09 535i xdrive, 71k miles, started to work yesterday morning as normal, noticed a sound like a leaf blower that stayed with me as I went down the road. After about 5 minutes I roll down the window and discover it's the radiator fan, as I'm trying to figure out how to check the engine temp after about 15 minutes of stop and go traffic I get the orange "drive moderately, engine hot" message, then about 90 seconds later the red "shut down immediately".

Had it towed to a local import shop to have it diagnosed, they keep the car for 24 hours before calling me back and let me know the water pump and thermostat will have to be replaced along with a coolant flush, total cost is $2,300??? I'll admit, when I bought this as my first BMW 8 months ago I was expecting maintenance costs to be higher than what I was used to, but that seems pretty steep...I'm fairly mechanically minded and have worked on cars in the past, is this a reasonable DIY project?

 

I dont know how hard it is but know i would rather spend $600 on parts and do the work myself even if it takes a hole day.

 

Do it yourself....$2300 is ridiculous! The parts cost around $800.

 

Just got mine replaced 2 months ago. I did it at the dealer
They charged me 1300 for both the water pump and thermostat

 

Called them back and asked for a breakdown on the charges - they combined the labor costs for a couple of things and gave me a 10% discount, got the price down somewhat. I'm sure the extra charges are for the flush and fill, fluid, and diagnostic. I just had a complete maintenance check not 3 months ago - I hope this thing holds together!

 

They are raping you! Seriously, you can get it done for 900-1100 at an indy all day and 1200-1500 at the dealer. I would go and get it and tow it somewhere else. I have the same problem with my 08 535. Just bought parts. 100.00 for the thermostat, coolant, and the three water pump bolt. Pump ill get tomorrow morning and its 439.00.

 

I just repaired my waterpump yesterday at the dealer and it cost the warrenty company $850.00 bucks total.. That price is just stupid, and someone is trying to get rich ova night;/

 

Just called the dealer to price out a water pump/thermostat install - came to $1,730 before taxes and not including the flush and fill nor any of the diagnostics. I'm thinking I need to find a different place if this place is that close to dealer prices.

 

Agreed, if you are going to pay that much take it to a dealer, at least you will get a two year warrant on the repair.