My BMW 528i needs timing chain replacement. Dealership charging over 6,000. My car has 114K and is a 2013, so duh, I'm not paying that. It's not driveable. The car has been paid for so I've had no car payment for such a long time and Im struggling financially after the pandemic... Guys, I need advice. The dealership gave me a loaner, of course its a top of the line bad ass BMW and they said they'd give me one day to decide if I want to move forward with the repairs or trade in which the trade in value will be awful bc the dealership will take the repair cost into account. I'm at a time in my life where I'm still recovering financially from the pandemic, so I have 3 jobs and a 15 year old that will be 16 in December.

So, where do I start? I'm getting an estimate through Kelly Blue Book, but the dealership is telling me cars that aren't driveable will get 500... I don't want him bs ing me. I'm overwhelmed with trading in a car and finding one on my own. Need advice please

Where do you live? People on here may know good mechanics in the area that can give you a better price. BMWs are expensive to repair, but $6000 seems high.

2013 528 should fetch some decent cash even with a timing chain issue. Use this to your benefit.

Research the value of the car. there are lots of places--NADA, kbb, truecar, etc.

Get a realistic idea of what it is worth.

Then figure out what you need in a car. Do you need a 5 series BMW? Or can a Corolla work?

If you can down size then do it.

$6000 sounds crazy high but perhaps the scope of work is tremendous. German cars aren't known for being easy to work on...

Your best bet is to use the value your car has.

Yeah. Seems high. Where are you located? I bet someone on here knows a mechanic where you are. Someone may even have a car you can borrow or one they would trade you for yours. My advice would be to look for a good used Camry or Accord and keep on trucking with no car payment or with very low car payment. Given your current financial situation, you may have to drive a less than desirable car for a little while.

Plenty of indies I bet can do it for 1/2 to 2/3 cost. $3-4k isn't bad and averages out to a $300/month car payment after a year.

If in Houston, Bertini's near the woodlands is not cheap but is almost always cheaper than the dealer. I'd trust them to shoot straight and give you an estimate or advise.

https://www.bertiniseuropean.com/

Another option off 59 is Sports Car Repair. They are so bare bones, they don't have a website. They are cheaper but have high ratings. I'd call and tell them your situation.

https://g.co/kgs/7YgKZQ

If you fix it , drive it a little while but I'd sell it and get a used Toyota or Lexus before the next issue comes up. Nothing but trouble with an older BMW. I know, I owned two 5 series and a 6.

Frisco

NVM, saw your post on location.

If you are in Bryan, call Bill at The Bug Clinic or Pete's Auto. Both worked on my BMW and were fair on price and did a good job. I would definitely get rid of it if you are struggling financially. BMWs have high maintenance costs especially at that age.

Unfortunately that's a known issue with that engine, there is a TSB for it. $6k is a little high, should be able to get it done for around $5K. Sounds like you might not be able to fix it financially even if you wanted to? If not accurate let us know, but assuming that is the case my best advice is to trade it at a local mechanic's shop. You will find many independent mechanics with cars for sale at their shop, some will even give you a warranty. The parts you need are about $1800 . If you can find a car they have priced at around $8k you might be able to work out a straight trade. If you can spend the money, your car will be worth 11k or so with those repairs done, so the repairs are technically worth doing.

ok so the situation isn't as good as I thought...

NADA is showing trade in values $6800-$9000 with $6800 for a rough trade in (major mechanical damage or body damage).

This is for Frisco zip code.

Work with an independent shop. See if they can quote you an estimate on a timing chain replacement. They should have standard retail book values for a job like that.

It should be lower than a dealer.

One option is to repair, but use a lower cost shop.

Not knowing how much cash you have on hand, or how tight your budget is, you might need a small auto repair loan. There are tons of places that do this.

Other option is to work with the dealer on a trade in:

Trade for something decent on the used lot.
Or something lower cost on their main lot. A 300 series or something.
Then hope you can get financing for a decent timeframe to keep payments as low as possible.

See what is going to give you 1) the best chance of having a running car and 2) the least amount of monthly payments.

I think this situation comes down to which option sucks the least.

yes, and I'm so tired of the maintenance costs

bobcat90 said:

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yes, and I'm so tired of the maintenance costs

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I paid for Bertini's kids to go to college. I switched to Lexus. Not as much fun but I'm happier.

Your car is worth significantly less than $6800 on its current condition.

Mookie said:

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Your car is worth significantly less than $6800 on its current condition.

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Maybe...but its a reference point for negotiation instead of taking $500.

My BIL had a 5-series timing chain failure and told me about a class action suit.

See here https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/auto-news/bmw-timing-chain-class-action-settlement/

Broke your car is worth about $1000-1500..
Tow it to your house. The dealer who buys it will pick it up.

Cut your losses and use the money you would to pay to fix it as a down payment and get a used low to mid mileage Toyota or Lexus of some variety.

It's an 8 year old German paperweight during tax season. There is no negotiation on that car outside of where you want it towed.

Pain train is spot on. Also look at a legacy sedan, they are pretty undervalued and reliable.

Just google BMW repair Frisco. I found a lot of places with good reviews. Any of them that use Bimmer, Motorwerks, etc. in their name are typically specialty shops.

Mookie said:

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It's an 8 year old German paperweight during tax season. There is no negotiation on that car outside of where you want it towed.

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Yeah good point...

I have used and recommend Dallas European Auto in Plano near Coit and GWB. They will be about $3500-4500 for that repair, I think.
Of course, there is no loaner like there is at the dealer and it may take them a few days. Amir is the guy you want to talk to, and Bob is the one you want fixing it, he knows his stuff.

Sell the BMW. Buy an old Lexus LS400 or similar that's in decent condition. Enjoy having a reliable car that will last until you are ready to afford something else.

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/houston-1999-lexus-ls400/7270018250.html

Definitely look into that class action page. Looks like the deadline for submitting a claim is 3/18/2021.

bobcat90 said:

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Frisco

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Take it to this guy (Rick). He is awesome, and is where I have taken my vehicles in Frisco when off warranty. You will NOT be ripped off; very bare bones shop/appearance, but super guy. Look at the reviews any site you wish, and deal with a rental for a few days/week.

Much easier to sell/dispose of a car that is running/properly maintained.

authorityautomotive.com

https://goo.gl/maps/t32WDtWiHxGH1v4g8

I saw that too but unfortunately, I'm out of the mileage window. I heard that i could sell it to a junkyard.

you can sell it on craigslist as a mechanics special for 2-3k if you want to mess with that

fixing this car would be a mistake

good luck

Lots of the non-dealership repair shops will also buy it as is if you don't want to pay to fix it. I would call a couple of the BMW/German focused shops and see if they will give you a price. That probably won't be your top dollar, but it's more than salvage and you don't have to deal with Craigslist nonsense.

Sell it. Get a Toyota/Lexus. Never buy a European car again.

Dump the BMW and go buy this https://texags.com/forums/50/topics/3183592
Don't roll right back in to an expensive car.

I called one today, and because they are very familiar with the timing chain/belt of BMW lawsuit, they told me that the engine will not be repairable either. sniff. So, he wasn't interested didn't sound like. I've been holding the dealer off in what I'm going to do, so I can research in getting the best deal that he's not offered yet.

91AggieLawyer said:

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Sell it. Get a Toyota/Lexus. Never buy a European car again.

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This x100.

You could donate it to a local high school CTE automotive program and take the tax write off...

I have no idea if that would be the better financial option but might be worth exploring

East Dallas Ag said:

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91AggieLawyer said:

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Sell it. Get a Toyota/Lexus. Never buy a European car again.

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This x100.

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This is fantastic advice. I own two Toyotas and a Lexus and will never buy anything else. In fact I am looking for an old Toyota pickup for my teenager now.

How has no one commented on the "SWF" in the thread title?

Edit: Thread starts like a Craigslist personals post.

Aggiemike96 said:

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How has no one commented on the "SWF" in the thread title?

Edit: Thread starts like a Craigslist personals post.

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Maybe because this isn't the Houston or General board and we want to actually help someone out. Just a thought.