funglenn

So I have had rattling turbos for almost 9 months, throwing the 30FF code about once every 3 months. The waste gate rod/arm seems not to have too much play, but the pivot point on the turbo housing is shot, it rattles and taps to the touch. Since I have a 535ix, it is not easy to adjust the wastegate rod anyway.


The dealer quoted me about 2800 dollars to replace both turbos--it is not a bad price I think. I may only save me 900 dollars if they only do the rear (which has the problem right now) thus I will probably do both. While they are there what else should I have them look at? I had the water pump done about a year ago.


Also is the 2800 a good price to get two new turbos from a dealer? Would love people's opinions.

Also they want to upgrade the software, which I do not want to do, but they way they must to make the turbos work right. I have read in many forums that the upgrade increased lag and decreased response. has that been addressed in more recent updates? any thoughts?

skrelnik

$2,800 to replace both turbos seems like a really good price from the dealership. Two turbos will cost you at least $2k, and my guess is an 8-10 hour job, so about $1k -$1.5k of labor. Bi would have guessed $4k for this job, considering they charged my warranty company $2.4k to replace the valve cover gasket and OFH gasket.


by any chance is your car under the mileage to qualify for turbo replacements due to wastegate rattle?

funglenn

I am being charged 1200 for the two turbos. I am close to 90K miles, way past the rattle warranty, and currently not in the US anyway, thus the class action lawsuit and BMW extension by BMW USA do not apply.

skrelnik

That is a great price, $1,200. ECS Tuning and Pelican Parts sell the turbos for that price, after the core charge return. But that doesn't include all seals and fluids. $1,600 for labor is on par so I think you are getting a great deal.

A few people have added the RB Inlets and since you are doing your turbos you could add these and the labor should be minimal since they are taking the car apart.

RB Turbo N54 High Flow Inlets - RBTurbo.com

funglenn

thanks, but I dont' the dealer will allow me to use these in their shop. They are already pushing back saying I MUST have the software update to my car to enable them to install the new turbos.


However I have heard that the software update increases turbo lag and reduces power. Have they fixed that in newer software releases? I have heard rumors.....

Kewill0360

Turbos cost $585

He will pay 2k if he dont return the old ones, the will keep the $500 core charge.

If my dealer would have told me that prices I would accept but since they told me $6k i sent them to eat bricks and told my buddy to install them for me for $1k.

zoppp

Potential n54 waste gate rattle fix?

I would take a look at that thread. Someone is trying out a possible rattle fix on there.

funglenn

I saw this, if you look at the clips they are designed for Audi/VWs. If you look at their turbos, you can see how the clips work for them, unfortunately we have different turbos pivot arm designs and they will not work for us. For some people the adjustment of the wastegates work as a temporary, but for 5 series, you cannot easily get to them because the car is bigger. But in the end the arms will fail.

skrelnik

If turbos cost $585 why did your dealer quote you $6k? $585 is not a realistic price from the dealer at least in our neck of the woods (tri state area). Pelican Parts and ECS sell turbos for that price, as was pointed out in the thread.


If the dealer hoses you, best play is what you did, buy the products, check out the DIY on pelicanparts and see if you can do it or find an Indy. But the OP is being charged $2.8k from the dealer which is a great price, IMO.

Kewill0360

I was shock when they told me that price JMKBMW now call BMW OF SPRINGFIELD.

I look up parts online and did my calculation and all came out to around $2.3k total with my friend replacing them.

It was my fault but, they try to kill me with that price.

What a shop paper towel can do.