Hi friends. I need car advice.

I purchased a 2004 BMW 325i about a year ago. Over the weekend my coolant light kept coming on and off (plus I had recently hit 90,000 mi) so I figured it was time for a checkup. Per the recommendation of sparky, I took my car to Import Motor Werks. Here's what they said about the coolant light:

Quote :

"The client upon drop off of the vehicle on 08-09-11 advised that the Low Coolant Light Warning is illuminating in the Instrument Cluster. Please check and advise. The technician upon inspection advised that the Radiator End Cap is leaking and that upon further inspection that the vehicle has been involved in some sort of a front end impact as the radiator mounts are twisted on the frame and that the plastic in front of the belly pan area is broken. The Expansion Tank float is also broken at this time. The Fan behind the Radiator is also broken as it was pushed back by the impact. The client was made aware that it is recommended that she get in touch with Automotive Collision (919-552-0333) so that they can look at the vehicle and get her an estimate for repair. The client was made aware that the Coolant Level is low at this time because it is leaking and that we did not top it off as it would continue to leak out."

The guy also said I had to get that stuff fixed before they could do the preventative maintenance (more on that below). Instead of going to Automotive Collision, I took it to a trusted family friend who's worked on every car we've ever had. He said that the car had been in an accident but he couldn't find ANY leaks and it was just my senor that's broken. He agreed that some things were bent/twisted but still worked properly. Should I just leave it as is since it works fine? Should I even bother to get the sensor replaced? How much would that be?

And here's what they quoted me for the preventative maintenance:

Quote :

" __________________________________________________________________ Job03 Driveshaft Flex Disc + Seals $436.88 __________________________________________________________________ 26 11 1 227 410 Drive Shaft Flex Joint 1.0 Quan 23 12 1 282 394 Shift Rod Seal 1.0 Quan 23 12 1 222 771 Output Shaft Seal 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the Driveshaft Flex Disc is in the process of coming apart and that the Transmission Selector Shaft Seal is leaking transmission fluid. The client was made aware that when the vehicles Driveshaft is removed to access and replace the coming apart Driveshaft Flex Disc that it is recommended that the leaking Transmission Selector Shaft Seal be replaced at this time and also that the Output Shaft Seal be replaced. The client was made aware. __________________________________________________________________ Job04 Transmission Drain and Fill $90.00 __________________________________________________________________ MTL MTL 2.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Drain and fill of the manual transmission fluid. This service is recommended to be done every 60,000 miles. __________________________________________________________________ Job05 Rear Position Diff Mount $319.96 __________________________________________________________________ 33 17 6 751 808 Differential Mount 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the Rear Position Differential Mount is cracked and that it is recommended to be replaced to prevent continued lateral movement to the Rear Differential Assembly as there should be none. __________________________________________________________________ Job06 Differential Service $90.00 __________________________________________________________________ SVGQT 75w90 Gear Oil 2.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ A differential drain and fill is recommended every 60,000 miles to maintain proper lubrication, which extends the life of the differential. __________________________________________________________________ Job07 Fuel Filter Element Replacement $152.56 __________________________________________________________________ 13 32 7 512 019 Fuel Filter w/ Pressur 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Replacement of the vehicles Fuel Filter Element based on vehicle age and mileage. __________________________________________________________________ Job08 Spark Plugs Replacement $165.76 __________________________________________________________________ 3199. NGK BKR6EQUP 6.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Replacement of the vehicles Spark Plugs based on vehicle age and mileage. __________________________________________________________________ Job09 Front Lower Control Arm Bushings $294.56 __________________________________________________________________ PFF5 4601 E46 FCAB 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Replacement of the Passenger and Drivers Front Lower Control Arm Bushings that have play/are weak to prevent accelerated front suspension component wear and uneven front tire wear from occurring. __________________________________________________________________ Job10 BMW 4-Wheel Alignment $100.00 __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ The client was made aware that after the Passenger and Drivers Front Lower Control Arm Bushings are replaced that a BMW Alignment would be performed. The client would be provided a before and after alignment print out sheet. __________________________________________________________________ Estimate Cost Summary __________________________________________________________________ Tax: $42.32 Estimate Total: $1,742.53 "

I don't have a lot of extra cash, so that price made me . So is all this stuff worth it? What are the most important things I should get done? And can any of you do it for less?

PLEASE ADVISE KTHX

8/10/2011 12:10:47 PM

This is what happens when you go off buying a car without me around!


I don't really have any advice on this though

8/10/2011 12:31:25 PM

Its up to you... once i start think about half fixing a car i start half thinking about getting rid of it.

8/10/2011 12:40:26 PM

I'd like to keep this car for a while so I'm leaning towards getting it all done and just putting it on my credit card

8/10/2011 12:42:08 PM

I'm not saying that it won't work fine half fixed i'm just saying that i personally stop liking the car once i know it has problems i just don't trust it anymore.

8/10/2011 12:47:47 PM

Seems like a lot of those issues are minor things...that can lead to major things down the road. I wouldn't skimp on a car you want to take care of, unless you absolutely cannot afford it.

8/10/2011 1:00:16 PM

Maybe you should make a thread offering to FDT if TWW raises the money to pay your repair bill.

8/10/2011 1:23:31 PM

Seeing as how I've replaced or fixed on my (new-to-me) 325i as well I can tell you the plugs, control arm bushings, driveshaft flex disc and some of the diff carrier bushings (not sure if that's the actual mount they are referencing) are easy for a shadetree to do and will probably be less than half that cost for everything even using OE or better quality parts. The guys on here could probably do those. Depending on how many miles it has and how long it has had that trans leak would make me think whether its worth it for them to do the trans seal and flush. There is no dipstick and checking the trans fluid level regularly is fairly convoluted and requires a shop or a level lift compared to a conventional dipstick method. I would also exhaust all your cheaper options with your mechanic buddy on visual and electrical checks on something as simple as a sensor before you pay for all that frame/radiator repair.

8/10/2011 1:25:19 PM

^^Yeah I think I've fucked up my chances that for that

^omg I have no idea what that means

8/10/2011 1:31:53 PM

I apologize, refill your coolant and let us know if your light comes back on.

8/10/2011 3:57:40 PM

refilled it yesterday afternoon, level stayed the same, no apparent leaks on the driveway, light still on

8/10/2011 4:16:15 PM

Level stayed the same? Did you jiggle the float inside the cap (no homo)? Sometimes it gets stuck. If you can poke it, it floats freely, and it stayed the same level then the float level restrictor was keepng it the same level so it should be fine. Now if you poke it with your finger a few times and it feels or looks like it's not floating then you are way low on fluid and need to fill it up further.

You may have to cycle start/drive/turn off the car a few times or disconnect the battery for a few minutes for the code to go away. Id get your friend to check the sensor connection if none of that fixes it and then finally replace it if need be.

[Edited on August 10, 2011 at 6:10 PM. Reason : detailz]

8/10/2011 5:51:34 PM

The Expansion Tank float is also broken at this time.

This is what tells the light to come on and off IIRC.

Try unplugging the connector, and jumping the two wires with a paper clip. If the light goes off, replace the sensor.

As for the rest of the stuff:

Drive shaft flex joint is probably not a huge priority, depends on its current condition

MTF drain and fill not a huge priority

Transmission seals not a huge priority

Diff mount, if actually cracked, should be a priority

Diff fluid drain and fill not a huge priority

fuel filter not a huge priority

spark plugs not a huge priority

FLCA bushings are a priority

wheel alignment goes along with the FLCA replacement


So, my order list would be



1. Front lower control arm bushings

2. Differential mount

2. Drive shaft flex joint

3. Transmission seals and fluid

4. spark plugs

4. fuel filter

4. diff seals and fluid

5. Float

Keep in mind that this advice is sight un-seen... alot of things are situational dependent with car repair.


Like Chief said, this stuff could be easily done by a shade-tree mechanic for alot less.

FLCA bushings are gravy on e46

I havent personally done a diff on one, but most bmw diffs are not difficult to access. e30 and e36 are gravy, i cannot imagine a e46 to be too terribly different

Drive shaft flex joint is super easy

I dont know about those transmission seals, but usually just a matter of pulling the old one and tapping a new one in. Output seal should be easy to access, i do not know about the other selector seal.

Fuel filter, fluid flush and fill, ect are all easy. All three less than a hour of work.

Spark plugs on that care are <15 min job

E46 are easy to work on. Do not be afraid of the silly BMW hype. Its just another car.

8/10/2011 7:01:25 PM

Upon consulting a friend who is a BMW tech, he tells me the "Float" is not important. The float is the red stick that bobs up when the lid is off. This just tells a human how much coolant is there. The computer sensor is on the bottom of the tank on the passenger side of the car. More than likely this has something to do with your light flashing if you have recently added coolant and are sure it is full.

8/10/2011 8:52:00 PM

welcome to BMW ownership. Perhaps you should consider owning a Honda.

8/18/2011 1:29:46 PM

Weird.

So I have a 2001 330i and I just experienced the same thing (coolant light) but it has been losing oil at about 1quart/month since last July. I just bought new tires this July and while there, I was informed that the Passenger front right control arm was in trouble. I've ignored it since then and just got a staple in my Passenger REAR tire two weeks ago. I've refilled without it getting dangerously low, but I could tell I had to get it fixed soon.

I also took my car to Import Motor Works and this is what they said

Quote :

"The requests that we check the vehicle for Coolant and Oil Leak/Leaks. Please check and advise. The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the Oil Filter Stand Gasket and Vanos Oil Feed Line are leaking oil. The client was made aware. The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the Passenger Rear Wheel is "bent" and that when the vehicles tires are next replaced it is recommended that the wheel be straightened. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Job03 Oil Stand Gasket&Vanos Line $315.92 __________________________________________________________________ Replacement of the Oil Filter Stand Gasket (Located between the Oil Filter Housing and Engine Block) to prevent further oil loss from occurring and oil from contaminating electrical components. The technician while replacing the oil leaking Oil Filter Stand Gasket would replace the oil leaking Vanos Oil Feed Line at no additional labor charge. The client was made aware. __________________________________________________________________ 11 42 1 719 855 Oil Filter Stand Gaske 1.0 Quan 11 36 1 705 532 Vanos Oil Line 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Job04 Oil and Filter Svc - Synthetic $100.00 __________________________________________________________________ Lubro Moly Full Synthetic 5w30 engine oil Original Equipment oil filter Reset Service Indicator Affix oil change sticker to windshield Top off fluids Check and adjust tire pressures __________________________________________________________________ LM1140 Full Syn 5w-30 7.0 Quan 11 42 7 512 300 Oil Filter Kit 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Job05 Front and Rear Suspension Work $1,092.84 __________________________________________________________________ The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the Passenger and Drivers Rear Trailing Arm Bushings are worn/have play (and the Passenger Rear one is separated!). The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the Passenger and Drivers Front Lower Control Arm Bushings have play/are worn and that Passenger and Drivers Front Lower Control Arms are "very loose" and for that reason are recommended to be replaced at this time. The client was made aware that this work is recommended to prevent accelerated front and rear suspension component wear from occurring and uneven front and rear tire wear from continuing to occur. __________________________________________________________________ PFR5 4608 E36/46 RTAB 1.0 Quan PFF5 4601 E46 FCAB 1.0 Quan 31 12 6 777 851 L/F Control Arm 1.0 Quan 31 12 6 777 852 R/F Control Arm 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Job06 BMW 4-Wheel Alignment $100.00 __________________________________________________________________ The client was made aware that once the Front and Rear Suspension work is performed that we would perform a BMW 4 Wheel Alignment. The client would be supplied a before and after alignment print out sheet. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Job07 Rear Position Diff Mount $412.96 __________________________________________________________________ The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the Rear Position Differential Mount is "torn" and that it is recommended to be replaced to prevent continued lateral movement from occurring to the Rear Differential Assembly as there should be none present. __________________________________________________________________ 33 17 6 751 808 Differential Mount 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Job08 Drive Shaft Flex Disc $239.16 __________________________________________________________________ The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the Drive Shaft Flex Disc is cracked and that it is recommended to be replaced to prevent it from coming apart as it rotates on the vehicles drive shaft. __________________________________________________________________ 26 11 7 511 454 Drive Shaft Flex Joint 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Job09 Power Steering Fluid Flush $78.60 __________________________________________________________________ The technician upon Courtesy Inspection advised that the current Power Steering Fluid is "gray" in color and that it is recommended to be replaced and then a Power Steering Fluid Conditioner added to it. __________________________________________________________________ BG 3124 Synthetic ATF 1.0 Quan BG 330 P/S Conditioner 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Job10 Charcoal Cabin Filter Element $32.96 __________________________________________________________________ Replacement of the "dirty" Charcoal Cabin Filter Element to aid in improved interior cabin air quality. __________________________________________________________________ 64 31 9 216 590 ACC Cabin Filter Activ 1.0 Quan __________________________________________________________________ Payments to Import Motor Werks Cost Summary __________________________________________________________________ Labor 1,424.80 Parts 947.64 EPA 1.00 Shop Supplies 62.32 Subtotal 2,435.76 Tax 68.25 Total $2,504.01 Payments 0.00 Bal Due 2,504.01 Status: In process Work Order "

That's a shitload of money to fix a coolant problem that apparently doesn't exist.

[Edited on September 26, 2011 at 2:25 PM. Reason : f]

9/26/2011 2:22:52 PM

My god. I thought I spent money on car shit. Shops always reem so well

9/26/2011 10:01:05 PM

it appears to me that they are give you the "cover my ass" estimate so as to make sure that you are well aware of the things that will need to be done so that if the customer takes it somewhere else and that shop says, "hey, the last person to work on this is a moron and should have had you fix this, that, and the other..." they don't look like they half assed their assessment and kept you in the dark.

i do the same thing when i look at a car someone wants me to work on and at the bike shop i work at. most people ignore 75% or so of what a mechanic tells them, but at least the liability is then on the customer and not on the mechanic.

9/27/2011 12:52:42 AM

But you bmw Elitiests god dat money. What's with the complaiints.hahahaha
Fucking tools

9/27/2011 1:25:05 AM

Is it me or has the cost of going to a mechanic skyrocketed in the last 10 years? Cause I don't think it's me. This is why I buy old/simple shit that lasts forever and I can work on myself.

Good luck with your car, shoot zxappeal a pm if you haven't already

9/27/2011 3:06:28 AM

it has gone up.

the guy i worked for back in high school and during college summers only charged $40/hr, but most at the time were pushing $60-$70/hr.

the last time i thought about letting someone else work on my car i was passing through greensboro on a trip. my ignition module went bad and i was kinda stuck. got quoted $95/hr at like a firestone, and then $85/hr at an independent. i said fuck that, bought the cheapest ratchet and extensions i knew i needed for like $15, the module, and pulled the car up on the tallest curb i could in an abandoned lot and fixed it myself in about an hour.

having met more independent mechanics and small business owners in the past few years i have come to realize how much overhead there is combined with liability. not to mention having to cover disposal fees of materials that can't just go in the trash.

[Edited on September 27, 2011 at 10:53 AM. Reason : sorry, like marathon runners, run-on sentances are indeed difficult to follow.]

9/27/2011 10:49:56 AM