***** Edit This has now turned into a Build/Repair Journal, see below for the cars journey.
Help me decide what I should do with my new project.
A little overview. I picked up a 2002 Japan Red on Gray leather interior touring a couple of days ago with a bad transmission. It is a very low optioned car, no auto headlights, no cold weather package, no sport package, etc, but it does have a sunroof.
Interior:
Very nice gray, the issues are the front comfort seats are heavily cracked, they havent started splitting but still cracked. The center arm rest is in a similar fashion. Upholstery is loose from the A & B-pillar covers. Asides from those items very nice otherwise.
Exterior:
Overall in ok shape. Paint is still bright, with no clear coat delamination issues on the physical car itself.
Numerous rock chips and dings on the hood, some poorly touched up with touch up paint.
LH mirror cap clear coat peeling, RH mirror cap in primer.
RH rocker panel cover heavily scratched.
RR lower D-Pillar had a dent and then someone tried to PDR it and it was a very poor attempt. Unable to photogrpah.
Normal scratches and dings on front and rear bumpers.
LH doors and LR wheel well have a prett good scrap/dent just above the belt moulding. It still has some transger scuffs, but the paint is still intact.
Driveline:
Engine seems healthy, I have driven it around the block. Needs a Valve cover gskt and Vanos Oil Supply Hose. There is a coolant leak from the radiator or expansion tank, but I have not investigated further. Final drive seems solid, needs a rear bushing.
Suspension:
Control arm bushings and steering rack coupler have a little bit of play. Shocks and struts seem solid, no bearing noises on my short test drive. Brakes are good.
The transmission is junk. It has a gear monitoring fault and a torque converter fault and is making a noise. I initially got the car and it was in failsafe. I cleared all the faults and checked the trans fluid level, it was 1.5L low. I topped it up and test drove it. It drove ok for a mile or two then went into failsafe again. Returned codes for Gear Monitoring 4 and the Torque Converter.
So here's my dilema. I had originally bought the car with the idea my wife would drive it and we would S54 swap her '00 323iT, but she likes the black on black more than red on gray. And now I'm not sure if I am going to keep the car or sell it.
So here are my options:
1. Fix and leave auto, I have a 5HP19, but it has the wrong Torque Converter, I was hoping that the T/C in this car would be ok, but that is not the case.
a. Buy used transmission and replace
b. Buy new remanufactured torque converter and install with my current 5HP19
2. Swap a Getrag 5spd into the car and convert to manual
3. Swap complete S54 driveline/suspension
My concerns with the car are that exterior cosmetics are just not where I think they should be to get full value of a S54 swap or am I wrong? 5spd swap would be more valuable, but if I sell it I'm not sure it is worth my time to swap it vs just fixing the auto.
What is the opinion of the Forum?
Thanks!
Help me decide what I should do with my new project.
A little overview. I picked up a 2002 Japan Red on Gray leather interior touring a couple of days ago with a bad transmission. It is a very low optioned car, no auto headlights, no cold weather package, no sport package, etc, but it does have a sunroof.
Interior:
Very nice gray, the issues are the front comfort seats are heavily cracked, they havent started splitting but still cracked. The center arm rest is in a similar fashion. Upholstery is loose from the A & B-pillar covers. Asides from those items very nice otherwise.
Exterior:
Overall in ok shape. Paint is still bright, with no clear coat delamination issues on the physical car itself.
Numerous rock chips and dings on the hood, some poorly touched up with touch up paint.
LH mirror cap clear coat peeling, RH mirror cap in primer.
RH rocker panel cover heavily scratched.
RR lower D-Pillar had a dent and then someone tried to PDR it and it was a very poor attempt. Unable to photogrpah.
Normal scratches and dings on front and rear bumpers.
LH doors and LR wheel well have a prett good scrap/dent just above the belt moulding. It still has some transger scuffs, but the paint is still intact.
Driveline:
Engine seems healthy, I have driven it around the block. Needs a Valve cover gskt and Vanos Oil Supply Hose. There is a coolant leak from the radiator or expansion tank, but I have not investigated further. Final drive seems solid, needs a rear bushing.
Suspension:
Control arm bushings and steering rack coupler have a little bit of play. Shocks and struts seem solid, no bearing noises on my short test drive. Brakes are good.
The transmission is junk. It has a gear monitoring fault and a torque converter fault and is making a noise. I initially got the car and it was in failsafe. I cleared all the faults and checked the trans fluid level, it was 1.5L low. I topped it up and test drove it. It drove ok for a mile or two then went into failsafe again. Returned codes for Gear Monitoring 4 and the Torque Converter.
So here's my dilema. I had originally bought the car with the idea my wife would drive it and we would S54 swap her '00 323iT, but she likes the black on black more than red on gray. And now I'm not sure if I am going to keep the car or sell it.
So here are my options:
1. Fix and leave auto, I have a 5HP19, but it has the wrong Torque Converter, I was hoping that the T/C in this car would be ok, but that is not the case.
a. Buy used transmission and replace
b. Buy new remanufactured torque converter and install with my current 5HP19
2. Swap a Getrag 5spd into the car and convert to manual
3. Swap complete S54 driveline/suspension
My concerns with the car are that exterior cosmetics are just not where I think they should be to get full value of a S54 swap or am I wrong? 5spd swap would be more valuable, but if I sell it I'm not sure it is worth my time to swap it vs just fixing the auto.
What is the opinion of the Forum?
Thanks!