One less ZHP on the road

[Chernobyl Prize]

Hey guys, it's been a long while since I've visited here. I was getting some serious vibration from either the drive shaft or the transmission on my ZHP. The dealership won't even offer me anything for it since the repairs could cost more than the car is worth. It was a great car for me over the years.

Is donating the car my best option or do you guys have any suggestions where I could get a little bit of money out of it? Here's my post from 2011 when I picked it up if you need any info: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3673-It-has-arrived!&p=79029#post79029

It seems like it should still be good for parts but if it's going to be a hassle I'll just give it to Make a Wish or something.

Thanks for any help!

[danewilson77]

Sorry to hear.

I'd part it out or repair it.

You should be able to get $4K+ on the parts.

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[az3579]

You could just fix it... it probably isn't going to be anywhere near what the dealer is saying, unless you take it to the dealer of course.

[Chernobyl Prize]

I've had it into a local foreign auto place, Les Schwab, and the dealership, and they're all puzzled where the vibration is coming from. It's pretty violent once you're over 30 mph, it doesn't feel safe to drive. There's also the front control bushings, a couple oil leaks, and other minor things, it's feeling like it's time to put it down. I might reach out around the area and see if anyone else wants to take the gamble though. I appreciate the advice.

[KTS317]

Miles? Auto or 6-speed?


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[BMWCurves]

Sorry to hear.

Whereabouts in Oregon are you?

[slater]

i'm sure one of the locals here can help you out either with diagnosing the issue, or taking it off your hands.

pics, mileage, details, etc? :)

[Chernobyl Prize]

You guys have me doubting things so I'm going to have another foreign auto place here check it out.

[az3579]

You guys have me doubting things so I'm going to have another foreign auto place here check it out.

I think that's a good call.

[Vas]

I would get a second or maybe third opinion.

Sounds like the dealer was just trying to have you do a trade in and purchase a car from them.

[danewilson77]

Yeah.... Your symptoms do not warrant scrapping a beloved ZHP.

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[jorbon]

Yeah, here's hoping it is something simple... When I had my convertible, I ran into a wildly erratic shake that came up through the 5-speed stick. Couple of shops looked and spelled out the various doom scenarios. I thought about dumping it/parting it, but then took it to one more shop. They saw that one of the weights on the drive shaft was loose. Super-simple fix for about 150.00. Hope you find something similarly easy.

[Whammy]

I'd bet good money it is the guibo/center bearing on the driveshaft. Unless you have an absolute POS ZHP, which I doubt, there is no way a $500 fix is more than the value of your vehicle.

[daytona90t]

I had a bad vibration in my car this past summer. Turned out that the center support bearing tore from its cage and also possibly damaged the drive shaft CV. I dropped the exhaust, rebuilt the drive shaft with a new Guibo, CSB, and CV all for around $350 and a weekends worth of work. While I was under there I also replaced the transmission and engine mounts for about an additional $120. Now the car as perfectly smooth. definitely all worth it.

[wstr75]

My car started shaking and it got progressively worse the faster I drove. It was the driveshaft guibo/center shaft. It was a cheap fix.

[John in VA]

I believe you only get a $500 deduction from donating a car, and you have to itemize to get it. Hope it's a reasonably-priced fix for you!

[az3579]

I believe you only get a $500 deduction from donating a car, and you have to itemize to get it. Hope it's a reasonably-priced fix for you!

~$3000-4000 as a parts car > $500 deduction, IMO. :)

[bandwagn]

$350 fix > parts car > donation

[brettbimmer]

You guys have me doubting things so I'm going to have another foreign auto place here check it out.Make sure they know what they are looking at. Too many "foreign auto places" are unfamiliar with BMWs IMHO. Hope you can find a competent and trustworthy one.

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[joeybananaz18]

I know we're coming off christmas and new years but are there any updates on this?

[Chernobyl Prize]

Thanks guys, sorry for the late update. It was the center bearing on the drive shaft as a couple of you guessed. There was also an issue with one of the brake calipers dragging, new control arm bushings, new radiator/cooling stuff, an oil leak, and some random other things. They changed the oil and did an alignment. It cost about $3,000 but I had them fix every tiny thing wrong with the car. When I got behind the wheel it felt just like when I first drove it! I'm still going to look for a new car but I'm going to take my time and enjoy driving the ZHP for a while longer. So one more back on the road!

[ZHPizza]

....guys?

am i....should i be the first....to....well ok.....

FUCK. YES. BROTHER.


Good on ya for fixing her up. Now go flog her a bit and get you $3k's worth!