I think I am getting $crewed and not by a hot hollywood types
 

Folks,

I think I am getting $crewed by my Indy's. One is charging about $1200 for 2 Vanos solenoids and Front Brakes (Pads and Rotors), other is charging $2000 for front and rear brakes (Pads and Rotors) and 1 Vanos Solenoid (exhaust), while the $tealer I hate gave me a quote for $499 for front brakes. Amazing isn't it that Indys are more expensive than $tealers, well this is the bay area.

I am looking at some options:
1. DIY - I don't have jacks so should I invest in those (and upset my wife for cluttering the garage), but the bigger question is how reliable would it be, don't want to take any chances with a 2 ton rolling box of steel's stopping power. Any experiences folks can share?

2. Appreciate any suggestions for Indy's in the Bay Area, California, cheaper but reliable

3. Take it to the $tealer, though I think the Service Adviser probably gave me the wrong estimate for their value service, as on their website that is the price for the E53 front brakes.

Sigh. Bay area, say no more. Have you looked up the DIY for the vanos?

Brakes really are simple.... (what is the 'jackstand' thing you speak of?.... but follow that with the obligatory disclaimer. I have a floor jack and just dont put any of my body into a space that would kill me. Different if you are using a POS jack>)

I am not sure your diagnosis is complete... did they run a VANOS test? Not just read codes? Did they replace the vanos o rings when they last cleaned them?? Have you priced the parts online?

I looked at the DIY video for Vanos Solenoids and it looks like a 1hr job for a newbie like me.

I meant floor jack, but I don't have one. With the run flats the BMWs no longer come with one (another cost saving for BMW along with no spare, I can remember the days BMW used to market their full size spare).

I priced both the solenoids and the brakes:
1. Solenoids X 2 = $228 lowest
2. Front Brake Kit (Rotors + Pads + Sensor) = $135 Aftermarket (eline) - $550 for OEM

Looking at the OEM price of the Rotors and Pads it might just make sense to take it to the Indy?

Im confused..the indy will put in aftermarket parts. They say "OEM"...and you think OEM is BMW..but their OEM and your OEM are different.

OEM is the manufacturer that made the OE pads...it has drifted to now mean "anyone that once made a part for a BMW". So you say "I want OEM" (thinking I want BMW) and they nod and say "We will give you pads and rotors made by a company that made pads and rotors for new cars once".

My opinion. It is a point that you should clarify

I like centric parts.

Im a nut about OE parts- EXCEPT for brakes- it is a waste of $$$ imo.

Hey Jeep,

If you want a decent Jack but dont want to pay a lot take a look at the Arcan HJ2500 that Costco carry. I just bought it and used it yesterday. For $100 this jack is a steal ebay will go for around $180. Be sure to get yourself some jackstand if you plan to work under your car (dont just use the jack alone).

I too like the centric stuff.

Go to rockauto.com and get the 125 centric rotors and Akenbono ceramic pads and call it a day.

^^ Yup

Awesome, thanks, you guys rock.

I see 2 Centric Rotor options. 34096 has a slightly larger diameter I would go with the lighter one if that is the OEM Size.
Finding them the cheapest from a Google Trusted Store. Rockauto has them for about $10more and Amazon has them for about $20 more for each.

BTW, what do you think of Brembo 09.9923.11 Rotors? I am more familiar with Brembo than Centric and surprisingly they are slightly cheaper than Centric.

What do you guys suggest?

1. Centric 125.34098

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519hDEYRiaL.jpg

2. Centric 125.34096

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fpxbvMSbL.jpg

I would do option 1.

Isn't that what marriage is all about, finding that perfect someone that you can annoy for the rest of your life???

I have done brakes on all my cars ever since my dad taught me how to replace the pads. You may need to get a special too to push the pistons back into the caliper, but you should watch a Youtube video on how to replace the pads before doing to see if you have the mechanical apptitude to do the work yourself..