So my CEL came on and gave vanos codes (for the third time in the life of the car). Considering the vanos was replaced back in 06, I took it to the dealer. It's an '02 with 69000 miles, so it is out of warranty.

Here's the odd diagnosis. The technician finds coolant corrosion on the DME connector and on the engine wire harness connectors. Says that the engine coolant temp sensor somehow had a small crack in it. Since the wire harness and connector are thoroughly sealed from the factory. The coolant traveled from the ect sensor, up the harness, and to the DME.

Estimated cost of repairs...$3035! :eek: :mad

Since it is the stealer. They want to replace everything. ECT, harness, and DME. I am praying that the service advisor can sweet talk the field rep into ponying up for this one. Considering the strange failure cause, and extensive collateral damage, due over-engineering of the harness (completely sealed and no way for fluid to escape).

Anyway, I thought that I would share the strange failure. Anyone else run into something like this?

Never seen that happen on a M3, it's common on the M62 V8. Usually we just replace the corroded pins on the harness unless the corrosion effects multipul pins, and unless the corrosion has rotted pins off the DME it should be salvagable.
Good luck, BMW will probably help you.

No they aren't rotted. Just a little green. They could be easily cleaned (which is what I would do if is customer pay)

Well, I can only squeeze the dealer (though BMW customer relations) to possibly pay for the DME. Though they want to try and clean the contacts first (surprise, surprise). Of course they want me to pay for the ECT and the wire harness ($580 part) for a new total of $1800! (which is $500 more than the original estimate, minus the dme replacement).

Service advisor says the parts manager was "nice enough" to take 15% off of the parts. My question is 15% off of what? OEM retail or "dealer's retail"? I'm getting a breakdown of parts and labor tomorrow send to me. Time to haggle this guy down...a lot.

Anyone have a source for BMW labor times and part number prices?

Well, I can only squeeze the dealer (though BMW customer relations) to possibly pay for the DME. Though they want to try and clean the contacts first (surprise, surprise). Of course they want me to pay for the ECT and the wire harness ($580 part) for a new total of $1800! (which is $500 more than the original estimate, minus the dme replacement).

Service advisor says the parts manager was "nice enough" to take 15% off of the parts. My question is 15% off of what? OEM retail or "dealer's retail"? I'm getting a breakdown of parts and labor tomorrow send to me. Time to haggle this guy down...a lot.

Anyone have a source for BMW labor times and part number prices?
Tell him this is a jacked up situation..tell him to charge you their cost + 10% thats usually the employee rate for most dealerships. But don't expect they'll sell you the parts at cost, but its worth a try.

I'm more curious now as to how much labor they are charging for each thing. At $105 per hour, its easy to add a few hours for bullcrap. Guarantee they are charging X hours labor for the ECT sensor. Then the same time and then some for the harness (most likely they'll try to charge twice to r&r the intake manifold). I forsee a lot of overlap in labor work.