What would you do? Rebuild or scrap?

[gearheadx77]

If you were in this situation, what would you do? Do a top-end rebuild, including cams, springs (potentially valves if any are broken) and head polishing? Or sell it for parts?

I have an early model (2012) black-on-black, and I'm the second owner (first owner was an older gentleman who really took care of it). I've put about 18,000 miles on it over the past 4yrs. It's been a pretty reliable beast for the most part, but a few weeks ago it broke down on me. Had it towed to the local dealer in London and found that one of the high pressure fuel pumps had gone. Dumped about £2,000 into it thus far having that work done, but now the dealer is saying they don't see the cams turning/valves opening on that same cylinder bank. My thinking is if I keep the car I'm finding a specialist in the area who will tear down the top-end and do a rebuild on it (forged pistons, forged rods, performance cams and springs, rings, rod bearings, bolts, etc.).

Going back a few weeks before that, some scumbag did a hit & run on it while it was parked near home and destroyed the front driver's side fender. My insurance company approved the repair but even going that route is going to cost £1,500 + higher premiums (no free lunch!).

So if you had a couple thousand in body work ahead of you plus a new top-end to contend with, would you go for it? Or would you sell her for parts? I've really enjoyed the car (minus the DCT tranny) and gotten some good use out of it, but I'm conscious that these cars in great condition in the UK are now only good for £15-18k. Nobody wants big thirsty V8 sedans anymore, sadly. So it'd be a lot of money that I'd never see again.

[M5Rick]

Unlucky with the bumper hit, but with these parking needs to be off road, too many pos on wacky baccy driving about. I'd find a secondhand bumper and get a local paint shop to fit and finish it.
I'd definitely have the engine rebuilt to replace the worn out bits and do the valve guide seals at the same time, engine out job.

[ricardofors68]

18k miles in 4yrs? It seems like this is not your main mode of transportation. I would cut my losses and move on.

[AHall]

I would recommend you sell the car and move on. I think the cost to rebuild a 2012 with body damage does not make sense.

[gearheadx77]

Originally Posted by ricardofors68

18k miles in 4yrs? It seems like this is not your main mode of transportation. I would cut my losses and move on.

I live in Central London so I drive the car 2-3 days per week for short journeys, and then again for longer jaunts. The rest of the time, it's walking, taxis, buses, trains.

[gearheadx77]

With that said, anyone want to buy a low-mileage 2012 F10 M5 that doesn't run?

[m5rosco]

A forged engine rebuild will cost around £16000 from anywhere reputable. But, a non running M5 is pretty much worthless, so you'd lose about £16000, so either way it's going to cost you unfortunately! Financially, you're probably best off breaking the car for parts yourself, but you may not be that way inclined yourself. And don't use the garage that charged you £2k for a fuel pump anymore!

[M5Rick]

''Cams not turning and valves not opening'' dealer says could mean chain has snapped to that bank.
If you love the car take the hit to rebuild it but I wouldn't pay double for forged items or look for a rebuilt exchange unit that can be swapped for yours, in US some transport their cars across the country to reputable engine rebuild factors to have their motors made like new again.

[gearheadx77]

Thanks, guys. I am inclined to part it out myself (mechanically), but at this point in my life I live in the center of a big city and don't have the space to use as my temporary scrap yard (my wife already hates me, imagine if she came home to real-life Sanford & Son!).

That's the other thing, Rick. I'm actually from the U.S. originally and there I would know a few shops locally that I would trust to rebuild the motor (not to mention the performance shops touted on this website in the likes of Texas, Cali, etc.). But in the UK these days I really don't know who carries this craft anymore. Most of the shops I know of are "tuning" shops, which to me means they are comfortable flashing the ECU and slapping on a body kit but not a whole lot else! Maybe I'm being a bit cynical but if I'm paying for someone to rebuild the top-end and perhaps do some cam/valve work and polish the head up etc., I won't even bother unless I really trust the machining work they do.

Don't think things are slated to change anytime soon, either, with all the EVs bouncing around town...

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by gearheadx77

Thanks, guys. I am inclined to part it out myself (mechanically), but at this point in my life I live in the center of a big city and don't have the space to use as my temporary scrap yard (my wife already hates me, imagine if she came home to real-life Sanford & Son!).

That's the other thing, Rick. I'm actually from the U.S. originally and there I would know a few shops locally that I would trust to rebuild the motor (not to mention the performance shops touted on this website in the likes of Texas, Cali, etc.). But in the UK these days I really don't know who carries this craft anymore. Most of the shops I know of are "tuning" shops, which to me means they are comfortable flashing the ECU and slapping on a body kit but not a whole lot else! Maybe I'm being a bit cynical but if I'm paying for someone to rebuild the top-end and perhaps do some cam/valve work and polish the head up etc., I won't even bother unless I really trust the machining work they do.

Don't think things are slated to change anytime soon, either, with all the EVs bouncing around town...

I'm still in the Gt London area on the fringes and just use the non-chargeable thru' route to go to NW London via Marble Arch then Edgware Road etc and I know where you're coming from living there.
Here's an engine factor that's worth considering...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204281894...xoCFFwQAvD_BwE

[M5Rick]

...all in for £7G's with 6 months warranty, give them a call for a chat, they can arrange for your motor to be transported to them, based in Rainham to the East of you and probably fix the fender for a nominal price, Essex is a good place for these garages oh and expect a 'cockney' accent

[D4T]

Also Mr Vanos if you want to properly go for it and get everything done right (which I might add we all want you to do really!)

Out of interest how much is a dead early M5 worth do you think?

[gearheadx77]

Well, after having it on PH and AT for a few days I can confirm it to be worth around £7-8k in its current state (which I guess means it's worth £15k to someone else, unless of course they're doing the labor themselves).