Questions regarding engine overhaul (528i E39)

[foo]

Dear All,I owned a 2000 528i, the car was performing superbly until I used it to climb Cameron Highland last CNY. Since then I had difficulty in starting the engine during cold mornings and acceleration was slow and delayed. I took it to AB Glenmarie to run computer check but found nothing; they changed my accelerator cable and serviced the air filter. The cold start and delayed acceleration problems persisted. When I sent my car to Ipoh Tian Siang, they found that one of the cylinders has low pressure and needed overhaul. The cost of overhaul is RM20K. I told them if I get it done, can they guarantee me the performance. They dared not give me the guarantee. My questions are :-1)What causes of cold start. (Well, actually some times after the warming up. It will happen if the engine is re-start, though not every time.)2)What causes delayed acceleration ? I tend to agree on the low pressure theory at the cylinder.3)Is RM20K a fair price for this type of overhaul ?4)I was told old mechanics can give better Engine Overhaul job than the present batch of in-experienced AB foreman, can somebody suggest another avenue for repair ?Thanks

 

[ramsing]

20k overhaul?? wow, they better include a supercharger also for the price. madness. for 20k, the mechanic will probably send your block back to Germany for them to overhaul there.

if ur car was running fine, not so easy to suddenly lose compression in a cylinder. no harm in going up cameron's. better get a second or third opinion from a reliable mechanic.

it's not only about the age of the mechanic, its also his experience and attitude. for eg if your car's problem is just the crank and o2 sensor, but he says needs overhaul.

good luck.

 

[JFT63]

Dear Foo, kindly make an intro in the newbie section beforehand..anyway, you are welcome to the club forum..

regarding the o.haul issue, my friend did an overhaul on 523i for less than 10k in BPahat..shud be around that price range..IMHO your sluggish issue and cold start wont be solved by overhauling the engine..I had sluggish issue before n the culprit was the cam sensor. good luck bro

Bro Ramsing: Agree that 02 sensor cud be the culprit also..

 

[YaZmEeN]

Too many things to look at, better send ur car to reputable mechanic here...

 

[e39touring]

Foo, I agree with the suggestions above. Get other mechanic's opinions first. It might be just the cam sensor, or the ignition coil. Do the cheap one first. To me, RM20k is a lot of money. Do a search. You can look up for few workshops listed in here that are near your place.

 

[bmw7833]

When u send your car to authorized dealer to service, sure they will charge u double. Problem is why u only choose them instead the other specific mechanics? I presume u stay in Ipoh, try to look advice from M-Power and New Age.