View Full Version : Labor Cost: replacing cooling system
I plan on ordering all the parts from ECS, but looking for a shop to do the work. Found two different shop that specializes in BMW's, their estimates was around $400-450.
Would that be general cost of labor for replacing the entire cooling system minus the radiator?
Linh
Marcus-SanDiego
11-29-2010, 08:54 AM
That sounds like a fair price. I recently had the cooling system overhauled on my car. I did not do the radiator. Labor would have been right in that range -- had I been your typical customer.
Really? . . I though it was a little on the high side. I guess I'm just used to my Miata's cheap maintenance bills. I would rather save the money and do this myself. Anyone know recommendable diy project on the cooling system?
Linh
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 12:18 PM
It should take about 4 hours.....so....100bux/hr.
No way I would pay that.
Yeah, $100/hour + tax. . . With that amount I could buy the M performance suspension kit! =(
Marcus-SanDiego
11-29-2010, 02:25 PM
It should take about 4 hours.....so....100bux/hr.
No way I would pay that.
Dane, because you would do the work yourself. But if you were not doing the work yourself, you'd pay a labor rate. In San Diego, the average indy shop rate is $100 an hour. Therefore, this would be a fair price here.
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 03:06 PM
Nope....even if I didn't do the work I would pay it.....
gr330zhp
11-29-2010, 03:16 PM
Don't pay anything. Tackle it yourself :)
http://www.bmw330ci.net/maintenance/completecoolant.php
Very straightforward DIY...Should take no more than 5 hours. I did it in about 3.5 and I was taking my time doing it for the first time
Just my $0.02
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 03:17 PM
I would rather ride a scooter than pay that.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Funny/rolloin.jpg
kayger12
11-29-2010, 05:06 PM
Don't pay anything. Tackle it yourself :)
http://www.bmw330ci.net/maintenance/completecoolant.php
Very straightforward DIY...Should take no more than 5 hours. I did it in about 3.5 and I was taking my time doing it for the first time
Just my $0.02
^^^
This
Cooling system was the first diy I did on my first bimmer a few years ago. Hadn't done anything but oil and plugs before that. Took my time, used a diy and a Bentley, and made it through with no problems. And believe me, If I can do it anybody can. If you run into an issue you can find plenty of help here.
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 05:29 PM
C'mon......we will help ya out...
Thanks everyone for the support! Gives me more confidence to do the job myself. The parts are on order and I should be able to start on it sometime during December.
Will keep everyone posted on how things go. =)
Linh
Marcus-SanDiego
11-29-2010, 05:57 PM
This spirit of helping is exactly why ZHPMafia.com will succeed.
Thanks, guys.
gr330zhp
11-29-2010, 05:59 PM
Thanks everyone for the support! Gives me more confidence to do the job myself. The parts are on order and I should be able to start on it sometime during December.
Will keep everyone posted on how things go. =)
Linh
Good move!!
If you have any questions feel free to ask :)
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 06:45 PM
When you go to do it....I will give you my cell...as I have done the coolant overhaul on several e46's...
Will do Dane! . . . I've studied your maintenance list while researching on Bf.c and the first things I did was: Change oil and filter, cabin filter, and air filter.
Again, thanks everyone! looking forward in saving some moneys!
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 06:56 PM
Should do the diff and tranny fluid soon also. Pretty inexpensive guarentee that the expensive parts will last...
I have Redline 70w80 for the Transmission and will be using Mobile One 75w90 gear oil for the diff.
Brake parts came in today that included: Rotors (ZimmerMann), pads (Textar), and OE sensors. Bought them for just under $370 shipped!
Washburn
11-29-2010, 07:18 PM
Just curious: cooling system "overhaul" means replacing the old cooling system parts with the exact same OEM parts, but just new parts? or are any of those parts in the advertised "overhaul kits" (ECS, Tischer, etc) upgraded/better parts than what came in the car to be begin with?
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 07:21 PM
I have Redline 70w80 for the Transmission and will be using Mobile One 75w90 gear oil for the diff.
Brake parts came in today that included: Rotors (ZimmerMann), pads (Textar), and OE sensors. Bought them for just under $370 shipped!
Fluid?
gr330zhp
11-29-2010, 07:22 PM
I have Redline 70w80 for the Transmission and will be using Mobile One 75w90 gear oil for the diff.
Brake parts came in today that included: Rotors (ZimmerMann), pads (Textar), and OE sensors. Bought them for just under $370 shipped!
Use Redline MTL for tranny and Redline 70w90 diff fluid for diff. The Mobil 1 should do the job.
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 07:24 PM
Just curious: cooling system "overhaul" means replacing the old cooling system parts with the exact same OEM parts, but just new parts? or are any of those parts in the advertised "overhaul kits" (ECS, Tischer, etc) upgraded/better parts than what came in the car to be begin with?
No.....will need replacing again in 100k miles again.
Some guys do their exp tank every 20k miles.
I believe longevity is dependant upon NOT over filling your coolant level. I am still on the original one at 110k miles...
Fluid?
Yes, synthetic fluids for transmission and diff.
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 07:40 PM
No...for your brake system silly.
I was wondering, if there was any visual way to tell if the cooling system has been replaced?
No...for your brake system silly.
Oh that. . . just a $4 bottle of synthetic from Wal-Mart. =)
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 07:43 PM
If the parts have no BMW identifiers...it may be a sign....
If the parts have no BMW identifiers...it may be a sign....
I know BMW used specific fluids for the each system.
I researched on the Mobile1 for the diff, and people use it with no problem on their BMW's.
RedLine MTL SAE 70w80 API GL-4, it doesn't say anything BMW specific, but isn't all RedLine MTL the same?
As for the brake fluid, its Synthetic DOT 3.
danewilson77
11-29-2010, 08:00 PM
Oh that. . . just a $4 bottle of synthetic from Wal-Mart. =)
I don't think so Tim....
Haha. . . . Well Dane, what would you recommend for brake fluid? (Hopefully its something a local auto parts store would have)
Marcus-SanDiego
11-29-2010, 08:13 PM
I was wondering, if there was any visual way to tell if the cooling system has been replaced?
I know that when I recently did my cooling system, it still had the original expansion tank (the sticker was still on it).
Washburn
11-30-2010, 04:34 PM
So when's the holy mileage to do this? 60K? closer to 100k?
danewilson77
11-30-2010, 04:57 PM
Yeah...thats ballpark....60 - 100k
Some guys will do the expansion tank more frequently though.
I know that when I recently did my cooling system, it still had the original expansion tank (the sticker was still on it).
That's wierd. . . Looking at my expansion tank, I don't see any stickers on the back on side, unless its towards the front.
Marcus-SanDiego
11-30-2010, 05:46 PM
Yep. My sticker had the build date of the expansion tank on it, too. It's pretty big; you can't miss it. Maybe yours fell off.
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