XSeries-forum

I'm an infrequent visitor these days, other interests and a general lack of time.

The door lock release issue arrived with me over Easter, the drivers door too so bl**dy inconvenient. It seems that the outside handle is compromised also  >:(

Below is the quote to fix it  :'(

Ouch, bugger and &^%$^£"

Good to here from you again SB.

Sorry to hear of this.

They are quoting swap labour time of 1hr 15 mins  -  £166.50 inc vat.

They are probably getting a smart repairer to spray the new handle @ £66 inc vat. ( I see word SMART on the invoice).............Smart repairer will charge them £30 I reckon

Balance is parts

Wise money would get a salvage handle parts with same colour handle ideally aiming for £50 - £60 all in then negotiating price for an hour to change/swap. 

Rough Maths even if indy labour coms in at £60 & assuming 20% vat on top .....you could save circa £200.

Adjustments to be made depending on cost parts sourced & if able to get handle same colour though I would have thought you would have success with Quarry motors or fab recycling. I would expect to hand over circa £30 for a drink & for a handle to be sprayed at a small paint shop & in between other jobs

All this assuming that both handle & carrier are shot.

I appreciate you don't like hassle, & you have historically had BMW do work on your car, however, it wont make any difference when you sell assuming replacement handle works & is painted ok.

The two salvage companies I mention are unlikely to quibble in event you are unhappy re supplied condition.

Cotswold will mail order & give 10% off genuine parts & discount or free carriage if you are a member of BMW Land. Others give discount to BMWCC members - not sure who though.

OE parts new available on ebay cheaper than quoted and also copy parts or salvage out there too........lots of choices.

Obviously cheaper if you do the job yourself  As is often the case for many of us - time & hassle are factors...........not to mention being unfamiliar with task in hand.

So you have choices I guess............

Legwork & Savings or Dealer visit with free Cappuccino & maybe a Caramel Biscuit.

Good Luck

I paid £75 for a new carrier and did the work myself.

Really isnt that difficult, only took a couple of hours.

I'm advised a bolt connecting the carrier and handle has seized inside the door so has to be cut off, hence a new outer handle is required.

I've bitten the bullet now so hopefully all will be fixed next week. 

There are no X5 familiar indys in these parts that i know of, part of the reason i stay with Coopers.

If I remember rightly, there is only 1 small screw/bolt holding the external handle to the carrier.

After removing the door lock, pull open the handle and you will see a small nut. After removing the nut, the handle just twists off.

Then there is only 1 bolt holding the carrier to the door.

There is a good tutorial on here on how to remove the handle, its literally 1 allen key type bolt to remove the lock, then 1 nut to remove the handle.

It might be worth investigating yourself before they sting you for a handle you dont need.