Starter and Battery replacement estimates

bimmerlover_1983 · 09-26-2016, 11:38 AM

Hi All,

My 2009 128i Starter died on me yesterday and I had to tow it to Ultimate Bimmer Service in Addison, TX. My battery was pretty much dead too and hence I got a quote from UBS for $880 out the door with parts and labor for both the Starter and Battery with 2 years of warranty.

Do you think this is a good estimate? Has anyone else had problems with their car starters and how much have you paid for replacing it?

Thanks!

Vigilante375 · 09-26-2016, 11:56 AM

Not sure about the starter but a battery can be replaced for at or just above $200 out the door. I'm about to replace my battery this week so I know it can be done for around $200. Thats not at the dealership but a certified BMW repair shop.

Whats the breakdown for prices?

Dackelone · 09-26-2016, 12:32 PM

It all depends on what kind of parts they are using. But that doesn't sound all that bad to me. A new starter is probably gonna be a BMW unit. And since some people pay upwards of $400 for a battery - I don't think that's that bad. Maybe ask you shop if they can give you a better deal ? Call around to your local shops and ask around.

JimD · 09-27-2016, 05:25 AM

I did a quick search for the starter and turned up options starting under $100. A battery, without coding, is going to be a little north of $100 because it is a large battery. So maybe $300-400 in parts. The battery, including the coding is easily under an hour. So it depends on what it takes to replace the starter.

Overall, it seems a bit steep to me but I do this kind of stuff myself or get help from my son when possible. If I take it somewhere, I usually consider the bill a bit steep.

I will again say what I always say about the battery. It is a car. It has a large battery and you should replace with an equivalent sized battery. BMW put a big one in there for a reason. It should be coded, to protect your investment in the battery, but it doesn't have to happen the same day and you certainly don't have to pay the dealer to do it. You can buy software and a Bluetooth adapter for the car and do it yourself for less than you'd pay the dealer to do it. Maybe somebody at the local BMWCCA has the software and would help you out. An independent BMW mechanic is another option. The coding is a hassle but it doesn't make it worthwhile to pay dealer prices (and I'm glad you are not planning to).

bimmerlover_1983 · 09-29-2016, 06:51 AM

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. I got the car fixed in 2 days and here is the breakdown of the cost.

Engine Starter Assy. $237.95
Battery 900 cha 100 ah FLA 175.95
Aluminum Torc bolt set 8.46
Intake manifold gasket set 39.45

He charged me 4 hours of labor at $100 per hour for a total labor of $400

09-26-2016, 11:38 AM	#1
bimmerlover_1983 New Member 7 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2009 bmw 128i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Addison, TX iTrader: (0)	Starter and Battery replacement estimates Hi All, My 2009 128i Starter died on me yesterday and I had to tow it to Ultimate Bimmer Service in Addison, TX. My battery was pretty much dead too and hence I got a quote from UBS for $880 out the door with parts and labor for both the Starter and Battery with 2 years of warranty. Do you think this is a good estimate? Has anyone else had problems with their car starters and how much have you paid for replacing it? Thanks!
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09-26-2016, 11:56 AM	#2
Vigilante375 Major 116 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 2012 AW 6M 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Not sure about the starter but a battery can be replaced for at or just above $200 out the door. I'm about to replace my battery this week so I know it can be done for around $200. Thats not at the dealership but a certified BMW repair shop. Whats the breakdown for prices?
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09-26-2016, 12:32 PM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10589 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	It all depends on what kind of parts they are using. But that doesn't sound all that bad to me. A new starter is probably gonna be a BMW unit. And since some people pay upwards of $400 for a battery - I don't think that's that bad. Maybe ask you shop if they can give you a better deal ? Call around to your local shops and ask around. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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09-27-2016, 05:25 AM	#4
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I did a quick search for the starter and turned up options starting under $100. A battery, without coding, is going to be a little north of $100 because it is a large battery. So maybe $300-400 in parts. The battery, including the coding is easily under an hour. So it depends on what it takes to replace the starter. Overall, it seems a bit steep to me but I do this kind of stuff myself or get help from my son when possible. If I take it somewhere, I usually consider the bill a bit steep. I will again say what I always say about the battery. It is a car. It has a large battery and you should replace with an equivalent sized battery. BMW put a big one in there for a reason. It should be coded, to protect your investment in the battery, but it doesn't have to happen the same day and you certainly don't have to pay the dealer to do it. You can buy software and a Bluetooth adapter for the car and do it yourself for less than you'd pay the dealer to do it. Maybe somebody at the local BMWCCA has the software and would help you out. An independent BMW mechanic is another option. The coding is a hassle but it doesn't make it worthwhile to pay dealer prices (and I'm glad you are not planning to). __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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09-29-2016, 06:51 AM	#5
bimmerlover_1983 New Member 7 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2009 bmw 128i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Addison, TX iTrader: (0)	Hi All, Thanks for the replies. I got the car fixed in 2 days and here is the breakdown of the cost. Engine Starter Assy. $237.95 Battery 900 cha 100 ah FLA 175.95 Aluminum Torc bolt set 8.46 Intake manifold gasket set 39.45 He charged me 4 hours of labor at $100 per hour for a total labor of $400
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