My parts list has grown quite a bit based on what I have found so far from the tear down:

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5engineparts3-18.JPG

Fortunately most of the added parts are pretty inexpensive. I'm leaving the motor mounts off the total for now.

Stunt... amazon / google shopping is your friend! I bet some of the prices can be cut in half with a little internet " bargain shopping"

Yeah, let us know what your actual prices are, $180 for the waterpump sounds like a dealer price. with your mileage, if you are doing the front flexdisc/guibo, I'd do the rear driveshaft center bearing and guibo also. Some people do the rear driveshaft CV joint as well.

162.74 for the WP:

BMW Parts - MYBIMMERPARTS.COM

$111 on Pelican. $113 Bavauto.

But are they genuine BMW?

I'd rather spend a bit more & get the real deal.

Also, Turner Motorsport for $119. Pelican is the only one who says what manufacture the part is, choices of Saleri or Graf, both of whom are OEM suppliers for BMW. The Saleri has a composite impeller which supposedly is what the current BMW pump is, Graf is metal.

To me, the waterpump is and always will be a maintenance item, around 100k on the V8's and around 60k on the 3.0's. Having bought waterpumps from the dealer and from 3rd party, they all last around the same mileage. Also, keep in mind that it was the famous BMW plastic impellers on the M50/M52's that had the lovely habit of breaking apart and overheating engines. Genuine BMW doesn't always mean its the best. Just means its the most expensive.

If it has the OE part # on it... it's original

spending a bit more means you just have too much $$$ to burn

Saving a few bucks & having your 10k motor blow up means you were penny wise & pound foolish.


As far as plastic impellers (A) different motor & (B) issue has been rectified.

Problem corrected by the new style composite impellers, as found on the Saleri pump.

I've never seen a waterpump catastrophically fail to where it could cause engine damage except on the E36's; plastic impellers AND 1 metal impeller with a bearing failure that caused the metal impeller to impart significant damage to the pump chamber in the head. On the V8, and most other pumps, the pump will start leaking coolant as the first sign its on its way out. Then it will start making noise. It should be replaced before it starts making noise.