I would use Trav’s method. I understand a lot of shops won’t not because they want to steal but because they do not want the aggravation and expense (warranty or goodwill) if the repair comes back. Customer won’t be happy and will expect some sort of freebie. Too expensive to be in business today to take that chance, so they replace the light.
I have to stick up for BMW on repair costs. Yes, they are more than a normal car but today but the difference is consistent with the higher increment al cost of the vehicle - 10 to 20 percent in my experience. Everything has gotten too expensive. Recent repair example: my 540i developed a leak at the pinion seal, 180k miles. I don’t like the cars dropping fluid so I had it fixed. Local dealership has a BMW mechanic who has been there for 35 years and is very good with the older cars. $1500 for labor and a cheap part. But the driveshaft, exhaust, and diff came out of the car. He had the car in his spot for a day and a half. Is an enthusiast so had me come out when he was about half done to go over the car - he loves the old ones and I got the idea he just enjoys this kind of job on an older well kept vehicle. In any event not a cheap price but a quality repair.
Colleague at the office has a 2015 4Runner with about 231k. Recently developed leak at the engine rear main. Similar PITA kind of job - you need to remove the transmission, exhaust, etc to get to it. Quoted $1900 at the Toyota dealer. He asked me my thought and I said didn’t sound crazy given the labor - he was focused on the cost of the part. 4Runners are solid trucks but things can break on any vehicle. He was sure it was a ripoff but less so after asking me. Toyota owners think nothing should ever break and that any repair should cost no more than a $100. That is why I see so many on the road, particularly Priuses and Corollas, that are in disgraceful condition - filthy, lights out, etc. A lot of the owners are cheap slobs, and I say that as a Toyota owner, but my 4Runner is maintained like my other cars - I should be able to get in and drive it anywhere without it amounting to a faith based exercise.
I think when you buy a modern vehicle today you have to mentally prepare yourself for the cost of repairs, because with inflation I think all of our collective sense of what things should cost is off kilter. Given the complexity of any modern vehicle, I have become a fan of buying a factory extended warranty on new vehicles. Usually you can find them discounted online. So if they are $2k to $3k for a 7-10 year term and into the neighborhood of 100k miles, look at it as amortizing the cost of potential repairs. For those who think used cars are a better deal, that is fine but then you just have to be in a position to have a few bucks around to handle something if it goes sideways. If you have a lift then you can probably push the envelope more on the risky to own factor but for others I am past the age of having any desire to roll around on the garage floor.
That 535d is a nice car and nicer looking than what they have on the dealership floor today. I wouldn’t sell it over a headlight repair if your financial house is in order otherwise.
