My 2011 E89 Money Pit Rant

[javis20]

Well, it's that time for expensive repairs. My oil pan leak needs to be dealt with, and since the car has 92K miles on the odometer, it would be dumb not to do the water pump and thermostat. Also, right front wheel is slightly bent and paint chipping, so straightening and power coating necessary. Last but not least, front tires need replacing to pass inspection.
So far I'm estimating ;

$2,000 - $2,500 for oil pan, water pump and engine mounts.
$190 to straighten and power coat wheel.
$400 for (2) new tires mounted and balanced.
$180 Front end alignment.

Still have to check condition of tie rods, and control arms. I would replace these components myself if necessary. But oil pan is another story. I'm too old to work on my back under jack stands. I Considered Quickjack, but it doesn't make sense to pay close to $1,700 for one use. My BMW dealer does oil changes for $100. That's a no brainer.

Love the car, but it's painful knowing the resale value is only about $12000 here in the states. And low mileage G29's can be had for less than $40000. However, the E89 is just such a great looking car. So, I guess I'll bite the bullet and do the repairs.

 

[matsmith749]

Spending money is always painful - but TBH this doesn't exactly look like a 'money pit' to me.

Tyres worn out? Yeh.... that happens & it sucks. But it is what it is. Fixing up the front wheel & getting it aligned? kindof in the same camp.

So basicly you just need to get an oil leak sorted - on a 15 year old car if that's all you are struggling with, I think you are doing ok.

Might help to consider what similar running costs would be on newer vehicles - once you factor in purchase price / lease etc.

Any fun car of this age will need work from time to time - I still think on balance the total cost of ownership is pretty good, and getting something as fun for cheaper might not be easy.

 

[B21]

Spending money is always painful - but TBH this doesn't exactly look like a 'money pit' to me.

Tyres worn out? Yeh.... that happens & it sucks. But it is what it is. Fixing up the front wheel & getting it aligned? kindof in the same camp.

So basicly you just need to get an oil leak sorted - on a 15 year old car if that's all you are struggling with, I think you are doing ok.

Might help to consider what similar running costs would be on newer vehicles - once you factor in purchase price / lease etc.

Any fun car of this age will need work from time to time - I still think on balance the total cost of ownership is pretty good, and getting something as fun for cheaper might not be easy.

Man speaks eloquently!

 

[matsmith749]

Just made me think of a time back in the day - I sold a 10 year old Audi to a neighbour (can't remember what model).

Car was getting on, 200k miles but in good shape & caused me no problems over the 6 months I owned it.

Bumped into the neighbour about a year after the sale (they still had the car). He was really mad.

Apparently the car was the biggest hunk of junk he had ever had, and been no end of problems.

Apparently, just recently (after 10k miles since purchase) he had needed to put 2 new front tyres on.

Then, to add insult to inury, he discovered that he need to spend £100 (ish) for a tax disk. I should have told him that when selling the car.

He was truly devastated - never spoke to me since.

 

[Reamesy]

Just made me think of a time back in the day - I sold a 10 year old Audi to a neighbour (can't remember what model).

Car was getting on, 200k miles but in good shape & caused me no problems over the 6 months I owned it.

Bumped into the neighbour about a year after the sale (they still had the car). He was really mad.

Apparently the car was the biggest hunk of junk he had ever had, and been no end of problems.

Apparently, just recently (after 10k miles since purchase) he had needed to put 2 new front tyres on.

Then, to add insult to inury, he discovered that he need to spend £100 (ish) for a tax disk. I should have told him that when selling the car.

He was truly devastated - never spoke to me since.

They walk amongst us

 

[tomscott]

If it makes you feel better ive spent about 10k on my Z4M in the last 7 years. Not including consumables like tyres.

The payments on a new car will be more and doesnt always mean you wont get similar-sized bills.

 

[javis20]

Well, got my indie quote. He's going to do the oil pan gasket, water pump, thermostat and engine mounts for $1,950. Very fair price imho. Scheduled in for April. In the mean time I'm going to replace oil filter gaskets, tensioner, idler and belt.

 

[Christopher72]

My newest car is a 2015 F30 xdrive, and I've 5 others going back into the early 2000's. The only one not driven all year around is the Z4. They are all taking their turns needing something. All in all I think, if I had 5 new car payments -- I may not be in my garage fixing a car. I certainly wouldn't be able to afford to go anywhere in one of those cars with 5 high dollar monthly payments. Having a big family is a huge joy so that offsets maintainance costs.. and I have a bunch of boys to help do the work in the garage, well that's priceless.

I'll keep the E89 Z4 going as long as it makes sense to -- there's just something classic about this one. Really brings me a smile - which is something.

$1950 is reasonable - there's a lot of time in getting to everything and you have to lower the subframe for the pan - book labor at a dealer is insane for this. Make sure your indy also replaces:

• The U-hose between the thermostat and the coolant pump (11537545665). I used the Aluminized Silicone one that ECS Tuning sells since I replaced most of my coolant pipes with silicone, but any option new is better than the rubber one you've had cooking for 92K miles next to that hot turbo. It's not going to add any labor to the work for your indy, it may even save him/her time.
• 
  
• Replace the mickey-mouse flange/coolant outlet hose (11537541992). and the two aluminium bolts that must be replaced 2x(07119905591).. This one needs it because the OEM has a plastic flange/o-ring into the engine that degrades. This is the best time to replace it, since you can do the whole hose to the coolant pump.

These are two items which will cost you much more in labor to tear everything down when they fail. I know you're b*tching about the current cost and I'm recommending another $100 in parts.. but it's well worth it. I provided ECS links since that's closer than FCP Euro to PA.

BTW.. watch for specials at a local Firestone Auto Care in Harrisburg or Lebanon for a lifetime Alignment package. I got one on my Z4 when I bought it. It's probably been aligned at least once if not twice a year.. pays for itself at the second alignment. Bonus is that the linkage is never frozen rusted and I'm getting even wear on the tires.