So, exactly how much does it cost to "see sig, do it all?" -- and friendly reminder

Originally Posted by vandyboy

That is the most helpful "refresh" list I have ever seen. Definitely making a spreadsheet as someone else stated and start working/marking off the list.

Thanks, Mango. Happy Holidays to you!

way ahead of you. made this in late September



I should note that the Expansion tank mounting plate listed is for the automatic transmission and so is the radiator.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Yes wheel bearings (especially in rear) are a PITA. Thanks to our wah-wah guy I've learned that the harbor freight wheel bearing kit for $100 is a MUST (i repeat-- a must) for rear wheel bearing job. I did one side without it and it took 12 hours. not fun. The right tools, as most people know, make all the diff. My rear wheel bearing started wah-wahing at around 125k and got VERY bad during and after autocrossing. Replaced the rear left and everything is silent now. havent had the chance to do the remaining three wheel bearings (they're sitting the living room floor)

Anyways the $3k figure I mentioned sounds like a lot but when you consider a used E46 is between $7,000 and $12,000, an extra $3k for piece of mind and a great driving car is well worth it.

You'll rarely, if not never, have to post of a breakdown or failure thread in your lifetime and you'll likely never see a check engine light!

It must be my lucky day! Mango giving me some props. NICE! Add in the cost of tools and these figures go way up, but you also have to consider that once you get certain tools, the other jobs cost will just be the price of the part. Can't wait till I can do rear wheel bearings for $34 a piece! wait, I didn't mean that. Still don't want to do that again

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Thank you, sir. Happy Holidays to you too. You're the one with the convertible right? (the blue one i think)

No sir. The bone stock 2001 325i in steel gray. I keep thinking at some point I will get a convertible, but I want one in the E30 generation.

Already making my spreadsheet....

Originally Posted by vandyboy

No sir. The bone stock 2001 325i in steel gray. I keep thinking at some point I will get a convertible, but I want one in the E30 generation.

Already making my spreadsheet....

I had an E36 M3 convertible. Definitely tons of fun. Way way fun with the top down.

Thanksfor another good informative thread mango. Not that I am going to replace all my suspension or anything , but I have replaced the shocks and struts, fcabs, soon to do the rtabs. And recently replaced my whole cooling system.

I've done most of this stuff.
Why'd you have to actually total it up? It's depressing. Haha

great info

I like the list. I've been trying to get my dad to do this to his E46 for a while. But he will just probably find out the hard way.

Originally Posted by WDE46

way ahead of you. made this in late September



I should note that the Expansion tank mounting plate listed is for the automatic transmission and so is the radiator.

Awesome.

Originally Posted by Patton323I

I like the list. I've been trying to get my dad to do this to his E46 for a while. But he will just probably find out the hard way.

I've heard the same exact story from my friend's dad and his E46. Lets just say he was stubborn and had a don't fix it if it ain't broken mentality and he uh.. learned.

Be nice to these cars and they will reward you!

Originally Posted by E46Mango

And here's a summary of parts/costs: (reminder: NOT exact and NOT everything--just basics!!)

$500 - Cooling System
$120 - Fuel pump
$20 - Fuel pump sealing ring
$150 - CCV kit
$200 - DISA (OPTIONAL)
$5 - DISA O-ring
$1 - IAC seal
$55 - Genuine VCG w/ grommet kit.
$75 - Intake boot set
$10 - 3 feet of vacuum tubing for f-connector, SAP, etc.

$90 49DL battery
$34 Voltage regulator
$120 - precat oxygen sensors
$60 spark plugs NGK BKR6EQUP
$55 fuel filter
$12 Diff oil
$400 - Auto trans service using quality fluid and filter
$30 - Manual trans fluid using quality Redline fluid or similar
$10 air filter
$8 throttle body cleaner for ICV/TB/DISA
$8 maf cleaner for MAF
$15 brake fluid (ATE)
$40 vanos oil line
$1 washers
$15 ATF fluid for power steering
$5 new clamps for power steering lines
$5 oil filter housing gasket

Suspension
$330 - control arms with bushings (Meyle HD)
$10- genuine BMW control arm nuts
$30 - genuine BMW reinforcement plates for strut/shock towers
$20 - Meyle HD rear shock mounts
$600 - shocks/struts
$50 - strut mounts
$1 - paper shock gaskets
$10 - 18mm shock bolts
$40 - front sway end links
$20 - rear sway endlinks
$20 - front sway bushings
$20 - rear sway bushings
$40 - RTABs (MIS RTAB tool $100 or rent it--required)
$55 steering coupler/flex-joint


$2885 - Manual cars

$3475 - Automatic cars

Those are very interesting prices. Never seen them or even heard of but its nice to see that someone can maintain a BMW for the price of owning a cat.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

And here's a summary of parts/costs: (reminder: NOT exact and NOT everything--just basics!!)

$500 - Cooling System
$120 - Fuel pump
$20 - Fuel pump sealing ring
$150 - CCV kit
$200 - DISA (OPTIONAL)
$5 - DISA O-ring
$1 - IAC seal
$55 - Genuine VCG w/ grommet kit.
$75 - Intake boot set
$10 - 3 feet of vacuum tubing for f-connector, SAP, etc.

$90 49DL battery
$34 Voltage regulator
$120 - precat oxygen sensors
$60 spark plugs NGK BKR6EQUP
$55 fuel filter
$12 Diff oil
$400 - Auto trans service using quality fluid and filter
$30 - Manual trans fluid using quality Redline fluid or similar
$10 air filter
$8 throttle body cleaner for ICV/TB/DISA
$8 maf cleaner for MAF
$15 brake fluid (ATE)
$40 vanos oil line
$1 washers
$15 ATF fluid for power steering
$5 new clamps for power steering lines
$5 oil filter housing gasket

Suspension
$330 - control arms with bushings (Meyle HD)
$10- genuine BMW control arm nuts
$30 - genuine BMW reinforcement plates for strut/shock towers
$20 - Meyle HD rear shock mounts
$600 - shocks/struts
$50 - strut mounts
$1 - paper shock gaskets
$10 - 18mm shock bolts
$40 - front sway end links
$20 - rear sway endlinks
$20 - front sway bushings
$20 - rear sway bushings
$40 - RTABs (MIS RTAB tool $100 or rent it--required)
$55 steering coupler/flex-joint


$2885 - Manual cars

$3475 - Automatic cars

Wow! When I saw $3475 I thought this was an overkill, but it's amazing how quickly the prices add up. I wonder how much labor cost would be for all this, if the owner couldn't do the repair himself?

Originally Posted by lszlszx

Wow! When I saw $3475 I thought this was an overkill, but it's amazing how quickly the prices add up. I wonder how much labor cost would be for all this, if the owner couldn't do the repair himself?

Probably over $15,000 at a dealer or $10,000 at an indy??

Anyway I updated (added $100) the list due to Autozone not offering the 49DL battery. New group 94 battery is $190.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Probably over $15,000 at a dealer or $10,000 at an indy??

Anyway I updated (added $100) the list due to Autozone not offering the 49DL battery. New group 94 battery is $190.

I sure am glad I can do it myself, but then the more time I spend working
on the car, the less time I spend at work making $$$, haha!

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Probably over $15,000 at a dealer or $10,000 at an indy??

Anyway I updated (added $100) the list due to Autozone not offering the 49DL battery. New group 94 battery is $190.

Really? My Autozone is still offering the 49DL battery that I'm replacing my old battery with soon. Still works fine but the date stamped on it says 5/07 and I'm just leery about having a battery that old in my car.

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

Really? My Autozone is still offering the 49DL battery that I'm replacing my old battery with soon. Still works fine but the date stamped on it says 5/07 and I'm just leery about having a battery that old in my car.

That's what the guy at autozone told me.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

That's what the guy at autozone told me.

They still carry a battery which works for our cars at Walmart. I forget which one exactly. It was about 90 bucks after core.

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

Really? My Autozone is still offering the 49DL battery that I'm replacing my old battery with soon. Still works fine but the date stamped on it says 5/07 and I'm just leery about having a battery that old in my car.

The one at AutoZone was made 5/07? That's ridiculous. I would never buy that.

Originally Posted by WDE46

The one at AutoZone was made 5/07? That's ridiculous. I would never buy that.

I think his battery is currently stamped 05/07. He's claiming his autozone still offers the DL-49. My battery is stamped 02/08 and also need a new one soon. So after I saw what Mango said and couldn't get it online I went to autozone, they are no longer offering that product at my autozone.

I did my a/t service for about $200 including filter/gasket/screws and fluid. I'd say it was fairly easy.