[justalilbit]

Yeah this is why I got a third party warranty. If I have to replace the water pump twice in 4 years/80,000kms the warranty has already paid for itself

[stanlalee]

The problem with not going to the dealer is if it fails prematurely (which unfortunately is not uncommon) your screwed paying again. Pay outrageous dealer price and you don't have to worry about it for two years. I believe it's 2 years unlimited miles.
Whatever the case EVERYBODY out of warranty needs to find a good Indy. Until dealers start feeling the hurt from folks not going they can charge what they want. These cars are old and invaluable enough now to move on from the dealer and their prices.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Braumin

Water pump failed on my N54 last week. Normally I do my own work but due to time constraints I had it towed to the dealer. Looks like they charged me $1000 labor on the water pump and thermostat.

Digging into it (and it's not easy to figure out since they obscure the cost) they charged me $155 diagnostics (fine, whatever) $464.90 labor on the water pump, and another $387.50 labor to do the thermostat.

Anyone have the actual retail job hours for this job? I'm going to have to "discuss" this with them but charging full retail for the thermostat as if it's a separate job is pretty underhanded. I knew it wasn't going to be cheap, but it appears they charged me full retail labor on the thermostat as if they didn't already have the water pump removed.

The stealership strikes again.

They absolutely double dipped on the labor. No question about it.

Parts are about $500.00 total and that includes the U shaped pipe that connects the two.

Water Pump - $382.00

http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/11517588885

Thermostat - $66.00

http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/11537549476

Connecting U shaped pipe - $32.00

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...5i-11537545665

Aluminum Screws - $8.00
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/11510392553/

Total - $488.00

DIY = free labor

Tow truck to your house ?

[Nitrousbird]

Originally Posted by stanlalee

Whatever the case EVERYBODY out of warranty needs to find a good Indy.

No, I'll keep working on it myself, thank you very much. There are a TON of DIY resources for this car and it's not that hard to work on. Why pay someone to do something I can easily do myself?

[BruceJ]

Originally Posted by SSW

$1300 ($US) for parts/labor/tax is what I had to pay to have my water pump and thermostat replaced. It was one of the lower quotes that I got for the work and I didn't/don't feel ripped off.

The cost just comes w/owning a BMW. Same thing applies to Porches and MBs. If you can't afford it, DIY or buy a Toyota. I own 2 Toyotas and don't pay for anything on them, except Jiffy Lube prices for oil changes, which enables me to keep repairing my f*cking 335i with which I definitely have a love/hate relationship. Love it when I drive it; hate it when I have to fix it which happens more often than not.

LOL!!!

LOL, I feel your pain, even though I DIY

[kkasson]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

The stealership strikes again.

They absolutely double dipped on the labor. No question about it.

Parts are about $500.00 total and that includes the U shaped pipe that connects the two.

Water Pump - $382.00

http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/11517588885

Thermostat - $66.00

http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/11537549476

Connecting U shaped pipe - $32.00

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...5i-11537545665

Aluminum Screws - $8.00
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/11510392553/

Total - $488.00

DIY = free labor

Tow truck to your house ?

Note that those aren't genuine parts...genuine is more like $450 and $100. Add 20% markup at the dealership and you're at about $550 or $600 for parts. If you're DIYing it then go ahead and get the VDO/Behr, but if he's going to compare it to his invoice then the parts should be about $600 or so.

But yeah, definitely sounds like too much labor.

[stanlalee]

Originally Posted by Nitrousbird

No, I'll keep working on it myself, thank you very much. There are a TON of DIY resources for this car and it's not that hard to work on. Why pay someone to do something I can easily do myself?

Well I figured it goes without saying those that can DIY should DIY.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by kkasson

Note that those aren't genuine parts...genuine is more like $450 and $100. Add 20% markup at the dealership and you're at about $550 or $600 for parts. If you're DIYing it then go ahead and get the VDO/Behr, but if he's going to compare it to his invoice then the parts should be about $600 or so.

But yeah, definitely sounds like too much labor.

If your going to own an e90 out of warranty your are either A going to have the $$ to fix it via dealer or independent shop and not worry about it, or B be able to DIY the problems as they come along and prevent others as a result of being knowledgeable.

The in-between answer is b@tching about the cost to fix it.

[3.1L Z]

Well, I don't go to the dealer for work. But, in US dollars the OEM parts at MSRP, which is you need to expect if not more, is $700. If your cost for the total job is about $1,300 US dollars, $600 labor is pretty reasonable in my mind. Not to mention new coolant and bleed. Basing the cost on aftermarket parts or other retailers is apples to oranges. They are ripping anyone off by selling you OEM parts at MSRP.

[gotturbo]

What little half ball isolator? Lol. Must have been right next to the extra o-ring I ended up with after my walnut blast/ofhg diy!

[Rdavg]

just did mine for right under 750$. the pump thermostat and coolant was 450$ and 250 for labor with my mechanic. bmw wanted to use no Vaseline at all and then asked me to smile

[ArfMeow]

Originally Posted by ArfMeow

Mine is being replaced as we speak, quoted just over $1,000 for Water Pump + Thermostat
Failed at 153KM

Total was $1,140 for Water Pump/Thermostat and Coolant Flush

[city1991]

Originally Posted by Nitrousbird

No, I'll keep working on it myself, thank you very much. There are a TON of DIY resources for this car and it's not that hard to work on. Why pay someone to do something I can easily do myself?

Water pump and thermostat are easily replaced? Mines still good, just curious.

[Nitrousbird]

Originally Posted by 3.1L Z

Well, I don't go to the dealer for work. But, in US dollars the OEM parts at MSRP, which is you need to expect if not more, is $700. If your cost for the total job is about $1,300 US dollars, $600 labor is pretty reasonable in my mind. Not to mention new coolant and bleed. Basing the cost on aftermarket parts or other retailers is apples to oranges. They are ripping anyone off by selling you OEM parts at MSRP.

$25 in coolant. This is the easiest car ever to bleed. A tech with a lift can do this job in a little over an hour. That's sure worth $600 labor and paying $250 too much in parts. It's a 3 hour DIY for a first timer.

[Sertone777]

Originally Posted by Nitrousbird

$25 in coolant. This is the easiest car ever to bleed. A tech with a lift can do this job in a little over an hour. That's sure worth $600 labor and paying $250 too much in parts. It's a 3 hour DIY for a first timer.

+1. But for those that fear dirty hands and being under a cat and turning a wrench that's the price you pay! Yikes

[N54Twin]

I bought my own parts from getbmwparts and paid $150 for labor.

[jr8896]

Originally Posted by Braumin

Water pump failed on my N54 last week. Normally I do my own work but due to time constraints I had it towed to the dealer. Looks like they charged me $1000 labor on the water pump and thermostat.

Digging into it (and it's not easy to figure out since they obscure the cost) they charged me $155 diagnostics (fine, whatever) $464.90 labor on the water pump, and another $387.50 labor to do the thermostat.

Anyone have the actual retail job hours for this job? I'm going to have to "discuss" this with them but charging full retail for the thermostat as if it's a separate job is pretty underhanded. I knew it wasn't going to be cheap, but it appears they charged me full retail labor on the thermostat as if they didn't already have the water pump removed.

I did the job myself, was very time consuming. Not sure on the hours it takes to complete the job but I do find it completely ridiculous to charge 300 more for the thermostat, it's so close to the water pump and easy to remove it takes 5 minutes to swap out -_-.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by HB E90

Great post. I drive a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 and my wife drives an Acura MDX. Both are super reliable and I want a 335?!?! So I can go through what you describe. I guess we would have to keep the two cars we have so we have something to drive when the bimmer breaks? LOL

That's why I kept my 1998 Nissan around...still DD

[Eagle1oh7]

Holy shit man! Glad I like to turn wrenches.

[Golferken55]

Originally Posted by driverman

Great post!

You’re absolutely right. My 335i has 101000 miles and already 5 times to dealer for repairs. 4 under warranty. I mean what company requires ignition coil replacement every 30k miles?!?! If not they fail like clockwork. I’m sorry guys but this is my last Bmw I will ever buy.

[driverman]

I've had 3 BMWs and loved them all, but I simply cannot afford them anymore. I sold my E90 3 years ago.

If I could work on them on myself or if a company leased one for me or if I inherited a bunch of money, I'd get another. But the way things are, I can't afford the repairs and maintenance. And cost isn't the only issue. All the trips to repair shops and trying to get everything "just right" was a PIA. I lost confidence in my car and I started to dislike it.

If I could afford it, I'd lease an M car, drive it while it's in its prime and under warranty and turn it in when the lease was up. And then lease another.

[macheff03]

Originally Posted by driverman

I've had 3 BMWs and loved them all, but I simply cannot afford them anymore. I sold my E90 3 years ago.

If I could work on them on myself or if a company leased one for me or if I inherited a bunch of money, I'd get another. But the way things are, I can't afford the repairs and maintenance. And cost isn't the only issue. All the trips to repair shops and trying to get everything "just right" was a PIA. I lost confidence in my car and I started to dislike it.

If I could afford it, I'd lease an M car, drive it while it's in its prime and under warranty and turn it in when the lease was up. And then lease another.

They certainly are expensive, but I love mine anyway. It creates an ongoing project that I am still too scared to conquer myself... well I will be doing my first DIY tomorrow, an engine air filter

Nonetheless I won’t be dumping mine...