What would you get?

[carenthuziast]

I saw an article about all the cars in Houston that were flooded out being hauled to an open area. I'm sure down the line, they'll be auctioned of or sold for parts.

If you were to get something off a flooded out car, what would you look for?

Rims and tires should still be fine.

[deansbimmer]

Depends completely on how extensively it was flooded. There will be quite a few totaled out M3's hitting the salvage auctions. all of the upholstery, airbags, leather, and electronic modules will be ruined. The engine and trans will require disassembly and reconditioning to remove the rust and corrosion. Water corrodes the cylinder walls and the pitting that results will greatly increase the cost to repair. Overall, they're a handful ($$$) to restore and will never be the same. From a parts aspect I avoid buying them since not much will be left in desirable condition for resale.

[SEMOM3]

Dean laid it out perfectly. General rule is that body panels and structure are good for parting to another build. Other than that, it's hit or miss, so order a big dumpster along with it.

[SpartaEvolution]

Oof. Good question. As the other users have said, most steel parts will need to be inspected or cleaned at the very least. Plastic pieces should be fine, but at the same time a lot of them have steel fasteners pressed or clipped in, so they may need to be cleaned up as well.

Do you think headlight / tailight housings could be saved? If they were properly sealed before the flooding, they might still be dry on the inside?

[SEMOM3]

Originally Posted by SpartaEvolution

Do you think headlight / tailight housings could be saved? If they were properly sealed before the flooding, they might still be dry on the inside?

That falls into that hit / miss category. Headlights are not rated for submersion and most of the time the electricals won't like it. Headlights will have vents which will allow water inside most of the time which will destroy any electric actuators, ballasts, bulbs, and controllers. Tail lights are normally only watertight as long as the trunk stays watertight, at which point the same will apply to those.

I've bought a couple of flooded cars for parts, and none have had functioning headlamp assemblies. If the water didn't get high enough to get into them, they may still function.

[deansbimmer]

Right, if the headlights (or tails) are submerged they will slowly fill with water. They have vents to dissipate condensation, they're not sealed. None on the electronics will work afterward, the internal hardware will corrode, and sediment will settle in the lens housing which can't really be removed without cutting the lens cover off.

Basically, if it's an assembly then it'll be a problem. If it's a single piece like a fender liner or suspension arm then those will be reusable.

[GRUESOM3]

The biggest problem with electronics in flooded cars is that they were most likely submerged with battery connected in which case everything gets shorted. This is how I lost a car during sandy this way and ended up on this forum.

Also depends if its salt water or regular water, that's a big difference. Salt water will do more damage.

They could be saved but you have to act immedietly, will require full dissaessmbly. The biggest challenge is the wiring, all connectors/modules should be taken apart and and put dialectric grease. Engine would need flushed and turned multiple times at the least and maybe disassembly. The amount of work and how quicly you have to act in most cases isn't worth it unless theres some sentimental value to the car. They will be all listed on co-part.com soon. They are good for body parts but other then that I wouldn't touch them.

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by GRUESOM3

The biggest problem with electronics in flooded cars is that they were most likely submerged with battery connected in which case everything gets shorted. This is how I lost a car during sandy this way and ended up on this forum.

Also depends if its salt water or regular water, that's a big difference. Salt water will do more damage.

They could be saved but you have to act immedietly, will require full dissaessmbly. The biggest challenge is the wiring, all connectors/modules should be taken apart and and put dialectric grease. Engine would need flushed and turned multiple times at the least and maybe disassembly. The amount of work and how quicly you have to act in most cases isn't worth it unless theres some sentimental value to the car. They will be all listed on co-part.com soon. They are good for body parts but other then that I wouldn't touch them.

Ah, the good ole E9X getting rarer and rarer every day.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by carenthuziast

Ah, the good ole E9X getting rarer and rarer every day.

Unfortunately no one wants the E93's so it won't help much with those owners.

[SpartaEvolution]

This thread reminds me of a Car Talk episode from years ago. The caller was a recently certified SCUBA diver who had found some old Mustang at the bottom of a lake which, other than the obvious, looked to be as good as new. The caller wanted to know if it'd be worth pulling the car out and attempting to restore it.

Click and Clack hemmed, hawed, and fired off jovial insults as per usual before telling the caller that if he wanted the (literal) bucket to stay rust free, he may as well pick the car apart piece by piece under water before bringing it to the surface, as only then would he stand a fighting chance against the cars impending rust filled doom.

Which is to say, the best thing that could happen with these flooded cars is for them to stay completely submerged until we can get our hands on them, but alas, the water, it ebbs and it flows, sands of time, yada yada yada.

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Unfortunately no one wants the E93's so it won't help much with those owners.

Ah, personal attack.

If I were mean, I would say no purist would want your two automatic trannys especially after they're 3 ft. under water, especially in the Tampa area which is the least prepared for a 'cane in a salt air environment, but I'm not that mean.

[BOOF-M3]

Lol lol lol. I own an E93. I'm ALLOWED to say that. I put the top down and headed over to karaoke. I love this car.

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Lol lol lol. I own an E93. I'm ALLOWED to say that. I put the top down and headed over to karaoke. I love this car.

Drive it during the 'cane.

[BOOF-M3]

Nope, garaging them, then heading to a hurricane party. Bunch of us watched the Mcgregor Vs Mayweather fight. Hurricane party is next on the schedule.

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Nope, garaging them, then heading to a hurricane party. Bunch of us watched the Mcgregor Vs Mayweather fight. Hurricane party is next on the schedule.

Which senior living center is this?

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by carenthuziast

Which senior living center is this?

Don't know whether to hate you or make you my new best friend. This one...

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Don't know whether to hate you or make you my new best friend. This one...

It'll be all water by this weekend. Ready the inflatable donut.

[decimation1]

I wish everyone in Irma's path the best wishes, it's gonna be a beast!