REBUILDING MY WRITE OFF CRASH DAMAGED BMW | PART 1

[@aladinabed5177]

George I’m in the N52 group on Facebook we’ve talked a couple times, I have 2 E90’s and my other one I had recently got in a totaled out front end accident a little just like yours but maybe a slight worst but not too bad, but I am thankful you are posting this as it’s giving me the courage to get started on it and replace everything I’m glad to see someone going thru the same with theirs. You surely aren’t the only one here now. The damages in your situation are similar to mine in the sense of how everything got kinked up and almost how everything got pushed upwards, it fascinates me to see how all these crash results end up the same and the results all look the same cosmetically in the way the damages are done, tbh I think they made some crazy safety engineering for that to be possible only.

[@MaxHumphrey-t6x]

I see! Have an amazing time. I've got a big puff of smoke in the engine bay upon startup and can I find where it's coming from? 🙄 So far I've been told it's a crack in an exhaust line somewhere, vcg, turbo seals, leaky injector.. the list goes on! Bloody cars 😂

[@keithvers569]

Great to see progress so far. Looks like you didn’t suffer yourself too much health wise. Good luck

[@GeorgeAusters]

Thanks Keith, yes we’re both okay on the whole - Just whiplash👍🏻

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

Make sure to carefully inspect any wiring. Faults may be hard to find if you miss something.

[@MaxHumphrey-t6x]

Glad you're well George! Looking forward to this series.

[@GeorgeAusters]

More to come!

[@MaxHumphrey-t6x]

​@@GeorgeAusters still waiting 😉 I've also checked your channel for a removal of the exhaust manifold on the n47 engine. They're prone to fail as has mine and need some guidance in removal. Do you have a video showing this already? If not, could you make one? 🙏🏻

[@GeorgeAusters]

@MaxHumphrey-t6x I’m on my honeymoon at the moment, will be finishing KFC when I’m back. I’ve never known of an exhaust manifold cracking on the N47.. M47 / M57 yes but not the N47. Can watch my N47 strip down video from the F31 I did to see what’s involved👍🏻

[@bobfrankish8883]

I think you did OK there George with the numbers from the insurance. I don't think it will end up as cheap as you would like. Those a/c pipes are super dear for what they are. It all depends what luck you have with the breakers.

[@alanbartlett9523]

Try Bridgend Breakers, Charing in Kent. They are BMW breakers and have thousands of parts.

[@VNEMUS]

Years ago, I did 2 separate and similar front end fixes (crash panel, hood, bumper, radiator, ac condenser, headlights, misc plastics) on one of my black e46 coupes and both times I managed to locally source the majority of the parts and they were from matching black e46 coupes both times for a fraction of the cost new and the best part, no paintwork needed! Maybe you'll have similar luck! I do enjoy your content, George, and occasionally see you post on E46 Owners FB page.👍 BTW, I couldn't help but notice the grass in your yard is so green! Is it real?😂

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yes it’s real lol, why do people keep mentioning about my grass 😂

[@VNEMUS]

​@@GeorgeAustersMaybe to share your lawn care secrets!? 😜 Hey, maybe another YT Channel Opportunity! 😂

[@TurboTimsWorld]

Good video, I was going to comment on the Temu video a few weeks back when you got the AC gauges, "for legal reasons you can't just do AC work" you need a F gas license. OK there was already no gas and looking at the condenser it's no wonder. But a warning to you DIY mechanics if you strip the AC on a car and just let the gas out (coz when your done your take it to be refilled) that gas will take the breath out of you, you will pass out. also if you use a tyre valve tool to remove a valve to let it out it can freeze burn your hand. You can get a F gas license through the motor factors like Euro Car Parts (like I did) there's a book to read and a guy comes and tests you, and the gauges you got I have a set as quick great diagnostic tool without dragging the machine across the workshop. If you do a refit you may think to test it with compressed air, fine, but what ever you do don't run the engine, just check for leaks and let the air back out it will go bang with compressed air in it. One last thing you should measure the amount of oil in the condenser make a note for when the system is refilled in grams and drain the new one so your system retains its original fill of oil. anyway great video and I bet you wish the ramp and workshop was already done !!

[@ronpersaud529]

George, you are doing an excellent job, I know I wont be doing anything of that nature my days for hacking cars apart has long gone. It brought back memmories when I saw you attacked the bonnet with the angle grinder. Come on the whole lot properly welding bodywork and spraying . Then you can write your thesis on this car for your PhD . Just watching you makes me want to get the overalls on. Good luck.

[@cliveroulstone9366]

Personally i would defo change the bonnet hings they are designed to bend on impact 👍or you could be there all day trying to line up the panels good luck great videos

[@GeorgeAusters]

Thanks Clive, I checked the hinges and they actually looked fine, no creases or breaks in the paint surprisingly

[@Batmans_universe]

looking forward to see you rebuild this car

[@GeorgeAusters]

Me too!

[@SteveDull]

The insurance was very fair with you. Good luck parts hunting - shouldn't be too hard or expensive with e90/91s. 👍

[@GeorgeAusters]

There’s loads of parts out there, just collecting them.. May have to cable tie the bumper on this just to get it drivable 😂

[@SteveDull]

@@GeorgeAusters Does a car have to have its bonnet on to be driven legally? 😉

[@GeorgeAusters]

I’m not sure lol

[@Roadkill7878]

@@SteveDull No unless there are sharp protruding parts that may cause further injury to a pedestrian. However I wouldn’t chance it

[@G-unit.7h1bc50]

A short while ago the smell of burned gasoline came out and disappeared after driving what is the reason. does the motor leak gasoline and from where and thank you

[@ademineshat]

This car has a story now, I would repair everything and make it mint including front, rear bumper and AC 😊

[@dan8789]

I would be interested to know by how much your insurance premiums will go up now for a non fault claim? As you will have to declare it at your renewal

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yeah will have to wait and see I suppose!

[@karter5351]

Proper pisses me of, the 'uninsured loss' as they like to phrase it. Not your Fooken Fault, but it will still cost you. They rate you as a higher likelihood to claim. It really is a Boad of Lollocks, of course you are going to claim when someone whacks you upmthe rear, it's hardly one up the bum no harm done, more one up,the shitter leaves you bitter

[@dan8789]

@ That’s insurance companies for you Imagine if you got a criminal record for writing a statement for a crime Because you are more likely to be involved in crime🤪

[@christianwright5479]

Great video, go old school mate all different colour panels

[@GeorgeAusters]

😂

[@gilesl]

May as well do the A/C hardline now while you are in there? Then £60 to get it all gassed up and will prob be fine with new condenser as that was prob reason A/C didn't work

[@GeorgeAusters]

I’ll leave AC for now. Just want to make sure it’s up and running first

[@bokibo87]

Now you can start doing crash repairs videos like Matt Armstrong.

[@GeorgeAusters]

🙌🏻

[@ianjenkins4641]

Matt Armstrong might start to worry now with you fixing accident damage vehicles.

[@GeorgeAusters]

I’m coming for him!

[@karter5351]

Clever design on that 'boot well tray', makes for a simple repair. I hear you 'claimed on the other parties insurance, but your premium will still go up, Bunning Castards will whack you for 'any accidents in the last five years' even though it wasn't your fault.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yeah I know, nothing you can do unfortunately

[@bart1000]

I have a complete front bumper with fogs and grills in Leeds if you need, free of charge

[@GeorgeAusters]

What sort of condition is it in mate?

[@bart1000]

@@GeorgeAusters hey, sorry only just noticed your response, paint is meh but no damage to it 👍🏼😊

[@GeorgeAusters]

Are you able to send me some pics of it on instagram mate?

[@ZainSajjad-e4s]

Well worth fixing

[@peterpaliwoda1527]

Sad for you George….but upside is nice drop of content for “us” …..it’s a game of two halves ! Looking forward to the resurrection..Rgds Peter

[@GeorgeAusters]

Cheers Peter, hopefully I can get the parts quick enough!

[@camerons2429]

Use this as an opportunity to put on msport bumpers

[@GeorgeAusters]

If they’re cheap enough then sure!

[@wayneparr3066]

What do you put in your lawn ? Is it real grass or fake grass?

[@GeorgeAusters]

It’s real grass lol, I seeded it a couple months ago.. Watch my latest garage build video

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

Modern cars are so strong that crashes like this are an easy fix. Furthermore if you replace all the damaged parts then the car is as good as one thats never been crashed.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yup!

[@Misttrd]

so I came into this thinking you was trying to make a cool daily with project KFC, now realising that it’s a case of cheapest daily possible and not caring about how it looks in the slightest, which is a bit of a shame but I do respect the hustle and will see how this turns out 😅

[@GeorgeAusters]

This car was never going to be a great looker.. I bought it as a Cat S and the paint work is terrible

[@Misttrd]

@@GeorgeAusters that’s understandable, tbf to you I just got my first e91, I saw your post about this accident on the owners page a week or so before you posted here I think, that’s how I’ve come across you on KZbin 😅

[@Roadkill7878]

I take it you are going to keep this car? If so spend as little as possible to get it roadworthy and capable of passing an MOT. Then keep it until it falls apart. That way you would get your money's worth out of it

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yes that’s exactly what I’m doing with it, it’s the perfect daily driver 👌🏻

[@andyhopkinson2708]

That'll cost you £1500 in bits.

[@GeorgeAusters]

Why is that?

[@arnietwo11]

​@@GeorgeAustersI recently bought a 2016, F22, cat S. Bought everything on ebay, £250 for bonnet in correct colour, £150 for bumper, painted it myself £75. New led / angel eye headlight £650. Crash bar £100. Various electrical plug ends for parking sensors, fog light, Pedestrian Protection System £50. Eh about 60 hours of my free time 😂

[@GeorgeAusters]

Yeah parts for E90 are very cheap now tbh

[@piovo1]

@@arnietwo11 cant compare a f series to e series for parts, I fixed a whole front end on a e90 335d for only £500 in parts. Bonnet, both wings, bumper, whole radpack with the crashbar/slam panel, headlights, sensors and even a dashboard few other parts also.

[@arnietwo11]

@@piovo1 I'm just tell u of my story !! Yes sure the E90 will be cheaper. My first car in 1980 a mk3 Cortina was £650, now I can only buy a headlight, eh and that was secondhand