Reasonable price for rod bearings

[ugaexploder]

I've looked into getting a new vehicle and using both my Jeep and this M3 as trade. Specifically a new-to-me Rubicon like the 2006 I have. One dealer in Colorado said I could get maybe 10-12k for both (combined) as trades.

But I love this car, and having two vehicles has come in really handy in the past. It's a tough choice as I really want to keep this car.

Completely understand, definitely feel for you, hope you’re able to find a legit mechanic closeby so you can keep the M3 forever.

[CybrSlydr]

Its the unfortunate reality of owning an old(er) BMW and paying for repairs and maintenance. His location is definitely a hinderance but its not totally the reason.

There's got to be some options in Denver.

I've reached out to 3 or 4 shops but haven't heard back from any yet. Haven't heard back from the GM5 guy either.

[George Hill]

Man, this thread is brutal. Really feel for you OP. If I were in your shoes, I’d buy a brand new BMW with a factory service plan and just drive a newer car.

Your location is the issue here. You are spending so much money on this car you can just buy a low mileage one at this point or just a brand new car.

Its the unfortunate reality of owning an old(er) BMW and paying for repairs and maintenance. His location is definitely a hinderance but its not totally the reason.

There's got to be some options in Denver.

[CybrSlydr]

Maybe time to get more comfortable with getting your hands dirty.

Rod bearings aren't actually that hard, they're just time consuming and require carefully following the instructions.

You can buy a lot of tools for what you're getting quoted :P

And, the job will take less than the 17 hours to drive one way to Texas.

Given your location, seems to most sensible to make the car viable to own/drive.

The problem is I live in an apartment complex. I don't have anywhere I could actually do the bearings myself. My lease specifically says I'm not allowed to work on vehicles on the property. Let alone the lots are all blacktopped and it's been near 100 the past couple weeks.

I'm also a bit paranoid about those kind of repairs - I really like the peace of mind knowing it was done by someone who knows what they're doing, unlike myself. I'm terrified of grenading the engine because I didn't do something right.

[Obioban]

Maybe time to get more comfortable with getting your hands dirty.

Rod bearings aren't actually that hard, they're just time consuming and require carefully following the instructions.

You can buy a lot of tools for what you're getting quoted :P

And, the job will take less than the 17 hours to drive one way to Texas.

Given your location, seems to most sensible to make the car viable to own/drive.

[CybrSlydr]

Man, this thread is brutal. Really feel for you OP. If I were in your shoes, I’d buy a brand new BMW with a factory service plan and just drive a newer car.

Your location is the issue here. You are spending so much money on this car you can just buy a low mileage one at this point or just a brand new car.

I've looked into getting a new vehicle and using both my Jeep and this M3 as trade. Specifically a new-to-me Rubicon like the 2006 I have. One dealer in Colorado said I could get maybe 10-12k for both (combined) as trades.

But I love this car, and having two vehicles has come in really handy in the past. It's a tough choice as I really want to keep this car.

[ugaexploder]

Man, this thread is brutal. Really feel for you OP. If I were in your shoes, I’d buy a brand new BMW with a factory service plan and just drive a newer car.

Your location is the issue here. You are spending so much money on this car you can just buy a low mileage one at this point or just a brand new car.

[CybrSlydr]

It's his shop - https://www.chicanemotorsportservice.com/reviews

He built an S62 swapped E46 M3 race car and used to have journal on the old forum. IIRC, he did VANOS work for forum members in CO.

Well, that's only 11hrs away instead of 17. Lol

[Slideways]

Kansas looks a little closer to me than George, do you know what shop he works for in Kansas?

It's his shop - https://www.chicanemotorsportservice.com/reviews

He built an S62 swapped E46 M3 race car and used to have journal on the old forum. IIRC, he did VANOS work for forum members in CO.

[CybrSlydr]

If you are willing to ship the car, message George ^ . If I were in or around TX, that would be my first choice.

I thought Brad at Chicane was in CO, but it looks like he moved to KS.

Kansas looks a little closer to me than George, do you know what shop he works for in Kansas?

[CybrSlydr]

Haha, thanks guys, I posted that as a real real world example not necessarily to solicit your work specifically. While I would be happy to do it, the economics don't make sense IMO. I'm sure there are lots of shops in a closer region that could do this as well at a competitive price.

I'm not afraid of traveling a little to know that the work being done is by a good mechanic, especially something so important to the prolonged operation of the vehicle.

If you weren't literally 1100mi away, I'd jump at having you do the work.

Though, there is a part of me curious about thinking about doing it. Looking for hotels, etc. If we could coordinate things properly, I could probably get there in two days, drop it off and have you do it over one day, then take two more days to drive back.

[George Hill]

Haha, thanks guys, I posted that as a real real world example not necessarily to solicit your work specifically. While I would be happy to do it, the economics don't make sense IMO. I'm sure there are lots of shops in a closer region that could do this as well at a competitive price.

[CybrSlydr]

If you are willing to ship the car, message George ^ . If I were in or around TX, that would be my first choice.

I thought Brad at Chicane was in CO, but it looks like he moved to KS.

Oof, that's a long trip. For what it'd cost to ship that far, I could just do the shop in Colorado.

[Slideways]

So, many of you have laughed/chastised me for paying what I have for work on my car. I'm at 164k and am thinking of getting the rod bearings replaced.

Nowhere here in Casper will touch the bottom end of the engine, so I'm looking at shops in Colorado. First shop to get back to me said $3800 plus whatever else they find.

What should I be expecting to pay ad I was figuring this would be closer to $2k job.

If you are willing to ship the car, message George ^ . If I were in or around TX, that would be my first choice.

I thought Brad at Chicane was in CO, but it looks like he moved to KS.

[George Hill]

I don't just do bearings at my shop, its almost always combined with the engine mounts and steering coupler at min. I also pull the oil pump apart, clean it and make sure its in good shape. So all of that plus using BMW bearings (and bolts if needed), plus all BMW gaskets, oil and filter is $2,930.61 out the door.