[MyCar]

Hi Everyone,

Looks like I need to replace the water pump on my 2011 xDrive. While I'm at it, I'm thinking it's a good idea to also have the thermostat replaced as safe measure.

Is this a difficult DIY, should I take it to a shop instead? I've read the xDrive has very little space to put your hands up to get the water pump out, is this true?

Thoughts?

[blown07]

Originally Posted by MyCar

Hi Everyone,

Looks like I need to replace the water pump on my 2011 xDrive. While I'm at it, I'm thinking it's a good idea to also have the thermostat replaced as safe measure.

Is this a difficult DIY, should I take it to a shop instead? I've read the xDrive has very little space to put your hands up to get the water pump out, is this true?

Thoughts?

Certainly depends on your level of skill/knowledge. I did the XI waterpump Tstat with the sub frame in place and it was a bear. Now that I know how to drop the sub frame in less than half and hour (engine support + six bolts + disconnect headlight level sensor) I would without question drop the sub frame if I had to do it again.

[GTRiNsane]

Definitely drop the sub frame. I did my water pump and thermostat 2 weeks ago in my garage without dropping the sub frame and I would NEVER do it like that again. Save yourself the headache.

[MyCar]

Originally Posted by blown07

Certainly depends on your level of skill/knowledge. I did the XI waterpump Tstat with the sub frame in place and it was a bear. Now that I know how to drop the sub frame in less than half and hour (engine support + six bolts + disconnect headlight level sensor) I would without question drop the sub frame if I had to do it again.

Originally Posted by GTRiNsane

Definitely drop the sub frame. I did my water pump and thermostat 2 weeks ago in my garage without dropping the sub frame and I would NEVER do it like that again. Save yourself the headache.

Yikes, I don't know how to drop a sub frame and sounds like the engine needs to be supported from top. I better just take it to a mechanic shop. While the sub frame is dropped what else do you all suggest I get done, maybe I can minimize labor hours by getting everything done at the same time instead of taking the car back later.

Any other preventative stuff I should get replaced while the subframe is dropped?

[Speedy_12139]

Originally Posted by MyCar

Yikes, I don't know how to drop a sub frame and sounds like the engine needs to be supported from top. I better just take it to a mechanic shop. While the sub frame is dropped what else do you all suggest I get done, maybe I can minimize labor hours by getting everything done at the same time instead of taking the car back later.

Any other preventative stuff I should get replaced while the subframe is dropped?

Engine mounts, oil pan gasket, and rod bearings depending on how much anxiety you might have 🤣

[MyCar]

Originally Posted by Speedy_12139

Engine mounts, oil pan gasket, and rod bearings depending on how much anxiety you might have 🤣

Wow the rod bearings? Are those accessed from the bottom?

At what mileage should one change the rod bearings, oil pan gasket and engine mounts?

[IN54NITY]

Subframe? Really? I dropped the sway bar but that's it. It's not too difficult of a job if you have some mechanical ability. I read that some did this job while car was on ramps. I did my job while on jacks and removed the passenger front tire so that I had easier access to the bolts on back side of thermostat and the water pump.

My post: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...0#post20798650

on this thread: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784416

Edit: It's certainly a tight fit for the part without dropping the subframe, but certainly doable. Removing the right front tire instead of dropping the subframe worked for me, and I don't have small hands.

[MyCar]

Originally Posted by IN54NITY

Subframe? Really? I dropped the sway bar but that's it. It's not too difficult of a job if you have some mechanical ability. I read that some did this job while car was on ramps. I did my job while on jacks and removed the passenger front tire so that I had easier access to the bolts on back side of thermostat and the water pump.

My post: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...0#post20798650

on this thread: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784416

Edit: It's certainly a tight fit for the part without dropping the subframe, but certainly doable. Removing the right front tire instead of dropping the subframe worked for me, and I don't have small hands.

Hi, is yours an xDrive?

[type-dRew]

Originally Posted by MyCar

Hi, is yours an xDrive?

He has multiple spots under his name thats list an xdrive car and hes posting the xdrive sub forum. I'd say its a solid guess.

[IN54NITY]

Originally Posted by MyCar

Hi, is yours an xDrive?

Yes. Xdrive, 2009 with N54. Forgot to mentuin I had to remove fender liner, but that was easy.

[WINCOE92]

Originally Posted by IN54NITY

Subframe? Really? I dropped the sway bar but that's it. It's not too difficult of a job if you have some mechanical ability. I read that some did this job while car was on ramps. I did my job while on jacks and removed the passenger front tire so that I had easier access to the bolts on back side of thermostat and the water pump.

My post: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...0#post20798650

on this thread: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784416

Edit: It's certainly a tight fit for the part without dropping the subframe, but certainly doable. Removing the right front tire instead of dropping the subframe worked for me, and I don't have small hands.

Originally Posted by IN54NITY

Subframe? Really? I dropped the sway bar but that's it. It's not too difficult of a job if you have some mechanical ability. I read that some did this job while car was on ramps. I did my job while on jacks and removed the passenger front tire so that I had easier access to the bolts on back side of thermostat and the water pump.

My post: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...0#post20798650

on this thread: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784416

Edit: It's certainly a tight fit for the part without dropping the subframe, but certainly doable. Removing the right front tire instead of dropping the subframe worked for me, and I don't have small hands.

I did this on ramps on my xi without subframe or sway bar removal/relocation. It was a 10 hour day and you have to pull some contortionist sh*t but it is possible. Lowering the subframe will definitely aid in securing the tubing on the back sides of the thermostat and wp though it's not entirely necessary.

[IN54NITY]

Wow. I can't imagine doing the job without dropping the sway bar. Dropping sway bar took me 10 minutes. I did entire job in 4 hours with beer breaks.

[MyCar]

I called a mechanic shop that works on BMW, and they quoted $1,800 for labor, water pump, thermostat.

Doesn't that sound high?

[IN54NITY]

Sounds about right for a dealer or stealer, not an independent shop.

[IN54NITY]

Im on mobile, cant see if you have N54, N55, or N52, but water pump should be about $350, thermostat around $50 to $70, labor would be about $400. Definitely anything over $1000 is thievery. I wouldn't oay more than $800

[MyCar]

Originally Posted by IN54NITY

Im on mobile, cant see if you have N54, N55, or N52, but water pump should be about $350, thermostat around $50 to $70, labor would be about $400. Definitely anything over $1000 is thievery. I wouldn't oay more than $800

$1,200-$1,300 is what another shop is telling me.
I have N55 xDrive

[woodex m.e.]

I just did mine. I spent wayyyy too much time fiddling with stuff till i dropped the frame and removed the bumper. I think it was a little harder for me bcause of the single turbo conversion and the 3” intercooler piping off the massive intercooler. It took me 10 hours, would have taken me half that if i had 1) not cross threaded the thermostat bolts, 2) remover the bumper to begin with. I also had to loosen the intercooler cause it was interfering with the thermostat piping. The car is just a mess of good stuff in a tiny unworkable package.

[MyCar]

I decided to have a shop do it. They didn’t have to drop the subframe. It was a 3 hr job for them. All good now.

[hassmaschine]

I didn't think it was that bad (I've done a RWD car too, it was about the same IMO). I only dropped the swaybar. Dropping the subframe I suppose you could do, but it's not necessary at all. I didn't remove the bumper either, but I did pull off the right tire and fender liner.

[woodex m.e.]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

I didn't think it was that bad (I've done a RWD car too, it was about the same IMO). I only dropped the swaybar. Dropping the subframe I suppose you could do, but it's not necessary at all. I didn't remove the bumper either, but I did pull off the right tire and fender liner.

Most people wouldn't need to remove the bumper, but I needed to move my intercooler out of the way. The new piping and location is too large to remove anything. My situation is different than most. Not many big single AWDs out there from what I'm seeing.

I fought so long and hard to leave things where they were and it was just a waste of time. Best to remove those items and drop the frame about 4 inches for me.

[dima420]

Originally Posted by IN54NITY

Subframe? Really? I dropped the sway bar but that's it. It's not too difficult of a job if you have some mechanical ability. I read that some did this job while car was on ramps. I did my job while on jacks and removed the passenger front tire so that I had easier access to the bolts on back side of thermostat and the water pump.

My post: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...0#post20798650

on this thread: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784416

Edit: It's certainly a tight fit for the part without dropping the subframe, but certainly doable. Removing the right front tire instead of dropping the subframe worked for me, and I don't have small hands.

Second that, just the wheel and sway bar dropped. Took me 4 hours and its easier to put things back that take things off for the first time. Also, my hands are not small either.

D