Walnut/Soda Blasting WA

[mooner]

Hi all,

My 2008 135i is due for a walnut/soda blasting soon, currently sitting on 71k and I doubt its ever been done.

I usually get all my work done through Ramp Auto Group in Malaga, they are great, got quoted $880 for soda blasting.

Out of curiosity I rang German Auto Centre for a quote, surprisingly the BMW Master Technician there had no idea what I was talking about, even went as far as to question why I wanted it done, as far as I'm aware its a fairly common thing for N5x motors...

So to appease my curiosity, has anyone else had it done here in WA? If so where?

Thanks!

[Digitalism]

Hey mate,

I get my work done at Ramp as well. $880 sounds quite steep though, is this including other work as well?

Not sure who else in WA does it though. BMTechniks may offer this service.

[mooner]

Originally Posted by Digitalism

Hey mate,

I get my work done at Ramp as well. $880 sounds quite steep though, is this including other work as well?

Not sure who else in WA does it though. BMTechniks may offer this service.

Yeah I've always gone to Ramp since I got the 135 but was just curious as to what others charge for the process, speaking to German Auto Centre did worry me a little in the ability of others to do it.

No, no other work, just for the soda blast, maybe its labour intensive? I guess I need to fact in the costs of gaskets too.

Thanks for the reply and suggestion though, I'll have a chat to BMTechniks.

[Brule]

There's no replaceable gaskets when doing an inlet valve clean.

There's rubbers that go in the intake but they can be used over and over

[mooner]

Originally Posted by Brule

There's no replaceable gaskets when doing an inlet valve clean.

There's rubbers that go in the intake but they can be used over and over

Ah, upon review of a few DIY's it appears you're correct, I wonder why I was told there was gaskets....

I received a quote from BMTechniks for $695 which sounds more reasonable.

Surely someone that frequents the forums has had it done here in WA before? No recommendations?

[Digitalism]

While not a European specialist workshop they have done a few N54 cars before, maybe give Galvsport a call.

If I'm not mistaken I think they do the valve cleaning as well.

[mooner]

Originally Posted by Digitalism

While not a European specialist workshop they have done a few N54 cars before, maybe give Galvsport a call.

If I'm not mistaken I think they do the valve cleaning as well.

Thanks for the suggestion, ill give them a ring. Didn't give them a second thought in regards to Euro vehicles, but I have heard great things about their workmanship.

[Dat Aus]

It's really strange. It seems as though almost no BMW dealers or specialist workshops in Australia seem to think this is necessary, yet BMW North America recommend it as part of the maintenance schedule. I have been trying to find someone in Adelaide to do it and I just can't. My car is now at 131,000 km and has never had it done so I'm probably going to drive it over to Melbourne to get it done because that's the only place I can find. SouthernBM and Advan seem to be the only places that do it.

And of the shops that do offer it here in Australia, they seem to charge fairly exorbitant amounts compared to the places in the US that do it for around $250. Obviously there is going to be a price difference between the US and Australia but for it to be that large a discrepancy...

[vtl]

If you are mechanically inclined I would suggest just DIYing it.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1161290

A lot of shops will just charge a ton of money for it because the tools are regarded as very specialised, which they are not. I have assembled the stuff for my own walnut blaster and all of it is easy to source locally off ebay (apart from the N54 inlet adapter) and not that expensive. Even if it was just for personal use you'd still save money DIYing after your 2nd blast.

[Dat Aus]

How much do you charge, Vince? I'd rather have you do it than some bloke who couldn't care less about the car.

[mooner]

Originally Posted by Dat Aus

It's really strange. It seems as though almost no BMW dealers or specialist workshops in Australia seem to think this is necessary, yet BMW North America recommend it as part of the maintenance schedule. I have been trying to find someone in Adelaide to do it and I just can't. My car is now at 131,000 km and has never had it done so I'm probably going to drive it over to Melbourne to get it done because that's the only place I can find. SouthernBM and Advan seem to be the only places that do it.

And of the shops that do offer it here in Australia, they seem to charge fairly exorbitant amounts compared to the places in the US that do it for around $250. Obviously there is going to be a price difference between the US and Australia but for it to be that large a discrepancy...

You're honestly spot on with that. It seriously feels like no one here knows of the process and if they do they charge an arm and a leg! I thought the cost would be around $4/500 judging by US prices when I first started researching it but it appears I was way off.

[mooner]

Originally Posted by vtl

If you are mechanically inclined I would suggest just DIYing it.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1161290

A lot of shops will just charge a ton of money for it because the tools are regarded as very specialised, which they are not. I have assembled the stuff for my own walnut blaster and all of it is easy to source locally off ebay (apart from the N54 inlet adapter) and not that expensive. Even if it was just for personal use you'd still save money DIYing after your 2nd blast.

Thanks for the link! I have read your thread a few times now, I am mechanically minded somewhat but I've only ever worked on older golfs, the thought of messing up on the 135 makes me twitch but I might do a bit more research, its becoming more and more tempting when considering cost. I am also the same as yourself when it comes to working on my own car, I prefer it because that way I know its perfect....

[vtl]

Originally Posted by mooner

Thanks for the link! I have read your thread a few times now, I am mechanically minded somewhat but I've only ever worked on older golfs, the thought of messing up on the 135 makes me twitch but I might do a bit more research, its becoming more and more tempting when considering cost. I am also the same as yourself when it comes to working on my own car, I prefer it because that way I know its perfect....

I'd say go for it, im sure other local guys would help you recoup the costs of the tool. Theres quite a few steps in the process but if you are methodical it is not too difficult. It is also handy to be able to do your own car whenever you feel its needed, instead of putting it off for ages and reducing the cars performance. I just do it every 20k kms on mine for the hell of it.

Originally Posted by Dat Aus

How much do you charge, Vince? I'd rather have you do it than some bloke who couldn't care less about the car.

Best to PM about that kind of stuff

[RadiuM]

hmm. I need to do mine in Perth also. I was tempted to do it myself a few years back but now I just can't be bothered.

Anyone actually called BMW for a price? You never know

[mooner]

Originally Posted by vtl

I'd say go for it, im sure other local guys would help you recoup the costs of the tool. Theres quite a few steps in the process but if you are methodical it is not too difficult. It is also handy to be able to do your own car whenever you feel its needed, instead of putting it off for ages and reducing the cars performance. I just do it every 20k kms on mine for the hell of it.

Ill do a bit of research over the next few days and see how comfortable I am with the whole idea. Your thread is super helpful though mate! The idea of doing it whenever I want is a major advantage, seeing as I'd like to do it every 20 odd thousand, plays with my OCD knowing its just getting messy every time I drive it ahaha

[mooner]

Originally Posted by RadiuM

hmm. I need to do mine in Perth also. I was tempted to do it myself a few years back but now I just can't be bothered.

Anyone actually called BMW for a price? You never know

Well ill keep this thread updated with what I decide to do just to keep you and the others informed im waiting on a call back from Galvsport with their cost.

I haven't actually, which is really quite silly now I think about it because I have two family members who work for BMW....

Ill get them to sort me a quote too and post the prices

[Digitalism]

Will be interested to hear what Galvsport and BMW come back with.

[Free_Willy]

Anyone in Brisbane do Walnut blasting?

[Hendow]

Mooner,

Like you, I was asking the same questions about 12 months ago, and sourced similar prices from the local specialists (RAMP, BMWest and Advan) however being fairly 'hands on' I ended up ordering the special tools and doing it myself.

The hardest part was sourcing the walnut shell which had to come from the east.

So, if you decide to tackle the job, I have the gear here in Perth (Gwelup) which you are welcome to use, and I'd be happy to help out with any questions or advice.

Cheers.

[mooner]

Originally Posted by Hendow

Mooner,

Like you, I was asking the same questions about 12 months ago, and sourced similar prices from the local specialists (RAMP, BMWest and Advan) however being fairly 'hands on' I ended up ordering the special tools and doing it myself.

The hardest part was sourcing the walnut shell which had to come from the east.

So, if you decide to tackle the job, I have the gear here in Perth (Gwelup) which you are welcome to use, and I'd be happy to help out with any questions or advice.

Cheers.

Hi mate,

Thanks for the reply.

That actually sounds great, did you find the overall process difficult? how many times have you completed it?

Cheers!

[mooner]

Just an update, still haven't heard back from Galvsport... BMW said they employ a tech to do it and they usually charge between $800 and a $1000.

[JBT2]

My 135i has 147,000km and has always been serviced by BMW. Never been soda/walnut blasted as far as I can tell. Has heaps of power and is smooth as a cat p!ssing on velvet. Not sure if it would be any better with this treatment