Do I sell my IX?

[galen]

I have a '88 325ix with 180 some thousand miles. it's been running solid, but i took it to BMW to get all the fluids changed, and they called with news that the fuel pump doesn't work anymore. Randomly. also they discovered my control-arm ball-joint is coming apart. So, they quoted me $1500 which is almost half of what I paid for the car.

Do I fix it and hope it lasts or do I sell as is? Would anyone even buy a car that needs those repairs?

[kellie]

I have a '88 325ix with 180 some thousand miles. it's been running solid, but i took it to BMW to get all the fluids changed, and they called with news that the fuel pump doesn't work anymore. Randomly. also they discovered my control-arm ball-joint is coming apart. So, they quoted me $1500 which is almost half of what I paid for the car.

Do I fix it and hope it lasts or do I sell as is? Would anyone even buy a car that needs those repairs?

Take it to an independent shop. Estimates: Fuel pump, $220 with labor. Control arm ball joint replacement, $200 with labor.

Edit: That was posted by my boyfriend Ben. I wouldn't have posted that, I work at a dealership! Also, if you search around, I bet there are some members of this forum in your area who are mechanically inclined and can help you with the work.

[PeaveyBassist]

There should be some guys up near you that would be willing to help. How did they come up with $1500 in work for the car??? People here would buy a car that needed more than a fuel pump and control arms lol. I just bought an e28 that needed tie rods, center link, upper and lower control arms, and tires.

Will

[nando]

wow, $1500 for a fuel pump and a control arm? you are being ripped off for sure. even if you paid retail for the parts, you could do it yourself for about $500. the fuel pump is a peice of cake, and the control arm is a little more work but it's really not that difficult. I'm guessing that only your outter ball joint is bad (the inners are pretty tough). you can have it pressed out and replaced without having to buy a whole new control arm, that would save you another $150 easily. definitely do some research, and whatever you do don't pay $1500!

[kellie]

I wouldn't say he's being ripped off. With the cost of parts, and whatever book time is at a rate of $115 per hour for labor (just an example, I don't actually know what they charge), that's just how it adds up. It would probably cost around the same for a new car. It just isn't necessarily worth it to take an old car to a dealership for repairs. There is always an alternative.

[PeaveyBassist]

Even at $115/hour for labor a control arm and fuel pump shouldnt cost $1500 parts and labor. Control arms only pay like... 3-4 hours for doing BOTH sides, and a fuel pump should only pay an hour probably. Thats $575 in labor. Control arms retail would probably be $150ea and if he only NEEDS one, that adds up to $725. Then fuel pump would be around $200-$250. Thats less than $1,000. Even if he did both control arms thats still over $400 less than $1500. Rip off unless they quoted stuff that he didnt list in the original post.

Will

[galen]

The quote they gave me breaks down this way: $250 for fuel pump, $250 for labor. $600 for the control arm including installation and an alignment. $45 for some diagnostic stuff. $55 for an oil change and $135 for a coolant flush. Tax on everything rounds it off.

You all got me thinking though. I checked bavauto.com and found all the parts for $461. I know a mechanic who can fix anything (and these are simple fixes too) and he'll charge me $45 an hour labor. He estimated two hours on the fuel pump and I'm going to estimate 4 hours on the control arm. That's $270. That's only $730. Half price. I can swing that. If those numbers work out, I think I'll keep the car.

Thank you for all the advice. If it doesn't work out, I'll probably put the car on here.

Galen

[vivalegreg]

keep the car ixs are balla

[StereoInstaller1]

Do your own fuel pump. Few tools required, and easy access. It is under the back seat. (correct me if I am wrong, guys. I don't know iX's) If it takes you 2 hours, it means you stopped for a beer on your way to buy the pump!

Luke