Purchased first car, went to RMP motors for repairs. Is this invoice reasonable?

[ClemFandango]

Car had a few common N55 issues, went to RMP motors great reviews and the guy seemed to know a tonne. As it's my first car, I have no idea what is reasonable or not, this is the price I was charged for all the work I had done:


Invoice:

Replace leaking oil filter housing & cooler gasket. Fill and bleed cooling system.
~$450

Replace oil soaked belt
~$100

Replace Air filter
~$50

Replace cabin filter
~$60

Replace Spark Plugs
~$300

Rustproof
~$130


Total: $1231.70 includes tax.

The spark plugs seem high.. and they aren't cold running ones, either. I should have also probably gotten coils changed while at it. Bone headed move.

[asbrr]

Most seems pretty reasonable, they probably used BMW OE plugs, I'm assuming all numbers include labour so $300 ain't horrible for plugs.

[ClemFandango]

Originally Posted by asbrr

Most seems pretty reasonable, they probably used BMW OE plugs, I'm assuming all numbers include labour so $300 ain't horrible for plugs.

I appreciate the response, thank you!

Did I fuck up not getting cold plugs installed? I have a flash tune but don't really plan on going past stage 1 or 1+.

Also, should I have gotten coils changed while at it =/? Is it true that I should have also gotten the sensor for the gaskets changed as well?

Yes, this included labour and taxes.

[asbrr]

Originally Posted by ClemFandango

I appreciate the response, thank you!

Did I fuck up not getting cold plugs installed? I have a flash tune but don't really plan on going past stage 1 or 1+.

Also, should I have gotten coils changed while at it =/? Is it true that I should have also gotten the sensor for the gaskets changed as well?

Yes, this included labour and taxes.

No worries. I can't comment on cold plugs, I have a 128i which is a different car to deal with tuned or not! Perhaps some of the other folks can comment better.

How many KMs on your car? Coils do eventually go after beign exposed to a lot of heat cycles etc, but if there is no evidence of misfire and your mileage is low you might be okay for a while yet. But if you have a weak coil it may be exposed when you got past stage 1 etc....

[NorthernDancer]

Get all of the work done; you should have been able to easily see the bad leaking OFHG before purchase. It soaked the serp belt and this is a time bomb that has to be done ASAP. Does the alternator have a film of oil on it?
Air & cabin filter are super easy to do, but get shop to do it-you do next time.
Cannot comment on plugs but I would follow what garage recommends, not what you think. Rust proof at $130 is recommended.
Join Trillium Chapter of BMWCCA.

[Toronto1M]

Is RMP one of the better BMW shops in Toronto? Just got my 1M and it's tucked away for the winter. All my past BMW service has been with BMW Toronto but was mostly warranty or no-charge maintenance on leased vehicles so I didn't care too much.

Once the warm weather comes back and salt is gone I'll be changing all the fluids and want to take it somewhere where they know what they are doing at a reasonable price. I'm tempted to take it to Parkview or BMW Toronto for the first service then find an indy shop, unless that's a bad idea

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Toronto1M

Is RMP one of the better BMW shops in Toronto? Just got my 1M and it's tucked away for the winter. All my past BMW service has been with BMW Toronto but was mostly warranty or no-charge maintenance on leased vehicles so I didn't care too much.

Once the warm weather comes back and salt is gone I'll be changing all the fluids and want to take it somewhere where they know what they are doing at a reasonable price. I'm tempted to take it to Parkview or BMW Toronto for the first service then find an indy shop, unless that's a bad idea

How many km's on it? There is so much knowledge on these cars available now and the N54 engine that any reputable BMW indy specialist shop can work on them. Search the threads here there are lots of posts. I found Rocco @ RPM to be very thorough and may bring my Z4M to him at some point for its rod bearings and VANOS service, certainly the latter since he is more familiar with it than other shops. I have another indy in Markham (Noble Performance) who has been great to my cars including my 128i which now at 224,000kms drives like a swiss watch considering what has been refreshed and what hasn't. Fluid service? Thats cakewalk for either of these guys.

My personal opinion is if your car is out of warranty zero reason to go to the dealer unless you have a problem no mechanic or anyone on this forum can figure out and you are desperate. And recall work of course.

[baris41]

Sorry for resurrecting this post, but i'm planning to take my car to RPM motorworks in Ottawa, have you ever heard this shop and their job quality?

[NorthernDancer]

Have never used RPM so cannot comment.
I can recommend:
1. Duss Brothers in Westboro
2. Autovation in Stittsville
3. Roch Drouin in Rockland
4. Young Street Garage in Little Italy.
Have used 1,2,3 & very satisfied. Never used #4 but know from others that they do very good work.
Also know of and have used garages in Perth and Buckingham that I recommend.

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by baris41

Sorry for resurrecting this post, but i'm planning to take my car to RPM motorworks in Ottawa, have you ever heard this shop and their job quality?

This is a completely different shop than the one OP was referring to. OP is talking about RMP Motors in Etobicoke near Toronto: https://rmpmotors.com/


RPM Motorworks in Ottawa is https://rpmmotorworks.com/

Ironically I did my PPI for my recently purchased BMW 2008 E90 M3 at RPM Motorworks in Ottawa but brought it to RMP in Etobicoke for the rod bearings and engine mount replacement job soon after.

Both are great shops.

RPM Motorworks in Ottawa is family owned; whole family came out to put eyes on the car I was about to purchase. They did a very thorough job in reviewing the car, took me early despite me showing up before my appointment time. While I didn't use them for any repair services I'd have no issues giving them a shot based on my experience there. They were more flexible and available than the other BMW specialist shop I called. Area of town is dumpy but that's sort of par for the course when it comes to indy garages and shop itself was clean and professional looking. If I lived in Ottawa I would have given them the rod bearings job and not worried about it.