BMW Engine Oil Leak Repair Cost

At some point in the course of owning a BMW, you may need to take care of a leaky engine. Even the best luxury cars can run into issues if you don’t keep up on maintenance or if parts become faulty over the years. The cost to fix an engine oil leak can be different when it comes to different BMW models. 

The cost of this repair includes an engine leak inspection, as well as the cost of one or more repairs (the most common being valve cover gasket replacement, engine oil pan replacement, engine oil pan gasket replacement, and engine oil filter replacement).

On average, the cost of a BMW engine leak inspection is about $201. The average cost of engine oil leak repairs can be broken down into the cost of valve cover gasket replacement ($1524), engine oil pan replacement ($2180), engine oil pan gasket replacement ($1476), and engine oil filter replacement ($20). 

In this cost guide, we’ll break down these average costs for popular BMW models. Stay tuned to learn the factors that affect prices, like repair location, BMW model, and model year.  

Cost Breakdown for BMW Engine Oil Leak Repair Costs

We can break down the cost by looking at both the cost of diagnosing the leak – the engine leak inspection – as well as the cost of the most common repairs and replacements done to repair a leaky BMW engine.

Further, for each of these costs, we will break down the cost of both labor and parts. For each of these cost estimates, it’s important to look at how the prices differ among BMW models.

This gives a more comprehensive understanding of what BMW engine oil leak repairs actually cost. Therefore, we’ll look at cost discrepancies among some of the most popular BMW models and different release years.

We’ll be using the following models as our example, based on the U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 list of the 10 Best Used BMW Models in 2021:

BMW Engine Leak Inspection Cost ($201)

In most cases, you will need to pay for the cost of an engine leak inspection. During this inspection, the auto repair workers can diagnose the exact problem with your engine and pinpoint what part(s) need to be repaired or replaced.

Depending on what’s causing your engine leak, you may need to have work done on one or more of the following common engine parts:

• Valve cover gasket replacement
• Engine oil pan replacement
• Engine oil pan gasket replacement
• Engine oil filter replacement

In the below table, consider the differences in BMW engine leak inspection costs among different BMW models that are commonly used today.

The prices are estimates based on costs in Georgia since Georgia represents a more average cost of auto repair when compared to other states across the nation. 

As you can see, across the range of BMW models, the average cost of an inspection is basically the same. However, note that depending on the type of auto shop you go to and where you’re located, this price could differ for you.

Georgia prices are closer to the national average, whereas the cost of auto repairs in other states falls above and below the $200 price mark for this inspection. 

BMW Engine Leak Repair Cost 

Associated with a BMW engine leak repair are several parts that you may or may not need to repair or replace. The point of the engine leak inspection, which we detailed above, is to pinpoint the source of the leak. 

This could be coming from one or more faulty parts in the engine, but most commonly, you’ll need repairs or replacements for the valve cover gasket, engine oil pan, engine oil pan gasket, and engine oil filter.

Below, we’ll compare the costs of replacing each of these parts for different BMW models over the years. Again, these estimates are based on Georgia prices, and they include the average cost of parts added to labor. 

Valve Cover Gasket Replacement Cost ($1524)

The valve cover gasket is an important part of the engine. Often when getting engine repairs, gaskets will need to be replaced. It’s very common for valve covers to become leaky in BMW models.

You’re often able to tell if the valve cover is leaky because the car will emit a burning smell when idle or leak oil from beneath the car. In BMW, replacing this part can be quite pricey, as you’ll see below. 

Although this essential part can run quite expensive for BMWs, the prices are considerably less for older models, such as the 2010 and 2013 models listed in the above table. 

Engine Oil Pan Replacement Cost ($2180)

A leaky or dripping oil pan can result in damage to your vehicle’s engine and exhaust. Again, for BMWs, the price of replacing this part can be quite expensive compared to the cost for other makes. 

The cost does vary based on the BMW model, but it doesn’t seem to necessarily cost less when it comes to older models.

Engine Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Cost ($1476)

These engine gaskets cost around as much as the valve cover gaskets do, but the prices can vary widely depending on the model of the BMW. 

Engine Oil Filter Replacement Cost ($20)

When it comes to engine oil filters, you’ll likely face lower prices than you will when replacing other engine parts in BMWs. The average cost of an engine oil filter replacement in a BMW is around $10-$30.

This will be the cheap part of repairing an oil leak. 

Factors that May Affect the Cost of Repairs

The reason it can be difficult to estimate the average cost of auto repairs is that there are so many factors that affect them. There is an advantage, though, in narrowing our estimates down to BMW vehicle models specifically. Among BMW models, costs of different repairs will vary based on:

• The submodel
• The location of the auto repair
• Deals and discounts
• The model and year of the BMW
• Whether or not you take your car to the dealer or an auto repair shop

Submodels

Certain BMW models come in different submodels. Some of them even have up to three or four different submodels. For example, the 2015 BMW Z4 model actually comes in three different models – the sDrive28i, sDrive35i, and sDrive35is.

Some of the submodels may be more unique or rare than others, meaning it could be more difficult to get your hands on the appropriate parts. This could drive up prices for repairs and replacements.

On the other hand, you may have a common or popular submodel, making prices more average or cheaper. 

Location

The location also plays a big role in how much you will pay for auto repair work. States like California typically have the highest prices when it comes to auto labor, while states like Vermont typically have the lowest, according to CarMD. 

Discounts and Deals

Another way your prices might vary is if you are able to get a discount or deal from the auto body shop. Always check to see if you can get a deal for multiple repairs. It never hurts to ask. 

Model and Year

One of the biggest factors affecting the cost of repairs is the model of your BMW and the year it was released. As seen in the above tables, these can create differences of hundreds of dollars. 

Dealer vs. Auto Shop

It’s commonly known that taking your car to the dealer for repairs can be more expensive than going to an auto body shop. Be aware of this when choosing a place to repair your BMW. 

Conclusion

When repairing an engine oil leak on a BMW, you’ll need to assess the repairs needed with an engine leak inspection and then take care of necessary repairs. On average, the cost to inspect a BMW’s engine leak is $201 – regardless of the model or year. 

Further, in terms of the most common leak-related repairs, you’ll face average costs of around $1524 for a valve cover gasket replacement, $2180 for an engine oil pan replacement, $1476 for an engine oil pan gasket replacement, and $20 for an engine oil filter replacement. 

Related Guides 

• BMW Windshield Replacement Cost  
• BMW 745i Oil Change Cost 
• Engine Knocking Repair Cost