Hello there HUGE servicing bill!? Options please . . .

[richbmw]

Hey,

I'm new to the site and wondering where to post about servicing and repair options?

I own a 2011 5 Series SE Touring and I have just been hit with a few very expensive advisories on my latest service.

So I'm wondering what my options were . . . the advisories are as follows and the prices I've been quoted;

 

-Both front suspension lower arm ball joints have slight play (straight) £880

-Transmission sump pan and electrical sleeve leaking £585

 

Let me know your thoughts and if the above is reasonably priced or I have other options.

On my previous car you could change the ball joints without replacing the entire arm?!

Thanks,

Rich

[Bimmer Owners' Club]

Hi Richard...welcome to the Forum

Ouch!  That's expensive for those two jobs!

The balljoints, it would be cheaper to replace the lower arms completely with quality aftermarket arms and the transmission leak, I'm sure could be repaired cheaper.

I would seek out a reputable independent BMW specialist to quote you on the work and I'm sure it would be less that half that price quoted.

Let us know how you get on with it all

Cheers  Trevor

p.s. I have moved this post into the 5 series forum but left a link here as well

[richbmw]

Trevor,

Thanks for moving my post . . . 

In fact those prices are from a reputable independent BMW specialists . . . that's my dilemma.

I guess I could get a second opinion of another specialist but just wondered if there were any other options.

I was actually thinking of selling (and possibly upgrading) in the new year as well so not wanting to invest hugely in it.

Let me know if anyone has other thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Rich

[Bimmer Owners' Club]

If it were me, I wouldn't sell it with worn ball joints but you should definitely find cheaper to replace them as the parts are readily available and cheap.

Also the transmission leak, but is it a weep rather than a leak?

[Greydog]

Did you ever get this sorted? 

We just changed the complete front suspension on my Brother inlaws 5 sereis (2011) he brought a kit from ebay £400 and with some muscle from one of my sons we changed the whole lot in a day. So if you factor in 5/6 hours at Garage rates it would take you to £800 or so, if they were only changing one part they are taking the proverbial.

Regarding the gearbox leak any competent Autobox specialist will change the seals for you and top up the trans fluid. If they were quoting to change the trans fluid and filters with new gaskets and seals its still dear. I had the ZF trans in my X5 serviced last year (84k) cost was £335.

I think your BMW specialist still thinks he is a Main Dealer

[Bimmer Owners' Club]

I agree with Greydog...it does seem like the specialist is charging near similar rates to that of a dealer. I would think any reputable independent garage (all makes) should be able to tackle this sort of 'bread & butter work' for a lot less.

[richbmw]

Thanks for the responses guys . . . 

Yeah it seems my BMW specialist do think they're a main dealer! I got another quote from a different Specialist and they quoted around £800 for all the work.

I am actually selling the car now though due to a change in circumstances so I'm not sure whether to get it done or not.

Hmmmmmm

[Bimmer Owners' Club]

That's a much better price but as you are getting selling the car, it becomes dead money spent on something you're not going to get the benefit from.

Maybe better selling it at a lower price stating that the work will need to be done sometime?