How reasonable are these maint/repair estimates?

[NYRhockey]

Took the ZHP to the indy and they did a look-see on the car and showed me everything they found. Nothing critical that needs immediate attention but i asked to give me an estimate of everything we discussed.

Right now i just simply don't have the time to DIY as the family / 3yo kid takes up all my time, so need a shop to do it for me, but want them to do it reasonably priced.

I thought the windshield cowl and headlight lenses were excessive but at first glance the rest seem reasonable.

- OFHG and VANOS hose/rings. Replace crankcase ventilation. Replace power steering intake, hoses and clamps. Replace engine air filter. Clean engine oil/ power steering fluid leakage. Refill/bleed power steering system $1,300

- Valve cover gasket and spark plugs $485

- Headlight lenses pitted. Clean housings from sand/debris $477

- Brake fluid $124

- Windshield cowl/cabin filter $230

- Fuel filler cap $23

- 4-wheel alignment $120

- Cooling system (t-stat, w-pump, e-tank and cap. Tensioner pulleys, inspect drive belts, refill and bleed system $1,022

- Fuel filter assemply and fuel attachment hoses and hardware $242

- Manual trannyand differential fluids with o-ring seals $283

[NorCalZman]

Im beginning to see why some DIYers grab their chest in horror when they see what some shops want to charge for work.

I can only tell you what I have experienced first hand. I had a mechanic do my valve cover. I think it was less than you paid. I might try it myself next time.

You can buy new headlight lenses for less than half that and install them yourself in like 20 minutes (if you have a sedan). They clip on and off for goodness sake.

Same goes for the cowl and cabin filter. Maybe an hour because the wiper arms are a pain to pull off. But otherwise its really straight forward. You should really look at a few DIYs before paying that.

Check the price on a fuel filler cap from an online dealer.

Ill admit the cooling system took me the better part of a day since I had never done it before, so maybe you have no choice there.

You know they say that time is money, and in your case that really is the case. Since you have no time, Its going to cost you alot of money. lol.

[danewilson77]

Not reasonable.

"No flamesuit required"

[mbeckel]

Those prices are insanely high!

Sent from in the bushes

[NoVAphotog]

Took the ZHP to the indy and they did a look-see on the car and showed me everything they found. Nothing critical that needs immediate attention but i asked to give me an estimate of everything we discussed.

Right now i just simply don't have the time to DIY as the family / 3yo kid takes up all my time, so need a shop to do it for me, but want them to do it reasonably priced.

I thought the windshield cowl and headlight lenses were excessive but at first glance the rest seem reasonable.

- OFHG and VANOS hose/rings. Replace crankcase ventilation. Replace power steering intake, hoses and clamps. Replace engine air filter. Clean engine oil/ power steering fluid leakage. Refill/bleed power steering system $1,300

- Valve cover gasket and spark plugs $485

- Headlight lenses pitted. Clean housings from sand/debris $477

- Brake fluid $124

- Windshield cowl/cabin filter $230

- Fuel filler cap $23

- 4-wheel alignment $120

- Cooling system (t-stat, w-pump, e-tank and cap. Tensioner pulleys, inspect drive belts, refill and bleed system $1,022

- Fuel filter assemply and fuel attachment hoses and hardware $242

- Manual tranny and differential fluids with o-ring seals $283

I agree with NorCal on the time vs. money aspects.

The only one on here that is SORT of justified in that regard is the first one you listed. That is quite a bit of work and based on what I've read about the CCV replacement it is one of the most time consuming. That said, replacing the air filter and cabin filter is a joke. You can do those in less than 5 minutes, just undo the clasps and swap the old filter for the new one. Headlight lenses, swap out as NorCal mentioned, definitely overpriced. Cooling system overhaul seems overpriced as well...

As for the VCG and the spark plugs...that really is not a bad job at all. PLENTY of DIYs out there. And it seems vastly overpriced. I was quoted around 5-600 for all of those items as part of an "Inspection II." But still opted to DIY over time. Oil/Diff/tranny fluid change, plugs, filters, etc. Took a few months of finding time but they got done.

4-wheel alignment - standard pricing...have seen cheaper and more expensive but that's not bad.

I would shop around...no pun intended. Try and find a shop that can combine several of those jobs into one price as I found. Many of those things are part of Inspection II.

[NYRhockey]

thanks, guys. Appreciate the feedback. I will be contacting other dealers in the area for an estimate. Also thinking i will quote an Inspection II estimate on its own since as NoVa said it will cover a bunch of those items. Good idea.

[Vas]

I would run from that shop. Talk about insane price

[az3579]

The only one on here that is SORT of justified in that regard is the first one you listed. That is quite a bit of work and based on what I've read about the CCV replacement it is one of the most time consuming.

Those who know what they're doing could get it done in no time flat. My friend has literally done hundreds of CCV's at the dealer (he's a tech) and can do it in the blink of an eye. It may be a slight exaggeration, but there's no reason for all that work to total $1300.

[BADCLOWN]

T

- OFHG and VANOS hose/rings. Replace crankcase ventilation. Replace power steering intake, hoses and clamps. Replace engine air filter. Clean engine oil/ power steering fluid leakage. Refill/bleed power steering system $1,300 - i got the CCV parts straight from BMW for a very reasonable price. online outlets like ECSTuning have good pricing as well. labor seems high, I'm good friends with my INDY and he's a BMW guy, i paid parts and labor $500

- Valve cover gasket and spark plugs $485 - i think this is overpriced by a bit

- Headlight lenses pitted. Clean housings from sand/debris $477 - khoalty sells these for cheap, just replace them. again DO IT YOURSELF very easy to do

- Brake fluid $124 - replace and bleed system......seems okay

- Windshield cowl/cabin filter $230 - id buy the parts and do this myself, VERY EASY

- Fuel filler cap $23 - check autohauosaz or similar parts outlets online might be cheaper

- 4-wheel alignment $120 - seems okay i suppose

- Cooling system (t-stat, w-pump, e-tank and cap. Tensioner pulleys, inspect drive belts, refill and bleed system $1,022 - whew, again a bit high, id source your own parts online

- Fuel filter assemply and fuel attachment hoses and hardware $242 - if its just a fuel filter and hoses/hardware, parts are cheap, easy to install

- Manual tranny and differential fluids with o-ring seals $283 - id say this is somewhat reasonable



see above in bold

[WOLFN8TR]

I can't believe they could give you that estimate without laughing! Geez are you kidding me? I will do it all for $1000 plus parts!! [emoji2]

Do Not take the car to that Shop! Do DIY and thank US all later. Good Luck. [emoji106]

[slater]

those prices are high, i realize you are in CT though. :)

i would definitely take that list elsewhere and get a second and third opinion/quote. whereabouts in CT are you?

i can totally relate to the lack of time thing - BTDT, lots. but because i can't stand paying someone to do something i can do myself (and also because i don't like other people touching my car.... cue vincent vega quote: "you just don't mess with a man's automobile..."), i often times go out to work on the car after my kids are in bed. it makes for late nights, but it sure is a good way to save a bunch of money, build your skill set and make sure the job is done correctly.

peter

[Karl Lazlo]

I'm in CT with a high mileage E46 that I do very little DIY with. No way the lion's share of those estimates are grounded in any type of reality. Well, except maybe the alignment.

[ELCID86]

Good advice above. Try bimmershops.com for alternatives


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[FL116]

I'm still learning a lot about cars, so I want to do a lot of things DIY. With that said, even if I didn't want to do DIY, I wouldn't pay those prices. Just my 2 cents

[cakM3]

Took the ZHP to the indy and they did a look-see on the car and showed me everything they found. Nothing critical that needs immediate attention but i asked to give me an estimate of everything we discussed.

Right now i just simply don't have the time to DIY as the family / 3yo kid takes up all my time, so need a shop to do it for me, but want them to do it reasonably priced.

I thought the windshield cowl and headlight lenses were excessive but at first glance the rest seem reasonable.

On some of these items you're killing me. Some of these you can do within 10 minutes. Assuming you have a sedan, replacing your headlight lens is very simple and you can do this yourself and save yourself some cash....some items that are within your means to do yourself have been highlighted in bold on your list.


- OFHG and VANOS hose/rings. Replace crankcase ventilation. Replace power steering intake, hoses and clamps. Replace engine air filter. Clean engine oil/ power steering fluid leakage. Refill/bleed power steering system $1,300

This can be done especially if you have people there to help but if you don't have time I can understand why you would spend the $1,300 to have either your indy shop or BMW dealer to do this job...



- Valve cover gasket and spark plugs $485

Again I can understand you spending this money to have either your indy or BMW dealer do this but this can be done by yourself.

The VCG kit from ECS Tuning runs $58.28
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Gaskets_-and-_Seals/ES2792770/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Gaskets_-and-_Seals/ES2792770/)

and the plugs run $54.00 from ECS Tuning. I got the NGK plugs and have been happy with these.
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Ignition/ES10331/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Ignition/ES10331/)

you spend $112.28, do this yourself and save $372.72 ...



- Headlight lenses pitted. Clean housings from sand/debris $477

you can get new lenses from ECS Tuning for as low as $67.00 ea and then replace them yourself. Here are the links...
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/ES2550212/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/ES2550212/)

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/ES2550213/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/ES2550213/)

you spend $130.48 and install new headlight lenses and save yourself $346.52 ... sedans, like M3's, have clip-on headlight lens so all you got to do is remove your corner lights, lower headlight trim piece, and rubber headlight gasket/trim then unclip the 7 clips holding the headlight lens to the headlight assembly and simply swap out lenses. It's as simple as that. I can easily swap my headlight lens in about 10 minutes. :thumbsup



- Brake fluid $124

If you have some friends who have done this job it is relatively easy to do. It is easier to do with two people. There are several members here probably local to you or within driving distance who would be more than willing to lend a hand :thumbsup You end up saving money again by DIYing this.

1 liter container of DOT4 brake fluid runs around $11.95. if you have a few members lend a hand doing this you can save $112.05....

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Braking/Fluid/ES602/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Braking/Fluid/ES602/)



- Windshield cowl/cabin filter $230

Windshield cowl runs around $57.26, the cabin air filter $37.75; doing this yourself will save you $134.99

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/ES129793/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/ES129793/)

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Climate_Control/ES2215254/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Climate_Control/ES2215254/)



- Fuel filler cap $23

You can order an OEM BMW part for $18.94 from ECS Tuning and install this yourself. You save a few dollars but the amount you save adds up. :thumbsup

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Fuel/ES1900543/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Fuel/ES1900543/)


- 4-wheel alignment $120

- Cooling system (t-stat, w-pump, e-tank and cap. Tensioner pulleys, inspect drive belts, refill and bleed system $1,022

- Fuel filter assemply and fuel attachment hoses and hardware $242

- Manual tranny and differential fluids with o-ring seals $283

I know you said you don't have a lot of time and I realize just how convenient it is paying someone to work on your car but if you can squeeze some time to DIY just some of the items on your list you can save as much as $656. I don't know about you but for me this is another BMW mod ;) I'm sure you could use the extra money you would save by finding the time to do some of the DIY I pointed out :thumbsup Anyway just trying to help here...

[FL116]

On some of these items you're killing me. Some of these you can do within 10 minutes. Assuming you have a sedan, replacing your headlight lens is very simple and you can do this yourself and save yourself some cash....some items that are within your means to do yourself have been highlighted in bold on your list.



This can be done especially if you have people there to help but if you don't have time I can understand why you would spend the $1,300 to have either your indy shop or BMW dealer to do this job...




Again I can understand you spending this money to have either your indy or BMW dealer do this but this can be done by yourself.

The VCG kit from ECS Tuning runs $58.28
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Gaskets_-and-_Seals/ES2792770/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Gaskets_-and-_Seals/ES2792770/)

and the plugs run $54.00 from ECS Tuning. I got the NGK plugs and have been happy with these.
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Ignition/ES10331/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Ignition/ES10331/)

you spend $112.28, do this yourself and save $372.72 ...




you can get new lenses from ECS Tuning for as low as $67.00 ea and then replace them yourself. Here are the links...
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/ES2550212/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/ES2550212/)

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/ES2550213/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Lighting/Headlights/ES2550213/)

you spend $130.48 and install new headlight lenses and save yourself $346.52 ... sedans, like M3's, have clip-on headlight lens so all you got to do is remove your corner lights, lower headlight trim piece, and rubber headlight gasket/trim then unclip the 7 clips holding the headlight lens to the headlight assembly and simply swap out lenses. It's as simple as that. I can easily swap my headlight lens in about 10 minutes. :thumbsup




If you have some friends who have done this job it is relatively easy to do. It is easier to do with two people. There are several members here probably local to you or within driving distance who would be more than willing to lend a hand :thumbsup You end up saving money again by DIYing this.

1 liter container of DOT4 brake fluid runs around $11.95. if you have a few members lend a hand doing this you can save $112.05....

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Braking/Fluid/ES602/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Braking/Fluid/ES602/)




Windshield cowl runs around $57.26, the cabin air filter $37.75; doing this yourself will save you $134.99

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/ES129793/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/ES129793/)

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Climate_Control/ES2215254/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Climate_Control/ES2215254/)




You can order an OEM BMW part for $18.94 from ECS Tuning and install this yourself. You save a few dollars but the amount you save adds up. :thumbsup

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Fuel/ES1900543/ (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Fuel/ES1900543/)



I know you said you don't have a lot of time and I realize just how convenient it is paying someone to work on your car but if you can squeeze some time to DIY just some of the items on your list you can save as much as $656. I don't know about you but for me this is another BMW mod ;) I'm sure you could use the extra money you would save by finding the time to do some of the DIY I pointed out :thumbsup Anyway just trying to help here...


That is awesome info Charlie! That money that you save DIYing adds up and like you said, that's another mod :D :cheers

[cakM3]

That is awesome info Charlie! That money that you save DIYing adds up and like you said, that's another mod :D :cheers

Yes! That's why some items in OP's list was killing me because of the amount of money he could save....I used to be that way and in some cases I still use my dealer for services but through this forum (forum members I am lucky to have as close friends) I have learned to do a lot of DIYing to my cars. Like I have said, there is a lot to be gained by helping each other out... that's one of the many things I love about this forum... the members here treat each other more like "family", that's why I have made every reunion meet since becoming a member here... :thumbsup

[ELCID86]

He's in CT, Some of you guys hook him up with some DIY love!

[FL116]

Yes! That's why some items in OP's list was killing me because of the amount of money he could save....I used to be that way and in some cases I still use my dealer for services but through this forum (forum members I am lucky to have as close friends) I have learned to do a lot of DIYing to my cars. Like I have said, there is a lot to be gained by helping each other out... that's one of the many things I love about this forum... the members here treat each other more like "family", that's why I have made every reunion meet since becoming a member here... :thumbsup

Awesome! I look foward to growing in this forum more and getting to know everyone a lot better. I love forums that are HELPFUL, and don't crush people's car mods or taste. I know I will definitely have more questions when I start my DIYing. And I would definitely go to the reunion meet if it wasn't so far away. But maybe one year, I can get a group of people from Florida with ZHPs that would be up for a nice road trip? Sounds good! Lol

[NYRhockey]

Thanks, you guys are awesome.

Actually had a guy on E46F who lives ~30min from me offer to do the job for me for a lot cheaper than quoted. Haven't PM'ed for details but might go with it and see how much i could save.

Yes, some of the stuff listed i could try to venture myself but since they were things picked up at inspection i wanted to list it all. Just that in general terms i am not mechanically inclined so it'd take me a lot longer than someone who is, or has done work before on their cars.

[cakM3]

Thanks, you guys are awesome.

Actually had a guy on E46F who lives ~30min from me offer to do the job for me for a lot cheaper than quoted. Haven't PM'ed for details but might go with it and see how much i could save.

Yes, some of the stuff listed i could try to venture myself but since they were things picked up at inspection i wanted to list it all. Just that in general terms i am not mechanically inclined so it'd take me a lot longer than someone who is, or has done work before on their cars.

There are a few members from the CT area who I know can help..... They can show you just how easy some of these items are do to....once you know you won't be as hesitant in doing it :thumbsup "Knowledge is power"

In fact, I will be swapping out my rear shocks this weekend....

[Pip]

There are a few members from the CT area who I know can help..... They can show you just how easy some of these items are do to....once you know you won't be as hesitant in doing it :thumbsup "Knowledge is power"

In fact, I will be swapping out my rear shocks this weekend....

Start small, read lots, and always stay safe.

[danewilson77]

Start small, read lots, and always stay safe.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10214

[NYRhockey]

There are a few members from the CT area who I know can help..... They can show you just how easy some of these items are do to....once you know you won't be as hesitant in doing it :thumbsup "Knowledge is power"

In fact, I will be swapping out my rear shocks this weekend....

Agree if someone could show me first i would be less hesitant. I admit fear is a big thing for me to overcome when it comes to working on cars. The fear that i'll forget how i took it apart and won't put it back together correctly, or that i'll break something is significant. That, coupled with limited schedule, makes it difficult for me to venture out and do things.

[WOLFN8TR]

That's what we are here for. [emoji106]

[NYRhockey]

yea, this forum has been tremendous.

Do we have a mentoring program in this forum? ha

[az3579]

Some of those items I could help you with... I live in Bridgeport.

[NYRhockey]

thanks, AZ. I appreciate the offer. Which of these would you be able to assist with? i live ~30 miles from Bridgeport so it's not a bad drive.

[johnrando]

Glad the family is there to help. GL on the DIYs with them. Many of those are actually fairly simple, and you can do them at the same time. So not only are their prices high, they are quoting you "book hours" for the jobs individually. For example, when you do VANOS, your valve cover gasket and spark plug are right there ready to be changed out without removing any more parts to get to them.

Separately, this looks like a list of many things that COULD be changed out, but for them all to be at the point where they HAVE to be changed out is suspect.

Regardless, you'll be in good hands with the family in your neck of the woods.

[NYRhockey]

Glad the family is there to help. GL on the DIYs with them. Many of those are actually fairly simple, and you can do them at the same time. So not only are their prices high, they are quoting you "book hours" for the jobs individually. For example, when you do VANOS, your valve cover gasket and spark plug are right there ready to be changed out without removing any more parts to get to them.

Separately, this looks like a list of many things that COULD be changed out, but for them all to be at the point where they HAVE to be changed out is suspect.

Regardless, you'll be in good hands with the family in your neck of the woods.

These are not all immediate needs, just things they mentioned should get addressed between now (74K) and 100K miles.

[johnrando]

Cool

Sent from mobile

[az3579]

thanks, AZ. I appreciate the offer. Which of these would you be able to assist with? i live ~30 miles from Bridgeport so it's not a bad drive.

I've enlarged the items below that I can do for sure. I've boldened the ones that I could *probably* do given a proper DIY procedure outlined for it (since I've never done these items personally), or items that I could probably do depending on how bad it is.




- OFHG and VANOS hose/rings. Replace crankcase ventilation (I've done this but had a friend help). Replace power steering intake, hoses and clamps. Replace engine air filter. Clean engine oil/ power steering fluid leakage (depends on how bad the leak is; may have to remove lots of things to properly clean. Refill/bleed power steering system $1,300

- Valve cover gasket and spark plugs $485

- Headlight lenses pitted. Clean housings from sand/debris $477 (you should just replace these - they're cheap enough)

- Brake fluid $124

- Windshield cowl/cabin filter $230

- Fuel filler cap $23

- 4-wheel alignment $120

- Cooling system (t-stat, w-pump, e-tank and cap. Tensioner pulleys, inspect drive belts, refill and bleed system $1,022

- Fuel filter assemply and fuel attachment hoses and hardware $242

- Manual trannyand differential fluids with o-ring seals $283

[JB3]

This is one of the reasons I like having a 3rd vehicle.

Some indy's man. Not only will they quote this stuff with a straight face, but they will act like they are doing you a favor!

Edit: oh, forgot the reason for my post. It's good to see this forum helping out in such a way, you guys are the best. And subbed, for the parts and labor info. Be sure to update us with how the DIYs went.