While I agree that this is not unsual (my car had two diff leaks, one valve cover leak) these were addressed when discovered- not ignored.

If they will fix it, THEN sell it to you- maybe.

A

olis1 · 1st June 2006, 22:53

Well I bought my '01 M5 with 30k miles and it had a bunch of oil on belly pan that wasn't caught by the PPI. I was pissed. It was a rear main seal leak. This alone is a $1000+ job so be careful. That price is really low though. I paid more then $10k above that but my car had over $20k in mods so its more difficult to value.

What brand tires are they that they cupped. If Michelins I'd be concerned but if they are Kuhmos or something cheap it may be the fault of the tire.

Why not get the seller to fix it all.