Although I hate paying dealer prices I agree completely with weasel56. The book time covers the extensive training that the technicians receive as well as the warranty on their work, which is usually two years. So if that regulate fails again in 18 months the dealer covers the entire job free of cost. Try going back to the Indy shop that put it in, they will replace the part you bring them from BMW but you are going to get charged for the 2nd repair.

As a technical support manager for a software company, we charge customers for custom integration and upgrades. I too have had to justify to customers why a 4 hour quote only took 2 hours to fix. At the end of the day it's an avergage, my best tech can do it in 2, my worst 6 - average 4.

If they are unhappy with the prices they are more than welcome to go to a reseller for service, 99% of the ones who do are back within a year.

Weasel56 keep up the great work - the BMW techs I have met in the past have all been excellent and take great pride in their work.