Roadster motor top 5k??

[sknobs]

Dealership quoted me over 5k to replace the motor in my Z4M.

That sound outrageous to anyone else?

[GuidoK]

You mean the roof top motor?

The dealership follows the official repair procedure and that involves removing the complete top. (usually costing at least 3k; a lot of work requiring 2 mechanics)

Here in europe there are independant shops that follow an alternative procedure (since over a decade) and remove the motor through the trunk (remove parcel shelve), and afterwards mount the motor in the boot so it can't be flooded again.
They usually charge about $200-300 as it only takes 1-2 hours (1 mechanic).
The rusted out pump (the electric motor) usually is salvageable by cleaning with wd40/diesel/anything to lubricate and remove rust. (the hydraulic pump costs about $400 alone, although recently you can buy the seperate electric motor (aftermarket, not at bmw; about $120 I believe))
The german who invented this procedure (pixelrichter.de) has done over 2700 of these already so it's really common.

I don't know if there are independant specialists in the US that do this procedure.
I don't expect any dealership to do this as it's not the 'official bmw procedure' and that might intervene with warranties on repairs etc.

[sknobs]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

You mean the roof top motor?

The dealership follows the official repair procedure and that involves removing the complete top. (usually costing at least 3k; a lot of work requiring 2 mechanics)

Here in europe there are independant shops that follow an alternative procedure (since over a decade) and remove the motor through the trunk (remove parcel shelve), and afterwards mount the motor in the boot so it can't be flooded again.
They usually charge about $200-300 as it only takes 1-2 hours (1 mechanic).
The rusted out pump (the electric motor) usually is salvageable by cleaning with wd40/diesel/anything to lubricate and remove rust. (the hydraulic pump costs about $400 alone, although recently you can buy the seperate electric motor (aftermarket, not at bmw; about $120 I believe))
The german who invented this procedure (pixelrichter.de) has done over 2700 of these already so it's really common.

I don't know if there are independant specialists in the US that do this procedure.
I don't expect any dealership to do this as it's not the 'official bmw procedure' and that might intervene with warranties on repairs etc.

Just had my mechanic tell me that he has referred several customers with the same issue to another dealership and they have all paid $1300 total for the repair. Had an indy shop that specializes in German cars quote me $1500.

The also tried to tell me the motor alone is around $3200 and the other $2200 or so is labor.

Will try a few more local indy shops for quotes.

[Emmrbee]

Hydraulic motor unit is around $600

https://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/614...p-54347193448/

[pokeybritches]

You can use a Mustang pump (same manufacturer) for 1/3 of the price. It requires you to relocate the pump to the trunk since it won't fit in the original pump's spot.

[JAS1169]

"Just had my mechanic tell me that he has referred several customers with the same issue to another dealership and they have all paid $1300 total for the repair. Had an indy shop that specializes in German cars quote me $1500. "

These third party vendors estimates are all in the ballpark when you consider the motor/pump is in the $600.00 range.

I'd recommend that you'd have the replacement pump relocated to your trunk, even if there is an increase in the costs. Putting the pump back into the roof's gutter, where it can't be accessed without pulling the top, is truly a bad idea.

[GuidoK]

Usually the pump motor can be brought back to life.
You can get the separate motor (with aluminium boss) on alie or amazon.
Much cheaper than buying a complete pump.
But go to a convertable roof specialist that knows the trunk relocation trick.
Like I said: that guy in germany that invented the procedure has done over 2700 of these, so it's a well known issue. (drain holes clog when not cleaned regularly, and that floods the cavity where the pump sits)
If a garage/specialist doesnt know this trick, he's not on top of his game.

Originally Posted by sknobs

The also tried to tell me the motor alone is around $3200 and the other $2200 or so is labor.

Don't go back to that garage.
They are conning you in your face.

[zed_fan]

Took me about 10 hours over the week to remove/fix/reinstall my roof and I had never done it before. So I would think $2k at the dealer or $1k at indy shop in labor alone sounds about right. On my roof the hydraulic hinges started to leak due to aging seals so I had to get rebuilt hinges from TopHydraulics for $500. It might be worth doing that while the roof is off to avoid having to remove the roof in the future again and paying twice for labor. Doing that and relocating the motor to the trunk should make the roof bulletproof.

[belcom]

Originally Posted by zed_fan

Took me about 10 hours over the week to remove/fix/reinstall my roof and I had never done it before. So I would think $2k at the dealer or $1k at indy shop in labor alone sounds about right. On my roof the hydraulic hinges started to leak due to aging seals so I had to get rebuilt hinges from TopHydraulics for $500. It might be worth doing that while the roof is off to avoid having to remove the roof in the future again and paying twice for labor. Doing that and relocating the motor to the trunk should make the roof bulletproof.

Did you take picture along the way? If yes, would you post the pics of the hydraulic hinges you speak of and what to check for? I am planning to get to the bottom of my roof issues and going to be taking it apart. From several videos I watched on youtube its not rocket science at all and very doable. Since the previous owner "replaced" the motor on my car it seems strange that I am having issues now especially that the car is garaged all the time and not really exposed to rain at all since I bought it. Highly doubt its a water issue this time, but rather a user install problem I bet. I just have to figure out what it is myself. Roof worked fine, but long periods of time without operation renders it useless and not working. Was able to revive it once but then it just stopped working for good.

[sknobs]

$6400 is the final quote. Whatever!!

[Gamb1t]

Just adopt the Miata way.... use your arm.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by sknobs

$6400 is the final quote. Whatever!!

For that you can buy a used z4

Really this repair shouldnt have to cost more than ~$300

Here in europe specialists charge about €300 and that is including 19% tax and they include a small carpeted panel to go in front of the roof motor to hide the roof motor relocation in the trunk.

If it can be done here you'd think it can be done in the USA right?

There are so many howto's online.

[zed_fan]

Originally Posted by belcom

Did you take picture along the way? If yes, would you post the pics of the hydraulic hinges you speak of and what to check for? I am planning to get to the bottom of my roof issues and going to be taking it apart. From several videos I watched on youtube its not rocket science at all and very doable. Since the previous owner "replaced" the motor on my car it seems strange that I am having issues now especially that the car is garaged all the time and not really exposed to rain at all since I bought it. Highly doubt its a water issue this time, but rather a user install problem I bet. I just have to figure out what it is myself. Roof worked fine, but long periods of time without operation renders it useless and not working. Was able to revive it once but then it just stopped working for good.

I did not. But here is a another thread I was looking at when doing research and it has pics - https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/c...ctures.803200/ My main symptom was I noticed that the roof motor started operating way louder than normal and it was a lot slower to operate. Finally there was a puddle of oil in front of my rear tire (that's where the rain water normally drains out). Once all the oil had leaked, the roof was inoperable.

If you do take off the roof, you can actually manually operate the roof by hooking up the motor wiring harness to any 12v battery to troubleshoot/ensure everything works before putting the roof back on the car. Worst thing would be to reinstall and find out you didn't fix it

[sknobs]

Originally Posted by JAS1169

"Just had my mechanic tell me that he has referred several customers with the same issue to another dealership and they have all paid $1300 total for the repair. Had an indy shop that specializes in German cars quote me $1500. "

These third party vendors estimates are all in the ballpark when you consider the motor/pump is in the $600.00 range.

I'd recommend that you'd have the replacement pump relocated to your trunk, even if there is an increase in the costs. Putting the pump back into the roof's gutter, where it can't be accessed without pulling the top, is truly a bad idea.

Getting a quote Mon from a local shop that has done lots of these and can relocate the unit for me. Might be my new shop if they are reasonable.