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Need a BMW independent mechanic

BarkingGhostar

BarkingGhostar

Diamond Member
Morning All,

I live in Gwinnett county, GA and have a 2004 BMW 325i with 177K Miles on it. Back in June of this year the radiator expansion reservoir tank cracked and needed to be replaced. Note: All repairs up to date have been handled by the same BMW dealership service department that this vehicle was purchased new from way back in 2004. I thought the problem from June was fixed but then a mystery of disappearing coolant turned up. This is a third vehicle within a two-driver household and wasn't being driven much. About a month ago I started this car up and immediately noticed a low-coolant indicator lamp was on. Backed the car out of the garage and popped the hood, shut off the car and removed the cap to the radiator expansion tank and found the plastic float indicator was sitting on the interior structure of said tank. Added about a quart of coolant, replaced cap and all was well.

Drove the vehicle off and on for another month or so and then it sat for another week in the garage. Started it up on Sunday and same thing. I repeated my actions, this time adding at least another quart and got the same results. Waited until yesterday and brought the vehicle into the dealership service department and they quoted me what I felt was an absolutely exorbitant (ahem, highway robbery) price of US$1200 for the replacement of the leaking thermostat and two hoses. I say exorbitant because every online estimate where in I define vehicle and repair for my zip code quotes me 1/3 the dealer price at the highest. Today I try to find some quotes from independent garages that focus on German vehicles, if not BMW specifically but wondered if anyone in the Atlanta area might have any recommendations.
 
It's a pretty easy job. Just the thermostat and two hoses is like an hour of work. You might want to replace the water pump at this point too, and definitely the little temp sensor in the lower radiator hose. I replaced the leaking thermostat on my old 03 330i myself one particularly warm January day a few years ago only to discover that the stupid water pump was leaking too. No more days above 35 degrees so $500 later it was fixed at an independent shop. I took no chances and replaced everything in the cooling system (~$450, few hours of time) when I bought my 04 330xi last year.

If you can find a shop that will let you bring parts, this site has lifetime replacement on anything you buy through them, just send the old one back after you receive and install the new one: https://www.fcpeuro.com/

Look here for shops: https://www.bimmershops.com/
 
Thanks for that link. I found someone around the corner (essentially). I got the same work done for $455. I also knew from a previous BMW dealership service department visit that the clutch fan was pretty bad and this garage offered to replace it at no additional charge in labor since they had the original one off anyway. I took the offer. IIRC, BMW wants $1400 to repair the clutch fan last year and declined. While the fan seemed to always run on high, the engine temp never ran hot/cold.

The one thing I will say about this garage is the repair labor hours was 2 compared to BMW's 5, this was in addition to this garage's labor rate that was half BMW's rate (understandable). And this garage offers as standard 24-months/24K miles whichever comes LAST. And this garage was slammed yesterday. They must have had a dozen vehicles double-parked.
 
Wow, you've always had service work done at the Bimmer stealership? 😱

I got an oil change done on Monday, that is the one thing they are competitive at. Even then, the "service advisor" tried to charge me $100 + tax instead of the nationally advertised $90. I did not bother asking him for quotes on new spark plugs (supposedly done at 60k miles, I'm at 55k) or brake fluid replacement (every 2 years, so due next month), or the cabin air filter. And he didn't seem too interested in trying. I guess I look like a cheap bastard lol.

I'll look on Yelp for an indy shop to do the brake fluid work. Anyone want to recommend a shop in L.A. South Bay or northern O.C.?

The spark plugs seem relatively easy but I'm not a gearhead, so will decide if I want to DIY that job. Cabin air filter is a bit easier still, so I'll most likely DIY. I did that once on a 6th gen Honda Accord, and that was a PITA requiring dismantling the glove box. Super easy on a 9th gen Accord.
 
Cars and computers were always a bit of a nutter psychology. Buy car brand new and have dealership service department do the maintenance and repairs. Likewise, buy an Intel CPU that can be overclocked and never OC it. But lesson learned this time and if the repair holds true then I will be considering this garage for some other things in the near future for the '04 and the Tundra. Now, the '13 335 is still under manufacturer extended warranty, but that warranty is going to end soon (based on time and not miles).
 
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