I am confused on what the water pump price for a 2006 530i should be. I see all kinds of prices from $39 to $600.
Check this out:
530i water pump | eBay

Even if it's an aftermarket it's weird they're so cheap, and I also saw aftermarket ones for $400.

I don't wan't to spend $600 on the OEM water pump. but I don't want to buy a crappy pump that will last less than a month just because is cheap.

Any help on this is appreciated.

 

Have you checked at advance or autozone? Rockauto.com has them for the same price range 40.00 + This does seem a little cheap in price. Luckily you don't have one of the electric water pumps, I hear they are several hundreds...

 

I also have a 2006 BMW 530i. At 76,000 miles, I was thinking about buying one from the attached website as part of preventive maintenance. I think they have very competitive wholesale pricings. May I ask why you are getting a water pump? Is it going out and at what mileage?
https://www.bmwmercedesparts.com/mem...iteid%3D215771

 

I'm at 70K miles and a few months ago my battery drained because the water pump wouldn't go off with the ignition off. It kept working until it completely drained the battery. I think some sensor was bad. It's an electric water pump.

So my mechanic installed an electric relay that turns the pump off with the ignition. Other than that the pump worked fine for a few months. But yesterday I got an overheating warning, so I assume that either the pump went completely bad of the relay is not working and the pump didn't turn on with the ignition (hopefully that's the case).

But sooner or later I know I'll have to replace the pump, so I might as well do it sooner. I haven't taken it to the shop yet, I always get car issues during the holidays (good Friday, Christmas, etc).

 

The shop must have put your car together during the holidays. lol

Check out the attachment. I hope that will help you out a bit. Don't work on it this Sunday. I think it's another holiday. lol

 

does that mean the cheap pumps ($50) are the non-electric ones?

but can I use those in my car?

 

Don't go cheap on the cooling system parts. After a brief search online, mid-$400s is where you are going to end up. Maybe you can search around a bit and save a few bucks, but again, in the past, I have regretted using cheap parts!

BMW E60 Water Pump and Waterpumps | Turner Motorsport