Repairs Local Guy vs Dealership 07 335i

Has anyone needed their Vanos Solenoid Valve and Mechtronic Sleeve replaced?

I'm looking at a huge cost difference between the dealership and a private local garage that specialized in German autos.

As expected, the dealership would be more expensive, but 3 times as much?

Furthermore, my extended warranty is not all is boasted to be when I purchased it.

If you don't mind please respond with approximate costs of:
Vanos Valves?
Mechatronic Sleeve?
and Oil Filter Gasket?

Please and Thank you.

I did a job on a 328 last week which the dealer quoted at $2700. Had to do with the intake cam angle sensor and a tune up, and a couple minor things.
I quoted $1200,did it for $1250. Made good money on it too. My customer didn't get a loaner, or a free cup of coffee and a banana, or a car wash, or a multi million dollar waiting area. He did get his car back the same day.
Oh, I used all genuine BMW parts, too.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

I did a job on a 328 last week which the dealer quoted at $2700. Had to do with the intake cam angle sensor and a tune up, and a couple minor things.
I quoted $1200,did it for $1250. Made good money on it too. My customer didn't get a loaner, or a free cup of coffee and a banana, or a car wash, or a multi million dollar waiting area. He did get his car back the same day.
Oh, I used all genuine BMW parts, too.

Note to OP: If you sleep in your car during the cross-country trip, the $1,450 savings might be worth it. Not to mention that you might catch the Fall foliage at its best.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

I did a job on a 328 last week which the dealer quoted at $2700. Had to do with the intake cam angle sensor and a tune up, and a couple minor things.
I quoted $1200,did it for $1250. Made good money on it too. My customer didn't get a loaner, or a free cup of coffee and a banana, or a car wash, or a multi million dollar waiting area. He did get his car back the same day.
Oh, I used all genuine BMW parts, too.

You can admit it. You had already run out of bananas.

Originally Posted by DSXMachina

I did a job on a 328 last week which the dealer quoted at $2700. Had to do with the intake cam angle sensor and a tune up, and a couple minor things.
I quoted $1200,did it for $1250. Made good money on it too. My customer didn't get a loaner, or a free cup of coffee and a banana, or a car wash, or a multi million dollar waiting area. He did get his car back the same day.
Oh, I used all genuine BMW parts, too.

So when are you going to be moving to Connecticut?

Originally Posted by Pacifico

Has anyone needed their Vanos Solenoid Valve and Mechtronic Sleeve replaced?

I'm looking at a huge cost difference between the dealership and a private local garage that specialized in German autos.

As expected, the dealership would be more expensive, but 3 times as much?

Furthermore, my extended warranty is not all is boasted to be when I purchased it.

If you don't mind please respond with approximate costs of:
Vanos Valves?
Mechatronic Sleeve?
and Oil Filter Gasket?

Please and Thank you.

Vanos solenoids run at about $200 ish each I believe and there are two. Mechatronic Sleeve is cheap, but the transmission pan has to be dropped and the very expensive zf fluid needs to be replaced (About 6.5 Liters) I would say to get all this done even at an indy anything around $1000 would be reasonable.

I would definitely take this job to the specialist, BMW would have a field day on something like this.

At the end of this DIY; "1. Instead of replacing w/ a new solenoid, try cleaning the solenoid w/ compressed air first."

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486201

Originally Posted by Saintor

At the end of this DIY; "1. Instead of replacing w/ a new solenoid, try cleaning the solenoid w/ compressed air first."

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486201

The BMW tsb requires that before any solenoid is replaced on the warranty, that the tech blow thru it, reinstall it, then see if it works. Yeah, right. A flat rate tech is going to install a questionable part, put everything back together, and chance sending a part which could fail again back onto the road? Not on your life.
At the bottom of the tsb it says "Fix it right the first time, every time!" Except when BMWNA tries to save a few bucks on a part.