Progress on Project Raleigh E60 M5 (Patreon)

Video of the engine working after the rod bearings replacement - https://photos.app.goo.gl/8qAfTnAQMpVqMfja8

Where to begin. Rod bearings are done and they didn't look too terrible for miles and the crank is thankfully mint. I also did a ton of while-in-there stuff to the point that my wallet is crying.
I found that the main oil pump was damaged and replaced it with a new unit. Vanos pump had a cracked bearing race and I replaced that part only as the new pump is nearly 3k.

I reassembled everything apart from the suspension, let the engine warm-up and it overall sounds healthy, but there is always a but. A strange rattling noise is coming from the bottom (not the rod knock!) from the oil pump/vanos pump area. I cannot recall if it was there before, maybe it was, maybe not, my spidey senses are spinning their wheels. These engines are simply ticky bastards even when working fine.

Long story short, I took it apart again and dropped the oil pan cause I can't leave things alone. Nothing out of the ordinary but looks like the Vanos pump is bad after all as little plungers inside are showing some wear. That means I can't reuse this pump after all and need a replacement one. The new one is stupid expensive and I'm already 4-5k in parts into this project so I found a used one nearby for 700€, out of a low mileage engine that I'm going to inspect tomorrow if the guy gets back to me. Only then I can put it back together and see how it sounds. 

Anyway, just wanted to give you a quick update. My plan was to have the car fully reassembled by the end of this week, start working on the video over the weekend and have it out early next week, but that likely won't happen. I'll do my best but at this point, it's waiting on parts and doing a lot of troubleshooting and research. The video is probably going to be over hour-long but all wrench-packed action.

Also, I'm never selling my E39 M5. Apart from being better looking, it's so much simpler and robust machine compared to this turd. The amount of things that can go bad on this car is nothing short of impressive. On the plus side, at least I don't have SMG magicbox to worry about. 

Stay frosty and thank you all for your support!