BMW F30 M Sport

[Vele08]

Hello enthusiasts. Any suggestions or tips on how to tackle this repair job?

 

[Teezoh]

If you look at the top and bottom including the long list of gaskets/seals that's essentially a full top and bottom rebuild while not having any mention for a complete engine overhaul?

Might wanna share some more details before we give our 2c around it.

I see some questionable entries and inflation though...

 

[Vele08]

If you look at the top and bottom including the long list of gaskets/seals that's essentially a full top and bottom rebuild while not having any mention for a complete engine overhaul?

Might wanna share some more details before we give our 2c around it.

I see some questionable entries and inflation though...

Thank you for the reply. I’m not too clued up but I will try. The car suddenly had this vibration and uneven/rough revving and a loss of performance. I have attached some pics they forwarded to me. Can you name those questionable entries and inflations so that I can renegotiate the quote? Any cent saved will help.

 

[Teezoh]

I think the most important question to ask is where you're based?

Looking at the videos and images it also seems like these guys have already started digging into it, it's better to start doing your research before your car is touched or opened.

 

[Nishcat_M140i]

I can tell that a few of these prices have been inflated on this quote.

I have 2018 320i with the B48 motor. When my car went in for repairs at BMW in April, I also had a few of these on my quote, but prices were different.

Like coolant is usually R160 at BMW, not sure why you're being charged R200 here.

 

[Vele08]

I think the most important question to ask is where you're based?

Looking at the videos and images it also seems like these guys have already started digging into it, it's better to start doing your research before your car is touched or opened.

Cape Town, Kuilsriver. I have used the guys ever since I was out of motorplan in 2018. The car is on 155k now and all my services have been done by them all along.

 

[Teezoh]

I can tell that a few of these prices have been inflated on this quote.

I have 2018 320i with the B48 motor. When my car went in for repairs at BMW in April, I also had a few of these on my quote, but prices were different.

Like coolant is usually R160 at BMW, not sure why you're being charged R200 here.

Yes sir, that and the plugs, Normally around R300 for one or sets of 6 coming in lower than what they're billing for 4.

Coolant tanks are normally around 2k but billed 3k

This quote is for a full on motor overhaul but it's laid out very wonkey and the labour comes to around 17k+.

Other things like the air filter, cabin filter etc are usually covered in service labour yet they have their own lines.

They charge a small diagnosis fee which is usually waived if you go ahead with the repair...

 

[Teezoh]

Cape Town, Kuilsriver. I have used the guys ever since I was out of motorplan in 2018. The car is on 155k now and all my services have been done by them all along.

Bro, you have Ashley from Xcede here by us...

 

[Teezoh]

I had a good look at the pics and videos you sent, and honestly, this quote doesn’t match the problem you took the car in for. Your symptoms were rough idle, vibration, and loss of power. No overheating, no history of coolant issues, yet they’re quoting like you’ve blown a head gasket and need a full engine tear-down.

That plug they showed you is just carbon-fouled, which usually means a misfire or running rich. Could be a coil, injector, or even a small vacuum leak, all stuff that can be fixed without opening the motor. The oil leak in that photo is just the valve cover gasket, which is a common thing and not a big job.

That one video where they’re pressure testing the coolant, yeah, it drops pressure, so there is a leak somewhere, but that doesn’t mean the head gasket’s gone. Could easily be a leaking expansion tank, hose, or oil filter housing gasket. None of that requires stripping the head unless they’ve proven otherwise, which they haven’t I'm guessing?

Bottom line, they’re quoting you for a head-off rebuild and full timing chain job without showing a single proper test to prove you need it. No compression results, no leak-down test, no borescope, nothing. Right now it looks more like they saw a big job and went for it, not that they’ve actually diagnosed your problem.

If it was my car, I wouldn’t let them turn the first step into a R55k fishing trip. They need to prove what’s wrong before they start pulling your engine apart.

Also, that “engineering” charge and “subject to further assessment” line basically means they’re planning to send the head away and might still add more costs later. It’s an open cheque with no guarantee of where the bill will stop.