BMW service

[Austin]

Gents, my son just sent me an email with items that need repair on his wife's 3-series. He took it for service at BMW Honolulu for a service light. This is what they gave him.

Aloha, here's the needed items for your vehicle:

service engine lamp issue

replace broken thermostat, expansion tank, flush system $1060.00

decarbonize upper intake, combustion chamber, fuel injectors, upload new
engine software $585.00

replace all loose fuel vapor components as per dmtl smoke injection
process $650.00

headlamp issue

headlamp is currently operating normally

tire pull issue

no significant tire pull was noted on roadtest, vehicles with new tires
can and will have slight drift to right due to new tire adhesion and road
tilt or crown to facilitate water drainange to the RIGHT

front lower control arm bushings will need to be replaced (estimate
$725.00) due to looseness and vehicle realigned thereafter ($325.00)

do not attempt to align vehicle until control arm bushings are replaced

I don't have experience with BMW but when a service light comes on, it usually means an emission issue. What do you gents think?

 

[BigRich]

I'd say that for $3,345 you'd think your daughter in law/son would've been having more problems with it than just a check engine light.

 

[Austin]

I'd say that for $3,345 you'd think your daughter in law/son would've been having more problems with it than just a check engine light.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Luc]

Seriously, $325 to re-align the vehicle? I know it's BMW but still... Last time I had it done, just the alignment, it was $50 and the guy did a very good job...

But yes, this sounds like something is very wrong. Did your son bring it to the BMW garage because of 1 service light? If that's the case, sounds like they are changing extra parts...

 

[FiveOhNine]

My old BMW needed about 15k worth of service in its first 18 months....all covered under warranty. Thing was a friggin trainwreck. Nevertheless, no bmw service quotes surprise me anymore.

I'm guessing it is out of warranty? If so, tell them to run as fast as possible away from the stealership and find a reputable third party service center.

 

[Luc]

My old BMW needed about 15k worth of service in its first 18 months....all covered under warranty. Thing was a friggin trainwreck. Nevertheless, no bmw service quotes surprise me anymore.

I'm guessing it is out of warranty? If so, tell them to run as fast as possible away from the stealership and find a reputable third party service center.

Stealership...

 

[nole1]

The only things I have done on my 3 series at the dealership is stuff covered under my warranty or maintenance package. Even then, they still charge me a $50 'deductible' just for being there

 

[Austin]

The dollar amount does not surprise me. It reminds me of my 911.

 

[Telecaster52]

replace broken thermostat, expansion tank, flush system $1060.00

was it having overheating issues?

decarbonize upper intake, combustion chamber, fuel injectors, upload new
engine software $585.00

How old is it, and how many miles are on the car? That sounds like upselling or "preventative maintenence" to me

replace all loose fuel vapor components as per dmtl smoke injection
process $650.00

sounds like there's a loose electrical connection on one of the smog components that's causing the check engine light

tire pull issue

no significant tire pull was noted on roadtest, vehicles with new tires
can and will have slight drift to right due to new tire adhesion and road
tilt or crown to facilitate water drainange to the RIGHT

front lower control arm bushings will need to be replaced (estimate
$725.00) due to looseness and vehicle realigned thereafter ($325.00)

do not attempt to align vehicle until control arm bushings are replaced

If anything, that bit of slack is causing the pulling to one side.

I don't have experience with BMW but when a service light comes on, it usually means an emission issue. What do you gents think?

IMO BMW's (and most other new cars) are set up to be so sensitive to minor emissions issues that the lights come on if you fart wrong. I'm actually surprised they didn't prescribe a $1200 timing belt replacement too

 

[ackvil]

The cost of BMW ownership is astronomical. My last one came with maintenance included (with oil changes). The day that the maintenance became my expense, the work needed to be done jumped tremendously. Oil changes, minor repairs, etc. would require one to take out a loan.

Plus, there were so many hidden charges. For example, my wife took the car in for BMW "recommended service" which included ridiculously high charges for rotating tires, replenishing oil and other levels, and windshield wipers.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

was it having overheating issues?

How old is it, and how many miles are on the car? That sounds like upselling or "preventative maintenence" to me

sounds like there's a loose electrical connection on one of the smog components that's causing the check engine light
If anything, that bit of slack is causing the pulling to one side.

IMO BMW's (and most other new cars) are set up to be so sensitive to minor emissions issues that the lights come on if you fart wrong. I'm actually surprised they didn't prescribe a $1200 timing belt replacement too

+1 on this.

PM sent to Austin.

 

[mdunn]

my recomendation - find a guy.

BMW stearlerships biggrin are stupidly expensive. Find a good garage you trust and go from there.

My old merc went to the dealer for its first lube service, was chaged ~$500, its second lube service (which had exact same work done, PLUS new wiper blades) was ~$200.

 

[dklaiman]

I'm guessing it is out of warranty? If so, tell them to run as fast as possible away from the stealership and find a reputable third party service center.

+1.

Tell them to find a good local mechanic. They'll save money and get more personal service. The mechanic will eventually get to know the vehicle and how they drive it, too. They may not get fancy coffee, flat screen TVs, or internet access in the waiting room, but I was willing to make that tradeoff.

 

[ouch]

I had a Chevy Prism which was essentially a rebranded Toyota Corolla. Stainless exhaust, timing chain instead of a belt, long life antifreeze, etc. I never opened the hood other than to change the oil. 120K without a hiccup.

 

[Austin]

I had a Chevy Prism which was essentially a rebranded Toyota Corolla. Stainless exhaust, timing chain instead of a belt, long life antifreeze, etc. I never opened the hood other than to change the oil. 120K without a hiccup.

So can you fix his BMW?

 

[ouch]

So can you fix his BMW?

No, but I know the best Mercedes guy in the country. It's probably cheaper to change brands.

 

[PedroNavaja]

Find an independent certified BMW mechanic.
He/she could go over the car an tell you what is needed and why.
My son's replaced the entire cooling system, radiator, pump, hoses, thermostat, expansion tank, belts, etc for about $900 in parts.
The emission problems is a different issue.

 

[hometownhero]

Sounds about right. An ex boss I had took his 328 in to bmw for a new headlight. One light housing was $370 Bulbs were $100 and install was $300 at the bmw dealer.

 

[johnniegold]

I had to replace the expansion tank on my BMW and that cost all of about $90 for that part.

I go to a mechanic that specializes in BMW repairs and he is fantastic. Fair prices. Great workmanship.

That's what you need to do. Find a mechanic that specializes in BMWs because the stealer will totally rip you off.

Someone I know went to one of those cheese and wine nights held by BMW wherein they tell you to "Bring you car in and we'll do a free diagnostic test of the car" at a local BMW dealer.

They told him all the work that needed to be done which totaled $2,100.00. He took the car to the same mechanic I am talking about. He charged him about $825 for the same work.

It's crazy.

Maybe check out the BMW forums for recommendations for mechanics in your area.

 

[Greybeard]

BMW dealerships make over 80% of their profit from the service center. I have a 1998 750i and have previously had a 325i and a 735i. BMW has a tendency to try to replace everything that is not brand new spec.
There is nothing you have listed except for uploading the new software that can't be done by an independent mechanic.

BMW thermostats are prone to sticking and failing. They're proprietary and even independent service centers will have to order them from BMW. They're a PITA to replace and you do have to flush the system. There's no need to replace the expansion tank unless it's cracked, which unfortunately does happen. Labor costs will be cheaper from an independent.
The service engine light will come on if the thermostat fails. In fact the service light will come on for many minor problems.

There should be no need to decarbonize the system unless the car has high mileage. Put fuel injector cleaner in the tank and if the car is old and it hasn't been done for a while, clean/change the plugs and the fuel filter.
New engine software is usually unnecessary. Make sure that your son is using the recommended fuel grade. Higher octane than recommended will actually make the car run less efficiently.

Loose fuel vapor components are usually a leaking/loose vacuum hose and maybe replacing a sticking EGR valve. These will cause the service engine light to come on. BMW likes to replace all the hoses at the same time.

BMW lower control arm bushings are prone to failure. I would still get an evaluation from an independent mechanic and they can also do this work cheaper. I don't remember why, but front end alignments are more expensive for BMWs than other cars. They are still cheaper from an independent.

Gents, my son just sent me an email with items that need repair on his wife's 3-series. He took it for service at BMW Honolulu for a service light. This is what they gave him.

Aloha, here's the needed items for your vehicle:

service engine lamp issue

replace broken thermostat, expansion tank, flush system $1060.00

decarbonize upper intake, combustion chamber, fuel injectors, upload new
engine software $585.00

replace all loose fuel vapor components as per dmtl smoke injection
process $650.00

headlamp issue

headlamp is currently operating normally

tire pull issue

no significant tire pull was noted on roadtest, vehicles with new tires
can and will have slight drift to right due to new tire adhesion and road
tilt or crown to facilitate water drainange to the RIGHT

front lower control arm bushings will need to be replaced (estimate
$725.00) due to looseness and vehicle realigned thereafter ($325.00)

do not attempt to align vehicle until control arm bushings are replaced

I don't have experience with BMW but when a service light comes on, it usually means an emission issue. What do you gents think?