What is important to fix?

BRANDONPC

MEMBER
BMW 325

Hi all,

I'm new to the site. I just had the Inspection 2 on my 2003 BMW 325xi, 62k miles. They gave me the follow report (problems and cost to fix):

Alternater belt cracked-$148
RF axle inner boot leaked out all grease and clicking-$730
RR spring broken-replace both-$529
both front lower control arms ball joints have play in them-$1016
LR brake pad 1.5mm, RR pad 3mm-$540
brake fluid flush-$95
coolant flush-$159

Does anyone have any advice on what items need to be fixed now? Are these prices reasonable?

Thanks,
Brandon

6 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Before you do anything on this, I want you to get a second opinion. BMW makes a reasonable decent car and that sounds like quite a bit of problems for 60,000 miles. If you need help finding a shop in your area, let me know and I'll see what I can find for you.

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Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 AT 11:18 AM

BRANDONPC

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I took the car into a shop recommended by a friend.

Here's what they told me:

Alternater belt cracked-$148 barely cracked, no need to repair now. They almost never see one break. You will usually hear squealing first. $130
RF axle inner boot leaked out all grease and clicking-$730 Maybe it leaked a little bit, but no need to do anything. Can't hear any sound
RR spring broken-replace both-$529 The RR spring is broken, but right at the bottom. The car is sitting level. No need to replace.
Both front lower control arms ball joints have play in them-$1016 Can't see any play. No need to fix.
LR brake pad 1.5mm, RR pad 3mm-$540 yes, they're worn down, but you will get a warning light when it is so low it needs to be replaced. $160
brake fluid flush-$95 $60
coolant flush-$159 $115

Sounds like the dealer was really trying to screw me.
Maybe other BMW owners are rich enough to just pay whatever they say. They made it sound like the car was in critical condition and needed to be fixed immediately! They didn't want to let my wife pick it up without it being fixed, like it was unsafe to drive.

What do you think?

Brandon

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Friday, August 10th, 2007 AT 10:24 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
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IT is pretty much about what I expected and exactly why I wanted you to get that 2nd opinion. IT is too bad that the public in your area couldn't get a good exposure to this and it would be nice if you could take legal action against them. Scum like this makes us honest shops look bad and critically damage the relationship of car owners and everyone one in the industry. Part of the reason I am here is to help restore some faith for the good shops.

It sounds like you were treated honestly and qouted some fair prices. Do the brake fluid flush when you do the brakes. The coolant flush wouldn't hurt it and if you smartly keep the car for anothe 5 years, then you should flush it.

When the belt starts losing chunks or cracks are every 1/8-1/4 " apart, replace it then.

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Friday, August 10th, 2007 AT 10:44 PM

BRANDONPC

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4 POSTS

Thank you for your advice. It is difficult for most people to get this kind of honest information.

Brandon

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Saturday, August 11th, 2007 AT 10:12 AM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Not here it isn't.

Being here in cyberspace, it is hard to truley know where to send folks. I am interested in getting the shop's name, website and contact info that you took your car to the second time. I try to promote shops that are straight up.

It's tough to know how things are going to be at any shop due to the employee that are there. One time may be great, the next may be a horror. It is always good to get a second opinion if you think you need to, at the very least, it is good to keep a shop honest. Even the good intentioned can go astray for a variety of reasons including communication internally in the shop.

I feel good things went well.