Vanos Pre-Inspection Cost

HEY32G · 12-25-2014, 12:09 PM

Anyone have any idea what a BMW dealer would charge to inspect the Vanos on an M before I buy it?

Secondly, if the car is being sold by a BMW dealer is it feasible to ask them to inspect it and give me some documentation before I buy it?

jdoublehcubed · 12-26-2014, 09:27 AM

I don't think you could trust a dealership to do that for you.

To truly "inspect" the Vanos, you would need to check the exhaust hub flanges and the infamous Vanos bolts. To do that, you would need to pull off the valve cover (so you're already at most of the work of a valve inspection), and then also pull of the Vanos unit. I have not personally pulled a vanos unit, but I think it takes another 2 or 3 hours to remove and reinstall AFTER you've covered the valve cover work.

At a dealer, I would expect to pay at least $1000 for that. If the dealers in your area have an especially high labor rate (here in LA its $175), make that areound $1300 or $1400. But again, very few dealers are going to have the caliber of mechanic who you can trust to inspect the Vanos and know how to spot any potential problems.

At an indy shop, I would expect to pay more like $500-$600. It needs to be a really good BMW specific indy shop, but I'm sure someone here on the forum can recommend one in your area.

HEY32G · 12-26-2014, 05:01 PM

Actually I have a great BMW indy shop very close to me. The problem is I'll probably have to buy a car out of town. If I wanted a pickup I'd have no problem finding one of those close by!

Thank you for the input.

jdoublehcubed · 12-27-2014, 11:12 PM

No problem, good luck.

Aries326 · 12-28-2014, 08:49 AM

Wow, $175 an hour for labor? That's more than what a primary care doctor makes.

Check out the local BMWCCA chapter for recommendations on a shop.

jdoublehcubed · 12-28-2014, 10:41 AM

Yeah, if I couldn't do 95% of the work on my M there is no way I could afford to own it and maintain it to the level it deserves.

inTgr8r · 12-28-2014, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdoublehcubed

Yeah, if I couldn't do 95% of the work on my M there is no way I could afford to own it and maintain it to the level it deserves.

Amen!

XMetal · 12-28-2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aries326

Wow, $175 an hour for labor? That's more than what a primary care doctor makes.

Check out the local BMWCCA chapter for recommendations on a shop.

Even most independent specialists have a rate of about $125/hr. Labor rates out West are ridiculous

12-25-2014, 12:09 PM	#1
HEY32G Captain 224 Rep 770 Posts Drives: Z4 sdrive35is Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Vanos Pre-Inspection Cost Anyone have any idea what a BMW dealer would charge to inspect the Vanos on an M before I buy it? Secondly, if the car is being sold by a BMW dealer is it feasible to ask them to inspect it and give me some documentation before I buy it?
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12-26-2014, 09:27 AM	#2
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	I don't think you could trust a dealership to do that for you. To truly "inspect" the Vanos, you would need to check the exhaust hub flanges and the infamous Vanos bolts. To do that, you would need to pull off the valve cover (so you're already at most of the work of a valve inspection), and then also pull of the Vanos unit. I have not personally pulled a vanos unit, but I think it takes another 2 or 3 hours to remove and reinstall AFTER you've covered the valve cover work. At a dealer, I would expect to pay at least $1000 for that. If the dealers in your area have an especially high labor rate (here in LA its $175), make that areound $1300 or $1400. But again, very few dealers are going to have the caliber of mechanic who you can trust to inspect the Vanos and know how to spot any potential problems. At an indy shop, I would expect to pay more like $500-$600. It needs to be a really good BMW specific indy shop, but I'm sure someone here on the forum can recommend one in your area.
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12-26-2014, 05:01 PM	#3
HEY32G Captain 224 Rep 770 Posts Drives: Z4 sdrive35is Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Actually I have a great BMW indy shop very close to me. The problem is I'll probably have to buy a car out of town. If I wanted a pickup I'd have no problem finding one of those close by! Thank you for the input.
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12-27-2014, 11:12 PM	#4
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	No problem, good luck.
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12-28-2014, 08:49 AM	#5
Aries326 Lieutenant Colonel 195 Rep 1,530 Posts Drives: 2008 Z4 3.0si, 2013 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si [9.00]	Wow, $175 an hour for labor? That's more than what a primary care doctor makes. Check out the local BMWCCA chapter for recommendations on a shop. __________________
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12-28-2014, 10:41 AM	#6
jdoublehcubed Mechanical Engineer 96 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4MR, Imola Red Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (1)	Yeah, if I couldn't do 95% of the work on my M there is no way I could afford to own it and maintain it to the level it deserves.
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