[DerE85Fahrer]

A friend of mine has a 2013 328i with approximately 146,000 miles on it. He has been getting an intermittent error message on the dash saying “drivetrain malfunction” but no other warning lights, until the other day when the check engine light came on along with the error message. Cycling the ignition was clearing the error and it would stay gone for several starts before returning. The car felt sluggish and underpowered when the error was present and had a slight rough idle, but felt fine when the error was gone. He has now taken the car in for diagnostics. The quote that the dealer provided says “Turbocharger - exhaust elbow: turbocharger replacement $5488.36” and “Clutch assembly: faults present for clutch slip $2016.95”. These prices seem absolutely outrageous to me, although I do most of my own work and I’m not familiar with this car or engine; most of my knowledge is centered around VW’s and my N52 powered Z4. What are your thoughts? I’d really appreciate any input. I’ve already advised him to get a second opinion from an independent shop, but we have very limited choices in our area.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by DerE85Fahrer

A friend of mine has a 2013 328i with approximately 146,000 miles on it. He has been getting an intermittent error message on the dash saying “drivetrain malfunction” but no other warning lights, until the other day when the check engine light came on along with the error message. Cycling the ignition was clearing the error and it would stay gone for several starts before returning. The car felt sluggish and underpowered when the error was present and had a slight rough idle, but felt fine when the error was gone. He has now taken the car in for diagnostics. The quote that the dealer provided says “Turbocharger - exhaust elbow: turbocharger replacement $5488.36” and “Clutch assembly: faults present for clutch slip $2016.95”. These prices seem absolutely outrageous to me, although I do most of my own work and I’m not familiar with this car or engine; most of my knowledge is centered around VW’s and my N52 powered Z4. What are your thoughts? I’d really appreciate any input. I’ve already advised him to get a second opinion from an independent shop, but we have very limited choices in our area.

After the 2nd opinion, I’d suggest trading it in.

[erickonphoenix]

Originally Posted by DerE85Fahrer

A friend of mine has a 2013 328i with approximately 146,000 miles on it. He has been getting an intermittent error message on the dash saying “drivetrain malfunction” but no other warning lights, until the other day when the check engine light came on along with the error message. Cycling the ignition was clearing the error and it would stay gone for several starts before returning. The car felt sluggish and underpowered when the error was present and had a slight rough idle, but felt fine when the error was gone. He has now taken the car in for diagnostics. The quote that the dealer provided says “Turbocharger - exhaust elbow: turbocharger replacement $5488.36” and “Clutch assembly: faults present for clutch slip $2016.95”. These prices seem absolutely outrageous to me, although I do most of my own work and I’m not familiar with this car or engine; most of my knowledge is centered around VW’s and my N52 powered Z4. What are your thoughts? I’d really appreciate any input. I’ve already advised him to get a second opinion from an independent shop, but we have very limited choices in our area.

I think you gave your friend the best advice. There are several factors that contribute to outrageous dealer costs so it's best to avoid them on out of warranty vehicles.

[dmaxdmax]

For $20 he should get a code reader.

Very doubtful he needs all of what the dealer suggested...possible he needs something else entirely...and there's lots he can do easily to save himself thousands.

'That' dealer just wants him to buy a new car.

[Billfitz]

This is why once out of warranty you never go to a dealer for service.

[weehe126]

Turbos don't underperform just when the CEL is on. They are either bad or good. Sounds more like an injector/coil/spark plug issue.

[blumagic]

turbo parts cost is just over 1k, that can be DIY'd (might as well upgrade). I'm guessing the car is an MT, and the dealer wants to replace the clutch? typically from what I read with the autos they blanket quote a new/used transmission for any error and it is much more than 2k. I'd probably just buy a clutch and have it swapped out if I didn't have a lift.

dealer charges ~800 for plug and coil service and ~200 for a cabin filter change... that should tell you what you need to know about dealer service costs.

[BimR]

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

After the 2nd opinion, I’d suggest trading it in.

THIS. Unless it's something simple, walk.

[Gen13 F36]

At 146k miles time to trade sell just my opinion.

With my current car... Once it past the 100k miles mark. I will be weighing an option to sell when more expensive repair will start to creep up.

Just my 2 cent.

[sqwinny]

A brand new oem turbo which comes with manifold is around 1400 shipped online. Install is around 10 hours so at 150 an hour a new turbo is around 3k. Mhi turbo upgrade is 1300, oem replacement is actually more expensive. Mhi gives you a power boost of around 30%, but on the stock tune will give some grunt but nothing crazy. You don't need a tune with it.

Transmission slipping for a new clutch is around 2k with labor included. However you can get a dual mass flywheel and clutch kit for around 900 shipped. The labor is what gets you. The f30 has a dual mass flywheel and can't be resurfaced, thus you replace it when you change the clutch.

Clutch kit

LuK DMF154 Dual Mass Flywheel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4GF6RG..._k0IRFb7CDQ98D

Flywheel

LuK DMF154 Dual Mass Flywheel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4GF6RG..._k0IRFb7CDQ98D

Stage 1 turbo

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-6...turbo-upgrade/

Of course it can be cheaper if you utilize the forum sponsors too !

Take it to an Indy bmw shop, have them diagnose it and tell you what you really need.

[DerE85Fahrer]

Thank you all for the feedback so far. Trading the car is less than ideal for a variety of reasons.

My friend took the car over to Autozone and had the codes scanned. The only code that came up was P1290. A quick google search seems to indicate that it may be the head temperature sensor or possibly an issue with the wastegate actuator. He's taking the car to an indy shop to get properly diagnosed. I'll update again when I hear more. Does anyone have any other thoughts about what P1290 could be?

[Billfitz]

Look it up here:
http://bmwfault.codes/

[ggrcrash]

Price for turbo, is real...including install...Just saying...Turbo and exhaust manifold are one unit...can't say for sure that's the problem but price, if it includes install, it is correct, and in case you were wondering it doesn't seem to be a dyi, unless you have access to a lift and have special tools, and small hands...it takes a trained mechanic about 8 to 10 hrs...and that's just the turbo, google it if you don't believe me. The transmission issue, not a clue on that one. BMW doesn't like selling pieces of that particular turbo (N20;N26) usually they want to replace the entire unit, something about about oil blow by and carbon build up on the exhaust manifold, byproduct of direct injection, I suppose.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by DerE85Fahrer

Thank you all for the feedback so far. Trading the car is less than ideal for a variety of reasons.

My friend took the car over to Autozone and had the codes scanned. The only code that came up was P1290. A quick google search seems to indicate that it may be the head temperature sensor or possibly an issue with the wastegate actuator. He's taking the car to an indy shop to get properly diagnosed. I'll update again when I hear more. Does anyone have any other thoughts about what P1290 could be?

The wastegate actuator seems likely. I got a drivetrain malfunction warning a few months ago. Got it checked at both dealer and indy, and both said the wastegate actuator is loose and the turbo assembly needs to be replaced (its all one piece). Cheapest quote was $3500 at indy and the dealer was $4800 or so. The warning used to pop up just once a week, then once in two weeks and now it doesn't pop up for around 4-6 weeks each time. I don't have any loss of boost or power so my assessment is that the actuator play is rather low at this point. When it becomes an actual issue, I will get it replaced at the indy. 114k miles on my car.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by adhrp

The wastegate actuator seems likely. I got a drivetrain malfunction warning a few months ago. Got it checked at both dealer and indy, and both said the wastegate actuator is loose and the turbo assembly needs to be replaced (its all one piece). Cheapest quote was $3500 at indy and the dealer was $4800 or so. The warning used to pop up just once a week, then once in two weeks and now it doesn't pop up for around 4-6 weeks each time. I don't have any loss of boost or power so my assessment is that the actuator play is rather low at this point. When it becomes an actual issue, I will get it replaced at the indy. 114k miles on my car.

I had my wastegate replaced on my N55 EWG under warranty at 35k miles and I can confirm, you can just replace the wastegate and not the whole turbo. It might be different on the on the N20 and N26.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by 435i_Phil

I had my wastegate replaced on my N55 EWG under warranty at 35k miles and I can confirm, you can just replace the wastegate and not the whole turbo. It might be different on the on the N20 and N26.

Not on the N20 it seems. I had that convo with the indy (and probed the dealership too) to replace just the wastegate and they said it could not be done. It comes as a one-piece assembly.

If someone is able do it, it probably takes some tinkering. The indy I go to isn't the tinkering type. They do a proper job and warranty their work. I, too, prefer it that way.

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by adhrp

Not on the N20 it seems. I had that convo with the indy (and probed the dealership too) to replace just the wastegate and they said it could not be done. It comes as a one-piece assembly.

If someone is able do it, it probably takes some tinkering. The indy I go to isn't the tinkering type. They do a proper job and warranty their work. I, too, prefer it that way.

I think the bill from my wastegate was around 2500, but the warranty covered it. I'm surprised the smaller motors have integrated wastegates.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by DerE85Fahrer

A friend of mine has a 2013 328i with approximately 146,000 miles on it. He has been getting an intermittent error message on the dash saying “drivetrain malfunction” but no other warning lights, until the other day when the check engine light came on along with the error message. Cycling the ignition was clearing the error and it would stay gone for several starts before returning. The car felt sluggish and underpowered when the error was present and had a slight rough idle, but felt fine when the error was gone. He has now taken the car in for diagnostics. The quote that the dealer provided says “Turbocharger - exhaust elbow: turbocharger replacement $5488.36” and “Clutch assembly: faults present for clutch slip $2016.95”. These prices seem absolutely outrageous to me, although I do most of my own work and I’m not familiar with this car or engine; most of my knowledge is centered around VW’s and my N52 powered Z4. What are your thoughts? I’d really appreciate any input. I’ve already advised him to get a second opinion from an independent shop, but we have very limited choices in our area.

Tell him to go to an indy shop. I had areas of rust in the subframe not covered by warranty. Dealer estimated that it would cost $6,000 to repair. I found a body shop that did it for $250 (not a full repair, but they said it would be good for 5-10 years without significant deterioration).

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by DerE85Fahrer

Thank you all for the feedback so far. Trading the car is less than ideal for a variety of reasons.

My friend took the car over to Autozone and had the codes scanned. The only code that came up was P1290. A quick google search seems to indicate that it may be the head temperature sensor or possibly an issue with the wastegate actuator. He's taking the car to an indy shop to get properly diagnosed. I'll update again when I hear more. Does anyone have any other thoughts about what P1290 could be?

Please share an update after visiting the indy shop.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by tex2670

Tell him to go to an indy shop. I had areas of rust in the subframe not covered by warranty. Dealer estimated that it would cost $6,000 to repair. I found a body shop that did it for $250 (not a full repair, but they said it would be good for 5-10 years without significant deterioration).

I’d be interested to know what they did for $250 besides paint it.

[Billfitz]

I doubt that they painted it. They probably used undercoating, which does help prevent rust from spreading by depriving it of oxygen. They might have used a rust stabilizer first, like this: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I doubt that they painted it. They probably used undercoating, which does help prevent rust from spreading by depriving it of oxygen. They might have used a rust stabilizer first, like this: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

I just thought that tex2670 was comparing apples and oranges. It’s like saying that “i wrecked my car”. The dealer wants $3,000 but I found a company that will replace a headlight for $300.