Questions about mechanic's costs..

[Nitekrrawler]

OK ladies and gents... Answer me this. Are there some bimmer repairs better off NOT being done by a bimmer mechanic when cost is a factor? Reason being, my local bimmer mechanic (whom I trust) wants to charge me $303 to change control arm bushings ($25.00 parts $279.00 labor) and $333.25 to fix a busted front flex disc ($54.25 parts $279.00 labor). Now my question is, should I just purchase the parts on my on, and have this done with a less expensive mechanic (if possible) or am I looking at the average for this type of work? Just curious cuz it seems like a small operation for a lot of coin$.. Holla back! Thanks!

-Tiger

[2ndBimmer]

Ive noticed that if youre going to a BMW center for repairs, then youd better practice bending over now cause they will screw you hard. I take my car to a local place that specializes in European cars. The owner drives a 535 and races an Alfa Romeo. He charges ~$55 an hour, BMW service center goes for $77.

[1996 328ti]

Are you talking about a BMW independent or BMW dealer?
I no longer go to dealers unless there is something that they have a tool for that my mechanic can't do. MY headlights were terribly aligned and I went to the dealership to have them realigned.
My independent as most independents started out in a dealership and couldn't stand working there.

I'm hesitant to bring my car to a general shop. Here is one example that my mechanic told me. A guy brings his BMW to a general shop for an oil change. He supplied his own filter because he wanted to be sure that the proper filter was used. The next day the engine wasn't running. Turned out the shop did not know that the o-ring and crunch washer was tucked in the middle of the filter. They had to buy him a new engine. As simple as some of this is, there are some things we take fo granted.

[J!m]

That's cool. Free engine with every oil change!!!

What a F#ck!ng bunch of wankers.

BTW $77/hr is not bad for dealer. NY/CT is much higher...