Any luck at junkyards?

[Obioban]

Broke off the trans swap into to its own thread, because it seemed useful but hidden:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/233507-s6-37-6mt-swap-info-broken-off-from-junk-yard-thread

[George Hill]

George Hill good on your bro, a bit different since you run a business

You say that like you think I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't work for a living. I'm an enthusiast first, which is why I'm not a good businessman.

[Obioban]

Classic project that is perfectly suited to a junk yard:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/235076-homelink-4-0-security-2-0-upgrade-for-homelink-mirrors-and-ceiling-modules

[jet_dogg]

George Hill good on your bro, a bit different since you run a business

[tlow98]

Sure there is; literally time, patience, and energy all of which are far more valuable than a few bucks. That is, unless you don't value those things then I suppose it's worth it.

There are also forum classifieds and ebay so I can't imagine the need for anyone to ever visit a junkyard. In fact, this thread is proof positive that there is no need because clearly people are surviving without doing so.

i never really understood the “time” is money argument past a certain point.

don’t sit on the couch, that time is money! When it comes to a hobby, it is what it is. You make your choices and move on.

[George Hill]

You drive an m3 and you're looking for parts at the local pick a part?

Smh...

A ZHP? Now that's a good score! Those transmissions are $$$$.

YEP!

[bigjae46]

If you find an 80’a or 90’s car with a V8 then it might have the 210mm ZF limited slip diff in it. Some non-M cars were equipped like an E32 750.

[usdmej]

It's different here in CA, they have them lifted up and it's safe + easyish to pull parts from them.

i was referring to norcal junkyards

cars around here are all lifted and then supported on old steelies, i only pull interior/engine parts when i go, but if i had to, would have serious reservations about working under them

[liam821]

Here in the PNW, it's pretty easy to find non-m e46 parts in junkyards, craigslist, facebook etc. M parts, just like everywhere else, are a bit harder. They're just worth too much money to end up in a junkyard.

[EthanolTurbo]

my local junkyard is large rock gravel based, and the cars are supported by literal steely wheels

are you guys really getting under and pulling large items out from under them?

It's different here in CA, they have them lifted up and it's safe + easyish to pull parts from them. Sometimes someone pulls tbe parts for you on their way to grab other stuff off the car. My brother found 2 manual trans off an E60 530i and something else that were already lying on the ground and pulled. He bought each trans for $300 each and sold them for $1k+.

[usdmej]

my local junkyard is large rock gravel based, and the cars are supported by literal steely wheels

are you guys really getting under and pulling large items out from under them?

[Obioban]

Yep.

Junk yard is awesome.

And efficient.

And fun.

[George Hill]

I love some junkyard adventures, but its been way to hot this summer. My time IS valuable but sometimes there is value in a junkyard trip.

I recently got some NLA shock washers for an E39... I was going to have to buy COMPLETE shocks just to get this one little part. At the same time I got an M50 NV head and intake which made it worth my time.




Or How about a set of E30 sport seats for $80




Or a pair of touring slicktop headliners ($50 total) and misc black trim, the whole pull was less than $250.




Or this mostly complete ZHP 6MT swap, with black headliner bits, muffler and 712 rack for (IIRC) less than $400.

[jet_dogg]

I try to be reasonable with it haha, sensors and stuff sure, but extra clips/connectors/bolts etc I just stuff in my pockets. My local yards sometimes overcharge on dumb shit so it's my way of getting some value back lol.

So what you're saying is that you're a thief??!! 😂

I love going to the scrap yard, and have had all sorts of projects result:
-got a full set of immaculate zhp trim for my M3 wagon
-got the manual sedan (extra belt mount point) sliders I’m using with my cobra Nogaros
-factory e46 seat heater pads (which you can’t buy separately) for my Nogaros
-retrofitted the factory backlit door handles from the e38 to my e39
-got a full manual swap for my e39 530i (trans, diff, driveshaft, accessories) for <$300!
-extra headlight housings for my e39 M5, which I used for my projector lens swap so I didn’t have to take it offline
-I’ve pulled all sorts of electrical connectors I couldn’t hope to find on realoem

If you’re the kind of person that likes working on cars, just walking the lot and looking at how they’re built and how crash energy is dissipated is fun. It’s probably the closest I get to window shopping 🤣

Just wandering around inspires projects I otherwise wouldn’t have thought of.

That could possibly be the case if cars were my only hobby.

[Ramps]

I got a spare GM5 module at a local wrecker from a 330ci for $20CAD (that's like $15 USD) and it worked great while I was replacing the relays in my original one. I got the dash trim and shifter trim from the same car for $10, in rough shape but figured for playing with wraps, paint, or CF etc it's worth it having.