The Perpetual Dilemma of Owning a BMW

One day a fuel leak, then engine problems, then the subframe needs to be pulled. All in a days work for owning a BMW. A labor of love if there ever was. This is now the third video on this 1986 528e that my girlfriend daily drives. See the other videos of it on my channel, there will certainly be more to come. Hope you all enjoy.
Chapters -
00:00 - intro
00:37 - Removing the leaky gas tank
07:34 - Testing the tank for more leaks
08:11 - Fuel pump removal
09:53 - Patching the tank
11:30 - Replacing the trunk seal
13:42 - Removing a snapped gas tank bolt
15:30 - Reinstalling the gas tank
19:26 - Ugh
19:40 - Oil change
20:33 - Oil debacle, returning it
21:28 - resume oil change
21:54 - Idle issues, cleaning ICV
23:50 - Removing the subframe
34:00 - Removing the worn bushings
38:44 - New bushing install
41:24 - Reinstalling the subframe
52:27 - Wheel alignment
54:15 - Driving
56:04 - Lilli

[@InternetDude]

As long as you have an old BMW you will always have content for this channel

[@kolbaska19]

I spent 8 hours today to fix my BMW. And now I'm watching another guy fixing his BMW😅

[@Darthvolvo]

The ingenuity in this one video alone is worth a sub!

[@Notorious38]

I practically applauded when that MacGyver style bushing press worked!

[@gstoney0505]

Me too!

[@farerse]

nice job, I think this is the dilemma of any 1986 car :)

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you, yea, you definitely have a point there.

[@garynoubarian5540]

Minnesota looks hard on cars! Nice work. Hate working under jacks. You make it look pretty easy!

[@mrlambdin1]

Man, and I thought I had "a few" RockAuto magnets!

[@Buyford28]

Simon, i love your videos but you must really love her working on a BMW. Thats too much work for me. I have heard BMWs are a nightmare to work on and problems. I use to be able to work on my vehicles when i was young like you but now being 66, i find some things better taken to the shop, but i still can do some stuff like brakes, oil changes etc. You remind me of me lol. Ima Ford guy too and have drove Fords all my life(30 yrs). I have a 01 Explorer 4x4 Limited, Winter truck and a 07 Mustang convertible GT for the summer, wich i both Love!, Your 1 hell of a smart guy.....keep up the great work Simon!

[@GIwillo]

Newer models are hard to work on, but this? Its a classic car, plenty of space to work on and not too comlicated at all

[@johnpartridge7623]

Old Cars can be a pain in the arse but good job Simon 👍

[@jwbranham2009]

Love your video techniques and also your sharing your struggles with keeping your vehicles moving. I predict that your success in life will be built on your passion for sharing, resourcefulness, and solving problems. Thank you for taking the time and effort to provide this channel.

[@rappers5719]

Your roads are heavily salted in the winter I guess? I do think you will be Canonised some time soon. 😇 Obviously a living Saint. 😉

[@dirkwittig2929]

You really know how to use the camera very well and use the settings to create an interesting and pleasant mood. This creates a little story that you simply have to see to the end. The BMW only has a speedometer display in km and not in miles? bought in Canada?

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you very much. Yes, you're exactly right. It came from British Columbia originally, we bought it right near the border of Minnesota and Canada.

[@yusufboraa]

I loved your video, such a nice editing. Subscribed your channel, I hope you continue on this E28, would love to see next episodes.

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks! I hope to eventually have some other BMW’s to show as well, in addition to the e28.

[@nunyabuziness8421]

Use silicone on the bleeder valves for the calipers. They wont rust and easy to peel off when needed

[@parrott350]

mega awesome video. you were patient with the return of the oil, and the fixing gas tank and really patient with those new bushing for the rear axel ! Holy Cow! You sir are a master mechanic. That Galaxie 500 sounds good. My parents had that car way back in the day. I watched your newer video on the chevrolet truck. That was a blast ! Love those two wheel drive trucks. Lower center of gravity ride smooth work all day. Long Live the V8. I would love to have your welding skills. I need to weld some steel to the frame of my TJ Jeep. I loath the salt and magnesium chloride states put on the highways. Best regards and new subscriber Chuck

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks so much!

[@theodoreolson8529]

38:42 Note the hundreds of Rock Auto magnets on the fridge. 🙂 Once again demonstrating the meritorious use of Vice Grips.

[@enricomercado4671]

Dang!, that winter salt really eats up the cars over there!😮

[@AddictedtoProjects]

Great video as always Simon! :) To give credit where credit is due; I think the Beemer did pretty well. Considering that it's almost 40 years old, and is being used in a part of the country where you get a lot of road salt. If you take that into account, it's in excellent condition! At Min:55:00 I noticed a rumbling noise when you where filming the rear diff. Possibly a Wheel bearing?

[@gforcekaras]

Either you're a sucker for punishment, cheapskate, persistent, like to get your hands dirty or love your girlfriend dearly. Or maybe all of the above. Either way, very entertaining to watch. Sub'd!

[@SimonFordman]

Haha. Definitely all of the above

[@thodkats]

In the beginning I was baffled by the title of the video. I have now watched it fully and NOW I get it...

[@EricAdamsYT]

I had a 1978 320i that I really loved driving. It was basically like an oversized go-kart. Super simple to maintain. Unfortunately, the rear strut supports completely rusted out and there was really no way to fix them without the car being perpetually out of alignment. Not being hugely mechanically inclined myself I had no choice but to get rid of it. I've had a few BMWs since then and they they've all been expensive to keep running after hitting about ten years old. I'm pretty sure I'm done with them at this point. It was fun while it lasted though!

[@enriquemartinez16]

Absolutely positively outstanding!

[@alexandercarnage2191]

Тебе большое уважение за то что делаешь такого масштаба ремонт своими руками!👍

[@JayMcK-yj8ht]

I worked with an old English mechanic at independent Volvo workshop in Perth Western Australia, crank old F&+k , but he had an elephant memory on old ways at sorting problems like your bimmer and funny he also drove a 1982 528 manual , it had more hits then Elvis on it but it ran sweet .

[@cesarnovoa9351]

It seems that all the cars you metodically fix are nonetheless washhard! Great work man!

[@cipov3434]

Was that a welded drive extension you were using during the broken bolt extraction? Heck yes! I love it. Nice work my friend. Holding up well. Impressive

[@SimonFordman]

Yessir. Thanks!

[@chaotic_fox7254]

20:34 , When you throw away the oil canister always make a hole in it, get rid of used and counterfeit oil!

[@AIefe]

Good job amigo, i like your videos!

[@mrjon1985]

38:20 What magical German metal are those bolts made out of?

[@christopherwest5840]

Excellent work with the camera and wrenches, that wire brush has been through hell and back.

[@AnticipatedHedgehog]

I really wish the Rust Belt States would get together and find a solution to de-ice the roads without having vehicles rot quicker than designed. Looks like these repairs weren't terrible with rust, but still...

[@SimonFordman]

I have 100% thought the same thing. It doesn’t seem like it’d be that hard to find a salt substitute that doesn’t cause crazy rust.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

We need more aggressive awareness of lanolin based undercoating. In Canada, shops run regular advertising for a yearly rust-proofing. I don't see those type of advertisements on US tv in the salt belt.

[@coffeefish]

Or we should have standards when it comes to vehicle manufacturing.

[@GIwillo]

@@coffeefish Standards won't do much. If you got chipped undercoating or even slightly exposed metal, the salt will go to work. It causes electrolysis where it literally eats away the Steel. As long as you do not build cars made of plastic or stainless steel, there is not much you can do about it except strict maintenance and undercoating based on penetrating oil/grease. Cable grease is a good choice to protect even existing rust. This BMW is actually in excellent shape for it's age and considering it spent it's life in the rust belt

[@theprisonernumbersix996]

Super travail, bravo !

[@SimonFordman]

Merci!

[@eduardzhukov]

Bro! awesome stuff! What are you filming on?

[@paulvarrieur976]

It is my sincerest hope that Bendpack or a similar car lift manufacturer sees one of your videos and donates a lift to you.

[@TheTwelly]

Dude, just came across your channel. You're a legend mate. That exhaust could put itself back on itself own as its been off so many times. Just brilliant how you overcome the challenges you come across Keep up the great videos. 👍💯

[@bimmer33Li]

I never use grease on rubber bushings as it make them disintegrate after some time. No criticism . Nice work

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you for the tip, hopefully these hold up alright. Now I know.

[@Pedroisanickname]

I wanted a used Corolla, but I couldn't afford one, so I bought a BMW instead. It's a 2001 E46. It was December of 22 when every Corolla I looked at was 7k, w/200k.😮

[@SimonFordman]

How's the e46 treating you?

[@Pedroisanickname]

Excellent so far. It was an adult driven, unmolested 325i with 124k highway. It needs a couple of minor things, but the subframe is intact, no cracks. I'm a classic SAAB 900 enthusiasts so I don't mind the quirks of the BMW. Cheers!

[@mansize6622]

That's the same gas tank access cover they use on x-3 and 4 now.

[@franciscojosepellegrino2553]

Great job, but it's rust everywhere 😭😭😭😭

[@enriquemoreno5490]

Saludos SIMON SOS UNA CAJA DE SORPRESAS APARTE DE TODOS LOS CONOCIMIENTOS QUE TENES CON TU CORTA EDAD JAJA TAMBIEN ANDAS EN PATINETA .

[@voblestone7473]

40:17 HELL YEAH!!

[@dadgarage7966]

Putting back some of its ultimateness.

[@ptp79]

oh man why didnt you weld those holes in the fuel tank? sanded the tank and protected with rust protection paint?

[@jgeyer66]

Simonfordman starts a string alignment: viewer sits up straight and gets out notepad…..

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

at least that tank is metal and can be easily accesible.... mine is plastic and to remove it, have to lower the rear suspension... thanks BMW e39😂

[@SimonFordman]

Yeah, fortunately it was pretty easy. Once I spent a day pulling the tank on an e30 to access the fuel sending unit, not realizing until it was out that there’s the access panel under the rear seat and it could’ve taken me 5 minutes.

[@user-pf7gs8dd8t]

3:38 stealing your girlfriend's gas lol

[@theforestlizard223]

WOW dude use oil in the new bottle just wow , some people are just worms :(

[@joe2mercs]

With some of these jobs you win the battle but lose the war.

[@richardmarino5658]

What yr is this BMW? Is this typical of BMW’s or is it because service was rarely done to this car?

[@gustavdemars8148]

This is why I get Toyota Camry… 😂 Good video

[@SimonFordman]

If only you actually drove yours…Gus.

[@farpo]

do you guys want to go bowling sometime this week or next week

[@gustavdemars8148]

@@farpo Yeah we should go to The Nook in St. Paul. Fordman and I went there once

[@SimonFordman]

@@gustavdemars8148 yea, I’ll make a video of it to post on my 2nd channel, SimonBowlman

[@gstoney0505]

I live in Florida. What’s all this white stuff everywhere. Beach sand to help with the slipping on ice?

[@coffeefish]

So how did you buy used oil?

[@SimonFordman]

It was the oil I pulled off the shelf at o’reillys. I think someone did an oil change and then returned the new container with their old oil in it, and the front counter didn’t pick up on it.

[@coffeefish]

@@SimonFordman I would be mad a hell. They owe you free oil for wasting your time. Contact corporate. Maybe that's just me, but I would demand a refund.

[@incrediblemember1208]

I LOVE THOSE BIMMERS❤

[@remembergodisalwayswithyou6862]

Nice job 👍 love from morocoo ✌ have a nice day brother ✌ God bless you.

[@enricomercado4671]

Maybe you should have replaced the fuel pump while you had it out already? It was looking very crusty already....

[@55region7nq3nk1n]

😮👍 ✊️

[@Pasoscortos]

BMW`S SIDE STORY Congratulations, Sir 🙋‍♂

[@tomstarcevich1147]

🚙🚙🚙🚙🚙👍

[@jimgerock9190]

I could smell the old gas and burning rubber. Assume you’ve purchased parts from Blunttech?

[@rayfrench8808]

A can of liquid wrench a d a wire brush mt save this guy some time and frustration???? Just a thought!!!

[@pks41805]

Damn, you must be fond of this girl.

[@Dennis.B7]

Remind me never to buy this kind of car that costs a fortune and that, in the end, there are only stupid drivers in this brand who think they have a Lamborghini and pass us at crazy speeds like idiots on the road. I've never been interested in this kind of car, but in the Camaro, Firebird and Trans-Am. They were also fast cars, but I never disgusted people by overtaking them like a speed freak.

[@maoxian]

The Perpetual Dilemma of Bringing My Wallet.

[@committhis]

Where can i send you a giant box of nitrile gloves/mechanix gloves. I love these videos, but all I see is cancer all over your hands.

[@varietyyachtsvessels6769]

I Hope Your Girlfriend Appreciates You.