Can My Flooded M3 Be Saved?

[OneSwellFoop]

If you want to strip it down to the frame and replace almost everything, then you can save it, but it'll cost you less money and be a lot less trouble to just make an insurance claim and buy a new one. Fortunately, for you, you ought to get a good value out of it with prices being what they are. Depending on options and configuration, you might get enough to pick up a 996 911 with the IMS bearing already taken care of.

[Nate047]

Not worth it. Sorry for your loss!

[sapote]

Your interior will likely be the least of your problems. Anything electrical that was submerged is unlikely to be salvageable. That includes the full wiring harness - which (in my experience) is always toast.

If the battery was disconnected then most electronic modules/parts should work after drying up all moisture. But with fresh water flood there is still hope.

OP, to save the engine, change the oil, then you need to crank the engine to lube all critical components by shot gun the starter to turn it: disconnect the starter big cable from the right fender jump post, then jump that cable to a good battery (battery negative to car chassis). you need to bypass the EWS by pulling out the two smaller wires off the starter, then use a short wire to jump from the big 12v nut to the small terminal (used to connected to EWS wire) and this should spin the engine (remove the spark plugs before doing this).

Soak up the carpet then use hair dryer.

You are racing against the clock.

[Obioban]

If it was completely submerged… it’s sadly time to let go. She’s done.

[lvm3sm46]

Between insurance and parting it out you should get some good money. I thinking moving on is the best idea.

[Jimbo's M]

If the battery was disconnected then most electronic modules/parts should work after drying up all moisture. But with fresh water flood there is still hope.

OP, to save the engine, change the oil, then you need to crank the engine to lube all critical components by shot gun the starter to turn it: disconnect the starter big cable from the right fender jump post, then jump that cable to a good battery (battery negative to car chassis). you need to bypass the EWS by pulling out the two smaller wires off the starter, then use a short wire to jump from the big 12v nut to the small terminal (used to connected to EWS wire) and this should spin the engine (remove the spark plugs before doing this).

Soak up the carpet then use hair dryer.

You are racing against the clock.

Remind me NOT to buy a used car from you...

[eacmen]

How many pounds of rice will it take to submerge a whole car?

jk: Sorry for your loss op. Good luck!

[Onefastsicilian]

I’m local to you and luckily I had no issues but you’re one of many in the area. I work for westchester bmw and we had SOOO many cars towed in today that were flooded. One being a good clients 1M with single digit mileage and my other friends e30 m3.

Part out the good stuff that you can and move on. Or gut it and go to work on restoring.. those are your only options.

[tnord]

while we're on the topic....and I'm not trying to be a vulture here.....what's the opinion of transmissions being able to survive a flood? I could use one and it seems like one of the parts of the car that would be just fine even after being fully submerged.

drain it, fill it, drive it 50 miles or so, then drain and fill again?

I would think a diff should survive, what else should we be on the lookout for?

[FBloggs]

while we're on the topic....and I'm not trying to be a vulture here.....what's the opinion of transmissions being able to survive a flood? I could use one and it seems like one of the parts of the car that would be just fine even after being fully submerged.

drain it, fill it, drive it 50 miles or so, then drain and fill again?

I would think a diff should survive, what else should we be on the lookout for?

I lost a car in 2010 to flood water.
The mechanical bits I promptly flushed with cheap versions of their respective fluids, then some alcohol, then more cheap lube.
Saved them.
I dried the electronics but the boards were damaged and the ecu caught fire.

[EthanolTurbo]

I’m local to you and luckily I had no issues but you’re one of many in the area. I work for westchester bmw and we had SOOO many cars towed in today that were flooded. One being a good clients 1M with single digit mileage and my other friends e30 m3.

Part out the good stuff that you can and move on. Or gut it and go to work on restoring.. those are your only options.

1M with single digit mileage!!! What the FUCK

[Onefastsicilian]

1M with single digit mileage!!! What the FUCK

SAD... older guy in his 70s.. collects cars and lost that and a rare aston martin.... he was not happy. lol

[sapote]

I dried the electronics but the boards were damaged and the ecu caught fire..

If the battery was disconnected before the flood then most electronic stuffs should survive.

[lvm3sm46]

Advorsor do you have any updates? Did you go through insurance or rebuilding?

[TexaZ3]

SAD... older guy in his 70s.. collects cars and lost that and a rare aston martin.... he was not happy. lol

Yes, very sad. Having said that...should have driven them. Then it would be a 1M with 50k miles.... So wouldn't be that big of a loss...and some memories too boot.