Average cost to do an e30 head gasket??

[bimmer630]

Im doing this job for a friend, And the book time is about 9.5-10 hours.. he supplied the parts. What would most people expect to pay on average to have this fix done? Its a 92 E30 325i... I didnt have any head work done (it was just a n eroded gasket, no warped head)
so around here most shops are at least 100/hour.. thats at least 950 bucks in labor plus all the parts and possible machine work.. does that sound right?

Doing side-jobs I always run into the issue of thinking Im charging too much.. because possibly for just a little bit more than I charge, a Guy can go get it done at an actual shop..

I dont know.. discuss

[BigtroublesE30]

As far as shop rates, the $800-1200 range is what i have seen from friends and customers who need a headgasket. That is around here in southern California, i have heard of owners taking them the dealership years ago and they looked at nearly a 2k bill, ridiculous.

For me personally i only charge my friends and good customers $500-$600 depends on if i need any new parts, after doing 3 or 4 HG's they become second nature and can take me as little as 4 hours to do the swap.

Long story short, your estimate is decent and some will see it as fair, but if this really is a friend or atleast a good one, i would lower it some for homie hookup :nice: hope this helps!

[bimmer630]

My numbers above were just what shops would charge.. I was really thinking of charging 500. Im also doing a rear convertible window for him as well as all new coolant hoses under the hood, which again he bought all the parts for..
Hes a good guy and I figured 500 for all of this work.. but maybe thats too liitle.. I dunno. I hate charging people haha

[BigtroublesE30]

I would say $500 (headgasket replace) $75-100 (huge pain, could charge even more) $50 for the hose install (easy when everythings taken apart)

That seems like a decent rundown, and don't feel bad charging a little more, your are the one getting real dirty, so prices are at your decision

[KHTRNAK]

Man, I have this problem right now.

I wish I knew someone local who could help me. I was just told by a shop that I have a blown HG; determined by leak down test.

Cost is 800 Labor, 180 parts, 200 for machine shop. Not sure what the parts list entails.

The guy is a E30 expert and has done more than a few; but has overhead like a shop, other mechanics, etc.

I paid $4k for the car and was told the engine was mostly rebuilt; drove it a month and it overheated. I've been thinking of trying it myself, but I've never done an HG before.

[volvolover]

Cost is 800 Labor, 180 parts, 200 for machine shop. Not sure what the parts list entails.

800 for labor seems legit, but I question the 180 for parts. Just a HG kit, head bolts, oil, coolant and timing belt... seems about right.

Actually, that whole quote seems right. i just ordered my parts but used a BMW HG instead or the VR one. Came to about 200 but I also got a new water pump as I'm unsure how old my current one is

[AndrewBird]

Fyi, just removing the head will put some warp in it. If you want to do it right, it needs as skim cut.

[bddog]

Fyi, just removing the head will put some warp in it. If you want to do it right, it needs as skim cut.

A straight edge and a feeler gauge will tell you if your head is warped.You can only shave so much before they become a door stop. I recommend only shaving known warped heads.

[KHTRNAK]

I figured this would be the best place to ask rather than starting a new thread.

I found a buddy whose an old school mechanic (hes my friend's father) and he works at a machine shop. He's done a shitload of european and other head jobs, especially head gaskets and timing belt-snapped repairs.

Anyways, the teardown begins tomorrow on the car, I was wondering what you guys recommend replacing while I am there in terms of parts? I don't really want to cause him too much extra work (really hooked me up on the price) but I would like to replace any old parts that will be coming off anyway. I will have him do an inspection obviously as he works on the car but I'd like to get a parts list going. He's also going to take the head and have it machined at work for me.

I am pretty sure I need the head gasket "kit" which includes a shitload of other little gaskets, timing belt, water pump, tensioner? other belts? I wish there was a nice kit that included all of those. Should I go with a BMW HG kit or the Reinz?