2001 BMW 540i "Coolant level low"

Hi, I recently got the message "coolant level low" on the dashboard. I was around forty miles from home so I went to the gas station and picked up some coolant. When I went to put it in, it was full so I closed it back up. I drove home with no problem and at no point did the car get more than half way on the gauge and it did not visibly overheat.

I had just had some body repair work done at the BMW dealer's affiliated body shop where they had done some work because someone had backed into me. They replaced the radiator support, radiator auto trans, R&I condenser, purged and bled cooling system and added coolant. The shop was paid over $9,500 from the insurance carrier who backed into me while my car was parked.

I called them and they told me to bring it in. I had it towed to them since I did not want to drive it. They are now telling me that I need: cooling radiator, cooling fan clutch, water pump, fan pulley, coolant, purge and bleed cooling system and a cooling thermostat which comes to $2,047 (including $1,040 in labor).

I am certainly not a mechanic, but it seems strange to me that I would need all of these items all at once especially since it has always been serviced and maintained and lightly driven over the past eight years. Does this sound right to you? The shop said it was normal wear and tear. Still doesn't sound right to me especially since the car has not technically heated up.

What do you think? We are in Studio City and would like to avoid having to get the car serviced at the dealer and prefer independent mechanic shops since the car is out of warranty.
Thanks!
Gabby