What is important to fix?

[brandonpc]

Hi all,
I'm new to the site. I just had the Inspection 2 on my 2003 BMW 325xi, 62k miles. They gave me the follow report (problems and cost to fix):
Alternater belt cracked-$148
RF axle inner boot leaked out all grease and clicking-$730
RR spring broken-replace both-$529
both front lower control arms ball joints have play in them-$1016
LR brake pad 1.5mm, RR pad 3mm-$540
brake fluid flush-$95
coolant flush-$159

Does anyone have any advice on what items need to be fixed now? Are these prices reasonable?
Thanks,
Brandon

[Bear]

This is a big list, I would hold off on the brake fluid and coolant flush, but the other stuff needs to be done, especially that CV boot and the lubricant and of course the alternator belt, find an independent tech and get some estimates.

[brandonpc]

Thanks Bear.

This seems crazy. The car drives fine. I have kept up with all the maintenance. Now all of a sudden (coincidentally as soon as the warranty expires?) I have all these issues.

I would appreciate any advice that anyone out there can give me.

Thanks,
Brandon

[Bear]

Stuff happens. how long that rear boot has been torn? but if it is not repaired the CV bearing will go and now it is really expensive. Alternator belt should be easy to replace and again if it breaks you are dead by the road. I owned a '88 750il (sold two years ago) and you want to see pricey repairs I can show you the bills. The big thing is to keep up with the scheduled maintenance on these cars.

[wtfbuild]

Were these from a state inspection station or a dealer

[brandonpc]

This was the official "Inspection II" at the dealer. $500 for an oil change and for them to tell me what's wrong.
Brandon

[DurangoDave]

Need to fix all but the last two.
HOWEVER, if you really paid $500 for an oil change and this list, then what they're telling you is very suspect, as are the prices.
I'd go elsewhere.

[brandonpc]

I took the car into a shop recommended by a friend.
Here's what they told me:

{Alternater belt cracked-$148} barely cracked, no need to repair now. They almost never see one break. You will usually hear squealing first. $130
{RF axle inner boot leaked out all grease and clicking-$730} Maybe it leaked a little bit, but no need to do anything. Can't hear any sound
{RR spring broken-replace both-$529} The RR spring is broken, but right at the bottom. The car is sitting level. No need to replace.
{both front lower control arms ball joints have play in them-$1016} Can't see any play. No need to fix.
{LR brake pad 1.5mm, RR pad 3mm-$540} yes, they're worn down, but you will get a warning light when it is so low it needs to be replaced. $160
{brake fluid flush-$95} $60
{coolant flush-$159} $115

Sounds like the dealer was really trying to screw me.
Maybe other BMW owners are rich enough to just pay whatever they say. They made it sound like the car was in critical condition and needed to be fixed immediately! They didn't want to let my wife pick it up without it being fixed, like it was unsafe to drive.

What do you think?

Brandon

[bmwgolfguy]

Well what I think is I now drive an 01 Jeep Cherokee. Can no longer take curves marked 35mph at 60mph (BMW fun factor).

Anyone who owns a Bimmer had better hang on to their wallet. You are right, most BMW owners can afford all that stuff and probably don't care.

I think the advise is well taken to have an independent look at it like you did.

They really charged you $500.00 for an oil change?

[wtfbuild]

It's not just Bmw dealers had some work and a code scan done on a caddy I bought .they created a list and made me feel I woulld die If i drove it away .
They wanted wanted 7 grand for the work and tried to buy the car from me for next to nothing .a friend and I have done all the work and more for 1500 bucks.Scan/.inspection cost 100.00

[Ukrainian]

i replaced brake pads on mine myself....payed $100 canadian for both pads!!!!
plus if the light didnt go on yet,they dont really need to be replaced(u have brake pads sensors) so just forget about pads for now.

[brandonpc]

The second shop told me I could wait until the light comes on, but I'm a little worried about damaging the rotors if I do that. Then it would be more expensive.

I will probably get the brakes done soon. It is not too much money.

Thanks,
Brandon

ps.--Ukrainian-- My great-grandfather was from Kiev

[DurangoDave]

Go ahead with the brakes if you feel like it, but activation of the light by the pad wear sensor will not damage the rotors.

[brandonpc]

Dave,

I was told that when the pad wears down, the metal contacts the rotor and closed the circuit which turns the light on. If this is correct, won't metal to metal contact cause damage?

I would hope that BMW would be smart enough to make a warning light come on before damage is done. How does it work?

Thanks,
Brandon