Cooling service - dealer, indie or diy?

[XV8]

My X has surpassed 90k+ and recently had one coolant hose replaced at the dealership. Now, it appears that my expansion tank is the weakest link with a pin hole leak!

Was quoted $300+ to replace only that item along with labor. Since I know it's about time to change out the cooling system, figured to have them quote this job.

Dealer wanted $1700 for this job, they will replace the radiator, radiator upper and lower hoses, thermostat, water pump and expansion tank. Stated that I'm getting 25% off on the parts (original price is $1275) and 35% off on labor (original was $728).

Is this a deal for me or a steal for them? Also, any other parts I should look into replacing while I'm at it? Any good shops in NY/NJ area that can prob do all this for less?

[faz]

Definitely do get a quote from an Independent shop... these items are easy enough to do (mostly DIY type of work if you have the tools and the patience/time/place to do them), so definitely any good BMW shop should be able to do these with no worries.

[FSETH]

^^

You may want to look into replacing the valley pan gasket as well.

[hayaku]

the expansion tank itself is about 80 bucks.. very easy to swap out yourself...

if you want to replace the rest, here's general prices for the parts (of course you can source for cheaper):

100 - thermostat
140 - waterpump
5 - gaskets and o-rings
80 - expansion tank
30 - hose - expansion tank to upper hose
70 - upper hose
35 - lower hose
XX - other cooling hoses (i think there are 9 altogether but replace as you like)
45 - coolant and distilled water

drive belts if you need it
35 - serpentine belt
20 - ac belt

and if you wanted to do the valley pan gasket since you have it all apart:
80 - valve cover gaskets
150 - valley pan gasket kit


so for 1700 for them to do it, i rather do it myself...

[XV8]

Thx for the advice faz, FSETH and hayaku (especially for pricing out the items). Tho I'm not mechanically inclined, I'll be attempting to work on this with a buddy that's a mech. At least it'll be a good learning experience for me to get to know my X betta.

[hayaku]

xv8,

i'm almost done with my write up of the water pump diy and it includes the expansion tank removal and reinstallation. here are some very self explanatory pics for you in the mean time. i hope to finish the diy writeup this weekend and have it published in the articles...

there are 3 hoses that you remove by releasing the retaining clip and pull off. one from the bottom and one (that goes to the radiator hoses) from the side (that goes to the rear water manifold), and one on the top that goes to the upper radiator hose (be careful with this one as the formed plastic hose tends to break). if you do end up breaking the black plastic hard hose, then you can just use some bulk hose and replace it like i did (will have pics of this in my writeup)

other than that, there are 2 10mm bolts and the electronic sensor connector on the bottom.

extremely easy to remove. if thats' all you are looking to do, you can do this in about 10-15 mins flat...

[zilverz]

Originally Posted by hayaku

i'm almost done with my write up of the water pump diy and it includes the expansion tank removal and reinstallation.

Hi hayaku,
how is your DIY write up coming along? I probably need to replace my water pump soon and your DIY write up will be very helpful if I decide to do by my self.

Thanks,
John

[hayaku]

diy is done..

jeff is out of town and will post it up when he comes back. sorry for the delay.

in the meantime, if you have any specific questions, i, as well as tons of others here can answer it for you. it's a very simple process, just lots to go through before you get to the water pump.

[zilverz]

No need to be sorry.

Looking forward for his water pump DIY.

Thanks.
John