[davewrit]

Looks like I am going to acquire the '02 LT (34,000 miles) I have been looking at. Took it to the dealer for a safety check and once over before I purchase.Here is a list of what they came up with:

HEAD GASKET SEEP $1178.00
PINION SEAL SEEP $406.00
REAR BRAKE ROTOR W/PADS $731.00
SHIFT SHAFT LINKAGE LOOSE $206.00
FRONT & REAR TIRES $545.00
HEATED GRIPS WORN $415.00
THROTTLE CABLES TIGHT $615.00
BMW SERVICE $802.00
CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME. DIAG $97.00

A few questions.

1. I don't have the time or inclination to do the work myself. Are these reasonable prices, from a dealer?

2. I was told the two seeping items are pretty normal, and not imperative to do - agree?

3. I know I read somewhere about shift linkage updates / upgrades, where can I find a thread on this or can someone explain it?

TIA,

DW

 

[New2rt]

WOW, add all that up, divide by 2, subtract from asking price.
Leaks or seapage doesn't usually get better with time so I would consider it something that should be addressed.

 

[DanDiver]

I think you already know the answer.... If you are not willing to do the work yourself and cannot get the costs taken from the asking price, it might be time to look elsewhere.

There are lots of great deals on late model K1200LTs.

I really liked my 02 K1200LT and for 8 years, it was my favorite bike.

For old time sake, I'd love to own another one, just like the 68 VW beetle!

 

[wa1200lt]

Seems like a lot of money, but probably not too much from a BMW dealership.

Looks like I am going to acquire the '02 LT (34,000 miles) I have been looking at. Took it to the dealer for a safety check and once over before I purchase.Here is a list of what they came up with:

HEAD GASKET SEEP $1178.00 Easy to fix. Remove plastic, remove valve cover, replace gasket or most likely just re-seal. $1200? Holy crap! This is a 30 min - 1 hr fix after plastic removal. Difficulty? Easy!
PINION SEAL SEEP $406.00
REAR BRAKE ROTOR W/PADS $731.00 Go EBC aftermarket
SHIFT SHAFT LINKAGE LOOSE $206.00 Again, easy to do. New aftermarket linkage $100. Pull lower left plastic, replace linkage 15 mins after plastic off
FRONT & REAR TIRES $545.00
HEATED GRIPS WORN $415.00 $8 for grip puppies and 30 minutes
THROTTLE CABLES TIGHT $615.00 Easy tech session fix. Approx $200
BMW SERVICE $802.00
CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING AT THIS TIME. DIAG $97.00 Probably doesn't work because throttle cables are tight. Fix the cables fix the CC.

A few questions.

1. I don't have the time or inclination to do the work myself. Are these reasonable prices, from a dealer?

2. I was told the two seeping items are pretty normal, and not imperative to do - agree?

3. I know I read somewhere about shift linkage updates / upgrades, where can I find a thread on this or can someone explain it?

TIA,

DW

 

[Beemerick]

Dave,
Did the dealer say that the seeping head gasket and pinion seal were normal? Any chance you could post pics of the alleged seepage?

Other than those two issues, the rest of the list sounds reasonable (to me...) with answers to the following inquiries:

I assume the $615 for "tight throttle cables" is to replace said cables with the new style upgraded cables. That may also solve the cruise control issue.

And yes, the shift linkage is a common LT weak link (pun intended)... $206 is to replace the linkage?

$415 for worn grips? How worn is worn?

Is the rear brake rotor warped, or out of specs?

 

[jzeiler]

First off I have never heard of a head gasket seep on an LT. But that price is about right for pulling the cylinder head off. Most likely it is a timing chain cover or cylinder head cover gasket leak. No big deal.

Hard to diagnose the pinion seal unless they pulled the rear drive. May want to find a better dealer based on his analysis. Looks like they were looking for work.

Loren covered most of the rest quite well. None of these are show stoppers if you negotiate it into the purchase price. But they are expensive to have the dealer fix.

 

[Beemerick]

Looks like they were looking for work.

I was thinking the same thing...

 

[Beemerick]

Seems like a lot of money, but probably not too much from a BMW dealership.
HEAD GASKET SEEP $1178.00 Easy to fix. Remove plastic, remove valve cover, replace gasket or most likely just re-seal. $1200? Holy crap! This is a 30 min - 1 hr fix after plastic removal. Difficulty? Easy!

Loren, head gasket or valve cover gasket?

 

[New2rt]

The OP noted he doesn't have the time or inclination to do the repairs.
That has to be factored in to the purchase.
Someone with the time and ability to DIY will look at this purchase differently.
A second opinion from another dealer would not be a bad idea but they can be few and far between.
I would agree the dealer might have stepped on the repairs a little but it's what he has to work with.

 

[AlaskaFish]

I think it is pretty safe to say that Loen was talking about the Valve Cover gasket here. The Head gasket would entail a lot more labor!

John

Loren, head gasket or valve cover gasket?

 

[deputy5211]

I think you already know the answer.... If you are not willing to do the work yourself and cannot get the costs taken from the asking price, it might be time to look elsewhere.

There are lots of great deals on late model K1200LTs.

+1

 

[davewrit]

Well thanks to all the advice on this and other threads, I purchased the 02 LTC tonight. First BMW since my 79 R100RS Airhead that I sold about 15 years ago. The driving factor in purchasing the bike is my wife, who loves to ride, but the back of my Ducati ST3 just isn't comfortable enough for her anymore. So this goes in the stable along with a couple of ther Ducati's, an MV Brutale and a couple of dual sports. I am SURE I will have a lot more questions in the next few weeks. Thanks to all!!!!

 

[deputy5211]

Congrats on the new addition to the stable.

We will be here when you need us.