This is my 38th car, a 1994 BMW 540i. Island green over parchment with 92k miles and a blown engine.

First step was to wash it and see what we're working with. I can't stand working with dirty cars & the value can really be hidden by grime. The wheel transformation is a great example

Today I've taken out the driver's seat to repair the common "seat twist" issue as well as clean the carpet. The carpet will be replaced with black in time, but for now it's gotta be at least presentable

Also, the reason I suspect the engine is toast: it's been here for roughly 12 hours, I haven't turned it over. Come out to the garage this morning and it's got this for me

Preliminary vac done on this side. Carpet will actually clean up just fine

More progress on the interior. Drivers side carpets cleaned, moved on to the center console area. Really getting into the books and crannies

Steaming the door sill plate

The engine has a literal hole in it. Time to come out

Tonight: did the other half of the carpet. Great results

Timelapse of passenger side carpet cleaning. Pretty satisfying

Today: got the new engine and got the old one torn further down & ready to extract

Also went into the inventory and pulled a new fender out. Bodywork to it was done years ago, just needs prepped and painted. Will blend it + door into the rear.

Aaaand out comes the engine

Where to go from here?

Continued draining the block and separated the engine/transmission

Pulled the bottom of the engine off today and found the piston as well as the head of the valve

Detailing the wheels

So satisfying to watch

S/o @marcrebillet on the keys

Painted the valve covers and spun the bolts/washers for an improved overall look in the engine bay

This new interior color is going to be the bee's knees yall

Cleaned the engine bay today in preparation to drop the new engine in tomorrow. Mixture of pressure washing and steam. I cover this process in this DIY:

http://www.mandbdetailing.com/diy/2018/6/21/cleaning-your-engine-bay

Before & after on the valve cover bolts and washers

New engine is in

This morning: Transmission in, driveshaft connected, heatshield reattached, exhaust hung back up

Got business to do this afternoon so wiring/starting will have to wait until tomorrow.

Ok so the engine is apparently seized there are 4 options moving forward.

An update:

Update pt2

IT RUNS LIKE A TOP

New, rust free doors ✓

Lil polishing going on

Polishing went well

Doors finished + washed

Carpet dyed and my azurite 540s rear seat installed for color reference. This combination is going to be insane