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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

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

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 531 of 535

#5301 of 5349 Repair Advice by memphis10

Jul 02, 2012 (3:53 pm)

I have a BMW 325i, 2003 with 70,000 miles. Car wouldnt start and got it towed to an independent mechanic in Dallas that I found through bimmershops.com. Here are some quotes I got.
1. Bad Fuel Pump - $800
2. Bad power steering - Whole unit needs to be replaced - $3300
3. Gasket leak - $350
TOTAL - $4500
Are these prices ok? Is it worth spending $4500 for a car that is almost 10 years old but doesnt have too many miles on it. Please suggest other mechanics. I took it to Autoscope.
Thanks

#5302 of 5349 Re: Repair Advice [memphis10] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 03, 2012 (6:29 pm)

Replying to: memphis10 (Jul 02, 2012 3:53 pm)
I presume you have the M54 engine and not the M56.
 
So the pump is about $360 list and the labor is about 2.2 hours. Soooo, based solely on what you're telling me, the price seems high for that.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by the 'whole unit" but I presume you mean the steering gear and not the pump. The gear is $1280 complete plus about 1.6 hours labor. So that seems high as well unless he's replacing the pump, too. Can it ALL be bad?
 
Can't say about the gasket leak because I don't know which gasket.
 
I would suggest you tow it somewhere else for a second opinion and estimate.
 
I'm basing my comments on some guesses as to what's being done here.

#5303 of 5349 Re: Repair Advice [Mr_Shiftright] by roadburner

Jul 05, 2012 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 03, 2012 6:29 pm)
I think that memphis10 is almost certainly getting hosed. If he was a BMW CCA member he could check with his local chapter to find an honest and competent shop. In almost 17 years of ownership the largest check that I've ever written for non-scheduled maintenance on my 133,000 mile 1995 3 Series track rat was $230- for a new heater flange coupling. At my BMW dealer.
I sincerely hope that shop quote includes a kiss and fresh flowers delivered the next morning...

#5304 of 5349 2006 BMW 330i by valueseeker627

Jul 12, 2012 (1:32 am)

Hi All,
 
I am purchasing a BMW 330i with about 85k miles. I want to make sure the car is in good condition and have it inspected by the BMW dealer in town. My concerns are:
 
What types of repairs are expected at this mileage level?
Can the person selling the car tamper with the check engine light by cancelling the message on the onboard computer? I have heard of some people doing this and selling used cars. Once the new owner buys the car and drives for a few hundred miles, the light comes back and they are stuck with more serious issues that seemed not to exist.
 
Also, if I take it to the BMW dealer, will they be able to conduct an inspection and tell me what's wrong with the car even if there has been potential tampering with engine lights, etc?
 
Thanks for your help. Buying my first BMW and have been cautioned by many that repairs can be expensive, so I'd really like to be cautious and could use advice!!

#5305 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330i [valueseeker627] by pt838

Jul 12, 2012 (5:50 am)

Replying to: valueseeker627 (Jul 12, 2012 1:32 am)
Hi, I recently sold my 2006 330Xi and moved up to a 2011 335Xi. Fortunately, I did not have much mechanical repairs while I owned the 2006, but you should be cautioned that the suspension for that model year is very rough. I do not know what part of the country you are located in, but I am from the New York area and had much problems with cracked alloy wheels due to the tight suspension and the city roads in New York. All potential owners of that model year should know this. Good luck with your purchase, if you live in an area with good road surfaces, you will enjoy your ride!!!

#5306 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330i [valueseeker627] by roadburner

Jul 12, 2012 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: valueseeker627 (Jul 12, 2012 1:32 am)
Also, if I take it to the BMW dealer, will they be able to conduct an inspection and tell me what's wrong with the car even if there has been potential tampering with engine lights, etc?
 
You can clear a code from an OBDII equipped car, but if there is an actual fault the CEL will eventually return. That said, a good dealer should be able to detect actual tampering.

#5307 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [busiris] by dan12

Oct 02, 2012 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: busiris (May 23, 2012 11:57 am)
I have a 2007 335i. Over the last 6 months, I have had to add 1 qt of oil every 2k miles which means about every 2 months. This just started. In the past I had to add oil maybe once or twice a year. The BMW dealer says this is normal. But if it was normal, why was it not happening when the engine was new?
 
I called another BMW service shop and the guy there told me that from what he has seen the 335 and 535 turbo engines don't last. This oil burning eventually leads to very expensive work and I should think about selling the car. I really like my 335i but don't want to keep it and get stuck with a $$$ repair bill.
 
Thoughts?

#5308 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [dan12] by roadburner

Oct 02, 2012 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: dan12 (Oct 02, 2012 6:08 pm)
The rate of oil consumption you are experiencing is considered to be "acceptable" by BMW. That said, what worries me is the fact it began rather abruptly.
I haven't heard of any long term durability issues with the N54/N55 engine, but I tend to focus on NA and M motors.

#5309 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [roadburner] by dan12

Oct 02, 2012 (11:21 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Oct 02, 2012 9:31 pm)
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, the BMW dealer said that they consider it to be normal and that they will put it in writing for me. Maybe I should take them up on that. In the meantime I guess I will wait a few more months and see if the problem continues. I have an extended warranty so that makes me more comfortable with waiting..

#5310 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [roadburner] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 03, 2012 (10:42 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Oct 02, 2012 9:31 pm)
I wonder if he has some PCV problem going on here?

Messages Page 531 of 535

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