Houston Area Mechanic-Rod Bearing Replacement

[chamba002]

Just got my car back on Friday. Alex and guys from ABR Houston where great! I went for VAC Coated bearings and ARP rod bolts. It took 3 days for the job to be done and I felt very pleased. The hard part now is breaking in the new bearings for 1500 miles. The one thing I did notice with the VAC bearings, is the engine oil warms up quicker than previously and stays just bellow the 210F line when warmed up. Here are the pics of the bearings that were bad.

[IMG]Untitled by Chamba, on Flickr[/IMG]

Some info before the bearing change:
2009 M3 with 56,8xx miles, has seen two track days and a drift event, oil changed every 3k miles (liqui moly 10w-60) and after a track day. When I do drive the M3, I hit redline at least once and spirited driving mainly. I didn't hear any unusual ticks but I was just paranoid about the rod bearings. Im the guy that prepares for the worst but hope for the best.

[AggieZig]

Originally Posted by hebert51

$2298

That included everything.....gaskets, o-rings, rod bolts, bearings, oil+filter, and two new lower engine mounts.

I realize this is an old thread and 2+ year old pricing... But, I just spoke with ABR to get a quote for this exact job including lower engine mounts and was quoted $3,800 - 4,000. I can't imagine inflation has almost doubled the price of this job in the last two years.

Has anyone else had a recent experience at ABR?

[vladi627]

You're guaranteed a job done correctly at ABR and I believe it comes with warranty.

Originally Posted by AggieZig

I realize this is an old thread and 2+ year old pricing... But, I just spoke with ABR to get a quote for this exact job including lower engine mounts and was quoted $3,800 - 4,000. I can't imagine inflation has almost doubled the price of this job in the last two years.

Has anyone else had a recent experience at ABR?

[SHADY1]

Originally Posted by AggieZig

I realize this is an old thread and 2+ year old pricing... But, I just spoke with ABR to get a quote for this exact job including lower engine mounts and was quoted $3,800 - 4,000. I can't imagine inflation has almost doubled the price of this job in the last two years.

Has anyone else had a recent experience at ABR?

Go to Dr Beemer in Austin. They have 2 shops one in South Austin and one in North Austin. They charge $2200 for rod bearings. If you want Vac Coated Bearings +$150.00 with APR bolts. This all include oil change, new oil pan gasket. They will even provide you with a loaner car even if you live as far out as Houston. The loaner cars are brand new BMW 328i. They will give you the loaner all the way out up to a week.


Here is the contact info to the shop

DR. Beemer
8901 S. 1st St.
Austin, TX 78748

Office (512) 573-7423
email: brian@drbeemer.com

Good Luck

You can also Google: DR. Beemer if you want to see what the shops look like. They do provide warranty on parts and labor.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by SHADY1

Go to Dr Beemer in Austin. They have 2 shops one in South Austin and one in North Austin. They charge $2200 for rod bearings. If you want Vac Coated Bearings +$150.00 with APR bolts. This all include oil change, new oil pan gasket. They will even provide you with a loaner car even if you live as far out as Houston. The loaner cars are brand new BMW 328i. They will give you the loaner all the way out up to a week.


Here is the contact info to the shop

DR. Beemer
8901 S. 1st St.
Austin, TX 78748

Office (512) 573-7423
email: brian@drbeemer.com

Good Luck

You can also Google: DR. Beemer if you want to see what the shops look like. They do provide warranty on parts and labor.

Brian at the DR. is a great person and an M enthusiast. great , clean shops.

[dsenechal]

Originally Posted by AggieZig

I realize this is an old thread and 2+ year old pricing... But, I just spoke with ABR to get a quote for this exact job including lower engine mounts and was quoted $3,800 - 4,000. I can't imagine inflation has almost doubled the price of this job in the last two years.

Has anyone else had a recent experience at ABR?

I have quoted a few things with ABR over the years, and they have always been laughably high. Im sure they do fine work, but $4000 for rod bearings is a joke.

They have also mentioned some questionable methods while discussing various jobs I was quoting... always left a bad taste in my mouth

[Greg S]

FWIW, we charge about $2500 out the door with upgraded bearings, upgraded bolts, and motor mounts.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by Greg S

FWIW, we charge about $2500 out the door with upgraded bearings, upgraded bolts, and motor mounts.

Hi Greg
What brand of bearings and bolts are you using?
thanks,
aaron

[Greg S]

Originally Posted by Patrón

Hi Greg
What brand of bearings and bolts are you using?
thanks,
aaron

Typically WPC treated OEM, and the BE/ARP bolts.

[Patrón]

Originally Posted by Greg S

Typically WPC treated OEM, and the BE/ARP bolts.

Thank you Greg

[GOFAST M3]

Originally Posted by AggieZig

I realize this is an old thread and 2+ year old pricing... But, I just spoke with ABR to get a quote for this exact job including lower engine mounts and was quoted $3,800 - 4,000. I can't imagine inflation has almost doubled the price of this job in the last two years.

Has anyone else had a recent experience at ABR?

Same quote for me, just had the car picked up today. FWIW, he was not the most expensive in Houston.

Originally Posted by vladi627

You're guaranteed a job done correctly at ABR and I believe it comes with warranty.

With the other quotes I have received in the area and the prior service I have had at ABR, I can say there is no place else my M will go. That's a Top Tier Shop right there!!

Originally Posted by SHADY1

Go to Dr Beemer in Austin. They have 2 shops one in South Austin and one in North Austin. They charge $2200 for rod bearings. If you want Vac Coated Bearings +$150.00 with APR bolts. This all include oil change, new oil pan gasket. They will even provide you with a loaner car even if you live as far out as Houston. The loaner cars are brand new BMW 328i. They will give you the loaner all the way out up to a week.


Here is the contact info to the shop

DR. Beemer
8901 S. 1st St.
Austin, TX 78748

Office (512) 573-7423
email: brian@drbeemer.com

Good Luck

You can also Google: DR. Beemer if you want to see what the shops look like. They do provide warranty on parts and labor.

Spoke to these guys also, they seem great. It was still real competitive, but my quote was a bit higher than yours. Made the trip to Austin not quite worth it in the end of the day. Thanks for the recommendation!