[robc1976]

Originally Posted by MilehighM3

Definitely on a lift.
As far as the replacement goes, I leave all of the lines in the block and remove them from the turbo. With a pry bar or long y shaped trim tool you can reach behind the turbos and get on the oil supply line. Lightly tap on it with your palm to remove the line and as someone else mentioned, a penetrating oil of some kind helps out greatly to free up the lines. Spray all of the fasteners holding the turbos to the head as well with penetrating oil and most of the nuts should come off leaving the studs in place. I also leave the turbo inlet pipes, fan and subframe in place. Just gently pry the turbos out from the studs at top and pull outward from the middle of the engine to allow the front wastegate actuator to clear the webbing on the block. The turbos will roll out of the inlet pipes nicely, just be nice and easy as well as patient. The rear one should come out first and be installed last to maximize working space. Definitely pull the engine mount and bracket out as this will make removal of the water pump and thermostat much easier. I pull the steering rack out of the subframe also and remove the heat shield above it to allow easy access to the downpipes and the water pump/t stat. No need to remove the subframe or even the lines or tie rods from the rack, just the mounting bolts. Pulling it forward out of the subframe makes for a ton of extra access and is very easy to do. This applies to the i models only, not the x drive 3 series, that's a totally different setup.
Any others questions, feel free to ask. I've done a lot of turbo replacements and I am very familiar with the job.
Enjoy!

no need to remove the subframe but 45 minutes and you can have the subframe out...makes it so easy lol! Again, I was doing this on jack-stands to.

[Brule]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

Over 20 hours just to remove them? What happened? Why did it take so long?

RHD, First time and on floor jacks.

Very limited room with RHD.

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by Brule

RHD, First time and on floor jacks.

Very limited room with RHD.

So on RHD cars you have the steering column and the turbos on the same side? Yea that would suck!

[CoralRed335XI]

BMW swapped my turbos yesterday in 4 hours. That is legendary.

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by CoralRed335XI

BMW swapped my turbos yesterday in 4 hours. That is legendary.

I bet they still charge 14 hours of labor though...

[CoralRed335XI]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

I bet they still charge 14 hours of labor though...

Only cost me $50. Winning!

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by CoralRed335XI

Only cost me $50. Winning!

Yea, but if your warranty was expired, I'm sure they wouldn't charge 4 hours of labor

[Augster]

Originally Posted by CoralRed335XI

Only cost me $50. Winning!

Why would they charge you anything at all if it was covered under warranty, diagnosis included? Unless it's for something completely unrelated, which would mean that $50 really isn't for replacing your turbos. And all my local BMW dealers provide loaner cars free of charge.

[CoralRed335XI]

Originally Posted by Augster

Why would they charge you anything at all if it was covered under warranty, diagnosis included? Unless it's for something completely unrelated, which would mean that $50 really isn't for replacing your turbos. And all my local BMW dealers provide loaner cars free of charge.

$50 is the CPO deductible.

[Augster]

Originally Posted by CoralRed335XI

$50 is the CPO deductible.

Ah. Never bought under any manufacturer's CPO program so I didn't know there was a deductible!