HELP! Big ish quote E39 540i..

[Max M4X WW]

Hi everyone,

Put the car in to a local specialist this morning to have the engine/gearbox software updated and engine codes read as I am experiencing SLIGHTLY harsh gear changes.

Was going to cost me around £200 to have this done.

They've come back with faults with the camshaft sensors, air con pusher fan and thermostat. The camshaft sensors could be causing my gear change problem they say and it will probably overheat in the summer as the fan clutch is also not working.

So to supply and fit the fan, clutch, thermostat and sensors including updating software they have quoted £1400 inc vat (Parts 875, labour 525)

This sound about right? I could probably fit some of the gear myself, IE pusher fan but its a bit of a ballache!

I know these cars cost a fair bit to run, but its come as a bit of a shock after being asked to spend over 1k more than I was expecting!

Thanks

Edited by Max M4X WW on Thursday 10th March 12:48

[trickywoo]

Second opinion time.

Sounds way OTT.

Thats never £800 worth of parts and £500 labour.Even at £80 an hour thats never six + hours of work.

[Max M4X WW]

I did a quick edit above, Parts are £875 and Labour £525 inc vat.

Labour breakdown..

Pusher fan: £180 inc vat
Fan clutch: £25 inc vat
Thermostat: £60 inc vat
Sensors: £50 inc vat

Parts breakdown..

2x Cam sensors £185
1x Pusher fan £350
1x Fan clutch £230
1x thermostat £70

Edited by Max M4X WW on Thursday 10th March 13:36

[Max M4X WW]

Got the parts down to £700 delivered all in from Cotswold BMW who I have used before.

The price you pay for genuine parts I guess?

[Huff]

Has the pusher fan really failed? It'd be worth unplugging it and applying 12v from the battery direct and check if it spins.

Quite often it's just the low-value ballast resitor failed (losing the default lower speed) for which you want something like a 1ohm, 50W metal-clad resistor; about a fiver from RS...

[Max M4X WW]

I'll try that when I get the car back.

Ordering the parts from elsewhere now so will have a look and if need be try and sell the fan!

[bababa]

My E36 pusher fan had failed when I originally got the car - it didn't come on with the compressor or when bridging the radiator temperature switch, although the high/low speed relays were clicking when they should have done and the fuses were good.

I know what you mean though, it was the last thing I expected to have gone - I was sure it would have been a sensor or a relay.

In the end, I got a known-good from FAB recycling for about £60 which has been fine ever since.

It makes me wonder how many people have a dud pusher fan but don't actually know it - I only checked because everybody I spoke to with knowledge of the M52-engined E36 would repeatedly stress "watch the cooling system on these cars!" and "don't let it overheat, whatever you do!", so I spent an afternoon checking all the cooling system and fans in minute detail.

I also found my viscous clutch was toast as well - could stop the fan with my little finger when the engine was at idle, irrespective of the engine temperature!