Am I being ripped off?

O

Orlandovjc1

Member
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
 
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.
 
yes-meme-19.jpeg

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.
 
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
 
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-oil-filter-housing-gasket-kit-11428637821kt1?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=mps+e90&utm_content=diy+oil+filter+housing

The video isn't for a Z4 but it's the same engine so same principle.
 
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)
 
Orlandovjc1 said:
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)
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
Orlandovjc1 said:
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).
Click to expand...

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.
 
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/showparts?id=LM53-USA-07-2009-E89-BMW-Z4_30i&diagId=11_3737

Thanks,
Nick
 
Christopher72 said:
mr.tourette said:
Definitely trying to dry enter you
Click to expand...

Ask them to at least use some of that leaking oil first!
Click to expand...

LOL didn't understand what Mr. Tourette was even saying until your comment.

Thanks to everyone. Found a Mech that will do the work for $115/ but still using the "book" for a 3.2 hour quote. But $481 out the door is better than the dealership $863. I figure I'll go with this guy rather than doing it myself and (possibly) messing up my only ride. Thanks again.
 
Christopher72 said:
mr.tourette said:
Definitely trying to dry enter you
Click to expand...

Ask them to at least use some of that leaking oil first!
Click to expand...

LOL didn't understand what Mr. Tourette was even saying until your comment.

Thanks to everyone. Found a Mech that will do the work for $115/ but still using the "book" for a 3.2 hour quote. But $481 out the door is better than the dealership $863. I figure I'll go with this guy rather than doing it myself and (possibly) messing up my only ride. Thanks again.
 
OP, unless you just had an oil change and the indy will save and reuse the engine oil, you should budget for an oil and filter change. Which would be the right time for it. Heads up, the N52 is finicky. My indy recommends oil change every 6 months. Which I’ve done since buying this Zed. Since your car is up, ask the indy to check DCT leaks.
 
Marcoose said:
OP, unless you just had an oil change and the indy will save and reuse the engine oil, you should budget for an oil and filter change. Which would be the right time for it. Heads up, the N52 is finicky. My indy recommends oil change every 6 months. Which I’ve done since buying this Zed. Since your car is up, ask the indy to check DCT leaks.
Click to expand...

But yours has the N54 not the N52 as per the OP's also his doesn't have the DCT, his has the ZF 6 speed.
 
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