Thoughts on my M5 after being in the shop, and question about oil leak... - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

UltFamCar · 12th May 2006, 11:18

Thought I share with everyone after getting my 91 M5 (125k miles) back
from my local regular indie shop with labor rate of $110/hour:

1. Inspection I: I brought most of my own parts (from BMA) except
washer fluid, valve cover gaskets, valve shims and differential seal
ring). Labor = $400
2. Brake flush and replace master cylinder rubber grommets. Labor for
brake flush = $100
3. Coolant flush. Labor = $88
4. Replace drive shaft flex disc. Labor = $44
5. Install StopTech SS brakelines F/R. Labor = $165
6. Replace F/R brake pads (Hawk HPS/Axxis Ultimates respectively) and
F/R rotors (Centric), all brake parts from zeckhausen.com. Labor = $330
7. Replace fuel hoses from tank to filter and from filter to fuel
line. P/L = $81
8. Replace all 3 drive belts. P/L = $165
9. Replaced differential fluid (Royal Purple Synchromax). Labor = $30
...and finally...
10. Install UUC SSK/DSSR, black tranny mounts (and new shift knob

.
Labor = $220 (although advisor said it took a lot longer than 2 hours
to install)

Gotta say the M5 felt like new again, and absolutely LOVE the UUC SSK.
Made sure to give them all applicable written instructions (e.g.
don't over-torque the tranny mounts). So how did I do? Do the labor
rates look reasonable for a SF bay area indie shop?

Here's a quote they gave me for fixing the front end oil leak. Please
give me your thoughts on price:

Problems found: Engine oil pan bolts loose and one missing. Replace
lower oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and front timing cover
gaskets. P/L estimate = $2392

How many of you live with the slight leak and pressure wash the
undercarriage when needed?

Thanks,
Charles

bobz · 13th May 2006, 01:58

I would live with the slight oil leak.

If you decide to do the work then at least replace the oil pump and chain giudes.

BobZ

Phlem5 · 13th May 2006, 03:17

Charles, can't comment on the labour rate's but, are you sure the guy put RP Synchromax in your differential ?. As I understand it synchromax should be used in the gearbox in place of automatic transmission fluid. The Diff / Final drive unit should be filled with Castrol saf xj 75/140 or other high quality oil of similar spec, specifically for LSD diffs.

Phil.

Binary Star · 17th September 2006, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltFamCar

Problems found: Engine oil pan bolts loose and one missing. Replace
lower oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and front timing cover
gaskets. P/L estimate = $2392

How many of you live with the slight leak and pressure wash the
undercarriage when needed?

Thanks,

Charles

sounds reasonable, what's the name of the shop?

Jahangeer · 17th September 2006, 21:09

I had my lower oil pan gasket replaed, it only cost around 2500sek, so 400usd ish.

StevieBoy · 19th September 2006, 21:44

Problems found: Engine oil pan bolts loose and one missing. Replace
lower oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and front timing cover
gaskets. P/L estimate = $2392

How many of you live with the slight leak and pressure wash the
undercarriage when needed?

Thanks,

Charles
[/quote]

The "front timing cover gasket" ... do you mean the crankshaft oil seal?
If you do... it costs about 10 USD and takes about an hour or two to fix
Over 2000 dollars for the three !!!! EEEEEK!!!

I have lived with the oil leaks for 1 year and after replacing sump gasket crankshaft seal and diff seal ....thy're gone !! Horrray !!

Total cost about 300 usd (200 quid in real money )

Oh !! and 20 quid for power washing every now and then

steve

unesential · 19th September 2006, 23:59

Labor rates seem normal. The work buy the book for replacing those gaskets is a bit much. If you are going to open it up then I would change oil pump and the associated timing chain parts as when these need to be done yuo will repeating the work.

fugginfazt · 20th September 2006, 00:43

Had same job done here in San Luis Obispo for 850.00 parts and labor