Most expensive E34 Repair?

[th3_blur]

Hey guys, what is the most expensive job you have ever done or had done on your E34?

[bubba966]

I got quotes of $6,500-$7,000 to replace the shocks. Gonna do it myself and get them rebuilt. Will only be about $3,000 then...

[healtoeit]

I got quotes of $6,500-$7,000 to replace the shocks. Gonna do it myself and get them rebuilt. Will only be about $3,000 then...
HOLY HAND GRENADE! 3k to replace and rebuild the shocks?!That seems a bit steep... mine was 1/3 that much...


on another note
Does repair include performance parts? :D

If yes them my suspension... upwards of 2k I'm guestimating

If no then it was my clutch... about $700-850

[th3_blur]

healtoit, did you do the suspension yourself or does that include labor costs?

[repenttokyo]

I got quotes of $6,500-$7,000 to replace the shocks. Gonna do it myself and get them rebuilt. Will only be about $3,000 then...

where do you live? do you have a wagon with sls?

[Matt P]

Seems like it was $4K+ to replace the EDC shocks on the M5 Wagon a few years ago. Doesn't the M-Sport have the same EDC setup?

[SnakeyesTx]

4,400 bucks ... replaced the engine :D

[gmannino]

$2000 replace the engine, including the engine.

[healtoeit]

healtoit, did you do the suspension yourself or does that include labor costs?
I am doing it myself.. so no no labor costs

[e34m30SF]

$4500 for the engine...

[Jehu]

$2K Clutch and flywheel...

Why not just delete the SLS in the M sport? I would prefer the ride myself.

I have a quote to fix my Timing chain cover gasket and power steering hoses of $2,600.00 i'll be getting done soon as I am replacing a quart of Royal Purple nearly every week!

[cmk]

Left & right valve and cylinder head gaskets - iirc > US$ 4,000.
It was almost all labour, done at dealer. Had to go back 3 times in the following year for 3 different gaskets they replaced started to leak.

This is what really pushed me into to doing more of my own repairs.

At this point the only thing i would think of getting the dealer to do is something that really _needed_ a special tool.

2yrs ago (I) replaced the front suspension ~CAN$ 3,000 (EDC).

[yaofeng]

No one else has touched my e34's yet. Nor my SAAB's.

[bubba966]

HOLY HAND GRENADE! 3k to replace and rebuild the shocks?!That seems a bit steep... mine was 1/3 that much...

Yup, about $2k to get the 4 shocks rebuilt, + shipping to the UK and back, + new springs and mounting hardware. Might actually be closer to $3,500 after all is said an done now that I think about it.

If I wanted to just buy new shocks the best price I can get on them is about $5,500 or so.


where do you live? do you have a wagon with sls?

I'm in Seattle. And no, I don't have a wagon. I have a 540 M-Sport which has the Euro EDC Nurburgring suspension w/SLS. I really wish it was just the SLS as that'd be a whole lot cheaper than EDC parts. But I do love how the EDC works, which is why I'm keeping it.


Seems like it was $4K+ to replace the EDC shocks on the M5 Wagon a few years ago. Doesn't the M-Sport have the same EDC setup?

Yup, the M-Sport has the same EDC setup that the M5T has. Unfortunately the cost on EDC shocks has gone up considerably in the last couple of months. Now about $5.5k for a set...:(


Why not just delete the SLS in the M sport? I would prefer the ride myself.

It's not the SLS that's spendy on an M-Sport, it's the EDC. And the EDC is very nice so I'm not getting rid of it. Besides, deleting the EDC & SLS costs about the same as replacing the EDC as you've got to buy a lot of new parts to do it.

Not to mention that if you take the EDC out of the M-Sport then it's just a 540 that looks like an M5 (easy to 'build' yourself). Whereas if you leave it stock it's an M5 with a V8 under the hood (damn near impossible to 'build' yourself).

Took 2 1/2 years for me to find this M-Sport, and I'm going to keep it as an M-Sport.

[yaofeng]

They are fun little cars man, they get a lot of **** where I work for being pieces of crap though.

But they eat the 525's for lunch.

[healtoeit]

At the moment you make me very glad I do my own work on my car. 5.5k for new springs and shocks is crazy! I'm sorry but I just can't get over that price :p


Yup, about $2k to get the 4 shocks rebuilt, + shipping to the UK and back, + new springs and mounting hardware. Might actually be closer to $3,500 after all is said an done now that I think about it.

If I wanted to just buy new shocks the best price I can get on them is about $5,500 or so.

[healtoeit]

SAAB
They are fun little cars man, they get a lot of **** where I work for being pieces of crap though.

[bubba966]

At the moment you make me very glad I do my own work on my car. 5.5k for new springs and shocks is crazy! I'm sorry but I just can't get over that price :p

$5.5k is the best price I can find in the world just for a set of new shocks. Add the springs to that and it's about $6.1k. There's no labor in any of those prices. That'd be what it'd cost me to buy the shocks from Mile One and then install them myself.

You should be glad that you've got a normal suspension on your car as this EDC setup is retarded spendy to repair.

[healtoeit]

But they eat the 525's for lunch.
Summit point, Shenandoah Circuit, Track Daze event October...

Be there ;)

EDIT: Repent... you are welcome to bring your scooter....

[repenttokyo]

But they eat the 525's for lunch.


so do mail trucks, scooters and segways.

[2fast]

I have'nt had it done yet ..but I need to, The heater core is $$ at the $tealer.

[vping]

How in the world can shocks be that much. Isn't it a few nuts and bolts, pull it out, compress spring blah blah blah and reinstall. I though they were only about a buck ten for the fronts and $90 for the rear. That's only $400 plus your blood sweat and tears. Where do these astronimical numbers come from?

[rnrn]

$5.5k is the best price I can find in the world just for a set of new shocks. Add the springs to that and it's about $6.1k. There's no labor in any of those prices. That'd be what it'd cost me to buy the shocks from Mile One and then install them myself.

You should be glad that you've got a normal suspension on your car as this EDC setup is retarded spendy to repair.

We replaced my 540 setup on all four corners (shocks too) for $700-800 with Sachs kit a couple of years ago. Convert to Euro plus whatever fudge factor and its still less than $1500 if you delete self leveling--which I know A LOT of guys have done with no regrets. Am I missing something?

[bmwrp8]

more or less $5000 but i replaced a lot! bilstein shocks 4pcs. new headlights and foglights , oil change , timing belt , ATF and tranny filter , rotordisk , pads and sensors , poly bushings coolant and thermostat , valve cover gasket , intake and exhaust gasket and ICV. And still growing! hahaha I love my car!!!:D

[bubba966]

How in the world can shocks be that much. Isn't it a few nuts and bolts, pull it out, compress spring blah blah blah and reinstall. I though they were only about a buck ten for the fronts and $90 for the rear. That's only $400 plus your blood sweat and tears. Where do these astronimical numbers come from?

'95 540 M-Sport's don't have regular shocks. They have EDC (electronic damper control) shocks. Meaning that you can either let the car adjust the damping on it's own based upon what the various sensors in the car tell the EDC computer that the car is doing (acceleration, deceleration, steering angle, etc.). Or you can put the car into either a comfort mode or a sport mode.

Having an adjustable, adaptive suspension is really rather nice. Just f'ing spendy when you finally have to replace the shocks.

[bubba966]

We replaced my 540 setup on all four corners (shocks too) for $700-800 with Sachs kit a couple of years ago. Convert to Euro plus whatever fudge factor and its still less than $1500 if you delete self leveling--which I know A LOT of guys have done with no regrets. Am I missing something?

It's not the self leveling that's what makes my shocks expensive. It's that they're EDC shocks.

And as EDC shocks don't have removable inserts like a regular E34 does. You can't just buy a Sachs (or Dinan, or Boge, or Bilstein, or Koni, etc.) kit and slap it in. You'd have to buy new strut bodies (@$550 each). You'd have to buy different strut mounts. You'd have to delete the SLS part of the suspension. You end up purchasing so many new, different parts that it adds up to the cost of just sticking with the EDC setup and having it rebuilt.

The M-Sport has a very different suspension than any other US model E34. The EDC Nurburgring Suspension was only offered on US M-Sports (200 cars total), Canadian M540's (32 cars total), Euro 3.8 M5's & M5T's (4,011 cars total), and Australian 540 LE's (72 cars total). As you can see, it's not a common setup...

[attack eagle]

5 speed swap.
$1200 parts... would have been $500 more to have it done

most expensive job I had done. replace the idler pulley after it decided to go AWOL while on vacation last year... think it was around $300.
MAtter of fact it is the only job I have ever had done on the T.

[vping]

Thanks Bubba. I'm new to bimmers but not to wrenching. I did not know that the later cars had that complicated a suspension.

[nirvana19]

Was quoted 3500 for the full exhaust system from a reputable shop (not dealership).

Then again, I replaced the catback for about 400 and all was well.

[Qube]

First service ever. $700 or so to do brakes AT THE DEALER. First time (and last) was the only time I went to the dealer for service.

[The Bigfella]

Complete engine rebuild, new hoses included. Cost me about $7,500 to rebuild an M5 engine. Did it myself.

[bubba966]

Thanks Bubba. I'm new to bimmers but not to wrenching. I did not know that the later cars had that complicated a suspension.

Only US E34's that had the EDC suspension were the 540 M-Sports. Of which there were only 135 6 speed manuals built, and 65 5 speed autos built. All other US spec E34's have regular style suspension. EDC isn't cheap ( I think the sensors run $300-$900 each and there's about 9 of them I think), and it isn't as simple as a standard setup. But when it's working (it's actually fairly reliable) it's the only way to fly...:D

[bubba966]

Complete engine rebuild, new hoses included. Cost me about $7,500 to rebuild an M5 engine. Did it myself.

Rebuilding an S38 is the most expensive thing you can do on an E34. Replacing a set of EDC shocks is the second most expensive thing.

As bad as my EDC bill is going to be, at least it's not as bad as an S38 rebuild...

[repenttokyo]

Only US E34's that had the EDC suspension were the 540 M-Sports. Of which there were only 135 6 speed manuals built, and 65 5 speed autos built. All other US spec E34's have regular style suspension. EDC isn't cheap ( I think the sensors run $300-$900 each and there's about 9 of them I think), and it isn't as simple as a standard setup. But when it's working (it's actually fairly reliable) it's the only way to fly...:D


What about the Canadian M540's?

[bubba966]

What about the Canadian M540's?

Is Canada officially the 51st state now?;)

I said U.S. Spec E34's. I guess I could say NA Spec E34's and include the 32 M540's that had EDC bringing the total NA EDC equipped E34's to 232 cars.

[MTechnik540i]

Rebuilding an S38 is the most expensive thing you can do on an E34. Replacing a set of EDC shocks is the second most expensive thing.

As bad as my EDC bill is going to be, at least it's not as bad as an S38 rebuild...

QFT.

I was getting ready to post this picture... :D

http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq/grfx/s38.jpg

[bubba966]

QFT.

I was getting ready to post this picture... :D

http://www.bimmerforums.com/engine_faq/grfx/s38.jpg

QFT? Sorry, don't know that one.

That the engine bay of your M5? Looks very nice...

Oh, and BTW, you've got a PM over on the M5 board.

[efashion525I]

$2600 Complete Engine rebuild 2 weeks after purchasing the car, Paid $2500 I blew a timing belt Had to replace everything get machine shop work U name It I had It done.

[th3_blur]

Oh man, 2 weeks after the purchase is rough for having to make your first and most expensive repair for any car.

[efashion525I]

Oh man, 2 weeks after the purchase is rough for having to make your first and most expensive repair for any car.



Yea I was maaaaaaaad I wanted to kill those guys who sold me the car they were like "We feel bad but theres nothing we can do (CLICK)" I was so torn because I went with a 525i over a 735i for the same price at another dealorship. I purchased the 525i because of gas prices and because the 525i was a manual. I remember repeating to myself "why O why didnt I get the 735i" I find myself staring at one anytime I see one. The Plan to rebuild my m20 engine wasnt my first idea either. Weeks of joining bimmer forums like this one begging for info on engine swaps first I wanted ro go with an m50 but couldnt find one In good shape for a good price. Later I learned an m50 would require a lot of expensive changes. Then I found out I can swap an m30 engine making my car a 535i. But after much research and pricing It was more economical to rebuild what I had then take a chance on a used motor or buy a used motor then rebuild it.

Its all good now my bimmer drives like a dream 500 miles per tank and no Issues.

[offthehookguys]

It's not the self leveling that's what makes my shocks expensive. It's that they're EDC shocks.

And as EDC shocks don't have removable inserts like a regular E34 does. You can't just buy a Sachs (or Dinan, or Boge, or Bilstein, or Koni, etc.) kit and slap it in. You'd have to buy new strut bodies (@$550 each). You'd have to buy different strut mounts. You'd have to delete the SLS part of the suspension. You end up purchasing so many new, different parts that it adds up to the cost of just sticking with the EDC setup and having it rebuilt.

The M-Sport has a very different suspension than any other US model E34. The EDC Nurburgring Suspension was only offered on US M-Sports (200 cars total), Canadian M540's (32 cars total), Euro 3.8 M5's & M5T's (4,011 cars total), and Australian 540 LE's (72 cars total). As you can see, it's not a common setup...

There goes any thoughts I had about buying a M-Sport !! :( That's just too much sophistication for me. I'll stick to my old 535 and Bilstein suspension.

[bubba966]

There goes any thoughts I had about buying a M-Sport !! :( That's just too much sophistication for me. I'll stick to my old 535 and Bilstein suspension.

Yes, the EDC setup on the M-Sport isn't as simple or cheap as what's on your 535.

But you'd probably change your mind after driving one.

I'd say that the M-Sport/M540 is the ultimate E34. I do have many hours behind the wheel of a '93 M5, but love my M-sport a lot more.

[dauchande]

Sorry, for $5,000, I can think of a lot of things I could do to my car that would be better than a self-leveling suspension (like shopping at Dinan ;).

[bubba966]

Sorry, for $5,000, I can think of a lot of things I could do to my car that would be better than a self-leveling suspension (like shopping at Dinan ;).

The M-Sport has an EDC (electronic dampener control mean it's got instantly adjustable damping rates) suspension that includes self leveling. The EDC setup is what costs $5,000. A regular self leveling setup on a normal M5 costs about $1,800 for factory parts.

Not sure you can delete the SLS and keep the EDC. You could delete the EDC and keep the SLS though. Not sure why you'd want to do that though.

It's not the self leveling that makes M-Sports fun to drive, it's the EDC suspension than makes them fun.