BMW
X1 / X2
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums General BMW News and Cars Discussion BMW Labor Rates and Hours?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-06-2021, 09:04 PM   #1
thebmw
Post Advisor
thebmw's Avatar
1619
Rep
1,689
Posts

Drives: More Manuals than Automatics
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (10)

BMW Labor Rates and Hours?

I've searched the threads but can't find this information in one thread. How many hours does each of the following services take for a N63tu engine? Separately, what is a fair labor rate for each of the following services. I ask for both hours and prices as both can vary for location to location.. Labor numbers only, parts/fluids have been purchased separately to reduce variables.

-Cooling System Service (flush and refill)

-Transfer Case Service (flush and refill)

-Driveline Service Front and Rear (xdrive front and rear differential flush and refill)

-Transmission Fluid (flush, replacement with new pan, and refill)

-Cabin Microfilter Replacement

-Engine Air Filter Replacement

-Spark Plugs (8) (replacement, no coil changes)

-Oil Change

-Brake Pad Replacement (all 4 wheels)

-Rotor Replacement (all 4 wheels)
Appreciate 0
      06-06-2021, 09:18 PM   #2
hdahman
Lieutenant
hdahman's Avatar
United_States
237
Rep
430
Posts

Drives: BMW X5MC
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: NJ&QC

iTrader: (0)

curious to know as well
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 04:30 AM   #3
iceRN09
Lieutenant
iceRN09's Avatar
United_States
241
Rep
578
Posts

Drives: M340i Xdrive, X5 M50i
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North East USA

iTrader: (0)

I pay mine 85 an hr at an indy BMW shop
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 06:12 AM   #4
F30lolz
I can haz cheezburger?
F30lolz's Avatar
6799
Rep
3,677
Posts

Drives: 14 Sahara/08 335xi/22 Maverick
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Miami, FL/Shelbyville, IN

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceRN09 View Post
I pay mine 85 an hr at an indy BMW shop
That is a great rate for a BMW indy. Most ‘normal’ shops near me charge at least $100/hr.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaptorKTM View Post
Also our E90 330 and 325 will soon have some sort of boost. So there is actually more of a chance to get more hp out of a 330 then a 335 in my opinion
Appreciate 1
paquet629.50
      06-07-2021, 06:16 AM   #5
Skoidat69
Secret Squirrel
Skoidat69's Avatar
United_States
273
Rep
392
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW 328ix E91
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: StL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2007 BMW 328XI  [0.00]
I pay $105 reg/ $95 cash per hour.. I think that you need to find the "book hours" for jobs..
__________________
No good sea story starts with Cookies and Milk
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 06:44 AM   #6
Chihuahua
Brigadier General
Chihuahua's Avatar
4011
Rep
3,171
Posts

Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ATL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by thebmw View Post
I've searched the threads but can't find this information in one thread. How many hours does each of the following services take for a N63tu engine? Separately, what is a fair labor rate for each of the following services. I ask for both hours and prices as both can vary for location to location.. Labor numbers only, parts/fluids have been purchased separately to reduce variables.

-Cooling System Service (flush and refill)

-Transfer Case Service (flush and refill)

-Driveline Service Front and Rear (xdrive front and rear differential flush and refill)

-Transmission Fluid (flush, replacement with new pan, and refill)

-Cabin Microfilter Replacement

-Engine Air Filter Replacement

-Spark Plugs (8) (replacement, no coil changes)

-Oil Change

-Brake Pad Replacement (all 4 wheels)

-Rotor Replacement (all 4 wheels)

Every dealer is going to quote differently for these things. BMW publishes an internal labor rate table for the dealers to use. Jobs are quoted in FRUs or 'Flat Rate Units'. I.E. a certain job may call for five FRUs, then the dealer will use whatever multiplier they want. Some will double the FRUs, some will multiply it by 1.5, you get the idea.

Last edited by Chihuahua; 06-07-2021 at 06:45 PM..
Appreciate 1
paquet629.50
      06-07-2021, 05:14 PM   #7
thebmw
Post Advisor
thebmw's Avatar
1619
Rep
1,689
Posts

Drives: More Manuals than Automatics
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chihuahua View Post
Every dealer is going to quote differently for these things. BMW publishes an internal labor rate table for the dealers to use. Jobs are quoted in FRUs or 'Flate Rate Units'. I.E. a certain job may call for five FRUs, then the dealer will use whatever multiplier they want. Some will double the FRUs, some will multiply it by 1.5, you get the idea.
Exactly correct. They may quote lower hourly rates but then increase the hours or vice versa.

So maybe the best question is what is a good indy labor price for the listed services (excluding parts). Anyone??
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 05:51 PM   #8
Our03z4
Captain
1637
Rep
676
Posts

Drives: 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe,
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

I pay $40 per hr for stuff my normal guy can do. He's getting ready to replace my 924s engine as well. The rest is $105.
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 06:14 PM   #9
N1rve
Racecar Driver
N1rve's Avatar
No_Country
1273
Rep
1,925
Posts

Drives: BMW M4
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Beverly Hills, California

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2019 BMW M4  [9.63]
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceRN09 View Post
I pay mine 85 an hr at an indy BMW shop
Wow that's cheap.

Indy shops around me is 180 an hour, BMW dealership is like 230 an hour.
__________________
N1rve

2019 BMW ///M4 - Alpine White | Sakhir Orange/Black Leather | M-DCT | Executive Package | 19" Black 437M Wheels | Carbon Fiber Trim | Sunroof | Active Blind Spot | Heated Steering Wheel | Adaptive M Suspension
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 06:42 PM   #10
MOTOP
Lieutenant
MOTOP's Avatar
United_States
251
Rep
426
Posts

Drives: 2021 X5 M50i, 2018 Raptor
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by N1rve View Post
Wow that's cheap.

Indy shops around me is 180 an hour, BMW dealership is like 230 an hour.
Last week they quoted $1600 for 9 hr job to replace 6 windows with acoustic ones. My local dealer that is. Add the tax. Roughly two benjamins per hr
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 08:04 PM   #11
fubarian
upgrades. Upgrades, EVERYWHERE
fubarian's Avatar
54
Rep
60
Posts

Drives: E92 335xi, E63 M6, F25, M550xi
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

in GA, dealer was ...185? Independent in CO is ... 125-150?
__________________
2018 G38 M550xi
2015 F25 35i
2011 E92 335xi (m4 brakes? koni yellows? Momo's on Conti Force? ...oh what I have done)
2008 E63 ///M6
Appreciate 0
      06-07-2021, 08:09 PM   #12
Mr.Souvlaki
New Member
0
Rep
7
Posts

Drives: e39 540i and MSM
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

My indy is $145/hr
Appreciate 0
      06-08-2021, 09:29 PM   #13
F30lolz
I can haz cheezburger?
F30lolz's Avatar
6799
Rep
3,677
Posts

Drives: 14 Sahara/08 335xi/22 Maverick
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Miami, FL/Shelbyville, IN

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebmw View Post
I've searched the threads but can't find this information in one thread. How many hours does each of the following services take for a N63tu engine? Separately, what is a fair labor rate for each of the following services. I ask for both hours and prices as both can vary for location to location.. Labor numbers only, parts/fluids have been purchased separately to reduce variables.

-Cooling System Service (flush and refill)

-Transfer Case Service (flush and refill)

-Driveline Service Front and Rear (xdrive front and rear differential flush and refill)

-Transmission Fluid (flush, replacement with new pan, and refill)

-Cabin Microfilter Replacement

-Engine Air Filter Replacement

-Spark Plugs (8) (replacement, no coil changes)

-Oil Change

-Brake Pad Replacement (all 4 wheels)

-Rotor Replacement (all 4 wheels)
Try searching for Indy shops near you here:

https://www.bimmershops.com/

Do your research on them and email/call and explain your list and what their labor rates are. Remember, some shops do accept customer supplied parts while others frown on it. I’ll take a wild guess and I may be wrong but I see at least $800 for all the work there depending on labor rates they all give you. Could be cheaper if you find a shade tree BMW mechanic. Yes, it’s risky and they won’t guarantee the work, however, shops usually don’t guarantee work when customers supply the parts.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Our03z4 View Post
I pay $40 per hr for stuff my normal guy can do. He's getting ready to replace my 924s engine as well. The rest is $105.
Cheap rate! I found a great shade tree mechanic near ft Lauderdale about 5 years ago and he’s my go to guy, even though I’m not living in FL full time anymore. He’ll be doing some work on my f36 next month when I go back to FL for a bit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by N1rve View Post
Wow that's cheap.

Indy shops around me is 180 an hour, BMW dealership is like 230 an hour.
That’s Cali for you and that’s insane. I finally found a decent BMW Indy near me and they charge $110/hour which I think is very fair and they accept customer supplied parts.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaptorKTM View Post
Also our E90 330 and 325 will soon have some sort of boost. So there is actually more of a chance to get more hp out of a 330 then a 335 in my opinion
Appreciate 0
      06-09-2021, 01:01 PM   #14
Vivek.
Lieutenant Colonel
1364
Rep
1,532
Posts

Drives: 335is coupe, e30 vert
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Los Gatos, California

iTrader: (0)

Latest guy I spoke to was 175/hr but he promised to only bill for every full hour. IE if he worked for 4.8 hours he bills 4.

Labor rates around here are typically over $120. I go to a guy I found on Craigslist who does incredible work for great rates. He's never given me an hour rate, rather quotes per job, and it's typically 30-50% of what a shop would charge. I prefer him to any shop because he's really honest, super particular, knows EVERYTHING about these cars, and pricing is great.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
My wife would give me so much head if I did that.
2013 335is Mineral/Coral - DR 6466 - DR Mani - PI - Motiv FF - Dodson Clutches - OEM CF Roof - M3 GTS DCT/LSD/DS/Halfshafts/Suspension/Subframe/Brakes/Chassis Bracing F+R - DEFIV Diff Brace - 437M/R888R
2015 X5 35D - 1990 535i [RIP] - 1992 318i Convertible - 2002 540i/6
Appreciate 0
      06-10-2021, 05:11 PM   #15
F32Fleet
Lieutenant General
F32Fleet's Avatar
United_States
3540
Rep
10,327
Posts

Drives: 2015 435i
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Southeastern US

iTrader: (0)

Labor is local. It's not the labor rate but the quality of the labor.
__________________
"Drive more, worry less. "

435i, MPPK, MPE, M-Sport Line
Appreciate 1
      06-10-2021, 10:27 PM   #16
thebmw
Post Advisor
thebmw's Avatar
1619
Rep
1,689
Posts

Drives: More Manuals than Automatics
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (10)

Again, maybe the best question to ask is how much does each job cost without the parts. Asking for labor rates and hours seems to be irrelevant as labor rates can vary and the hours per job can vary. What is most important as what is the final out-the-door price. So can anyone comment toward that?
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2021, 06:54 PM   #17
F30lolz
I can haz cheezburger?
F30lolz's Avatar
6799
Rep
3,677
Posts

Drives: 14 Sahara/08 335xi/22 Maverick
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Miami, FL/Shelbyville, IN

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebmw View Post

-Cooling System Service (flush and refill) should be 30 minutes but most will charge at least 1 hour

-Transfer Case Service (flush and refill) same as coolant

-Driveline Service Front and Rear (xdrive front and rear differential flush and refill) 1 hour minimum

-Transmission Fluid (flush, replacement with new pan, and refill) 2-3 hour booked time

-Cabin Microfilter Replacement YouTube this and you’ll save 1/2 hour labor cost

-Engine Air Filter Replacement easy DIY. YouTube to save .25 hour labor cost

-Spark Plugs (8) (replacement, no coil changes) at least 1 hour

-Oil Change $15-$25

-Brake Pad Replacement (all 4 wheels) $125-$250 including rotors

-Rotor Replacement (all 4 wheels)
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebmw View Post
Again, maybe the best question to ask is how much does each job cost without the parts. Asking for labor rates and hours seems to be irrelevant as labor rates can vary and the hours per job can vary. What is most important as what is the final out-the-door price. So can anyone comment toward that?
Again, you’re going to have to ask shops around you as rates will be different all over the country. A shop in NY will probably charge $150 to replace pads/rotors all around while a shop near me would probably be $125 and $250 in Cali. However, I’ve entered a guesstimate above next to each labor request.

Hope this helps.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaptorKTM View Post
Also our E90 330 and 325 will soon have some sort of boost. So there is actually more of a chance to get more hp out of a 330 then a 335 in my opinion
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2021, 08:46 PM   #18
thebmw
Post Advisor
thebmw's Avatar
1619
Rep
1,689
Posts

Drives: More Manuals than Automatics
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by F30lolz View Post
-Cooling System Service (flush and refill) should be 30 minutes but most will charge at least 1 hour

-Transfer Case Service (flush and refill) same as coolant

-Driveline Service Front and Rear (xdrive front and rear differential flush and refill) 1 hour minimum

-Transmission Fluid (flush, replacement with new pan, and refill) 2-3 hour booked time

-Cabin Microfilter Replacement YouTube this and you’ll save 1/2 hour labor cost

-Engine Air Filter Replacement easy DIY. YouTube to save .25 hour labor cost

-Spark Plugs (8) (replacement, no coil changes) at least 1 hour

-Oil Change $15-$25

-Brake Pad Replacement (all 4 wheels) $125-$250 including rotors

-Rotor Replacement (all 4 wheels)
Thank you. This was much more in line of what I was looking for. This gives me the ability to estimate what a reasonable charge would be. We all know labor rates can vary but the times you've given seem to be the true time it should take for a skilled technician to complete these jobs.
Appreciate 1
F30lolz6798.50
      06-11-2021, 08:57 PM   #19
F30lolz
I can haz cheezburger?
F30lolz's Avatar
6799
Rep
3,677
Posts

Drives: 14 Sahara/08 335xi/22 Maverick
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Miami, FL/Shelbyville, IN

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebmw View Post
Thank you. This was much more in line of what I was looking for. This gives me the ability to estimate what a reasonable charge would be. We all know labor rates can vary but the times you've given seem to be the true time it should take for a skilled technician to complete these jobs.
Do you have room/tools/skill set to do some of these? Just remembered that changing out the air filters in the n63 isn’t as easy as it is for n20/n54. I’m not mechanically inclined, however, YouTube has saved me money as I’ve done spark plugs/coil packs on my n20 and n54.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaptorKTM View Post
Also our E90 330 and 325 will soon have some sort of boost. So there is actually more of a chance to get more hp out of a 330 then a 335 in my opinion
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2021, 09:07 PM   #20
thebmw
Post Advisor
thebmw's Avatar
1619
Rep
1,689
Posts

Drives: More Manuals than Automatics
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by F30lolz View Post
Do you have room/tools/skill set to do some of these? Just remembered that changing out the air filters in the n63 isn’t as easy as it is for n20/n54. I’m not mechanically inclined, however, YouTube has saved me money as I’ve done spark plugs/coil packs on my n20 and n54.
YouTube has been amazing for so many simple do-it-yourself repairs. You can even learn some relatively complex do-it-yourself repairs on YouTube. In fact, that was really the purpose of this thread. How many of these items are worth doing at home versus giving it to the mechanic. If it's a simple DIY, I'll do it. But the more complex ones, I'll just give it to the mechanic. I'm not interested in saving a few bucks here and there if it's going to take a lot of my time (time is money) and if there is risk of injury.
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2021, 09:25 PM   #21
F30lolz
I can haz cheezburger?
F30lolz's Avatar
6799
Rep
3,677
Posts

Drives: 14 Sahara/08 335xi/22 Maverick
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Miami, FL/Shelbyville, IN

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Out of your list I would feel comfy with:

Oil
Filters
Plugs

Coolant maybe if the bleeding procedure is as easy as the f3x.

Let us know how you make out with the repairs.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaptorKTM View Post
Also our E90 330 and 325 will soon have some sort of boost. So there is actually more of a chance to get more hp out of a 330 then a 335 in my opinion
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2021, 09:38 PM   #22
thebmw
Post Advisor
thebmw's Avatar
1619
Rep
1,689
Posts

Drives: More Manuals than Automatics
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by F30lolz View Post
Out of your list I would feel comfy with:

Oil
Filters
Plugs

Coolant maybe if the bleeding procedure is as easy as the f3x.

Let us know how you make out with the repairs.
I might do the filters myself. Its a pretty easy thing to do. No special tools needed and no lift needed. Also pretty low risk of injury! I'm going to be replacing brake pads on the f30. I'll keep the rotors because they're in great shape. What do you think a fair price is for just brake pad replacement on the F30?
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:53 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST