Major Service - 325i M50B25

[-J-]

Hi all,Im a noob with conti.Just got my E36 325i ori manual a couple of months back.My question is;My mileage is abt 170k++.When should I change the timing chain, all belts etc?Can anyone please provide me the cost of doing all this including workmanship. Also, would appreciate if anyone could refer me to a reliable/none cut throat workshop.My location is in Setia Alam and I'm willing to travel anywhere from Klang to Subang.*Im also looking at changing the clutch plate, gear box oil etc.Thanks a lot..Cheers,J:top:

 

[deep3102]

Bro, u can try Autopex in Glenmarie, Shah Alam

 

[-J-]

hmmm... AUtopex?
I guess i went there for my monthly service...

what abt the cost of the major service?

 

[deep3102]

depends on the things u wanna get done. But Kelvin is reasonable and i trust his work.

 

[-J-]

i dont know what to change...
But what i did to my E3 last time is the belting, water pump and a couple of bearings..

 

[loafer]

Do you have a full service history from the previous owner? It would help to know what needs to be done and what can wait.

A full overhaul should cost somewhere in the region of RM5k, less if you don't want to replace all the stuff. IMO while you're at it might as well refresh everything and change it new.

If you don't want to do an overhaul then consider changing most of the wear and tear not related to the engine.

Usually the recommended things to do would be:-

1. Flushing and changing your brake fluids.
2. Flush your radiator. You can send it for a service if you want.
3. Change all your radiator hoses. Basically anything to do with the engine cooling system, just change it. That includes the water pump and termostat.
4. Flush your power steering fluid. Change the power steering fluid reservoir as well.
5. Check your steering rack to see if there's any leaks, if there is do a service on it. There's service kits available for e36 steering rack from BA.
6. Replace engine mounting and gearbox mounting.
7. Replace drive shaft rubber guibo.
8. Replace drive shaft center bearing.
9. Replace wheel bearings, front and rear.
10. Check the condition of all the bushes under the car. This includes the front lower arm bush, rear sub-frame bush, rear diff bush (not sure if this can be changed, but I think can).
11. Check the conditions of the ball joints in the front lower arm, inner and outer. Replace if necessary. This is highly recommended.
12. Check the front and rear absorber top mounts. On the E36 these are very prone to having a short life-span if you are rocking harder suspension setup.
13. Replace the petrol hoses under the rear passenger seat. This will crack over time and cause a very strong petrol fume smell in the passenger cabin.
12. Service air-cond compressor. This can be done at Naidu. To find out where he is do a forum search.
13. Check for leaks in your car's air-conditioning system and replace as per necessary.
14. Change the rear diff oil.
15. Change the manual gearbox oil.

There's a whole lot more things you can do to refresh the car to make it work like new. It's all up to what you're looking for at the end of the day and how deep your wallet is.

Remember that it's never cheap driving an old car due to all the wear and tear stuff and this is not to be confused with how people always say BMW maintenance is high.

 

[-J-]

Hi Loafer,

Thanks for ur reply.
Yep, Ive replaced all the fluids & have checked and changed all the rubbers/mounting that needs to b changed...

My only worries right now is that, Ive surveyed with 3 different workshops on the cost of doing a major service.
the prices varies of about 300-400 bucks...
one of them sd it wud cost abt 1.5k, the other is about 1.8k n so on.....
My question is, what needs to b change on this 6 potter exactly?
is it the similar with other cars? or they have extra that needs to b done?
Sorry, for my question, i just dont want to b screwed..

 

[loafer]

Actually I'm not too sure what you mean by major service bro. Personally I have never done a major service on my car. All I did when I first got it was replace as much wear and tear stuff I could afford then slowly along the way I replaced those that could wait.

 

[-J-]

Sorry for using the wrong terms.
it should not b called a major service i guess..

I wanted to change the timing chain, all belts, water pump etc.
May i know what else needs to be changed when changing all theses parts?
how abt the bearings? n the cost of all of it?
3 diff workshops quoted me 3 diff pricing....

 

[HaqimRashid]

Do you have a full service history from the previous owner? It would help to know what needs to be done and what can wait.

A full overhaul should cost somewhere in the region of RM5k, less if you don't want to replace all the stuff. IMO while you're at it might as well refresh everything and change it new.

If you don't want to do an overhaul then consider changing most of the wear and tear not related to the engine.

Usually the recommended things to do would be:-

1. Flushing and changing your brake fluids.
2. Flush your radiator. You can send it for a service if you want.
3. Change all your radiator hoses. Basically anything to do with the engine cooling system, just change it. That includes the water pump and termostat.
4. Flush your power steering fluid. Change the power steering fluid reservoir as well.
5. Check your steering rack to see if there's any leaks, if there is do a service on it. There's service kits available for e36 steering rack from BA.
6. Replace engine mounting and gearbox mounting.
7. Replace drive shaft rubber guibo.
8. Replace drive shaft center bearing.
9. Replace wheel bearings, front and rear.
10. Check the condition of all the bushes under the car. This includes the front lower arm bush, rear sub-frame bush, rear diff bush (not sure if this can be changed, but I think can).
11. Check the conditions of the ball joints in the front lower arm, inner and outer. Replace if necessary. This is highly recommended.
12. Check the front and rear absorber top mounts. On the E36 these are very prone to having a short life-span if you are rocking harder suspension setup.
13. Replace the petrol hoses under the rear passenger seat. This will crack over time and cause a very strong petrol fume smell in the passenger cabin.
12. Service air-cond compressor. This can be done at Naidu. To find out where he is do a forum search.
13. Check for leaks in your car's air-conditioning system and replace as per necessary.
14. Change the rear diff oil.
15. Change the manual gearbox oil.

There's a whole lot more things you can do to refresh the car to make it work like new. It's all up to what you're looking for at the end of the day and how deep your wallet is.

Remember that it's never cheap driving an old car due to all the wear and tear stuff and this is not to be confused with how people always say BMW maintenance is high.

I did all the above except item 2, 3 and 12 (AC Compressor) + other things not listed in one go when i got my ride which was in a very bad condition in Mac this year. Mine is an auto GM4 box. I strongly recommend no 13 b'coz it can cause fuel leak and pose immediate threat to you.

After all the money spent, i'm very satisfied with my 16 year old UDM. Worth every penny!

 

[loafer]

Sorry for using the wrong terms.
it should not b called a major service i guess..

I wanted to change the timing chain, all belts, water pump etc.
May i know what else needs to be changed when changing all theses parts?
how abt the bearings? n the cost of all of it?
3 diff workshops quoted me 3 diff pricing....

Well changing timing chain would require that you open up the engine and that would mean an overhaul is imminent. I'm assuming you're talking about the crank bearings also which should be done together with the timing chain. Belts and water pumps can be changed anytime and it's an easy job.

I'm assuming you're talking about an engine overhaul? Or a top overhaul?

 

[2wenty6]

You don't generally replace the timing chain unless you're planning a top overhaul. At 170k km the timing chain should still be in running condition. Unlike timing belts, timing chains will not snap and destroy your engine - the only concern is that it will elongate over time and mess up the timing a little that is all.

Belts and waterpump replacement are simple jobs I think you can refer to the sticky thread with prices for e36 parts and service. There really is nothing 'while-in-there' to do when you're replacing belts and waterpump, they're all easily accessible.

If you still feel like changing the timing belt, then consider checking the condition of the vanos unit, primary and secondary tensioners, replace as needed. Also while in there, consider replacing headgasket and valve cover gasket. But to me, these won't be lumped under preventative maintenance - I only took care of these when I blew my headgasket.

 

[bimmer9]

Bro unless ure engine got problems why u wanna change timing chain/ overhaul etc.

Just go to a reputable mechanic, like M SPEED in USJ and he'll be able to take a look and tell you what needs to be done.

 

[-J-]

You don't generally replace the timing chain unless you're planning a top overhaul. At 170k km the timing chain should still be in running condition. Unlike timing belts, timing chains will not snap and destroy your engine - the only concern is that it will elongate over time and mess up the timing a little that is all.

Belts and waterpump replacement are simple jobs I think you can refer to the sticky thread with prices for e36 parts and service. There really is nothing 'while-in-there' to do when you're replacing belts and waterpump, they're all easily accessible.

If you still feel like changing the timing belt, then consider checking the condition of the vanos unit, primary and secondary tensioners, replace as needed. Also while in there, consider replacing headgasket and valve cover gasket. But to me, these won't be lumped under preventative maintenance - I only took care of these when I blew my headgasket.

I see...
thanks for the explanation..
it really helps.
so, it not the same with those timing belt cars? hmmm.... looks like i can save a bit more cash...:top:

 

[jackyhung]

just wanna share my opinion, i just overhaul my whole engine last week and what was intended to do is just cleaning cams & pistons, but tell u what, after dropping the whole engine out, everything is a mess, gears for chain is not smooth and so many many parts need to be replace..so if u don't wanna fix bit by bit that would cost more in long run, u just change all the parts one time, save labour cost..it should not be any problem for the next 3 years? touch wood..