[JCM55555]

When it rains it pours!

My car was experiencing some intermittent power loss coinciding with an SES light so I took her in for diagnosis and repair a couple weeks ago. I was about a thousand miles away from being due for an oil service so I added that in. Below is a list of what was done during that appointment.

• Replaced Bank 1 and 2 Intake Camshaft Position Sensors
• Oil and Filter Service
• Time Sert Oil Pan due to Stripping Threads (I've already replaced the oil pan once because of this)
• Update DME to latest version

I'm honestly too embarrassed to tell you what the bill was for this visit. Needless to say I've found a new INDY shop.

I mentioned in another thread that while my car was in for that appointment I had a look underneath when it was on the lift and noticed that my flex disk was very badly cracked and needed to be replaced a.s.a.p. My (old) INDY quoted me $800 for parts and labor. That was when I decided to go elsewhere.

Today I did a brake fluid flush and also had the flex disk taken care of at my new INDY shop for half the quoted price of my previous. They've informed me that not only is my differential leaking (I suspect it may be the rear main seal?)....but also that my front brake pads have 2mm remaining and my rotors are dished. GREAT.

So, the bad news is that my beast is literally costing me thousands of dollars to own this month...but the good news is that I now have a perfect opportunity to upgrade to a StopTech BBK, and will likely do so very soon. My rear rotors are in good shape so I will only upgrade the front and keep the OEM rear setup with new pads.

I was supposed to do a rock chip touch up, polish, and full frontal clear bra this month, but all the crap that's been dropped in my lap means I'll have to keep putting it off. All in all, it's been a frustrating couple weeks of ownership in which I feel like I'm trying to plug a leak to no avail. These cars can be a real p.i.t.a. sometimes.

Luckily for me, while it definitely puts a big strain on my budget, I can survive it and love my car no matter what. It's worth every penny to me in the end....

As I always share the good, I thought I would share some of the bad as well.

Cheers

 

[brit]

A rough month indeed. I just recently ran into the leaking differential/seal issue myself. Needless to say, I feel your pain, but I agree with your stance. Once the initial sting went away, you go right back to loving the damn car. Here's to smoother sailing for a while.

 

[E55AMG2]

You can DIY the brakes and save a ton of $$$$, as well as your oil changes and CPS's.

 

[ard]

Luckily you live in ....lemme see...Oh, "EARTH".... so at least the labor rates are pretty decent.


Ditto on the DIY for the BBK and pads/rotors.

 

[lothar]

+1 on the brake DIY. I had a tire shop mount my new tires about 6 months ago and they told me my front brakes and rotors were shot. Their estimate to do just the front with OEM rotors and pads was almost $900. I replaced all four corners with Centric Powerslots, Stoptech pads and new pad sensors (front sensor had been mostly chewed through) for a few hundred less than that and the brakes are noticeably stronger.

 

[russap5]

Don't start me on a 'who spent more on their beast repairs this month' argument.. I will win. :hihi:

However, mine was mostly preventative and not required repairs like yours. I know it's rough but use the opportunities to make upgrades and your beast will repay you for it. Friday instead of replacing a leaking P/S hose with OEM for $100 + labor, I am having it replaced with a cooler and high end hose and fittings for about the same price. There are always neat opportunities!

 

[JCM55555]

You can DIY the brakes and save a ton of $$$$, as well as your oil changes and CPS's.

Luckily you live in ....lemme see...Oh, "EARTH".... so at least the labor rates are pretty decent.


Ditto on the DIY for the BBK and pads/rotors.

Unfortunately I wouldn't even know where to begin on a brake kit swap, nor do I have a garage at my current residence or the proper tool sets. Perhaps it's easier than I would assume? I will look into it....I have a friend that is actually very mechanically adept who I'm sure would be willing to help out.

In any event the labor rates at my new INDY are much better...I really don't mind paying for regular maintenance needs like oil services etc. I knew this car would be expensive, my current rant is just motivated by the fact that so many unexpected things are coming up at once.

This being my daily driver and my only car...and also having a lack of resources and knowledge, it's tough for me to perform DIY maintenance. Luckily I am still in my twenties, single, and have no kids...so while I won't be eating out as much for the next few weeks....I'll survive and still get to keep my dream car. :biggrin:

 

[jshep]

Sorry to hear, Jonathan. Just curious -- who is your current indy? For the work my friend Tommy and I didn't feel like doing on my car, I always took it to Parker at Broad Stroke Associates just south of Snohomish. He is extremely knowledgeable and his labor rates are very reasonable.

 

[JCM55555]

Sorry to hear, Jonathan. Just curious -- who is your current indy? For the work my friend Tommy and I didn't feel like doing on my car, I always took it to Parker at Broad Stroke Associates just south of Snohomish. He is extremely knowledgeable and his labor rates are very reasonable.

I now go to Eastside Bavarian in Issaquah. I've heard about Broad Stroke but it's too far for me.

 

[Jacob_Seattle]

+1, on Eastside Bavarian, nothing but good things from these guys. When I am back in town you can have full access to my facility (lift, all tools, +++). I do pretty much everything myself. Ownership of the M5 is a great hobby and this should extend to all necessary work as well. shot me a PM or email if you want some assistance, I would be happy to help (in May-ish).

 

[lothar]

Unfortunately I wouldn't even know where to begin on a brake kit swap, nor do I have a garage at my current residence or the proper tool sets. Perhaps it's easier than I would assume? I will look into it....I have a friend that is actually very mechanically adept who I'm sure would be willing to help out.

In any event the labor rates at my new INDY are much better...I really don't mind paying for regular maintenance needs like oil services etc. I knew this car would be expensive, my current rant is just motivated by the fact that so many unexpected things are coming up at once.

This being my daily driver and my only car...and also having a lack of resources and knowledge, it's tough for me to perform DIY maintenance. Luckily I am still in my twenties, single, and have no kids...so while I won't be eating out as much for the next few weeks....I'll survive and still get to keep my dream car. :biggrin:

If you're doing a BBK, I'd assume that means changing out the brake lines as well, I have no clue what's involved in that.

If you keep the existing setup and swap the pads and rotors, it's really not that complicated. You need a jack, jack stands, a decent set of sockets, a set of allen wrenches, a C-clamp (or equivalent) to push the piston back into the caliper, probably some penetrating blaster spray, maybe a section of cheater pipe (the bolts holding the calipers in place were on REALLY tight) and a fair amount of patience. That's about it. I think it took me about 90 minutes to do the front and maybe 60 to do the back once I sorta knew what I was doing.

Of course, a good indy can probably knock it out in under 2 hours, so if they'll price match online part costs or you can bring in your own materials, it might be worth a few hundred dollars to avoid the hassle.

 

[5PEEDY]

+1, on Eastside Bavarian, nothing but good things from these guys. When I am back in town you can have full access to my facility (lift, all tools, +++). I do pretty much everything myself. Ownership of the M5 is a great hobby and this should extend to all necessary work as well. shot me a PM or email if you want some assistance, I would be happy to help (in May-ish).

Yah dude. Hit us up, that is what the local community is for.

CPS are easy peazy lemon squeezey (when you have small hands).

I have a good INDY that is very close to Eastside Bavarian if you are interested.

 

[vantaam5]

Don't start me on a 'who spent more on their beast repairs this month' argument.. I will win. :hihi:

Nope,me wins.....:S

Picking up engine parts and engine assembly time this month....


Just kiddin,anyway...


Yep,some of the month of M5 ownership are pretty bad(for the wallet).

But as you said,sometimes the need of replacement justifies upgrades(BBK)!

 

[OC e39r]

Nope,me wins.....:S

Picking up engine parts and engine assembly time this month....


Just kiddin,anyway...


Yep,some of the month of M5 ownership are pretty bad(for the wallet).

But as you said,sometimes the need of replacement justifies upgrades(BBK)!

I will def. win this one.. :cheers:
This month was a financial disaster by all means..

 

[vantaam5]

I will def. win this one.. :cheers:
This month was a financial disaster by all means..

OK.....maybe I should bill myself the 3.5k labor for my engine rebuild to win the contest...:7:

 

[mister2d]

LOL, you're having a BBK installed and crying about an expensive month of ownership.

Try rear main seal and deciding whether or not to buy a clutch while I'm at it.

 

[OC e39r]

OK.....maybe I should bill myself the 3.5k labor for my engine rebuild to win the contest...:7:

The 3.5k will barely pay for the clutch kit+flywheel+ drive shaft components. I bought much more+labor. :Thumbdown:

 

[f1m5tony]

Hi JCM55555 - It is - F1M5 Tony - can you please send me an e-mail to [email protected] so that I can answer your question - I am unable to send posts as I do not qualify at the moment

 

[Beasty5]

Unfortunately I wouldn't even know where to begin on a brake kit swap, nor do I have a garage at my current residence or the proper tool sets. Perhaps it's easier than I would assume? I will look into it....I have a friend that is actually very mechanically adept who I'm sure would be willing to help out.

In any event the labor rates at my new INDY are much better...I really don't mind paying for regular maintenance needs like oil services etc. I knew this car would be expensive, my current rant is just motivated by the fact that so many unexpected things are coming up at once.

This being my daily driver and my only car...and also having a lack of resources and knowledge, it's tough for me to perform DIY maintenance. Luckily I am still in my twenties, single, and have no kids...so while I won't be eating out as much for the next few weeks....I'll survive and still get to keep my dream car. :biggrin:

I feel your pain. The year 2010 was probably the most expensive for me. Ever since my '97 Camry died, I turned my beast into my daily driver and thats when my maintence bill shot up. It's more painful when you get hit with multiple repairs/maintenance service at the same time. Imagine doing a suspension overhaul, valve cover gaskets, thermostat, clutch/rear main seal, guibo, tires, radiator flush, tranny and diff flush all in the same year and that's not including oil changes and air filter swaps...add to that keeping the car prestine inside out. I probably spent a grand this year alone on fixing dings scratches and even dents douche bags leave on my car while out and about. Mind you, the above are just 'consumables'..imagine when something actually breaks! I know a lot of you here got me beat by far and to consider myself one of the lucky few, but dayum:eek7:. I keep telling myself its worth every penny everytime I get in it...and..well it is:biggrin:.

Vic

 

[RichardP]

Looks like this will be an expensive month for me too.

New rear tyres, wheel refurb, Diff seal, PAS hoses leaking, oil service, break fluid change, coolant change, detail.

That's what I know of so far!