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Am I being ripped off?

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
Orlandovjc1
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Am I being ripped off?

Post by Orlandovjc1 » Thu May 18, 2023 3:47 pm

I bought a 2011 Z4 30i (e89 - m52 engine) and found out that there is a leak in the oil gasket housing. I called Bimmer tech and they quoted me a with parts and FOUR hours labor $650. Called up the dealer ship (which unfortunately is in another state so I can't go back there) and they said I should google this because it's a FIFTEEN minute job.

I did that - but you have to love google, since the Z4 links kept taking me to video where they're working on another series model.

Has anyone done this kind of replacement and if so how long did it take? Or if you know of a chain (that works on BMW) that won't gouge me?

Thanks in advance

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Post by coldel » Thu May 18, 2023 4:09 pm

Maybe just adjust your google searching to look at N52 engine not an M52, it will return your car and probably some good solutions. When you say oil gasket housing do you mean the filter housing or are you referring to the valve cover gasket (which is a common leak point). Clarify both and it might be easier to understand your options. Just note that a lot of people on here are UK/Euro based so may not be able to help in terms of recommendations.
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Post by Chris_D » Thu May 18, 2023 4:19 pm

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They saw you coming.
Don't take it to a main dealer. A normal, competent mechanic should be able to do this no sweat as the N52 is common to more models than just E89's and there are no specialist BMW tools required.

It's also a fairly straightforward DIY job if you yourself are competent with a set of tools.
I replaced mine (M54) having never done it before and found it straightforward enough.

Edit. As per @coldel's suggestion it would help if you clarify which gasket it is so the forum can be more helpful in advising you.
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Am I being ripped off?

Post by Orlandovjc1 » Thu May 18, 2023 4:22 pm

Thanks Coldel/

Yes. My mistake HERE ... I'm googling "N" not "M"... the engine is an E89, model year 2011 use the N52B30.

The description they gave (at BMW) is :

Comments: OIL LEAK PRESENT COMING FROM OIL FILTER HOUSING

And the dealership wanted $863. The price I quoted here was an "authorized" mechanic and they're about 200-ish less. Still though $600 seemed expensive but more googling has given me between 450-600

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Post by mr.tourette » Thu May 18, 2023 6:57 pm

Think this cost me 26 quid and an hour or two of my time.. Definitely trying to dry enter you :cry:
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

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Post by Silverstar » Thu May 18, 2023 7:13 pm

Sounds like you are in the US or Canada? Judging by what I have seen car mechanics in the US charge like lawyers do here so I am not surprised with the quotes you've been getting. As others have said this isn't a difficult task so if your handy with some spanners you will save 95% of the price they've quoted you. See some helpful links here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiYHPnWF-jY

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-oi ... er+housing

The video isn't for a Z4 but it's the same engine so same principle.
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Post by Orlandovjc1 » Thu May 18, 2023 7:46 pm

Thanks... yes I do live in the US.

all the videos show it taking about 30 minutes, but also all of them are on 1,2 and 3 series vehicles... no matter how I phrase it I can't find anyone working on a z4 E89 (did find one on E85).

Beyond that, I haven't worked on a car since before they were taken over by SKYNET and run by the Terminators, and then there's the fact that my tool collection is comprised of a pair of pliers, a socket set, a couple of adjustable wrenches, hammer, rubber mallet and axe (and I'm sure the last 3 won't help)
Last edited by Orlandovjc1 on Thu May 18, 2023 8:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by Argyll Andy » Thu May 18, 2023 8:02 pm

Silverstar wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:13 pm hammer, rubber mallet and axe (and I'm sure the last 3 I'm sure won't help)
They might if you take them along when you go in person to negotiate the estimate :D

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    Post by Silverstar » Thu May 18, 2023 8:35 pm

    Argyll Andy wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 8:02 pm
    Silverstar wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:13 pm hammer, rubber mallet and axe (and I'm sure the last 3 I'm sure won't help)
    They might if you take them along when you go in person to negotiate the estimate :D
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    Post by Silverstar » Thu May 18, 2023 8:40 pm

    Orlandovjc1 wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:46 pm Thanks... yes I do live in the US.

    all the videos show it taking about 30 minutes, but also all of them are on 1,2 and 3 series vehicles... no matter how I phrase it I can't find anyone working on a z4 E89 (did find one on E85).

    Beyond that, I haven't worked on a car since before they were taken over by SKYNET and run by the Terminators, and then there's the fact that my tool collection is comprised of a pair of pliers, a socket set, a couple of adjustable wrenches, hammer, rubber mallet and axe (and I'm sure the last 3 won't help)
    30 mins and they are asking from you $600 to $800 does make me wonder. I realised how expensive mechanics in the US are watching Hoovies Garage and the his trusty rich mechanic the wizard. Aparently they don't see it as a 30 mins job they go according to 'book' time and in the book it probably says that job should take 4 hours :?

    You might want to invest in some new tools with all the cash you will save, the videos might be for other BMW models but the engine is the same so it shouldn't be too different.
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    Post by Special Kay » Thu May 18, 2023 8:53 pm

    mr.tourette wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 6:57 pm Definitely trying to dry enter you :cry:
    So articulate :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

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    Post by Marcoose » Thu May 18, 2023 9:00 pm

    OP, you indeed need to work with a trustworthy indy. FYI, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, a good indy rate is $150/hour. It should --I sure hope!-- be less in Florida. But then you know what BMW stands for.

    If the leak isn't too bad, you may want to wait until you're in for other services. TBD.
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    Post by smorris_12 » Thu May 18, 2023 9:09 pm

    Orlandovjc1 wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 7:46 pm all the videos show it taking about 30 minutes, but also all of them are on 1,2 and 3 series vehicles... no matter how I phrase it I can't find anyone working on a z4 E89 (did find one on E85).
    The engine is basically the same on any car it's fitted to so you can't go far adrift following them if you're careful. If anything, any guide you ever need for the N52 will always be easier on a Z4 than, say, a 3 series as there's far easier access, particularly at the back of the engine where it's not lost under the scuttle.
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    Post by nblu » Thu May 18, 2023 9:34 pm

    I've got an N52 in my Z4, and I've watched many of George Austers videos on the N52. I've found access around the N52 on the E89 much easier than shown in his videos. The Z4 has none of those plastic trim panels and a cavernous engine bay compared to the 1 series.

    The main difference seems to be that the plastic cover is held in with 4 bolts on the Z4. It might be worth removing the plastic cover to take a look at where the leak is coming from as there are a number of seals which could be the culprit. I had some codes from my engine so I researched removing the head cover but I only needed to go as far as changing coils and plugs.

    In case it is useful, I normally use realoem to plan out what to expect before getting the tools out. This is the page for the sdrive 3.0 head cover with the OEM part numbers:
    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=11_3737

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    Post by Christopher72 » Thu May 18, 2023 10:37 pm

    mr.tourette wrote: Thu May 18, 2023 6:57 pm Definitely trying to dry enter you
    Ask them to at least use some of that leaking oil first!
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