JUST got $3,300 estimate from an Indy!!!

[lhordmclain]

To OP,

For the oil pan gasket - I Recommend power washing complete under body of engine and add oil dye to determine if oil pan "IS REALLY/TRULY LEAKING" - If proven then this is a big ticket repair for an Indy - Here in windy city some where around $900

For the CCV (M54) - GOOGLE & read about CCV SIB for the updated CCV parts numbers (oil separator and associated hoses) Cold weather package + the updated Guide Tube (aka Dip stick tube) - Well recommended to do them ALL TOGETHER

For the PS - I Recommend power washing complete engine bay, degrease with APC, agitate and rinse. Double check if the leaks are from the suction hose, reservoir or other hoses or lines. You need to be losing PS fluids to really make this line item a high priority.

For the belts - Might as well replace both serpentine belt (main drive belt) and a/c belt. OEM are from 15-20 bucks only. And consider replacing Idler and Tension pulleys (your call)

[oldskewel]

If it were me (I really like to work on cars, have all the tools, and like fixing things) I'd carefully investigate which of those items really needs to be replaced, then I'd do it really carefully, and have fun doing it all.

For example, is the whole accessory belt kit with pulleys and tensioners really just a result of ... "well if the A-belt has to come off, may as well replace it along with everything else"? If so, I would not replace all that. I might (and already did, actually) inspect and re-grease those pulleys as described in a nice DIY on here by cn90.

But, if I were unable to do all that myself (sounds like the situation you are in), but knowing what I know, I'd instead start asking the question - what happens if I do nothing? Put a pan under my parking spot. Check fluid levels regularly. Anything else? Can any of the problems possibly lead to further damage or risk of break-down? If not, I'd wait things out. If yes, I'd do the minimal set of things to avoid further damage and break-down risk.

And yes, as everyone else is saying, this estimate is ridiculously padded and inflated.

[GamecocksE53]

I just ran all of the part numbers online. It seems that https://www.fcpeuro.com/ has them all and they seem decent (OEM or OE parts)? Does anyone know anything about them?

After all of the parts searched for...here is the comparison:

Indy Shop $1,250.00 - Online $527.89

Wow....That is SHOCKING

[GamecocksE53]

Originally Posted by oldskewel

If it were me (I really like to work on cars, have all the tools, and like fixing things) I'd carefully investigate which of those items really needs to be replaced, then I'd do it really carefully, and have fun doing it all.

For example, is the whole accessory belt kit with pulleys and tensioners really just a result of ... "well if the A-belt has to come off, may as well replace it along with everything else"? If so, I would not replace all that. I might (and already did, actually) inspect and re-grease those pulleys as described in a nice DIY on here by cn90.

But, if I were unable to do all that myself (sounds like the situation you are in), but knowing what I know, I'd instead start asking the question - what happens if I do nothing? Put a pan under my parking spot. Check fluid levels regularly. Anything else? Can any of the problems possibly lead to further damage or risk of break-down? If not, I'd wait things out. If yes, I'd do the minimal set of things to avoid further damage and break-down risk.

And yes, as everyone else is saying, this estimate is ridiculously padded and inflated.

This was my initial thought as well. I just spent a nice chuck of change on a....ring.... and am now back in the saving world for....a wedding....

I cannot do these myself, I wish I could. I am going to take them in baby steps and do it one at a time every couple of months.

I have been keeping an eye on the oil for over a month now. I barely have to top off the oil. I put in about 1/2 quart a month to keep it a little over the 3/4 mark on the dip stick.

I have yet to need to top off PS. I check it weekly?? I am nervous that if I leave this alone for a while, it will break and break a lot of things at the same time.

The CCV I have no idea about.

[thrillcat]

My indy uses parts priced a little bit higher because the vendor will allow him to return the parts if they end up not necessary, or not fixing the problem we're troubleshooting. If we're not sure and just trying stuff, I'll let him do that. That way if he puts in a new XYZ and it doesn't fix the problem, he can pull it back out and ship it back and my bill drops substantially - I end up only for original install labor, removal and putting the old part back in is at no charge and we move on to try something else.

If we know what the problem is, he lets me source my own parts and pay him for the labor.

There's a good time and place for both.

[bcredliner]

There aren't many shops that will allow you to buy the parts as it is a profit center for them. In many cases the parts prices quoted are the retail price of parts purchased from BMW. If the parts are genuine BMW parts they carry a 2 year warranty.

I don't see the number of labor hours on your estimate. I would still want to know the cost per hour and compare with other good Indy shops. It is a big chunk of the estimate.

[GamecocksE53]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I don't see the number of labor hours on your estimate. I would still want to know the cost per hour and compare with other good Indy shops. It is a big chunk of the estimate.

Yeah I thought that was weird that it was not on the quote. Finishing up a couple of conference calls here at teh office (along with chatting with you guys and peeps on my golf forum) then I am going to call them and get their rate.

[cn90]

Originally Posted by GamecocksE53

...
1. PS reservoir, return hose, suction hose

2. Oil pan gasket (already replace the oil filter gasket and valve cover gasket)

3. Replace crank case ventilation valve with breather hoses

4. accessory drive belt.

#1. It is easy, piece of cake.

#2. I guess you can live with it, because the oil pan gasket job is difficult even in the M52 RWD model (such as E39 1997-2003 5 series), let alone the E53 AWD with the axle going through the oil pan. It is a nightmare job.
Just put a cradboard on the garage floor to absorb oil for now.

3. Search forum for CCV DIY, not difficult but tedious job.

4. See cooling system overhaul.

Don't be discouraged, if you manage to graduate from high school, you can do all these jobs.

[cn90]

Or sell the E53 and buy another one with lower mileage. Just a thought...

[GamecocksE53]

I would really love to do it myself, but just got off the phone with my brother in law and his buddy has a pretty reputable garage about an hour south of me. He specializes in fleet vehicles but has worked on BMWs, Audis and Mercs more times than he can count.

He said if I help and buy the parts, he will do the labor. We didn't talk specific numbers but I think this is the route I am going to take. Plus I can learn while helping him....