[Lankster]

Car is '07 335XI with 61k miles

Dealer offered to do it for $350, where normally they charge $744.44

Havent gotten around to DIY and my knowledge with engine components is not the best. Is it easy enough to DIY or should I go with the discounted price? 350 is around what people are getting for group buys, so im tempted but dont want to spend that if its a novice DIY

[Eric335]

Originally Posted by Lankster

Car is '07 335XI with 61k miles

Dealer offered to do it for $350, where normally they charge $744.44

Havent gotten around to DIY and my knowledge with engine components is not the best. Is it easy enough to DIY or should I go with the discounted price? 350 is around what people are getting for group buys, so im tempted but dont want to spend that if its a novice DIY

350$ sounds like a steal from the dealership. Id probably just go with that, but im sure someone else with more knowledge can chime in on the difficulty of the DIY. I wouldnt be comfortable doing it myself, since i dont know many people that could help me if i screwed up

[Blzn335]

At $350 from the dealer, that's great price. Don't hesitate just do it. Had mine done at the dealer and car feels like new again. I was lucky enough to get it done on the house but normally $800.

[Gossypiboma]

For $350 I would bite. Buying the supplies and equipment alone for a DIY wouldn't be less enough to make it worth it.

[luv135i]

If its walnut its a smoking deal but it sounds like its the chemical method. If so i wouldnt bother.

[Lankster]

Correct. If its chemical then no way in hell. My DIY would consist of Carb cleaner spray cans and a wide-bore gun brush to clean the valves. So relative overhead is ~$100

[E92 M2530Z]

Lankster, I'm also in SoCal and also interested in getting this done. Do you know someone at the dealer, or is this everyday pricing for anyone? Mind sharing which dealer quoted you this (PM me if you prefer), thanks!!

[galahad05]

For what it's worth, I tried the chemical cleaning at the dealership, and it didn't really do much for my car.

[E91 Hoarder]

Good deal. However, by cutting price in half, the dealer may be planning to spend twice less time on this service. Just make sure they do not cut corners and you get exactly same service as for the full price.

[bumere90]

damn nice price
I recently paid $760 for my audi a4 2.0T

[fun2drive]

I would jump on that...

[Dozhdbog]

If it's walnut shell, go for it.

[Lankster]

I neglected to ask if it is walnut, thats what he originally told me it was which was the $744.44. Then called me saying he can do it for 350. Good possibility that its the chemical. I will let yall know monday. BMW Encinitas if anyone is curious

[Metro]

LTMW is doing a group buy on the walnut shell blasting - $350, plus a car rental for the day is included. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=732369 And since it is LTMW you know that they are going to do it right! I know you are down in San Diego, but I'm making the 4 hr trip down from Lemoore to get this done since I know that it is worth the drive. The last page of the thread only shows one spot left open, but apparently a couple of guys have fallen out so there should be room to get in there.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by Lankster

Car is '07 335XI with 61k miles

Dealer offered to do it for $350, where normally they charge $744.44

Havent gotten around to DIY and my knowledge with engine components is not the best. Is it easy enough to DIY or should I go with the discounted price? 350 is around what people are getting for group buys, so im tempted but dont want to spend that if its a novice DIY

How is your car running? What makes you think you need this done at all??

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by iSerge

Good deal. However, by cutting price in half, the dealer may be planning to spend twice less time on this service. Just make sure they do not cut corners and you get exactly same service as for the full price.

How will you ever know??????? This thread is hilarious. Butt dynos right?

[trimtab81]

If you have a decent mechanical comprehension, do it yourself...I bought my 335 with 52k and decided to do the valve cleaning right away...I'm glad I did...the valve stems looked like deformed tree trunks...it was really bad...It is a lengthy process though...I spent 12 hours total on mine but i'm a perfectionist...there are plenty of threads here for DIY info if you want to see what you're getting into...all together I only spent about $50 to clean my valves...I guess it's just a matter of whether or not you enjoy working on your car, and how much your time is worth...If you can handle it, I would do it yourself, it's a pretty rewarding experience the first time you drive after it's clean...plus you can put that extra $300 back into the car somewhere else!

[Reznick]

Originally Posted by 335BBS

How will you ever know??????? This thread is hilarious. Butt dynos right?

I'm with 335BBS. Part of my business is rebuilding engines, granted they are huge diesel engines that power bulldozers but the valves get buildup up just the same.They ALL do. The chemical flush, while not a complete joke, doesn't really do all that much unless you're gonna go through the same process of cleaning them up just like you would with walnut shells after. It just softens the build up. The only way to really clean a valve is to pull the head and then pull the valves to blast them or wire wheel them. Then they really should be "seated" again so the sit properly.You can get away pulling the manifold and taping everything off to keep bits from getting down in the engine while you're working.But you're really only getting the carbon that is at the top of the valve. Thats a LOT of work to do for that kind of money.So I doubt the job is being done properly. If it is a flush and it makes you feel better...go for it. Bottom line is that EVERY car has buildup on the valves. Yes the DI engines have shown to be worse with build up, but it would take a LONG time before you could notice any performance problems if at all....Butt dyno.lol

[Lankster]

Originally Posted by 335BBS

How is your car running? What makes you think you need this done at all??

Because I know how a cleaned N54 feels (my friends who just had his done) and compared to mine, its shit. Also, there is a slight misfire, and i checked coils and plugs and they are all pristine. Only way to 100% be sure is to crack open the valves yes, but there is substantial evidence that it is carbon buildup

[Bimmer Barney]

Pm me if you what a source that does it for cheap in Lake Forest. BMW Certified Master Mechanic

[NoTempoLimitN54]

Originally Posted by Metro

LTMW is doing a group buy on the walnut shell blasting - $350, plus a car rental for the day is included. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=732369 And since it is LTMW you know that they are going to do it right!

Thanks for the tip Metro! Signed up for the group buy. This is not something I am willing to consider DIY for the time being. I spent a few 15 hour days in the garage with my E39 so I know what would be involved here.

I've been quoted (locally, by an indie BMW shop) $225.- MORE that what LTBMW is charging on the group buy. The SA I spoke to at the dealer I go to for my warranty stuff claimed they don't do it there.

[CHECKERED]

Originally Posted by trimtab81

...there are plenty of threads here for DIY info if you want to see what you're getting into...all together I only spent about $50 to clean my valves...I guess it's just a matter of whether or not you enjoy working on your car, and how much your time is worth...If you can handle it, I would do it yourself, it's a pretty rewarding experience the first time you drive after it's clean...plus you can put that extra $300 back into the car somewhere else!

X2
I'll be doing mine soon.