Hi all, new member, bought an 03' P5 auto two weeks ago. I'm VERY partial to wagons/hatchbacks, and for the last three years have been using a 99' 540iT as my only car, a 45 mile commute led to things being needlessly expensive and inefficient, unfortunately I love the damned thing, so I decided to buy something that was cheaper to maintain and operate to supplement the BMW, now it's been relegated to a project/weekend warrior status and sits in the garage for 4 days out of the week.
I wanted a daily driver, but not something I would consider a penalty box, I wanted something with character, nor did I want to drive around in a POS either, my list was short.
I used to work for Mazda locally when I was in college back in 02-03' I remember the P5 being one of my favorites on the lot, so when I was looking for a more practical DD it was on the list.
Car was in decent shape when I got it, some clunking from the front end and a fairly loud rattle from the rear over bumps. After some investigation I replaced the sway bar endlinks and bushings front (PITA!!) and rear, I also replaced the shock mounts while I was in there. The loud metallic rattle over bumps ended up being my driver side rear brake pads, needless to say new pads and rotors all around. I'm amazed at how cheap parts are for this car, then again I'm used to paying $105 a corner on BMW for rotors, not $35. This car is also immeasurably easier to work on.
Only remaining quibble is the following noise at idle, sounds like a pulley, or maybe something loose? goes away if I rev past 1Krpm?
http://youtu.be/wATBNYFkw0I
I also did a little paint rehab, buffed the paint lightly (previous owner did a decent job maintaining he exterior) removed a ton of pin-striping (previous owner got a little crazy with the Pepboys pin-stripping tape) and repainted the front/rear bumpers in my back yard. Also smoked the headlights and painted the indent on the back bumper.
I've already got some new wheels on the way (getting tires mounted on Saturday)
Anyway, after two weeks I'm already digging it and am very happy with my purchase.
Some pics:
Front and rear bumpers repainted on the back porch using rattle cans:
And some pics of my OTHER lady:
I wanted a daily driver, but not something I would consider a penalty box, I wanted something with character, nor did I want to drive around in a POS either, my list was short.
I used to work for Mazda locally when I was in college back in 02-03' I remember the P5 being one of my favorites on the lot, so when I was looking for a more practical DD it was on the list.
Car was in decent shape when I got it, some clunking from the front end and a fairly loud rattle from the rear over bumps. After some investigation I replaced the sway bar endlinks and bushings front (PITA!!) and rear, I also replaced the shock mounts while I was in there. The loud metallic rattle over bumps ended up being my driver side rear brake pads, needless to say new pads and rotors all around. I'm amazed at how cheap parts are for this car, then again I'm used to paying $105 a corner on BMW for rotors, not $35. This car is also immeasurably easier to work on.
Only remaining quibble is the following noise at idle, sounds like a pulley, or maybe something loose? goes away if I rev past 1Krpm?
http://youtu.be/wATBNYFkw0I
I also did a little paint rehab, buffed the paint lightly (previous owner did a decent job maintaining he exterior) removed a ton of pin-striping (previous owner got a little crazy with the Pepboys pin-stripping tape) and repainted the front/rear bumpers in my back yard. Also smoked the headlights and painted the indent on the back bumper.
I've already got some new wheels on the way (getting tires mounted on Saturday)
Anyway, after two weeks I'm already digging it and am very happy with my purchase.
Some pics:
Front and rear bumpers repainted on the back porch using rattle cans:
And some pics of my OTHER lady:
Last edited:
