Help! need to know if these are dealer required repairs
 

Hi Guys,

Just need you opinion if 1) I need to get this done at a stealer and 2) how much would it cost at a dealer and 3) how much it would cost at a neighborhood car repair shop.

1. Outer CV boot (cv boot kit) for both front boots.
2. rear (rotor and pad) brakes
3. left and right valve gaskets covers replacement
4. high pressure steering hose

and lower priortiy
5. thrust rod bushings
6. coolant flush
7. brake flush

If you could answer the three questions for each item, I'd be so appreciative!

Asap, if possible. I need to give him a call back soon.

THANKS!!! :popcorn: :thumbup: :rofl: :nanana:

Local shop would be able to do the repairs and much cheaper. You can get the parts from any of the board sponser dealers.

These are folks i still use.

http://www.xoutpost.com/dealer-info/2...ht=San+Leandro

any idea on prices? range or estimate is fine.


thanks!

I would call around your area as the prices vary so much from place to place. Having said than I would not necessarily just go by price. Ask your family/friends for the name of a good local shop/s.

just need to know how much i need to put down on the game today. :rofl:

seriously, just need to know ball park prices in order to justify the quotes he is giving me today. the car is already in his possession - he's going to call me with prices shortly and need to know if there is a need to do it through the stealer at his prices (inside job) or just to go to the neighborhood joint.

for example, if the dealer says $400 for each boot and then it's $150 at the neighbor joint, do i really need to get BMW parts or not. that's kinda the whole purpose of this exercise.

thanks!

Do a quick search on the forum. A number of posts covered prices for these items over the last year from all over the country. $400 per boot is a lot of money but it is rated as a "big hours" job. I would go to the local guy as there is nothing special in the work.

cool. he actually quoted $330 out the door (inc. tax) what about the other stuff? any advice?

1) I need to get this done at a stealer and
No - none of this work needs to be done at the dealer. Much of it you could do yourself if so inclined. If not, I would at least bring it to a shop that is recommended on here or by BMWCAA - not the local body shop and oil change joint.
2) how much would it cost at a dealer
Dealer will provide a quote before they do any work - quote from dealer to dealer should not vary by much.
and 3) how much it would cost at a neighborhood car repair shop.
Zulu, pretty much answered your question - its hard to say. Prices can vary almost as much as 2X depending on quality and parts used. The variance will be greater depending on how much labour is involved etc. Vs, markup for the part. I would call a local reputable shop BMWCAA recommended and ask them for a quotation for the same work.
As a very rough rule of thumb I have found that a good independant shop typically comes in around 1/3 less than the dealership.

Good luck

humble bump. gotta call the guy in a hot minute, thanks!!! i'll report his quotes soon, too.

total includes tax and labor

1. Outer CV boot (cv boot kit) for both front boots. - 550-575 total both
2. rear (rotor and pad) brakes - 400 and change total
3. left and right valve gaskets covers replacement 500 ish total

what do you guys think? overpriced? decent? go or no go? includes tax.

THANKS!

#1 Rule: You get what you pay for. Work usually come with some sort of warranty for parts and labor, will yours???

rear brakes for $400?? The parts itself will cost $300. $100 for labor? It doesn't sound right from a dealer. If it's true, you get a excellent deal.

*Unless you are dealing with overpriced import vehicle repairs and marked up dealer parts.



The gaskets sound ok; those aren't expensive but time intensive. I can change the 3.0 valve cover gasket in an hour, but I have taken it apart a million times, and the 4.4 is different.

The brakes depend on what parts they are using. At least OEM spec, but I would do those myself and buy good parts. On a lift this should take 45 mins or less. You can order rotors (Brembos) off tirerack for 100> each and descent pads as well...point being the labor there is not too bad, but its also not hard.

The high pressure line is a $200 dealer part; 218 I believe. It is a three bolt job, once the sheild over it is off. 30 minutes tops. Hope it includes a bleed of the system and a refill of the PS resevoir - you will lose fluid.

I would do all of those myself, personally (and have) and leave the CV joints to an independant. Then again some people around here have done those themselves, so it is all relative.

None of this needs to be dealer, IMO.

If you plan on keeping the X I would ask how much extra it would be to do the front inner boots at the same time. They last longer but its cheaper to do all together than two now and two later.

$1480 for valves, brakes, and two cv boots. fair, i guess....