Seattle area rod bearing quotes - free info

[bobbert]

I shopped around before doing my rod bearings + engine mounts last month at ~110k mi, and wanted to share my results to save someone time from having to do the same.

TL;DR: BimTech in Lynnwood or AMS in Tacoma

I first dug through any RB threads/posts I could find here and in relevant FB groups to find shops recommended for the job itself, then for shops recommended for good work in general. I sourced the BE RBs/ARP bolts/OEM pan gasket/oil+filter/Revshift 80A engine mounts myself and was looking for a quote on just labor.

Areas listed north to south:

Snohomish:
Snohomish European Auto Service - Rec for good work - Only offers basic services [EDIT: reported $1450 labor via erics02wrx]
Broad Stroke - Rec for good work - $3600 labor using customer supplied RBs+bolts and shop supplied gasket/mounts/oil+filter

Lynnwood:
BimTech/Mashimarho - Rec for good work - $1600 labor - Also sells BE RBs for cheaper than the lowest price I found online (BimmerZone) - I chose this shop due to the very competitive price and living nearby. I received great communication and documentation throughout the repair, as well as good knowledge/conversation from BimTech owner Ivan regarding the RB issue our engines experience.

Bothell/Woodinville:
William Yu (Facebook) - Rec for RB+good work - $1400 labor - Recommends standard clearance RBs and Revshift 80A engine mounts over OEM (I took his rec on the mounts)
Group 2 Automotive - Rec for RB+good work - $3000 labor
German Autohaus - Rec for good work - $1900 labor
Eric's Auto - Rec to AVOID

Seattle:
DMI Auto Care - Rec for RB+good work - Closed, works at AA Auto Service in Redmond

Redmond/Bellevue:
Strictly BMW - Rec for RB+good work - $4500 parts+labor+alignment - Recommends against preventative RB service
Achtuning - Rec for RB work - Does not offer RB service
German Car Specialists - Rec for good work - Does not offer RB service, does not install customer supplied parts
Redmond European - Rec by Achtuning - Attempted contacted via website & voicemail with no response
West Werks Auto - Rec by Achtuning - Attempted contacted via website & voicemail with no response

Issaquah/Renton:
Kamil Solowiej (Facebook) - Rec for RB work - Issaquah - $1200 labor
IS Motorsports - Rec for RB work - Phone number in-op, attempted contact via website with no response - reported to be closed
22RPD - Rec for good work - $2400 labor or $3400 parts+labor (using ACL RBs + OEM bolts)
Eastside Bavarian - Rec for good work - Does not offer RB service, does not install customer supplied parts


Auburn/Tacoma:
AMS Autogroup - Rec for RB+good work - $1700 labor - Would have been my choice if I lived in the south end
DUDMD - Rec for good work - Only offers tuning

No bias or attempt at marketing for the shop I chose, just free information.

[spammysammich]

I believe IS is permanently closed.

[CamasM3e93]

This is a really helpful thread, thanks for putting it together. Adding what I know for the Portland area.

Bavarian House : does RB work and ok with customer parts. Andrew did mine on my e93. I think it was around $2300 a couple years ago and that included VAC bearings, bolts, and the pan gasket, oil, etc. 971-238-4680

Bavarian Auto Works: Vancouver, does not use customer parts, never called me back for the bid

Accurate Motorwerks: Vancouver, does not use customer parts, did not call me back with a bid

Kuni BMW: no customer parts, no call back with a bid

There's 1-2 other major indie bmw shops in pdx I'll see if others have info on.

[jiggz]

I was driving through Woodinville the other day and saw Group 2 Automotive on and thought weird, is that the same shop that was in Ballard/Magnolia? Looks like it, I had no idea they moved. Wished they were in Woodinville when I had mine done, way closer for me.

They did good work and the owner/manager? even gave me his car for a few days since I didn't live anywhere near their old location. I think their prices have gone up quite a bit though since they did mine in 2017.

[erics02wrx]

Snohomish European Auto Service did my 08 E90 M3 rod bearings and motor mounts earlier this year and did a great job. Dropped car off and picked it up the next day. I provided all the parts and they did the labor for 1450, very nice people.

[austin2334]

Nice research! I had mine done at AMS. Highly recommended. He stocks BE bearings and bolts.

[Murph54]

Originally Posted by CamasM3e93

This is a really helpful thread, thanks for putting it together. Adding what I know for the Portland area.

Bavarian House : does RB work and ok with customer parts. Andrew did mine on my e93. I think it was around $2300 a couple years ago and that included VAC bearings, bolts, and the pan gasket, oil, etc. 971-238-4680

Bavarian Auto Works: Vancouver, does not use customer parts, never called me back for the bid

Accurate Motorwerks: Vancouver, does not use customer parts, did not call me back with a bid

Kuni BMW: no customer parts, no call back with a bid

There's 1-2 other major indie bmw shops in pdx I'll see if others have info on.

I just received a quote from Matrix Integrated in Portland (503.443.1141) for $3,300 which included replacing the motor mounts as well as the rod bearings. Parts were included and they use VAC Coated rod bearings.

[bobbert]

Originally Posted by erics02wrx

Snohomish European Auto Service did my 08 E90 M3 rod bearings and motor mounts earlier this year and did a great job. Dropped car off and picked it up the next day. I provided all the parts and they did the labor for 1450, very nice people.

I may have made a mistake or an assumption when I documented that they only offer basic services. I'll edit my list with your notes.

[mashimarho]

Thank you again!

[e9x_chucky]

Great work, thanks for putting this together!

[CjM3]

Ok took me a hot minute to get all my parts before I got a quote but for Bearings + Engine mounts.
STS Quality Auto Care in Lynnwood is $2100 after tax if you provide the parts.
If you have them source the parts deduct 15% from the quote and add cost of parts.

[Mimmer]

Very hit or miss with Bimtech. Can be very slow respond and require mutiple follow ups. and then just stops responding so you can't pencil anything in. The work itself is good. I guess they grown to big to care or busy enough they forgot the customer service end on things....

Decided go elsewhere for future services as I cannot support this until they can manage customers better.

[elliotw44]

This is great thread. Thank you to all those who helped build it.

[CjM3]

I ended up going to BimTech, Ivan was a pleasure to work with. $1250 for labor only I provided parts bearings and engine mounts.

[maithy]

Yeah I'd also vouch for BimTech. Did the basic RB cost homework from this OP, I ended up buying all parts thru their shop. Working with Ivan was as easy and fast as I could've hoped! Plus it's an awesome shop location for a North Seattle guy

[cb224]

Great thread!! Any recommendations on best RBs and engine mounts?

[f80range]

Originally Posted by cb224

Great thread!! Any recommendations on best RBs and engine mounts?

I would do BE bearings with ARP bolts and OEM engine mounts. That’s the route I went