getting some work done, ballpark quote prices please.

Scania · 9 Oct 2011 at 18:33

I have a few jobs lined up for my e39 when I'm off for 10 days soon.

1, Drivers door won't open from the inside, fairly sure a cable has snapped, so part & labour for this.

2, Clonking noise from the front suspension. I'm guessing its the drop links?

3, Slight misfire when cold, barely perceptible, but its there I'm sure of it.

4, And probably the big one, the propshaft centre bearing often goes "clunk" as I take up drive, slowly but surely its doing this more & more.

I'm guessing circa £700 for the job lot. Am I being optimistic? is that way over the odds? or about right?

I'll be 'phoning around both my regular indie and local dealers tomorrow for some quotes, but fancied consulting the OC/UK collective so I have an idea as to the need for vaseline or not. :eek:

Thanks.

mattyprice4004 · 9 Oct 2011 at 21:20

Get your spanners out, and save yer dosh.

1. I'm not too good with interior stuff, but usually it's a cable hooked onto the back of the handle that runs to the lock box within the door. Take the door card off, and it'll be obvious. If it's connected fine, it'll be the lock box.

2. Usually drop links, however if your car has them it could be strut top bearings (my 75 is doing this). Could also be ball joints, with all 3 all you need to jack the car up and use a big screwdriver / crowbar to apply pressure to all of the above and check for play.

3. Check all spark plugs have been changed recently, get the emissions checked at a garage for high readings if this doesn't sort it.

4. This is for the E39 M5, but it looks to be similar. http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...150088-propshaft-center-bearing-diy-pics.html

Doesn't look too bad.

So in summary, buy a Haynes, some tools and some beer and crack on.

I'd say you should get it done for £700 at a garage, but you'd save a packet DIYing at least the easier stuff.

[TW]Fox · 9 Oct 2011 at 21:30

Is it an M52TU? Failing VANOS oil seals can cause misfires from cold.

Scania · 9 Oct 2011 at 23:31

mattyprice4004 said:
Get your spanners out, and save yer dosh.

1. I'm not too good with interior stuff, but usually it's a cable hooked onto the back of the handle that runs to the lock box within the door. Take the door card off, and it'll be obvious. If it's connected fine, it'll be the lock box.

2. Usually drop links, however if your car has them it could be strut top bearings (my 75 is doing this). Could also be ball joints, with all 3 all you need to jack the car up and use a big screwdriver / crowbar to apply pressure to all of the above and check for play.

3. Check all spark plugs have been changed recently, get the emissions checked at a garage for high readings if this doesn't sort it.

4. This is for the E39 M5, but it looks to be similar. http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e3...150088-propshaft-center-bearing-diy-pics.html

Doesn't look too bad.

So in summary, buy a Haynes, some tools and some beer and crack on.

I'd say you should get it done for £700 at a garage, but you'd save a packet DIYing at least the easier stuff.

Your certainly right - back in the day, I did a lot of work myself with my RS Turbo's (albeit with help of a knowlegable mate) , trouble is,I don't have the time these days and also I'm the sort who tends to break interiors when I try to fix things, and as for the easier stuff, which all fine & dandy if you have the time alas.

I'm off to the South west for a few days and I don't want some bodged half arsed attempt at saving a few quid scuppering my trip - which believe me, it would be. (bodged, half arsed and a subsequent scuppered trip!)

Thats why in my case I pay my money in good faith for somebody else to worry about it

- not to mention doing the job properly. I am a master of having more bolts & washers at the end of a job than I did at the start....

If its all sorted for circa £700, happy days.

I do appreciate the sentiment though.

[TW]Fox;20264162 said:
Is it an M52TU? Failing VANOS oil seals can cause misfires from cold.

Don't know tbh. You may be on the money - its smooth as you like once warm.

That said the vanos & engine generally seems quiet, especially so given its age/miles.

I'll ask them to investigate.

[TW]Fox · 10 Oct 2011 at 00:46

Actually its a 96 isn't it? Won't have an M52TU in that case.

Scania · 10 Oct 2011 at 04:42

[TW]Fox;20265642 said:
Actually its a 96 isn't it? Won't have an M52TU in that case.

First registered 01/05/97.

Scania · 19 Oct 2011 at 12:22

Update:

The misfire has been cured by replacing the plugs (thank **** it was not a VANOS issue!), my nsr wheel bearing is starting to get noisy but there is no play in it so its stayng put until the next service.

2hours labour (£80ish) for a 20pence grommit plus rod linkage (£6) to fix the drivers door handle.

Both front suspsnsion drop links replaced.

And the big one, the propshaft centre bearing, apparently, is "nearly done" they have had the car since yesterday morning , I'm expecting the majority of the bill will be this.

I pick it up in a few hours, I'll report back with the pocket damage.

Update: Got the car back, the bill was a mere £210!, the prop centre bearing is apparently ok! :confused:

The shunting they think is being caused by something else. It will get some further investigation when I return from my current trip to Somerset (in the car as opposed to my truck!)