Out of the frying pan and into the fire?

Just got my 325ci out of the shop yesterday from a mechanic that I had never been to before but had been recommended by a friend. I purchased a passanger window regulator ($108) and a graf water pump ($60) online and had this local mechanic do the installation. Also had him check to find the source of my oil leak. My bill goes as follows:
Labor= $75/hr

Installation of regulator: 2.5hrs = $187.50
Replace water pump: 1.8hrs = $135.00
He provided "vapor barrier sealer", "bmw cap", and "coolant". Total bill:$366.60

Future repair needed for oil leak:
Valve Cover Gasket/ Vacuum Line/ Pressure Wash Engine: $293.51
Oil Line: $66.61
Housing Seal: $240.73 (may not be necessary)

He seemed like a pretty good guy and his honesty and flexibility beats the heck out of the dealership....any thoughts or input?? (I don't have time for DIY)

i don't know what the book rate for the window regulator is but you didn't get any break there
DIY takes about 1 hour for noobs and under 30 mins for those who've done it before

Posted from Skyrocket using BimmerApp

I'll agree that he should have been able to do the window regulator much more quickly.

As a noob, I didn't quite get mine done (rear passenger side) in an hour but I definitely did it in under 2. I'm fairly slow & deliberate though while working on my car. Coupe regulator is probably a bit more involved than sedan but still...

I hate looking at prices that people pay to get things done.


Regulator is easy and all you need is a 8/10mm socket to remove the bolt from the window at the bottom and a thinwall nut driver and the proper torx bit to take the bolts off the door panel.



What is a housing seal? Oil filter housing gasket? I wouldn't pay more than 140 total for the job including the $4 gasket. And when I first got my car I paid $50 in labor to get the valve cover gasket done.

Originally Posted by Solidjake

What is a housing seal? Oil filter housing gasket?

yea oil filter housing, he said that the leak there is so small he wouldn't see it as a necessary repair at this moment, just wanted to bring it to my attention. By him making this statement it makes me feel reassured that he isn't just going to start repairing and replacing things that I don't "need". He was also impressed that I was able to find a new window regulator for $108. Another good thing about this shop: A lot of shops in town won't work on your car if you don't have a state inspection or are willing to have them work on it to pass state inspection, this guy doesn't care. (I've had my car in VA for almost 2 years now now and haven't had it inspected)