[junk_bond]

Hi all,

New to the board.

Took my 2009 335i (~70k miles) into a nearby BMW dealership for a service warning light (both brake and burned out headlight warning lights were showing) and just heard back from them with a detailed quote, totaling ~$6.9K.

Quote detail:

1. (this was initial quote so it's not broken into detail) Replace cabin filter, Replace both front tires (roughly $600), standard scope (reset service indicators), oil and oil filter change, brake fluid flush, 4 wheel alignment - totaling $1322.05
2. Replace three (3) right brake lamp bulbs for $122.92.
3. Replace front brake rotors, pads and sensor. The rear brakes do not need service at this time. The cost for a front brake job is $944.67.
4. The driver’s air bag has been ordered. This will take 2/3 weeks to arrive. I will personally reach out to you once the air bag arrives.
5. The rear tires do not need attention at this time.
6. The front lower thrust arm bushings, which prevent your wheels from shifting when the brakes are applied, are completely torn and all of the hydro bearing fluid had leaked out of both bushings. The cost to replace these bushings is $803.65.
7. The oil pan gasket is leaking engine oil. This gasket seals the oil pan to the engine block. The cost to replace this gasket is $1633.50.
8. The rear shock absorbers are also leaking fluid. The cost to replace the rear shocks and mounts is $1413.22.
9. Lastly, based on the fluid condition, we are recommending the following fluids be exchanged: rear differential fluid exchange for $227.64; coolant system flush for $227.71 and power steering fluid system exchange for $226.71.

For a grand total of ~$6.9K!

I believe my car is worth roughly $9K (it was in a front-end collision back in 2011, but other than that and the issues above is in pretty good cosmetic shape), so clearly I'm not going to do all of this.

My question to you all is - if you were in my shoes - how would you proceed? What seems critical to do today? What is a DIY (I live in a city with no lift and have limited technical skills)? Should I get quotes from other mechanics? Do these prices seem reasonable? Should I just sell it?

This is obviously heart-breaking as I love my car a lot, but this makes zero financial sense. Any advice on how to navigate all this will be much appreciated!

[madmonkey]

Wow!! You got hit with quite the laundry list of maintenance items...

Things I would do at an Indy, if I were you:
3. Replace front brake rotors, pads and sensor. *Can do yourself
6. The front lower thrust arm bushings
7. The oil pan gasket is leaking engine oil - done with oil change. *Can do yourself
8. The rear shock absorbers *Can do yourself - rent the spring compressor tool
9. rear differential fluid exchange for $227.64; coolant system flush for $227.71 and power steering fluid system exchange for $226.71.

Tires can be done anywhere and I wouldn't pay dealer prices

Here's the list of things I think you should do through the dealer:

**crickets chirping**

You can reset the service lights and do the bulbs yourself. Depending on how brave you are, you can do some of these services yourself, using ramps and a jack with jack stands - but if you have limited or no access to tools, you're in a pickle.

Bottom line is the dealership labour rates are ridiculous and I don't bring my car in for items not covered under warranty.

But you can't ignore your shocks, brakes or thrust arm bushing - replace now or pay more to fix later.

[Gamb1t]

Wow. Just reading the list seems to indicate the car was neglected and used for stunt duties! Yikes.

You can also go to a indie to compare pricing. DIY a bunch of them will reduce final cost too.

[enjoythemusic]

Wow, leaking shocks and oil pan gasket? Sounds like she had a very hard life and is now in need of a full fluids servicing and mending. You might also want to replace the transmission fluid.

[robbiep]

Cabin filter : 5 minute DIY job. If you can open the bonnet (ok, hood for you), then you can do the job.
Tyres : indie tyre shop.
Oil/filter change, brake fluid : independent garage.
4 wheel alignment. Unless you're getting odd and uneven tyre wear, no point. Actually, when you get the 2 tyres fitted at the independent tyre outlet, they will do it for you at a far lower cost, maybe even for free.
Bulbs : DIY or when it's in at the indie for the service.
Front brakes : indie garage.
Thrust bushings : indie garage.
Oil pan gasket : indie, same time as the oil service. Get them to clean the magnets off in the sump pan while it's off.
Rear shocks : indie / suspension specialist.
Various other fluids : indie garage.