[Opie55]

When I got the free emissions recall work recently, they quoted me just over $1,000 to replace the belt and oil filter/oil cooler housing gaskets on an N20. I declined, and yesterday I did it myself. Parts (OEM belt, gaskets and coolant) were $115. It took me exactly four hours as I had never done that exact job and was anal about cleaning things really well. Using what I would have paid the dealer after deducting parts, that means I earned $221.25 per hour to tinker in my garage on a nice 75 degree day with the door open. I could do the job in half the time if I did it again, as could the dealer, which means you are actually paying a dealer a "real" labor rate of over $400 per hour. That's obscene.

They quoted $200 just for the belt. An OEM belt was $15.52 and it is literally the easiest belt to swap in the history of cars. A '65 Chevy takes longer. I could do one on an N20 in 3 minutes, as can a dealer tech. That is an effective labor rate of about $3,500 per hour. I'm sure glad I DIY.

[tracer bullet]

Yeah, you maybe didn't factor the parts cost as being jacked up, it makes the labor rates go down per hour. In the end though you are right and I won't argue w/ the calculations. DIY can save crazy cash.

I recently did Fr and Rr brakes on the X3, then the same on my 135i, and now it looks like I have a water pump (on the 135i) to do next. After all 3 jobs I'm out maybe $1000 in parts, and my time of course. I feel sure I'd have paid $3500 or more to have these done by someone else.

I've got a wife and 6 year old and so time away from them to do the work is time away. But between us sometimes you have to have that time away LOL.

[deyrag]

6 is perfect age to start helping

[HPR]

Shop rates are really crazy, particularly at dealers.

I saved myself alot in labor last summer when I did serpentine belt, tensioner, front & rear brakes (including rotors), trans fluid change, front and rear diff fluid change, and transfer case fluid change. Spent just over $1,000 on parts and fluids and saved about $2,000 in labor.

[tracer bullet]

I have seen that dealer prices can really fluctuate too, depending on... not sure what.

X3 got a new valvetronic actuator motor and an eccentric shaft. I was originally quoted like $5500 for the job. I said heck no, may as well sell the car. Service manager called back and said that was the standard rate, I could get the good customer rate at $3000 even. And they'd change the oil and filter afterwards, and flush the coolant as well since it was due. When I figured it'd be like $1600 or something in parts alone, I let them have it. I don't know how many hours they spent for that $1400 but it was worth it for me. I'll do brakes, suspension, and have my 1-er up on jack stands right now to do the water pump this weekend. Looking at the tools and procedures for the Valvetronic I let them have it.

My only real thought is - the prices are crazy, but occasionally can be negotiated or revised to be a little less crazy.

[Vikingstaff]

BMW part and service rates, car and recreational vehicle shop rates, and hospital bills/cost: among the major nonsensical and hardest to pin down costs in modern American society.

[KC87ZB]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Yeah, you maybe didn't factor the parts cost as being jacked up, it makes the labor rates go down per hour. In the end though you are right and I won't argue w/ the calculations. DIY can save crazy cash.

I recently did Fr and Rr brakes on the X3, then the same on my 135i, and now it looks like I have a water pump (on the 135i) to do next. After all 3 jobs I'm out maybe $1000 in parts, and my time of course. I feel sure I'd have paid $3500 or more to have these done by someone else.

I've got a wife and 6 year old and so time away from them to do the work is time away. But between us sometimes you have to have that time away LOL.

You are so right. But that water pump on the 135 will make you cuss. Helped my son with his 128 and it was a chore (I'm choosing nice words today)