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  #1  
Old 10-14-2020, 02:56 PM
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Unhappy Looking for Reptubal Repair shop in East Lansing,MI

Daughters at college (MSU) and has a 2007 X5 3.0si (N52)
95k on it and the Water Pump and Thermostat just took a crap - confirmed

Had it take to University Foreign Car ( 2621 E Kalamazoo St Lansing, MI 48912) and they are trying to rap me at the tune of $1600 + tax. I expected to be around $800 - $1k with OEM parts

Here is what University Foreign Car are quoting me

$498.00 # 11517586925 Water Pump
$172.00 # 11537550172 Thermostat
$40.00 BMW Coolant
$25.00 Torq Boltz

$780 Labor ($120 per shop rate)

Their OEM parts are more expensive then the local dealer....this is not my first rodeo with Bimmers have owned several and currently my youngest has the same X5 that I replaced the above 4 months ago for $470 and my labor. 1st time doing this on a e70 and took me about 2.5 hrs


I am looking for a reputable shop that will not think and treat me like I have no idea what they are talking about and how difficult this job is....

thanks...
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  #2  
Old 10-16-2020, 12:46 AM
ard ard is online now
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Tough one.


So how far is 'CDA' from Lansing? If its Coeur d'alene, then a weekend with dad aint happening.....


I have a D- no E pump-... but my recollection is the going rate is around $1400. I bet you could get it for that from the BMW dealer (!) just by calling and asking.


One cooment. You are specing "OEM" parts. If I was a shop Id say "yup OEM" and install non-BMW parts. Id use parts made by the OEM that made the original parts for BMW. Pierburg or Behr or whatever. Parts that are probably 1/2 the OE price. (That part in the OEM Pierburg is $279. The OEM BorgWarner 'stat is $62)


Google maps>>>BMW shops>>>Yelp>>>call. Find someone that is willing to be fair. Try not to be a dick (it'll be hard). IMO the opening gambit needs to be "Dad that would save my daugheter with a weekend repair, but its just too far- hoping to find a fair shop that can help me out." Refer to the parts with the OEM manufactruers names, allow that youve priced it at just under 400. Straight Book time looks to be roughly 4.5 hours. (we are guessing here...) See what they are willing to do. And if they blow you up on the hourly guestimate, adjust it the next time you try.


I tried to find some shops there, using the bimmershops look up, nothing really. (Ford would be easy, eh?)

Finally looking here and at Bimmerfest for anyone posting "lansing" and "shop" might find you a person or shop that youcould PM


Good luck!
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Old 10-16-2020, 06:26 AM
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Thanks for the response I ended up getting it handled with the dealer and saving $600 found out from the nice service guy that University foreign car buys their parts from the dealer. also a Yelp search turns up pretty much the same experience that I had
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Old 10-17-2020, 03:45 PM
ard ard is online now
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EVERYONE buys their "BMW parts" from a BMW dealer, one way or the other.


Glad it worked out
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Old 10-17-2020, 03:51 PM
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Right I do got that but for a independent BMW repair shop to even markup what you would pay at the $tealer is not acceptable

Bottom line is I should have done some research because it's all over the Internet about this place and their business practices with pricing...should have checked YELP!

Last edited by HellRazor35; 10-19-2020 at 02:30 PM.
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  #6  
Old 10-18-2020, 02:54 PM
ard ard is online now
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Im just speaking to the source of "BMW parts". The only people that get BMW parts wjholesale from BMWNA or BMWAG are licensed BMW dealerships.

BMWNA doesnt wholesale them on the internet...nor can anyone like fcp or rockauto or amazon 'cut a deal' with BMWNA to buy parts.


Dealerships have all kinds of pricing. Generally large volume local shops get their best discount, like 40% off MSRP (some lower I suspect, and may vary with part). Lower volume shops less. BMWCCA members maybe 10-20%. And some deaelrs actually charge MORE than the private MSRP that BMW suggests.


Your observation that the local 'BMW indy all the cool kids go to' is charging more than the dealer isnt unusual. People are dumb.


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  #7  
Old 10-19-2020, 02:28 PM
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Understood but still...they are marking up dealer prices and taking advantage of people....bad business if you ask me. I assume majority of the people that are actually using them for repair need to get a clue!

So any way its our there now and hope that this helps other avoid this shop in Lansing, Michigan.
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