the Cost of BMW Repair

The timing belt was replaced, which requires the removal of the radiator, belts, and many engine components. The cost of the belt itself is relatively low....the one I bought was 39.95 plus tax; but the labor to have it put in is why it costs so much. My mechanic tells me that "The Book" estimates the repair time at 3.5 hours, and at normal shop rates of 75 per hour, that comes out to about 262 dollars, but i have a great mechanic who only charges me for how long it ACTUALLY takes him. It helps to know your mechanic.

I get a very high level of service every time I visit my regular mechanic and this occasion was no exception. My mechanic allows me to purchase the parts myself and bring them to him (meaning he doesn't have to go hunt down the parts and I don't have to pay a "shop profit mark up" on them) and even allows me to go in the bay and watch while he works. I hand him the occasional tool at his request, and he does the whole job "by The Book". Each successful repair he completes for me is rewarded with a box of cold beer at the end of the day, because I firmly believe that one should keep his mechanic happy and establish a trusting relationship with him.

Where timing belts are concerned, know your car first. Know your mechanic second, and third, replace it when its supposed to be replaced-meaning: Before it goes bad and needs replacement by necessity. If you let your timing belt go and it breaks, the damage resulting inside your engine will cost hundreds if not thousands to repair. Timing belts are cheap; Engines are not cheap; And a good mechanic is somewhere in between and a man you would trust to save your wife if she broke down on the side of the highway at midnight, meaning in effect that he is worth more than the first 2 combined, so choose wisely.