razahyde

the holes in the middle usually look fine, every guibo ive seen going bad is visually bad on the outside.

busyinny

Tim, ultra-thanks for that. Hadn't even thought about the SSK, but it seems logical to do it now.

In terms of the RMS, I know, I've seen a few posts, and I am almost certain either way I go I will regret it. I am hoping that by going for the whole 'cover' rather than just the seal I reduce the chances of the new one leaking....

Now in regards to your offer, I would seriously take you up on it but for these 2 items:

1) I have a cracked wheel (don't ask, I love my NY taxes & roads) and I do not want to do 500 miles or so on that cracked wheel.

2) In terms of labor, the one quote I have gotten from a shop, that people in this forum almost swear by, is not extreme from what I have seen others quote. They have quoted me $950 for clutch/flywheel/RMS work (I believe it was $875 for clutch&flywheel so I guess they are adding .5 hour or so for the RMS), and $220 for front brakes/rotors replacement. Considering this is the tristate area where it seems even pan-handlers cost more, and this is a very well known BMW indie, that seems totally willing to use my parts, I do not feel totally robbed.

I am getting other quotes as well for my sanity but doubt will get a significantly less quote.

Currently I am racking it up to something like this:

~$ 500 for front euro rotors & pads (already acquired from previous owner, knew they were coming up)
~$2100 for wheels & tires (VMR CSLs (VB3s) with Bridgestones R760, knew the tires were coming up, not the wheels)
~$ 800 for Luk clutch & flywheel (was hoping to get another 10K miles out of clutch/flywheel but guess not)
~$ 300 for ssk, guibo, rms, bolts etc. (just makes sense when you do the $1.5K clutch/flywheel replacement)
~$ 100 for TWS 10-60 and filter
-------
$3800 for parts

Now if I can get anyone to put all of these on for less $1200, I will be limited to a $5K bill. Don't see that happening though, probably heading towards $5300 or so. Knew about $2-2.5K was around the corner when I got the car, another $3K just came up, but I guess I'll know that most (?) of the expensive wear&tear items (clutch,flywheel,tires,front brake rotors) will be behind me. And god do I love driving the beast.

Oh, and of course, E8 just came up 2-3 times. Well as far as I can tell, that does not hurt anything, and I cannot spend any more money on her right now, otherwise the other her will come at me with a pitch fork (although she loves the beast too, she likes diamonds better).

No, I am not complaining. Yes, I know beasts are not cheap to maintain, especially when you cannot even do your own oil change (one thing I know how to do well, just no room, no place do dispose the oil).

The thing I just hate is that it will probably be 3 weeks before all of this is in and on my baby, and by then it will October in NY....

P.S: To end my rant, and before someone tells me I am sacriligious for calling a M5 a 'her', my cars will always be female, and a female can certainly be a 'beast' in all terms of fashion. The M5 is my current baby, but I also love my nice little beater, despite the fact I have treater her as a crack^&hore....

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razahyde

i highly suggest you do your own brakes. if you can remove a tire, you can change your brakes. its 2 bolts on the back to remove the caliper, and then 1 screw on the rotor and the rotor comes off. that is literally all there is to it.

busyinny

Raza, thanks, I appreciate your offer for help as well, even from 1500 miles away. I have been keeping in touch with some of your adventures (in flip-flops ). Glad to see that your SC/clutch install adventure is over and you are enjoying the beast...

In terms of the brakes I wish I could, however I am in an apartment with a rented garage for the beast. No space for a brake job, even an oil change, no real tools in NY (my small collection still lives in TX, about 300 miles south of you).

Until I get myself a house and a real garage with tools I am afraid the work on the beast will be left to others (please nobody tell me why I have a beast before a house, that is a different discussion).

I will say I will take any offers of other compadres in the area with a garage and offer my limited time, limited strength, good humour and beer buying abilities for work on anyone's car.