Taken the plunge

L

Lawrencez4

Member
 Hampshire
I finally did it 😁
2011 3.0 sdrive with 90000 miles and a good recent history.
No evidence of water pump change. Would you change it as a precaution or are the any early warning signs?
Also it’s an auto, is there an oil change schedule for the gearbox?
Many thanks
Lawrence
 

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Congratulations. :thumbsup:

Water pump life on the N52 engine seems unpredictable IME. My first E86 needed one after just 60K miles, my 2nd one seemed to be on the original when I sold it on 91K miles. Had one die in a 325i at 135K but I don't know if that was its' first or second. My current 330i is on 130K and I'm playing water pump lottery!

But both times mine died it happened with no warning and overheated within a mile so to avoid being stranded many people do replace them for peace of mind.

Mine have all been manual but I have had gearbox fluid replaced on high milers despite BMW claims they are "filled for life".

Depending where you are in Hampshire if you need work done I'd recommend RBM Hampshire in Hook. I've been taking both my BMWs there since Ross set it up in 2019 after 15 years at Sytner.
 
Good music !

Water pump is very easy to DIY if you are that way inclined

Curious how you get your screen to split nav and music, mine doesn’t and it’s a similar spec / year.
 
Bombur said:
Is there a visual way of knowing if a water pump has been changed? Or is it just service records?
Click to expand...
An obvious way tell tell is if it is not a genuine bmw item. If you can see it you should be able to read the label and date of manufacture. Also it may be bmw but dated younger than your car.
 
Last edited:
bluespit said:
Good music !

Water pump is very easy to DIY if you are that way inclined

Curious how you get your screen to split nav and music, mine doesn’t and it’s a similar spec / year.
Click to expand...
It’s been a while since I had this pro nav on my E82, but I think you just push the dial to the right. There is a split screen box that you tick. You should definitely have it if bmw software and nav.
 
bluespit said:
Good music !

Water pump is very easy to DIY if you are that way inclined

Curious how you get your screen to split nav and music, mine doesn’t and it’s a similar spec / year.
Click to expand...
You push the idrive knob to the right in most base screens and it offers a split screen option..further twiddling then determines what the right hand split screen shows..audio/ media, trip computer, etc etc
 
B21 said:
You push the idrive knob to the right in most base screens and it offers a split screen option..further twiddling then determines what the right hand split screen shows..audio/ media, trip computer, etc etc
Click to expand...
Ooohhhh. Can’t wait to give it a go.
 
I’ve just been quoted £1200 to replace thermostat and water pump at a local specialist.
Apparently the pump is BMW only no OEM parts available.
Is there a suitable OEM or am I in for £1200?
All help gratefully received.
Many thanks
 
Lawrencez4 said:
I’ve just been quoted £1200 to replace thermostat and water pump at a local specialist.
Apparently the pump is BMW only no OEM parts available.
Is there a suitable OEM or am I in for £1200?
All help gratefully received.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Pump and thermostat are around £300-£400 for Continental/Pierburg/Mahle pump and thermostat


3-4 hours labour typically
 
Thank you GSF have one in stock for around £350 inc VAT
Brand is INA who I’ve never heard of but GSF are reputable so should be fine
 
Lawrencez4 said:
I’ve just been quoted £1200 to replace thermostat and water pump at a local specialist.
Apparently the pump is BMW only no OEM parts available.
Is there a suitable OEM or am I in for £1200?
All help gratefully received.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
I would think Pierburg/Mahle/Meyle would be absolutely fine, they're all around £250 for the water pump on autodoc.
 
Lawrencez4 said:
Thank you GSF have one in stock for around £350 inc VAT
Brand is INA who I’ve never heard of but GSF are reputable so should be fine
Click to expand...
Personally I’d go for a tier 1 supplier for such parts not tier 3..imho
 
Hi B21 thank you for your help.
I don’t understand what tier 1 and tier 3 means. What is the difference please?
Is tier 3 inferior or less robust.
Genuinely interested especially having been quoted so much for a genuine BMW pump.
Many thanks
 
Lawrencez4 said:
Hi B21 thank you for your help.
I don’t understand what tier 1 and tier 3 means. What is the difference please?
Is tier 3 inferior or less robust.
Genuinely interested especially having been quoted so much for a genuine BMW pump.
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Tier 1 suppliers are either current / past suppliers to BMW and folks like Audi / Mercedes

Tier 2 suppliers are people who make parts that could be fitted to BMW/Audi/Mercedes that balance price vs quality..but BMW wouldn’t fit them on the production line..

Tier 3 suppliers are people who make parts where cost of production is the priority..discussions start with ..what’s the cheapest part I can use..

So tier 1 suppliers are folks like Continental, Pierburg, Bosch, NGK, Lemforder, Mahle, TRW, Brembo, Zimmerman, Textar, ATE etc

Tier 2 suppliers typically are folks like ABS, Febi Bilstein , NTY , Meyle and many others

Tier 3 are essentially no name entities or house branded

Of course it’s never that simple at the edges…sometimes Tier 2 get hold of tier 1 products under their brand names..sometimes sadly they offer tier 3 products ..
 
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