E30 Drive Shaft Replacement Cost

[Thebigcheese]

Hello, first time poster here.

Went to my Local BMW mechanic for my 1985 325e and he quoted me $1400 total for a new driveshaft that is completely brand new according to him with the U joint that can be replaced in the future. Sounds a bit much to me. What do you guys think? Sorry if this has been asked before but I couldn't find it anywhere. Thank you for all your responses.

[flyboyx]

crack smokin' money.

[PKile]

I just bought a reconditioned driveshaft from a local driveline service outlet in West Sacramento, it's balanced and has new u-joints and a new CSB. They also got rid of the balancer ring, but the u-joints are still peened in and aren't greasible. $388.80 out the door with my old one traded in as a core.

[uturn]

Just did mine, ordered from bmpdesign (which are the middleman for the Arizona outfit that rebuilds them) u-joints can be replaced in the future should they fail. ~$400 plus $100 core. While I was replacing my drive shaft, I installed a short shifter!
You'll need to drop your exhaust if you plan to do this yourself. You'll need new exhaust manifold flange gaskets, possibly new flange nuts and maybe new donut gaskets on the other end.

[TobyB]

$500 sounds more reasonable- Driveline Service of Portland used to do them for about that.

t

[MR E30 325is]

Damn, for 1400 you can get a 1 piece driveshaft good to almost 1000 hp.

Getting refurbished is the way to go. I would avoid BavAuto recycling though. I had terrible experiences with them.

[Supratreo]

What's wrong with your DS?

[ahlem]

I recently rebuilt one from a 91 318is for less than $100 and it's working great 3000 miles later. New u-joints and CSB. It took a bit of patience and careful dissection and a simple home made fixture for measuring.