Beautiful car. I owned one but it was the M5 and the SMG transmission went out and it broke me. I would prefer to have bought one like yours with a 6 speed. Can you tell me how much it would cost to reseal all you mentioned?
Depends on if you’re going the work yourself or paying to have it done. The parts are not terribly expensive, $600-$700. The labor is what makes it expensive. I believe it’s 50-60 hours if you look up book time. So if you are paying a shop to fix it and their labor rate is $100 an hour you’re $5-$6k. Most places around me are in the $200/hour range so double that.
i’m thinking about buying a 04 with 188k mi. i have money for essential repairs but i’m no mechanic . how much do you estimate all the repairs you listed but taking it to a shop ?
James, I have this indentical car in a metallic green. Need some advice on the valve stem seals. Is it better to repair the current engine or swap for the stock motor? my rear main seal is also leaking.
Depends. You can do the seals in the car with the all german auto kit. But you can get a good used engine, reseal everything before swapping it into the car.
If your cat has secondary air pump with the exhaust ports in the heads, You don’t wanna drive that car until doing valve seals. Or you’ll have check engine like until pulling heads and cleaning exhaust ports in heads. It’s a tough job. Took me about 12 hrs per head. Since the ports had so much carbon buildup
Already an issue. Have the head kit for the car. Waiting on a few more pieces to come in then I’m tearing it down to clean the ports and replace all the seals. 👍
@@jamesbmwgarage brake cleaner spray will help you a lot with the carbon hook tool. I believe I have the hook tool laying around somewhere still if you need. If you need or want some help lmk I’ll also be down to show my 545. Not far from ya
Show all of your repairs. Great stuff plus it helps the shade tree mechanics
Planning on it. Valve seals are next. 😬
Beautiful car. I owned one but it was the M5 and the SMG transmission went out and it broke me. I would prefer to have bought one like yours with a 6 speed. Can you tell me how much it would cost to reseal all you mentioned?
Depends on if you’re going the work yourself or paying to have it done. The parts are not terribly expensive, $600-$700. The labor is what makes it expensive. I believe it’s 50-60 hours if you look up book time. So if you are paying a shop to fix it and their labor rate is $100 an hour you’re $5-$6k. Most places around me are in the $200/hour range so double that.
Lookin at one just like this wouldn’t mind seeing a budget friendly build
That’s my plan with this!
i’m thinking about buying a 04 with 188k mi. i have money for essential repairs but i’m no mechanic . how much do you estimate all the repairs you listed but taking it to a shop ?
Probably way more than the car is worth to be honest. Everything is pretty labor intensive.
James, I have this indentical car in a metallic green. Need some advice on the valve stem seals. Is it better to repair the current engine or swap for the stock motor? my rear main seal is also leaking.
Depends. You can do the seals in the car with the all german auto kit. But you can get a good used engine, reseal everything before swapping it into the car.
Hi James im from New Jersey and I got a 545i 2004 6 speed but no body can’t get it to start I need help I pay anything
Cranks but won’t start? What codes?
In capital of Michigan here. What about you?
If your cat has secondary air pump with the exhaust ports in the heads, You don’t wanna drive that car until doing valve seals. Or you’ll have check engine like until pulling heads and cleaning exhaust ports in heads. It’s a tough job. Took me about 12 hrs per head. Since the ports had so much carbon buildup
Kalamazoo area.
Already an issue. Have the head kit for the car. Waiting on a few more pieces to come in then I’m tearing it down to clean the ports and replace all the seals. 👍
@@jamesbmwgarage brake cleaner spray will help you a lot with the carbon hook tool. I believe I have the hook tool laying around somewhere still if you need. If you need or want some help lmk I’ll also be down to show my 545. Not far from ya
@@jamesbmwgarage wanna trade 545’s?