COMPARISON · THE SHOWDOWN
OPEN LABOR PROJECT
VEHICLE A
▼
BMW
840Ci E31
4.0L V8 M60
VS
VEHICLE B
▼
BMW
840Ci E31
4.4L V8 M62
Real labor data. Real maintenance costs. Real recall counts. No subscription, no paywall — free for every wrench-turner.
01
Specifications
Year
1997
1997
Engine
4.0L V8 M60
4.4L V8 M62
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Fuel
gas
gas
04
Cost of Ownership
★ WINNER
5-Year Maintenance
$26,044
0.43 $/mi
5-Year Maintenance
$26,366
0.44 $/mi
🏆
ADVANTAGEBMW 840Ci E31 — Saves you $322 over 5 years (1% less in routine maintenance labor)
Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.
05
Maintenance Breakdown
Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.
Nikasil Cylinder Bore Failure (M62 4.4L)
— hrs$7,475 / 5yr
— hrs$7,475 / 5yr
Valley Pan / Timing Chain Guide Failure
— hrs$3,900 / 5yr
— hrs$3,900 / 5yr
Cooling System Comprehensive Failure
— hrs$1,788 / 5yr
— hrs$1,788 / 5yr
Rear Subframe Mounting Point Fatigue
— hrs$1,575 / 5yr
— hrs$1,575 / 5yr
Oil & filter change
0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr
Self-Leveling Rear Suspension (EHC) Failure
— hrs$1,300 / 5yr
— hrs$1,300 / 5yr
Transmission Oil Cooler Line and Mount Failure
— hrs$748 / 5yr
— hrs$748 / 5yr
Electronic Module Failures (LKM, GM, ABS)
— hrs$578 / 5yr
— hrs$578 / 5yr
Differential fluid
1.6 hrs$560 / 5yr
1.6 hrs$560 / 5yr
Tire rotation
0.4 hrs$480 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr
Front brake pads
1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr
Rear brake pads
1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr
Intake manifold gasket
8.5 hrs$410 / 5yr
8.5 hrs$410 / 5yr
Spark plugs
1.5 hrs$305 / 5yr
2.5 hrs$455 / 5yr
Water pump
5.5 hrs$331 / 5yr
6.5 hrs$383 / 5yr
Cabin air filter
0.5 hrs$300 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$300 / 5yr
12V battery
0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr
Brake fluid flush
0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr
0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr
Valve cover gasket
3.5 hrs$234 / 5yr
4.5 hrs$294 / 5yr
Fuel filter
0.8 hrs$300 / 5yr
0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr
PCV valve
1.5 hrs$245 / 5yr
1.5 hrs$245 / 5yr
Wiper blades
0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr
0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr
Oxygen sensor
2.3 hrs$233 / 5yr
2.3 hrs$233 / 5yr
Coolant flush
1.2 hrs$230 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$230 / 5yr
Oil pan gasket
5.5 hrs$219 / 5yr
5.5 hrs$219 / 5yr
Alternator
2.5 hrs$169 / 5yr
2.5 hrs$169 / 5yr
Serpentine belt
0.8 hrs$155 / 5yr
0.8 hrs$155 / 5yr
Thermostat
2.5 hrs$145 / 5yr
2.5 hrs$145 / 5yr
Power steering flush
0.8 hrs$140 / 5yr
0.8 hrs$140 / 5yr
Engine air filter
0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr
0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr
Starter motor
2.5 hrs$115 / 5yr
2.5 hrs$115 / 5yr
Ignition coil
1.2 hrs$104 / 5yr
1.2 hrs$104 / 5yr
06
Active Recalls
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.
07
Fluid Capacities
BMW 840Ci E31
brake · DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid
coolant13.00 qt · BMW Coolant (Blue)
engine_oil6.50 qt · BMW TwinPower Turbo 5W-30
power_steering1.00 qt · Pentosin CHF 11S
rear_diff2.00 qt · BMW Differential Fluid SAF-XO
transmission_auto10.00 qt · ZF Lifeguard 6
washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid
BMW 840Ci E31
brake · DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid
coolant16.00 qt · BMW Coolant (Blue)
engine_oil7.50 qt · BMW TwinPower Turbo 5W-30
power_steering1.00 qt · Pentosin CHF 11S
rear_diff2.00 qt · BMW Differential Fluid SAF-XO
transmission_auto10.00 qt · ZF Lifeguard 6
washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid
08
The Verdict
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Across cost of ownership and recall count, neither vehicle pulls decisively ahead. Pick on personal preference — drivetrain, transmission feel, brand loyalty, or the engine that puts a smile on your face.
Open the full dashboard for either truck
Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.