"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
05/15/2016 at 17:17 • Filed to: None
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"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
05/15/2016 at 17:17 • Filed to: None | 0
| 15 |
Just got off the phone with the parents. The clutch in my mum’s E39 530d literally exploded. It’s sitting at our indie BMW specialist right now and at a quick glance, it’s not looking pretty. Their descriptions where a bit vague, but it seems like the flywheel?, the hardy disc and a few other parts were damaged as well. First estimates are around € 2500 or more.
The car’s got 310k kms on the clock and is otherwise in good condition. The ususal stonechips on the hood, but that’s pretty much it. It was in the family since new, so we know it always was meticulously maintained.
I suggested that they might think about getting her a newer car, but they wouldn’t have it. She really loves that thing and just wants it back, and he insisted that driving a car costs money, be it depreciation or repair bills. They both have a point there.
I would just like to see her in a more reliable vehicle that doesn’t give her any trouble. There have been a lot of small issues lately, some current that sucked the battery dry over night, in the picture you can see that the rear wiper had its mood swings, and more. These were all fixed, but I’m pretty sure that there’s more to come. They have the means to get her into something newer as soon as dealerships open on Tuesday, they just don’t want to.
Which brings me to a question, when do you usually think it’s time to cut losses and retreat and regroup?
To me this is a good example, the car is having problems every few months, and selling it now for 2000 instead of fixing it for 2000-3000 means 5000 more in the bank which is half of what a facelifted E61 with half the kms on the clock costs right now. But that’s just me, what are your opinions on these matters?
Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 17:28 |
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I personally would repair it, I understand the attachment, giving up a car like that is hard.
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 17:33 |
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If you really love something and it’s physically in good shape, I would probably bite the bullet and pay out for mechanical fixes like this, especially if the vehicle had been largely reliable in sum.
whoarder is tellurium
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 17:34 |
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I’d say fix it, but source your own clutch parts from a good brand. They may want to replace it with BMW original parts and that will drive the price up.
If it has a dual mass flywheel, one can usually source a solid flywheel replacement for much less money.
Invinciblejets
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 17:35 |
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It's a clutch. Get the tool kit out and fix it.
Cé hé sin
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 17:36 |
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I’d tend to cut and run. Plenty of 530ds out there. Go for an automatic next time though (but not the ZF five speed).
kanadanmajava1
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 17:37 |
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I’m quite sure that it has a dual mass flywheel. They do fail occasionally but usually without much dramatic. The picture below is from a failed E46 330i. The dual mass flywheel itself is quite expensive part but there seems to some decent priced ones for sale in eBay.
My friend had a (dual mass) flywheel failure in a Renault and I think he was quoted the same €2500 to replace it. His failure was actually caused by a bad starter motor that destroyed the starter ring teeth.
bob and john
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 17:38 |
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you have already paid everything that that you ever will in depreciation, so thats a point less argument. if she loves it THAT much, might as well keep driving it.
Gone
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 17:45 |
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First mechanical that’s 75% value of the car and adios. Really anything above 50% seriously consider bailing.
I get the attachment thing though. If is the first biggie, I’d let it slide. Next one though and it’s gone. Uptime and reliability are important to me. A keeper car (high mileage or not) is not going to be used as primary transportation.
My citroen won't start
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 18:43 |
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Are you Swiss? Or is that just an internet picture?
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Klaus Schmoll
> My citroen won't start
05/15/2016 at 19:00 |
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Nope. It’s my mum’s actual car. She lives and works in Switzerland. That picture was taken when my Honda was in the shop and I had to go to two job interviews and she was on vacation, so I could borrow it. I got both jobs and picked the one that pays way better, so I now live on an island in the Baltic sea. Which puts me in a position where I can offer advice but not actually do anything for them at the moment.
My family has a history of moving for good jobs. What’s the point of staying in one place if there aren’t any good offers for your studied profession?
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My citroen won't start
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 19:17 |
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Fully understand, my family moved from Switzerland to Brazil because my father was offered a better position here.
Flavien Vidal
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 20:39 |
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Can’t you try to do the clutch job yourself? New clutch and pressure plate kit are not very expensive... On top of that installing a clutch on a RWD car is very easy. It’s a good way to try by yourself if you’ve never done it either.
Remove exhaust, remove the driveshaft, remove c beam, put the transmission lift under the transmission, unbolt the transmission mount, them start unbolting the transmission in the bell housing side. Pull out the transmission, change the clutch and do the same process the other way around.
The first time, it’s a day of work with a friend. I’m not sure where you live too but every city usually have places where you can rent a lift for a day or two at minimal cost.
In total it shouldn’t cost you more than 5/600$ if you do it yourself.
Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 22:12 |
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“when do you usually think it’s time to cut losses and retreat and regroup?”
When my wallet starts making whimpering sounds...
Chasaboo
> Klaus Schmoll
05/15/2016 at 22:27 |
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Shocking, a BMW that’s eating through your money. Who knew?
NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
> Gone
05/16/2016 at 01:50 |
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Especially true if a non car person will be driving it most of the time.
A breakdown at the side of the highway is damned inconvenient for me. For the wife, it can be scary as well.