Mechanic gave me a $2500+ to-do list

[thejobman]

Went to the local mechanic to get my brakes done finally (too cold outside to them myself). I also told him to check out this quivering sound that happens when I turn the steering wheel in when the car is cold(ish).

While I am waiting for my ride, he comes back to the waiting room and drops this on me:

1. Left and Right Rear Ball Joints worn - $430
2. Oil leak at front crank seal and at engine, lower oil pan gasket - $320
3. Front brakes, rotors and pads - $500
4. Rear brake pads - $180
5. Power steering hose leak - $140
6. Oil leak from the 2 valve cover gaskets - $500
7. 4 new tires (back ones are actually bald right down the middle) - $500

I am pretty sure I will sell this car at this point. I fixed my brakes (#3,4) and might fix #5 next weekend.

If I was REALLY attached to this car, I would get everything fixed within the next few months... but I think I can live without this car.

My car now has 142k miles on it... Do you think anyone would want to buy it? The oil leaks are not severe but need to be addressed eventually. The real ball joints have about 4mm of play (instead of 1mm).

I am pretty stressed out at this point... I found a couple 540i6's (with 100k miles) for $10,000 on auto trader! Freak'n 10 grand! I thought this car was worth at least $13k!!!!!

What should I do?

[justin93]

DAMN, Let us know who this guy so we never go there! Thats the most overpriced stuff ive ever seen!

3. Front brakes, rotors and pads - $500
4. Rear brake pads - $180
5. Power steering hose leak - $140
6. Oil leak from the 2 valve cover gaskets - $500

You could prolly do the brakes for like $200 and since when does a cheap valve cover gasket cost $450 to repair? It would take like 1 hr tops.

[thejobman]

$200 for the front brakes? But the parts (2 rotors and pads) cost more than $300... Plus there is the sensors.

and about #6, maybe I worded that wrong, but it seems that the car might need to be "retimed"... sor maybe is a "head gasket leak"...? not 100% sure

[Teh Prof]

I just spent $4500 on my 540...thread mentioning everything that went wrong is in the E39 section under "E39 radiator"

[justin93]

Well, I all i know is 1,3,4,5 are easy DIY jobs where mucho money would be saved. Headgasket leak you could do also, but prolly wouldnt want to.

[saltshaker185]

you could do 1-6 in there for about 500 id say... havent really gone around and gotten exact costs... and then 7 it depends on what u get... but just add a few hundred.... your looking at this as a bigger task then you think... its really not that bad at all as most of these are easy DIY...

[thejobman]

That might be true, but I have not even done an oil change myself. Changing the seal on a crankshaft would be quite a leap for me. I have no clue what a rear ball joint even looks like... And even if I wanted to give it a shot, the 7 degree weather outside is not very encouraging!

[97alpineM3]

Dude... seriously... things wear out. Buy a jack and man up.

Get the tools... its not hard... a few hours of your own time saves you about 2 grand. Worth it to me.

Good luck,

Les

[jimmythepie]

Guys it"s called distress selling, odds on he"s trying to drum up some work,get it checked out elswhere and dont mention anyone else has looked at it.Bet you get a totally different story.

[gotKRAUT]

Originally Posted by 97alpineM3

Dude... seriously... things wear out. Buy a jack and man up.

Get the tools... its not hard... a few hours of your own time saves you about 2 grand. Worth it to me.

Good luck,

Les

x2 Seriously...

Originally Posted by jimmythepie

Guys it"s called distress selling, odds on he"s trying to drum up some work,get it checked out elswhere and dont mention anyone else has looked at it.Bet you get a totally different story.

maybe in the UK but that shit just does NOT happen here...hands down...if you take your car to anywhere semi reputable, they are only looking to keep the car running right..and you safe.

[LOS]

Jobman, believe or not, you're getting a good deal. Remember, you don't have to do all of those things at once. Do the things you can yourself first. Also, try fixing the critical stuff first and work your way down to the least. It's expected from that many miles. I saw your CAR pics. Maybe can have all that fixed in a 4 month period??
I know how your feel. I'm having a problem myself with my 840 now. I'm debating wether to have the flex disc replaced. Anyway, just don't rush to sell it. Look into your fibnancial situation and go from there. You do have a nice car!

LOS

[saltshaker185]

try downloading a bentley... check out the situation... itll tell you step by step what to do... its really not as hard as it seems...

[justin93]

Originally Posted by LOS

Jobman, believe or not, you're getting a good deal. Remember, you don't have to do all of those things at once. Do the things you can yourself first. Also, try fixing the critical stuff first and work your way down to the least. It's expected from that many miles. I saw your CAR pics. Maybe can have all that fixed in a 4 month period??
I know how your feel. I'm having a problem myself with my 840 now. I'm debating wether to have the flex disc replaced. Anyway, just don't rush to sell it. Look into your fibnancial situation and go from there. You do have a nice car!

LOS

Flex Disk? Thats like a $50 part.

[justin93]

Originally Posted by saltshaker185

try downloading a bentley... check out the situation... itll tell you step by step what to do... its really not as hard as it seems...

Where can i DL a bently at?

[LOS]

Originally Posted by justin93

Flex Disk? Thats like a $50 part.

Well, there is more to it, I need to take the whole driveshaft apart and look for wear and tear. The car shakes a bit when I reach 25mph. This has nothing to do with the suspension, etc. I have already done my research. It's a very complex job when you disassemble the whole unit. In addition to it, some of the parts can only come from the dealer! I'm looking around $1500 plus job if I'm lucky

LOS