I Bought a Heavily Neglected Executive BMW & Immediately Started Restoring it - Project Rottweil: P1

I stumbled upon this diamond sitting at the back of the used dealership lot. This luxurious and executive BMW after 20 years and 218.000 km (135k miles) is looking rather sorry for itself. The engine is rattling and making cow noises, the paint is destroyed, and the interior is disgustingly dirty. Destined for a scrapyard, I decided this car deserves a second chance and with this episode, we are starting a rejuvenation process of this fine automobile.
Jörg, Probesten Tech, all things Vanos - www.probsten-tech.de/
New Merch shop! - m539restorations.com/
You can support me on Patreon! - / m539restorations
Follow me on Instagram - / m539_restorations
www.vaporblastingequipment.co...
Find Liqui Moly oil and additives for your car - www.liqui-moly.com/en/service...
BendPak lifts - www.bendpak.com/
Luuk, BendPak & Quickjack Europe - liftmotive.com/
Massive thanks to Radu from RT Design Studio for making new merch happen! - www.rt.md/
Email: [e-mail]

[@joshuareisbord]

For a BMW, this is like getting adopted into a loving family.

[@NarcFreedom]

I would send my e46 to rich uncle Sreten for some help getting out of the gutter. She can come back home after finishing school.

[@arpadkal]

Adopted? More like put into protective custody!

[@Lumilicious]

The video was uploaded a day ago, yet your comment is two days old. 🤔

[@joshuareisbord]

@@Lumilicious Patreon 😏

[@MatthijsvanDoesburg]

Retweet

[@davidkaminski615]

In a world where stealerships are tagging on extra fees and charging full MSRP on vehicles (including used ones), having Sreten say to their face, "I'm not overpaying for that lump of garbage!" and twisting their arm to get it off their lot fills me with delight!

[@thiagocars]

that's completely true David! well said.

[@kungfusing1]

An Angel gets its wings every time a used car salesman gets told no. It’s a beautiful thing.

[@Esj.91]

How did he lower the price from 4500 to 1600 anyway? Didn't understand that part

[@kungfusing1]

@@Esj.91 it was a car only worth scrap/parts and he spoke to the owner I believe and it sounds like they agreed.

[@raduberaru9369]

@@Esj.91 called the owner itself i believe, and not the reseller

[@alexmanitiu21]

Not sure if you’ve ever considered this, but you have LOTS of helpful how-tos and useful information and advice buried within your videos. I often find myself having to look back through a bunch of videos to find the info I’m looking for when working on my own cars. Maybe you could start a second channel where you simply take a tutorial such as the vanos one from this video, and simply re-upload just that part as a video on its own titled “vanos rebuild how to” or something along those lines. I think many people could benefit from it and there wouldn’t be much extra work necessary besides just snipping out certain bits from videos, and re-uploading them as their own individual tutorials.

[@el_micha]

Good idea!

[@jannowak2413]

Or maybe just a website with a list of all tutorials with links to specific time frame of specific videos

[@jaymaina]

I agree with you. It will be helpful. good idea bro

[@rexcgems]

He could hire someone who cuts videos for him. I think the Idea is great. If you need a cutter let me know :D

[@Residew]

Make a little extra $ too.

[@davidpancerz5820]

Still my favorite KZbin channel by far. Less theatrics and setup equals more quality wrenching. Superbly detailed rebuild of the VANOS unit, much appreciated. I'm proud to be a subscriber.

[@mikibajrektarevic2543]

Best part about Sretens videos you just don't want them to end. More than often I go back and watch entire series on one of the cars love you work dude . LSC and M539 one of the only people that actually finish projects

[@SuperTauta]

Im at the point where I watch the new videos in 0.75 speed to spend more time enjoying them

[@Kvickification]

LSC talks to much unrelated shit in his videos, very american and i hate it! Sreten is in a league of his own.

[@samjennings6791]

I know the feeling, I'm constantly looking at the subscribed list to see when he's put a new one out, feel a bit like a crack addict sometimes 😂

[@ragosajana5278]

@@samjennings6791 Crack is better when shared. We are in this together.🤣

[@samjennings6791]

@@ragosajana5278 hahahaha no wrong

[@a20axf]

Congrats Sreten on 400k subs, it’ll be 1M very soon! It’s interesting to see how a once (relative) shitbox will be transformed into a nice daily. The temptation to drop that engine and fully clean/rebuild it would be too strong for me. Way overkill and beyond necessary, but that varnish looks the same colour as our wooden bench! Regular oil changes and preventative maintenance people!

[@renas5371]

That varnish is normal for cars that have been doing short journeys or sitting a lot, mine is relatively low miles and has had frequent oil changes all its life but hasn’t been driven much and it didn’t look too different to this when I had my valve cover off. I didn’t see any sludge but it was that colour. Nothing to be concerned about.

[@Trelliondeci]

@@renas5371 Varnish is not normal for any engine regardless usage conditions. You either used wrong/fake oil or exceeded engine hours limit.

[@DrBeast100]

​@@Trelliondeci i have a 2009 car (from new) which was serviced with regular oil changes (about to 8-10k km) using only synthetic oil and the engine is very clean even it is pretty old and has about 160k km on it. Oil changes are very important, using the right oil and not more than a year.

[@busterscrugs]

@@Trelliondeci it's normal when you follow the factory oil change interval on these E39's, which is 15k miles.

[@dukedub]

Gotta refurbish a bmw 1m when it reaches 1m

[@CalleSoderberg]

This is ideal M539 content! A *really* neglected car getting turned into a nice daily driver. Eagerly awaiting the next update on this one!

[@zaurkomachkov520]

This is very personal video to me. After watching Sreten since he began his YT channel, I have been craving an e39 touring to complement my z4, which I used as a daily at the time. The only problem is that Tourings are hard to come by in the US. I spend around 6 months looking for one, but nearly everything I came across was either too expensive, too neglected or both. Finally, September 2020 is when I found my perfect e39 touring: a slick-top 2000 glacier green with two tone stone green and black interior for $2500. The car was a perfect mix of neglected but not too far gone. A rust free Texas car. It needed a LOT but it never left me stranded. For the next couple of years, I have been living of my own M539 restoration, overhauling suspension, oil leaks, cooling system, chasing vacuum leaks, redoing headliner in Alcantara and much, much more. The next step is a manual swap. The car has been a blast to own and at near 200k miles (322k km) it is so much fun to drive. I am looking forward to following the journey of this car and all the DIY tutorials that I will follow

[@pdcichosz]

Funny how different things are on the other side of the puddle. Here in Europe Tourings are unloved and cheaper as everyone wants a sedan. Same for E60s.

[@zaurkomachkov520]

@@pdcichosz I know. I grew up with both of my parents driving wagons, they were everywhere in Europe. Tremendously practical and handle great. The SUVs just don't give the same experience, so I really wanted to get a wagon.

[@McMaster1500]

It warms my heart when nice cars like Project Rottweil gets saved from being crushed or parted out. This is gonna be another epic series! also big congratulations with the 400K subscribers Sreten!

[@TheGrievingMole]

Was going to bed but gotta any videos Sreten puts up, I've got to watch straight away

[@gazfish]

Your patience, attention to detail and research blows me away. I know for sure I’d either destroy the engine or be back in there 10 times to get it done the right way.

[@mr_Taratu]

The detail in this video is above and beyond. The time taken to put this all together is worth it for all your subscribers. Especially those of us that own an E39 Touring/Wagon

[@legioner9]

1 AM in the morning, probably I'll lose my sleep, but hey, I must watch this video. Being a Patreon makes me feel priviledged that I can watch these videos in advance. :D Thanks for the advice on parts, it really truly matters a lot for people who want to have good working cars.

[@VaBraAnton]

Nice job on negotiating the price! You could make a mini-series where you discuss/tip about topics like, negotiating and landing a good price on neglected cars. Another episode could be assessing the car beforehand. Heck, you could also make it into a podcast and invite guests! Would be some nice, refreshing content for the channel. Keep going Sreten, we're loving the content!

[@SupraStar29]

Yeah this price made sense. Germans have been smoking something with bmw prices lately. Crapped out e39/46's going for stupid prices.

[@E46_Lenker]

@@SupraStar29 yeah exactly

[@obihornchen6508]

I second this, would absolutely love to see/hear that!

[@demonkey123]

Definitely more satisfying watching you breathe life back into ‘perceived’ low value projects than the stress of the Alpina. I bet you are enjoying it more too! Keep up the good work ! Best show on the internet 👍😉

[@rubenca5586]

wow, I found this channel at 100K subs I cant believe how big this has gotten. This is the only channel that I check for new content when I log in, keep up the awesome work!

[@mrmick12321]

Never clicked so fast in my life. Edit: congrats on 400k subs!

[@pascutia]

I said “let’s goooo” out loud once I saw the compression test. These M54s are such good units. Greatly appreciate you taking this project!!!

[@AltoBo123]

I hope you comeback to show the office lady how the car came to be. Be proud, your work is a marvel to observe.

[@marcducati]

The editing is so perfect. Makes the videos interesting, dynamic and easy to follow. Clearly the best mechanic vids on KZbin.

[@MrIgorash]

Man, you've become a Master! Really happy to see an old school, old broken car episode, is just what we love you for in first place.

[@MapOfEurasia]

If you're looking for a comfy, quiet and spacious car you can't go wrong with an E39 Touring ❤️ As a E39 Touring FL owner by myself ('02 525D with nearly 270.000Km) I'm gonna love Project Rottweil series ✌️

[@nikmilosevic1696]

I love this channel! Not only seeing nice old cars get put back on the road but you can use this channel like service/restoration manual, only visual.

[@denniscarreno5882]

Streten you are such a good narrator…..very technical but concise….stay warm….

[@eugenealymov2723]

I love the E46/39 platform. Drove a 330i for 8 years. Beautiful engine. Did most of these repairs also. Sold the car with 450K kms on the odometer. Car is still on the road with 470K kms. Rusting away but going. They are great cars. This was a beautiful video.

[@aleszczynskig]

I also fell in love with BMWs after discovering the E39. Mine was a 6 cylinder tractor but it was smooth, refined and delightful. I now drive an 11 year F10 which I bought new and can’t imagine ever owning anything but a BMW. If you want to fall into love with BMW. You can’t go wrong with an E39. Looking forward to this series.

[@JoelinoPT]

I'm a VAG person, but your channel is pure gold. Keep it up! Subscribed from 2years now.

[@MrVarvarVoom]

Boy, now I can appreciate why BMW's can cost a bit to service. The mechanic needs to wear a white coat and have a laptop with him/her to diagnose and repair these machines. I can also appreciate the incredible engineering that goes into these vehicles. It's all relative. Love the preventative work Sreten does, you are giving these cars a new lease of life to run mostly care free for many years to come. You have picked up where Wheeler Dealers has left off - thanks!

[@ivorvanwerven6210]

Really lovely to see a model that almost anyone can buy and repair DIY!

[@Andrewthebear20]

as the owner of two E39 530i’s I nearly jumped out of my seat with excitement! I will be taking notes and trying to soak up all the great information from this series.

[@SchoppeROFL]

Took me 4 seconds to scream M54!!!!

[@reivanen]

This guy makes working on V8 and even supercharged ones look so easy i started to forget how much i would not want a V engine as a hobby car due to everything being doubled up. But this video made me remember again, such a joy the I6 is.

[@jproveri]

The only complaint I have is that there is only THE ONE Sreten and we have to wait for the next chapters of every project. This is a beautiful daily. I like the E46 better lookswise but if you say it drives better and is more comfortable it must be the perfect all rounder.

[@sdagoespro]

E39 and E46 content gets me everytime! The problem is though, that your content fulfills me so much, that I prefer watching you wrench than wrenching myself and finally finishing my M3 sedan. Thank you very much Sreten for your time and effort!

[@pierregodin1]

Enjoyed every second of it. Welcome project Rottweil!

[@thepaddiwagon305]

as someone whos bought an e39 530i touring this series will be very helpful. Bought my car because of the individual e39 on this channel

[@totallybonkers]

The merch (hoodies) are great! As always, excellent content. Best on KZbin! I can't wait for the next "coming up"!!

[@richt247]

Awesome! Its ridiculous how quick you can tear these engines apart!

[@MrWillydanks]

Wow that was a productive episode! Not going for 20,000 parts like on the alpina? 😂

[@BEZ_KYPUR]

Мне нравится так, технических подходишь к обслуживанию автомобилей, так мало кто делает, спасибо огромное за такой труд

[@BennettIsAmazing]

Wow - just discovered this channel tonight! This is MY STUFF! Old BMW Tourings. (and new BMW Tourings) are my cars and always will be.

[@baconmcbacon62]

I'm a sucker for a good hooptie rescue mission. It's exciting to watch this magnificent beast get the love she deserves. Nicely done, Sreten!

[@st3althyone]

It’s practically brand new and purrs like a sick kitten. You’re brave taking on this project Sreten. I can’t wait to see what you do with it, I’m sure it’ll be glorious. Stay safe and we’ll see you on the next episode, my friend. Edit: Wow, I can’t believe you got so much done on this one Sreten, great job!

[@anassabrd112]

Seeing how you turned it out is just... speechless, your passion is a gift and you're amazingly using it

[@rogerio7844]

It's an absolute joy watching this guy wrenching on bmw's

[@Vincentiuz]

This is going to be a great project Streten, and I absolutely love restorations on older cars that would otherwise would have been crushed and forgotten forever

[@gonzalo4307]

The amount of work that you put into this is amazing

[@nwabuezeozuzu6370]

7:30 I'm so happy you were able to restore this wonderful e39

[@tassietony1226]

This is the best way to fill in Saturday nights watching and learning from the master ( yes I have a life) seriously most enjoyable watching

[@andycade8325]

Great content, great production, yet another great series in the making. Best wrenching channel on KZbin.

[@oziylmaz4728]

This was the one of the episodes I really enjoyed lately. We love wrencing buddy !

[@mausbands5753]

Hi Sreten, thank you for giving this Car a new Life! The E39 Touring was my first car love which I drove it for more than 10 year. I‘m Looking forward to see, how you bring one back on the Road. Thank you for your excellent work.

[@sgt0331able]

You have great charisma , keep it going. So enjoy the detail of your work.

[@spud8385]

Ah was just wondering when the next video would appear! Excited for this one. Are you going to M-Sport body kit it like you did with the E46? And just want to say (as I've seen comments here/on Instagram) - keep doing what you're doing Sreten, if it takes 1, 2, 3+ weeks to get a video out that's fine, they're so good and I love the fact that you don't have some production team behind you. Best person on KZbin by far and you've given me the confidence to do the maintenance on the ZF6HP in my own car which I always thought was a step too far for myself despite doing some basic spannering. Thank you and keep it up!

[@itsjustme9318]

I am endlessly impressed with the knowledge you have for these BMW's! This car is going to be like brand new when you finish working your magic with it. Just love the way you are more than willing to go in like a nuclear device and clear out EVERYTHING that is not PERFECT!!! You are a great inspiration for all of us to DO IT RIGHT!!! Congrats on 400K!!

[@blackbirdmark495]

I’m in awe with the way in which you put so much love, care, effort & attention into each and every one of your projects. As always, this is going to be another great series. Keep up the good work 👍.

[@Rastafari04ever]

Why didn't I know this channel existed? I'm doing my own E39 530D SE project with the difference that I know nothing about mechanics and trying to learn everything myself, this channel is just what I needed! If there is any books or source of knowledge you could recommend when it comes to M54,M57 engines then I'll happily look into it! Thank you for a class content, love your witty sense of humour! :)

[@astro6990]

This is going to be a insane project!,will be waiting to see how it progresses!

[@livemadseason]

I had 3 e39s, oil pan gasket never leaked. It was everything on top, but never oil pan gasket, but if you are doing rod bearings, no other way around it 😀 Thanks for the video, this is wat I did 10 years ago (except for rod bearings) and hope to get also a neglected one that I could wrench on it soon 🙂

[@Lumilicious]

I still love how Sreten doesn't really milk his content. Others would've made 5 15-20 minute videos out of what he did here. Please never change, Sreten. lol

[@frankmuschetto3385]

Sreten - another fantastic video. The combination of your humor, properly placed sarcasm, and deep mechanical ability makes your videos educational and enjoyable. Totally look forward to you dropping new videos. Can't wait for part duo on Rottweil.

[@foadrightnow5725]

As always, informative and entertaining content! Your thoroughness and attention to detail is second to none! I wouldn't have even the slightest reservation buying a car from you! Sight unseen and no ppi, no problem! It's been worked on by Sreten! Enough said! Cheers!

[@Toasty_Gaming]

I love this episode in particular, the pacing of it was hilarious. We spent 15 minutes working on just the vanos unit then RIGHT AFTER FOR THE LAST 10 MINUTES WE WENT INTO TURBO MODE AND DID EVERYTHING!

[@hugoberzito2190]

Dont need a visit to the shop anymore. You have tought us all we need thanks

[@maikelnait4495]

That’s the spirit!! Diamond in the rough. Exactly what I said about my e46 and started wrenching😄

[@TRONICSfer]

It's so nice to see the "basic" video again :) The videos where you make miracles, rebuild engines and resurrect the cars from dead are fantastic and unique, but seeing this one gets me back to the beginning of the channel, in that small garage, and gets me thinking again to get myself into same "problems". Just by seeing this video, I can understand how far you have advanced, knowledge, skill and equipment wise, and it makes it so more special to follow your channel, as it is true unicorn on KZbin. No BS, just proper work for the love of the cars and not popularity. Čestitam!

[@TheSmudger40]

What I love most about your content is the amount of detail you go into on each part of the renovation, every issue and even the torque settings for everything it’s awesome keep up the good work

[@Sche3sndre3]

riesen respekt an dich für diese mechanischemeisterleistung

[@saeedakhtar1625]

Your skills with BMW cars is impressive, very methodical repairs and very interesting presentation. Bravo

[@tntgrunf]

Sretene, majstore! I stumbled across your channel just recently and "absorbed" pretty much all the episodes of all the projects within a week. What a joyride that was. Anyway, I like how precise and meticuluos you are when it comes to repairing/ rescuing those beauties (especially the older ones), "lako ćemo" and "od oka" are nowhere to be seen in your garage. Keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to seeing more qualizy content from you. And congrats for everything you have achieved so far 👍🏼

[@imranksb]

You are a one man army. Lot of respect for you Sreten. 🤩

[@daved4915]

Sreten, your videos are Hypnotic ! You are by far a god in BMW Repair and Restauration. Never saw a such skilled and funny Guy. If can ever help you, when you are visiting Wilhelmshaven, you will get a bed, lunch and I would help you to repair everything you need. You are the Master of BMW, i am sure that BMW employees or Ingenieurs have not so much experience like you. My biggest Respect.

[@GillesGPH]

Like these projects the most. What a journey. I am following from almost the beginning of the channel and boy what do i like it every time again. Can’t wait for part 2

[@MrSHWP1]

You always have something interesting going on! Love it! So nice that you have all the equipment to do what you must do. Good tools are half the job as we say in the Netherlands. Great video!

[@justinvanderlinden1011]

That part about the oil leak killed me😂😂. Keep it up sreten. Love your video’s💪

[@sebastianjoh5320]

E39/E46/E38 content are the best!

[@frederikvillum]

It is such a massive pleasure watching these videos. Every second of them, is so entertaining and learning. It’s never the feeling of being boring of waste of time. Thank you for creating such great content! 🙏🏻

[@MrRonin004]

Thank you, SRETAN with the new project you are creating and bringing life back to one BMW, I can't wait for the new episode. Greetings from Slovenia :)

[@jonahbrady744]

You have the same inflection as Chef John. So satisfying.

[@gkue6004]

Oh Nein, we have an oil leak... Love this channel, Sreten you're the best. Save this gem of a car! Love station wagons!

[@Mr_Ryote]

Great episode as always, is it just me or did the pace and style feel more like the old episodes? Looking forward to more on this.

[@DashDrones]

Love Rottis 🤣 This is gonna be EPIC 😎

[@zal_models]

diamond in the rough! e39 is by far the prettiest bmw ever

[@marcozed7330]

Oman I was still in the pit of car leasing carousel when I was at my dealer in 2004 ... there was an E39 Touring in dark blue and this was the car I wanted,, just a few weeks before they started delivering the E61. The deal was awesome in the car was as well, dark blue and black interior, a load of options and it truly was my very first dream car that I owned and I was about to get one last year ....just to get the memory back, these are awesome cars with a superb ride and I loved every kilometre I did with this car. For everyone considering buying a younger BMW . go for the F11 because the quality is really good and everything afterwards is crap. Thanks for all your videos that I always enjoy watching. you brought back the Spirit of working on the cars myself again

[@yugo4576]

Great stuff! My love for BMW's started 20 years ago with purchasing 1997 528iA in 2003 which I still own today but with a bunch of cool upgrades including S52 M3 engine and MT.

[@stephen5736]

Not just a loving family. Each car is the apple of his eye! As an Englishman, I often think he is so like me. And sometimes I'm just like him lol.

[@francispowell1811]

as a Jamaican, I think the same.

[@StevenNassibian]

The first 1m 37s of this video was very distressing after you said "I need a car that is a bit bigger" Me: Please no, not an SUV! At 1m 38s I am relieved. I can't wait to see the next video as I really love spending time hanging out watching you work in your garage. Thank you for sharing your passion, it really makes my day when I watch you do your thing.

[@christophberlin2871]

Every channel video: Sreten points at the scoring marks, highlighting how shot the unit is. Me squinting my eyes, not seeing a thing and still being outraged about what “we bought together”…just to avoid having to admit total cluelessness.

[@ericluebbers4415]

I love both my 99 touring. Glade to see this one is getting the love it deserves. My will stay with me forever. My silver one has 280k miles and my black one has 230k miles.

[@daliborlesnik5591]

Noo way. Ma man, now we’re talking! Real e39 touring. I can’t wait for this series

[@tidysampler585]

Three words: The Master Technician. Your approach & attention to detail is by far the best I’ve seen. And I watch a lot of KZbin content. I’ve heard of the Vanos Unit before. But I’ve never seen it being reconditioned throughly. So I watched all the way till the end. Great content by far..

[@fjones1914]

44 minutes has never went by so quickly! Thanks for sharing the new project.

[@andrewmorton3177]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Brilliant! I literally said to myself less than 24hrs ago… “I wish Sreten would do an e39 530i” ….😂 I had one for 3 years from 2004 to 7 & have always regretted selling it. This year I intend to buy one again, refresh it & keep it forever.

[@onkelmicke9670]

Yes! Finally an E39 Touring! And in a similar condition to what mine was... Great!

[@davidwalker5463]

You are a complete comedy show while sharing in depth knowledge everyone to learn from. Thank you. Amazing.

[@ylmazdaghanbecikoglu3044]

This is just straight up therapy 💆‍♂️

[@antoniomdavis367491]

This makes me want to rewatch Project Cologne all over again!!

[@jonasduell9953]

404k subs! Limit not found! Glad I stumbled upon this channel years ago, watching Sreten wrench, his knowledge, humor, perfectionism and deep disgust for aftermarket modifications are just perfect

[@matto4253]

Turning turds into diamonds is what you do and what makes your channel so awesome to watch. Thanks Sreten!

[@dennisgoogle7840]

Can i just say, i find your video;s wholesome. Thank you for your video's i love car wrenching and really enjoy your content.

[@jamoco1]

45 minuets, never. had to rewatch just to make sure. Great vid.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍