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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

5349 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 461 of 536

#4594 of 5349 Re: 2002 325i Repair Estimate [qbrozen] by jamiem4

Mar 16, 2010 (7:20 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Mar 16, 2010 6:44 pm)
Thanks again...I'm making a list of what to have fixed and where! The BMW dealer said that the 'valve cover gasket has a slight leak' and to replace it is $661. I'm not a mechanic but I do realize gaskets will wear over time and it is a used car. I'm just not sure of the price. I just don't want my son to return, drive the car, and have something bad happen if I could have spent a few hundred to prevent it. I get the feeling that at 92K there will be normal wear items. I just wonder if there are any mentioned items that should go to BMW instead of the local "import car repair center"

#4595 of 5349 Re: 2002 325i Repair Estimate [jamiem4] by roadburner

Mar 16, 2010 (9:34 pm)

Replying to: jamiem4 (Mar 16, 2010 7:20 pm)
The dealer is hosing you big time; no way does it cost $600+ dollars to R&R an E46 valve cover gasket. I'd start looking for a good independent BMW tech here. A good indie shop will service your car properly for much less than the dealer that is trying to gouge you.

#4596 of 5349 Re: 2002 325i Repair Estimate [jamiem4] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Mar 17, 2010 (8:58 am)

Replying to: jamiem4 (Mar 16, 2010 7:20 pm)
Speaking for myself, I have a BMW "product", a MINI, which can be serviced at a BMW dealer, and the *only* things I would take the car there for might be....might be...very complicated electrical/computer work that could require access to esoteric tools or information.
 
Regarding the valve cover, there is a "leak" and there is what we call "weepage". A leak might drip on the ground or foul electrical parts, but weepage is not much more than a smudge of oil, a thumbprint of oil, so to speak, which does not require anything more than occasional observation.

#4597 of 5349 Re: 2002 325i Repair Estimate [Mr_Shiftright] by roadburner

Mar 17, 2010 (12:17 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 17, 2010 8:58 am)
Regarding the valve cover, there is a "leak" and there is what we call "weepage". A leak might drip on the ground or foul electrical parts, but weepage is not much more than a smudge of oil, a thumbprint of oil, so to speak, which does not require anything more than occasional observation.
 
I'd be willing to bet that any leak or seepage is coming from the left rear corner of the valve cover. It eventually starts to drip on to the exhaust manifold and you'll start to notice a burning oil smell in the passenger compartment. Replacing the gasket isn't rocket science, but it is a bit fiddly- you have to pull the coils and so on. My secretary had the same issue on her E46 325i and my local indie shop fixed it for less than $200.

#4598 of 5349 Re: 2002 325i Repair Estimate [roadburner] by qbrozen

Mar 17, 2010 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Mar 17, 2010 12:17 pm)
My secretary had the same issue on her E46 325i and my local indie shop fixed it for less than $200.
 
Yup. That sounds much more in the ballpark. 2 hours $80/hr and $20 for the gasket.
 
$661 is insane. Sounds much more like a quote for a head gasket job.

#4599 of 5349 cigarette lighter not working by uncleto

Mar 17, 2010 (2:43 pm)

Have a 325xi wagon that cigarette lighter is not working. does anybody knows what could be the fix. i used it to charge my cellphone.maybe its the fuse? any imputs will be much appreciated. dont know how much will they charge me if i go to the dealer.

#4600 of 5349 Re: cigarette lighter not working [uncleto] by qbrozen

Mar 17, 2010 (4:31 pm)

Replying to: uncleto (Mar 17, 2010 2:43 pm)
Fuse is always the first place to look.

#4601 of 5349 my 2000 323i doesn't start by carol47

Mar 17, 2010 (7:37 pm)

I tried jump starting, but the engine didn't turn over even once. the headlights turn on, as well as the interior lights and radio. I plan to get it towed to the BMW dealer tomorrow but want to get an idea as to the cause if someone has had a similar experience and it turned out to be something other than the battery.

#4602 of 5349 Re: my 2000 323i doesn't start [carol47] by roadburner

Mar 18, 2010 (8:04 am)

Replying to: carol47 (Mar 17, 2010 7:37 pm)
I'd still check the battery first. Have it load tested before the dealer starts throwing expensive parts at the problem.

#4603 of 5349 front suspension by uncleto

Mar 18, 2010 (11:37 am)

Just got back from the mechanic and replace the fuse for the cigarette lighter also had him check the front suspension cause im hearing som noise coming front axle. told me i needed both lower front control arm, ball joint and bushings. $900 parts, $380 for labor, ouch! forgot to ask him if could just repl. the bushings and ball joints. the car is 2001 325xi wagon, 70000m on it. do you think the price is reasonable, is it really necessary to repl. the control arm. i wish it was just easy for me to do, but im not that hands on.im gonna jack up the car later and check how bad it is. Thanks again for the imput youve been giving!

Messages Page 461 of 536

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