$1300.00 to replace a starter ? How much did you pay?

fatboym3 · 01-17-2013, 12:31 AM

It seems that my starter(2006 325i,6spd ,68,000 mi) has suddenly gone bad (no warning) I replaced the battery today (6.5 years old )thinking I might get away cheap ($134.00,AAA mobile battery service),. Still no start ,I'm new here in Vegas , don't know any Indy mechanics here that I trust ,so I bit my tongue and had it towed to the local BMW dealer here in Henderson. Imagine my surprise when the service adviser called to quote me $1300.00 to replace the starter! I Know its a labor intensive job (plenum removal) but can anyone verify the estimated labor time for this job, the few search results I have found put the cost at $650- $900.If i could Get a copy of a dealer invoice or estimate to help me try to negotiate some kind of discount ,That would be very much appreciated ! http://www.e90post.com/forums/images...es/mad0259.gif

arctic330i · 01-17-2013, 12:34 AM

I was on a trip when my starter died. I knew no local shops, got towed to the dealer and ended up Paying $1000

fatboym3 · 01-17-2013, 12:37 AM

Thanks Artic . What part of the country were you in?

BMW F22 · 01-17-2013, 12:44 AM

Well if it's from the dealership it's gonna be higher than an independent shop. I would say guestimate that $700-800 seems about right.

Amini77 · 01-17-2013, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatboym3

Thanks Artic . What part of the country were you in?

Here's a few tips since you're new here..Under the user's name there's some info including their Location. Says he's from Gainesville, FL. Also for him to see your reply, it's better to click the "Quote" button on the bottom left of the user's post that's on your thread, so he gets a notification. and +1 $1300 is a bit too high IMO

cuiter23 · 01-17-2013, 12:57 AM

sounds about right, I paid $1300 for mine as well.

fatboym3 · 01-17-2013, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amini77

Here's a few tips since you're new here..Under the user's name there's some info including their Location. Says he's from Gainesville, FL. Also for him to see your reply, it's better to click the "Quote" button on the bottom left of the user's post that's on your thread, so he gets a notification. and +1 $1300 is a bit too high IMO

Thanks for the posting tips and the reply. Artic said he was on a trip ,I was curious as to whether he was in my neck of the woods.Thanks Again!

fatboym3 · 01-17-2013, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuiter23

sounds about right, I paid $1300 for mine as well.

Thanks.

Amini77 · 01-17-2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatboym3

Thanks for the posting tips and the reply. Artic said he was on a trip ,I was curious as to whether he was in my neck of the woods.Thanks Again!

Ay haha there you go. No problem, hope you get your starter fixed asap. Good luck!

R.G. · 01-17-2013, 01:09 AM

Hey man sorry to hear that. In Vegas the place I've heard a lot of good feedback on is southwest bimmers. If you go to the regional:southwest forums and jump on the las Vegas thread I'm sure some guys will tell you about their experiences dealing with them. I haven't dealt with them before but have heard good things

Edit: I know it be a pain the *** to tow it to them but might be worth it

Good luck

fatboym3 · 01-17-2013, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R.G.

Hey man sorry to hear that. In Vegas the place I've heard a lot of good feedback on is southwest bimmers. If you go to the regional:southwest forums and jump on the las Vegas thread I'm sure some guys will tell you about their experiences dealing with them. I haven't dealt with them before but have heard good things

Good luck

Thanks for the tip ,Im gonna check it out.

Spensaur · 01-17-2013, 01:20 AM

Ouch. My dad's Cayenne costed about $1300. Would've thought it be a bit cheaper for BMWs... Guess not

ny325 · 01-17-2013, 01:36 AM

I paid $800.

tigermack · 01-17-2013, 01:37 AM

Damn, someone need to make a how-to!

Mr.Smithers · 01-17-2013, 02:21 AM

I got a proposition for ya, you can get your starter fixed for $650 using this method-

how about you go to a casino in vegas....any casino, preferably the Bellagio. Go the most crowded roulette table you can find and put $650 in chips on Red. Then it will hit Red and Tada! you can fix your car and make it run again!

Mr.Smithers · 01-17-2013, 02:23 AM

*Disclaimer* In the unfortunate event it doesnt hit red, then you are $650 poorer and still have a car that doesn't run.

But really though, I would call some local Indy Mechanics and get some quotes from them. If they give it cheaper, I would get it towed out by AAA or I believe you can trickle charge the battery and it should run long enough to get you to the closest mechanic.

cuiter23 · 01-17-2013, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigermack

Damn, someone need to make a how-to!

I think there is a brief write-up on here. It is no easy job though, basically have to remove the intake manifolds to get to the starter.

tigermack · 01-17-2013, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuiter23

I think there is a brief write-up on here. It is no easy job though, basically have to remove the intake manifolds to get to the starter.

Yeah, I just looked it up. Looks like a pain in the ass for a god damn starter... I thought you guys were just lazy!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=713354

John 070 · 01-17-2013, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newmember343

*Disclaimer* In the unfortunate event it doesnt hit red, then you are $650 poorer and still have a car that doesn't run.

But really though, I would call some local Indy Mechanics and get some quotes from them. If they give it cheaper, I would get it towed out by AAA or I believe you can trickle charge the battery and it should run long enough to get you to the closest mechanic.

Your odds are less than 50/50. I just hope BMW remanufactured starters are more reliable than others. I diy'd my Nissan with a NEW starter. It failed 2 mos. later and I had to diy again, though it had a lifetime warranty. I find BMW to be such an interesting car, people say $800 for something that should be under $100 to be a "good deal." It's all relative, when you have $$$, you're ok spending it...

Admittedly, I haven't diy'd much on my BMW except for air filter, microcabin, seat belt arms, and tire swaps, because nothing has broken in 6 yrs. except the stalling issue....

monkey_wrench · 01-17-2013, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigermack

Yeah, I just looked it up. Looks like a pain in the ass for a god damn starter... I thought you guys were just lazy!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=713354

Yeah, I did mine. A real bitch. Plus I ended up with the wrong starter twice before I finally got the correct one.

b-man · 01-17-2013, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey_wrench

Yeah, I did mine. A real bitch. Plus I ended up with the wrong starter twice before I finally got the correct one.

Haha that's what it takes to learn

monkey_wrench · 01-17-2013, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baris

Haha that's what it takes to learn

Learn what? That I was out $200 vs. the OP's $1300?

View Poll Results: Do you think this estimate is?
Outrageous	25	58.14%
A little high	15	34.88%
About right	3	6.98%
Too Low	0	0%
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01-17-2013, 12:31 AM	#1
fatboym3 New Member 8 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2006 325i sport pkg 6 speed Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Henderson,Nevada iTrader: (0)	$1300.00 to replace a starter ? How much did you pay? It seems that my starter(2006 325i,6spd ,68,000 mi) has suddenly gone bad (no warning) I replaced the battery today (6.5 years old )thinking I might get away cheap ($134.00,AAA mobile battery service),. Still no start ,I'm new here in Vegas , don't know any Indy mechanics here that I trust ,so I bit my tongue and had it towed to the local BMW dealer here in Henderson. Imagine my surprise when the service adviser called to quote me $1300.00 to replace the starter! I Know its a labor intensive job (plenum removal) but can anyone verify the estimated labor time for this job, the few search results I have found put the cost at $650- $900.If i could Get a copy of a dealer invoice or estimate to help me try to negotiate some kind of discount ,That would be very much appreciated ! http://www.e90post.com/forums/images...es/mad0259.gif
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01-17-2013, 12:34 AM	#2
arctic330i Lieutenant Colonel 128 Rep 1,984 Posts Drives: F15 35i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Gainesville, Fl iTrader: (8) Garage List 2014 BMW X5 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i E90 [8.08] 2013 BMW 335is [10.00]	I was on a trip when my starter died. I knew no local shops, got towed to the dealer and ended up Paying $1000 __________________ See my full mod list in my garage
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01-17-2013, 12:37 AM	#3
fatboym3 New Member 8 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2006 325i sport pkg 6 speed Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Henderson,Nevada iTrader: (0)	Thanks Artic . What part of the country were you in?
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01-17-2013, 12:44 AM	#4
BMW F22 Major General 3661 Rep 9,783 Posts Drives: ///M235i Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8)	Well if it's from the dealership it's gonna be higher than an independent shop. I would say guestimate that $700-800 seems about right.
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01-17-2013, 12:57 AM	#6
cuiter23 Major 82 Rep 1,094 Posts Drives: 2023 G87 M2 6Spd Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW 328i [6.00]	sounds about right, I paid $1300 for mine as well. __________________ [SOLD] 2007 E90 328i - Titanium Metallic l 19" VMR V710 l H&R Trak+ Spacers l M-Sport Rear Bumper l Mtech Rear Lip Spoiler l Hamann Front Lip l Eibach Sportline l AA N52 Signature Exhaust l OEM Blacklines l MTEC V3 AE l 6000K HID l Nokya 7000K Fogs l MTEC License Plate LED l Interior LED l 15% Tint l BlackVue DR380G-HD + PMP 2023 G87 M2 6Spd - HEA Package \| OEM M Performance Carbon Wing
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01-17-2013, 01:09 AM	#10
R.G. Captain 236 Rep 885 Posts Drives: Isetta Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: In my sub conscious iTrader: (12)	Hey man sorry to hear that. In Vegas the place I've heard a lot of good feedback on is southwest bimmers. If you go to the regional:southwest forums and jump on the las Vegas thread I'm sure some guys will tell you about their experiences dealing with them. I haven't dealt with them before but have heard good things Edit: I know it be a pain the * to tow it to them but might be worth it Good luck __________________ DocRace 6266 E92. M8 comp coupe, X5m**
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01-17-2013, 01:20 AM	#12
Spensaur Lieutenant 38 Rep 555 Posts Drives: E93 328i Join Date: May 2008 Location: So.Cal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E93 328i [9.00]	Ouch. My dad's Cayenne costed about $1300. Would've thought it be a bit cheaper for BMWs... Guess not
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01-17-2013, 01:36 AM	#13
ny325 Brigadier General 898 Rep 3,140 Posts Drives: Jet Black E90 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gridlock iTrader: (0)	I paid $800.
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01-17-2013, 01:37 AM	#14
tigermack OPN DIFF 494 Rep 1,918 Posts Drives: 10' E90 M3 6MT LB Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pacific Ocean iTrader: (12) Garage List 2010 M3 [10.00] 1995 BMW e36 325i [8.26] 2006 BMW e90 330i [8.43]	Damn, someone need to make a how-to! __________________ '10 LB E90 slicktop/speed cloth/6MT ex. '06 330i 6MT & '10 n54 6MT Msport Autocross vids https://www.youtube.com/user/tigermack https://www.instagram.com/tigermack
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01-17-2013, 02:21 AM	#15
Mr.Smithers Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 03 Z4, 07 328, 11 535 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (2)	I got a proposition for ya, you can get your starter fixed for $650 using this method- how about you go to a casino in vegas....any casino, preferably the Bellagio. Go the most crowded roulette table you can find and put $650 in chips on Red. Then it will hit Red and Tada! you can fix your car and make it run again!
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01-17-2013, 02:23 AM	#16
Mr.Smithers Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 03 Z4, 07 328, 11 535 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (2)	Disclaimer In the unfortunate event it doesnt hit red, then you are $650 poorer and still have a car that doesn't run. But really though, I would call some local Indy Mechanics and get some quotes from them. If they give it cheaper, I would get it towed out by AAA or I believe you can trickle charge the battery and it should run long enough to get you to the closest mechanic.
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