[marmit2017]

A dealership quoted 5.5 hours of labor to replace thrust arms on my 535i and I thought it was a little high so I called two other dealerships and they quoted 2 hours for the same repair. I brought it up to the dealership that quoted 5.5 hours and he said 2 hours is labor under warranty, my car is out of warranty obviously.

Labor rate is different for warranty vs out of warranty vehicles?? Almost 3 times as much?? Can anyone confirm

And this is just thrust arms. Doesn't include alignment etc

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by marmit2017

A dealership quoted 5.5 hours of labor to replace thrust arms on my 535i and I thought it was a little high so I called two other dealerships and they quoted 2 hours for the same repair. I brought it up to the dealership that quoted 5.5 hours and he said 2 hours is labor under warranty, my car is out of warranty obviously.

Labor rate is different for warranty vs out of warranty vehicles?? Almost 3 times as much?? Can anyone confirm

And this is just thrust arms. Doesn't include alignment etc

Wouldn't surprise me if all manufacturers were the same. That said, I know Ford/Lincoln pays half the book time for warranty work vs customer pay. Book time is a catch-22 thing. If it takes the mechanic longer than the book time, we win. If it takes less (99% of the time it does), they win. I knew a mechanic that would routinely book 80+ "work hours" a week.

My SA didn't get back to me on replacing the idler pulley and tensioner. I had them replaced at a highly recommended indy for just under $400. They have their hourly rates posted; I don't really remember the other makes, but they charge $135/hour for German cars. IIRC, my dealer is $180.

[BimmerHausPerformance]

Originally Posted by marmit2017

A dealership quoted 5.5 hours of labor to replace thrust arms on my 535i and I thought it was a little high so I called two other dealerships and they quoted 2 hours for the same repair. I brought it up to the dealership that quoted 5.5 hours and he said 2 hours is labor under warranty, my car is out of warranty obviously.

Labor rate is different for warranty vs out of warranty vehicles?? Almost 3 times as much?? Can anyone confirm

And this is just thrust arms. Doesn't include alignment etc

If you were in the Chattanooga area I would do it for you for a fraction of the cost, plus give you a beer while you watch.

[marmit2017]

Originally Posted by BrowBMW

If you were in the Chattanooga area I would do it for you for a fraction of the cost, plus give you a beer while you watch.

I'm in this position because a so called "reputable" and well known Indy replaced my oil pan gasket and didn't preload the suspension when tightening it back up- causing the front end to sit higher, even after going back several times telling them the car never sat this high before. It was too late when I realized what they had done and I was getting vibrations at higher speeds- the bushings were in a bind and had ripped. So now I have to replace them. My days of not using the dealership for bigger jobs like these are over as I don't know who to trust anymore. Hopefully the tires I just spent $1100 on are not messed up 😅

[BimmerHausPerformance]

Originally Posted by marmit2017

I'm in this position because a so called "reputable" and well known Indy replaced my oil pan gasket and didn't preload the suspension when tightening it back up- causing the front end to sit higher, even after going back several times telling them the car never sat this high before. It was too late when I realized what they had done and I was getting vibrations at higher speeds- the bushings were in a bind and had ripped. So now I have to replace them. My days of not using the dealership for bigger jobs like these are over as I don't know who to trust anymore 😅

Monoball bearings… well worth it and won't have that problem!

[OnlyGerman]

Find a Indy and avoid incompetent & fraudulent dealer SAs and Techs. They do not care about your car or your wallet

[OnlyGerman]

Originally Posted by marmit2017

I'm in this position because a so called "reputable" and well known Indy replaced my oil pan gasket and didn't preload the suspension when tightening it back up- causing the front end to sit higher, even after going back several times telling them the car never sat this high before. It was too late when I realized what they had done and I was getting vibrations at higher speeds- the bushings were in a bind and had ripped. So now I have to replace them. My days of not using the dealership for bigger jobs like these are over as I don't know who to trust anymore. Hopefully the tires I just spent $1100 on are not messed up 😅

Just have to find a Indy with a experienced BMW tech. Ask around and talk to them. Bigger jobs do not mean the dealer is capable, they will still screw something up.

[ChiNorm]

To the OP, ever hear the term 'stealership'?

[marmit2017]

Originally Posted by ChiNorm

To the OP, ever hear the term 'stealership'?

Can't trust anyone these days man. The Indy I initially took it to, that put me in this position, came highly rated with great reviews.

[faust5]

I don’t think that is reasonable……

[BimmerHausPerformance]

Bring the turner motor sport bushings and I will remove, press the new ones in and reinstall for 200 bucks. Or if you are xdrive there are powerflex bushings in the arms for sale in these forums. I will put those in for you if you'd like.