“BMW says my N20 timing chain is $4,500.”
Dealer pricing on major engine work
N20 / N26 timing chain + guide + tensioner is a known job. We do it for materially less, with the same OEM parts and a longer warranty.
Engine Diagnostics & Repair
Engine work, traced to the source.
Timing chains, head gaskets, turbo and supercharger work, VANOS and Valvetronic, oil-leak diagnosis, water pumps, intake-carbon cleaning. Every fault code traced to its root cause with factory diagnostic tools — never guessed at, never thrown parts at. Free inspection and computer scan. 48-month / 48,000-mile warranty on parts and labor.
Free inspection + scan
Factory diagnostic tools
48-mo / 48k warranty
32yrFamily-run since 1993
45+Yrs ASE European experience
48mo/48kParts + labor warranty
BoschCertified shop
PACNationwide warranty network
If any of this sounds familiar
Engine work is where chain shops bleed European-car owners dry.
The pattern is always the same: replace one sensor, then another, then a coil pack, then "we'll need to test more." Each visit costs $200–$400 and you're no closer to fixing the actual problem. Here's what should happen instead.
“The chain shop replaced 3 sensors and the light came back.”
Parts-cannon misdiagnosis
Code reading isn’t diagnosis. Same code can come from 5 different parts. We use live data, fuel trims, and actuation tests to trace the actual cause.
“There’s a small puddle of oil under the car every morning.”
Oil leak diagnosis
Valve-cover gaskets, oil-filter housing seals, oil-pan gaskets, rear main seals — all leak in distinctive patterns. UV dye + lift inspection finds the source in one visit.
“The car runs fine but the dash says ‘reduced power.’”
Limp-home mode + boost faults
Turbo wastegate, boost-leak, MAF/MAP issue, or a torque-limit code. Live boost-pressure data + smoke test + factory scan tells us exactly which.
Our approach
Diagnose first. Quote second. Replace third.
Engine repair is the category where most shops are dangerous. Code reading is not diagnosis. The same fault code (P0300 random misfire, for example) can come from coils, plugs, fuel injectors, low compression, vacuum leaks, MAF contamination, ignition timing, or fuel pressure. Replacing the cheapest one and hoping it sticks is how you end up $1,200 in and still misfiring.
We start with a free factory-tool scan (Mercedes XENTRY, BMW ISTA, Audi ODIS, Porsche PIWIS, Land Rover SDD, Jaguar IDS) plus live data (fuel trims, misfire counters, mass airflow, boost pressure, valvetronic position) plus targeted actuation tests. The fault gets traced to its source. Then we quote the actual repair, itemized, before touching anything.
- Factory diagnostic scan on every job — codes traced to root cause, not guessed at
- Live data analysis (fuel trims, misfire counters, MAF, boost, Valvetronic position) — not just code reading
- OEM or OE-equivalent parts on every repair — sourced after your approval, listed by part number
- Comprehensive scope: timing chains, head gaskets, turbos, VANOS, Valvetronic, oil leaks, water pumps
- Every line of work covered by our 48-month / 48,000-mile parts and labor warranty
Scope of work
Every category of European engine work, under one roof.
Eight common engine-system jobs — from preventive timing service through head gasket and full long-block replacement.
Timing chain & timing belt
N20 / N26 / N55 timing-chain service, M271/M272 timing components, Audi 2.0T tensioner, VW TSI chain. Belt service on Porsche / Audi as required.
Head gasket & head-bolt service
Compression test + leak-down to confirm. Head removal, machine-shop work as needed, OEM head gasket + new head bolts (TTY) on reassembly.
Turbo & supercharger work
Turbo replacement, wastegate / boost-leak diagnosis, supercharger service on Mercedes-AMG / Land Rover / Audi platforms. Full smoke test included.
VANOS / Valvetronic / VVT
VANOS solenoid + seal service on BMW, Valvetronic motor / eccentric shaft, Audi VVT actuators. Coded back to spec via factory tool.
Oil leak diagnosis & repair
Valve-cover gaskets, oil-filter housing seals, oil-pan gaskets, rear main seals. UV dye trace on every leak job.
Water pump & cooling-system engine work
Mechanical / electric water-pump replacement, thermostat housing, coolant-passage gasket service. Pressure test on every coolant job.
Engine mounts & vibration diagnosis
Hydraulic / electronic engine-mount replacement, transmission mount service, balance-shaft diagnosis on M272 / M273 platforms.
Engine rebuild & long-block replacement
When a repair isn’t economical, we’ll quote the rebuild or long-block swap honestly — and tell you when it’s time to stop investing.
How an engine job goes
Five steps. No surprises.
From the moment you call to the moment you drive out, here’s what to expect — and what you walk away with at every step.
01
Book + drop off
Call (561) 395-5566 or request a quote. We’ll fit your car into a real appointment slot — not a queue position.
02
Free inspection + scan
Factory-tool scan + live data + targeted actuation tests. Fault codes traced to root cause, not the cheapest part to swap.
03
Itemized quote
Every part listed by part number and source, every labor hour priced. You approve line-by-line. Quote good for 30 days.
04
Repair + verification
OEM parts to factory torque spec. Post-repair scan + live-data check confirms the fault is gone before you take the car back.
05
48-mo / 48k warranty
Parts and labor covered, starting on invoice date. Honored at PAC Community shops nationwide. Full digital service record retained.
Marques we service for engine work
All marques →How we’re different
What you actually get, line by line, vs. the chain shop.
Chain shops do engine work, but the cracks show in the diagnostic depth and the parts sourcing. Here’s the row-by-row comparison.
| What you’re paying for | Typical chain | Boca Autohaus |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic charge | ×$129–$200 to "look at it" | ✓Free — factory scan + live data + actuation tests |
| Diagnostic depth | ×OBD code reader only | ✓Factory tool + live fuel trims + boost data + actuator tests |
| Repair approach | ×Replace cheapest part, see if it works | ✓Trace fault to source, then replace what’s actually broken |
| Parts source | ×Aftermarket low-bid | ✓OEM or OE-equivalent, sourced after your approval |
| European-marque experience | ×"Engines are engines" | ✓45+ yrs combined ASE on European platforms specifically |
| Post-repair verification | ×Hand keys back, hope for the best | ✓Post-repair scan + live-data check before delivery |
| Warranty | ×12 mo / 12k or "lifetime parts only" | ✓48 mo / 48k parts & labor, nationwide PAC network |
| Quote process | ×Verbal estimate, "we found more" | ✓Itemized written quote — you approve line-by-line |
What it costs
Engine repair costs vary too much by car for an honest fixed price.
A timing-chain job on a BMW N20 and a head-gasket repair on a Range Rover supercharged V8 are not in the same dollar zip code — and we’d rather quote the real number than publish a misleading floor.
So the inspection and the scan are free. We tell you what your car actually needs (and what it doesn’t), then quote it itemized before any work begins. Most owners are surprised in the right direction — substantially less than the dealer for the same OEM parts and a longer warranty.
Quote good for 30 days. No work happens without your line-by-line approval. If the part price moves materially inside that window, we call you first.
Inspection & scan
Free then a real itemized quote
European labor billed at $269/hr — significantly less than dealer rates for the same factory tooling and OEM-grade parts. Domestic/Asian $229/hr; exotic $299/hr.
See published labor rates and starting prices for oil, alignment, PPI, and diagnostics.
Frequently asked
Engine-repair questions, answered straight.
The seven questions we’re most often asked about engine work — with the real answers.
How much does a timing chain on a BMW / Mercedes / Audi cost?
It depends on the platform. A BMW N20 timing-chain job (chain, guides, tensioner, oil-pump bolt) is in the $1,800–$2,800 range with our labor rate and OEM parts — about half what the dealer typically quotes. M271/M272 Mercedes timing components run $1,500–$2,200. Audi 2.0T tensioner + chain is $1,600–$2,400 depending on which generation.
The actual number depends on which guides + tensioners need replacement (we recommend doing them all together while the cover is off), whether the oil-pump bolt or VANOS solenoid needs service at the same time, and parts sourcing. We quote it itemized before any work begins.
What’s the difference between VANOS, Valvetronic, and a timing chain?
VANOS is BMW’s variable cam timing system — solenoids and oil pressure shift the cam phase under load. Common failures: solenoid coils, seals, sticking actuators.
Valvetronic is BMW’s variable valve lift system — an eccentric shaft + electric motor adjusts intake valve lift to control airflow without a throttle plate. Common failures: motor, eccentric shaft sensor, position adapter values out of spec.
Timing chain is the mechanical link between crank and cams. Failure modes: stretched chain, worn guides, weak tensioner. All three are separate systems and one failing doesn’t mean the others need work.
My check engine light is on — what should I do?
If it’s a steady (not flashing) light and the car is driving normally, you have time — bring it in for a free scan within a week. If it’s flashing, that’s an active misfire condition that’s damaging the catalytic converter; pull over, call us, and we’ll arrange flatbed pickup.
Either way, our diagnostic scan is free. We’ll tell you what the codes mean, what we’re finding in live data, and quote the real repair before you decide.
Why does the chain shop’s diagnosis keep being wrong?
Most chain shops have generic OBD code readers, not factory scan tools. They read the code, look up the most likely cheap part, and replace it. A P0171 lean code can come from MAF contamination, a vacuum leak, low fuel pressure, a leaking injector, or a stretched timing chain on the wrong platform. Replacing the MAF first is a 30% guess.
We use Mercedes XENTRY / BMW ISTA / Audi ODIS / Porsche PIWIS plus live fuel-trim analysis plus targeted actuation tests. The diagnosis is right the first time.
Can you do head gasket / turbo work in-house?
Yes — head-gasket repair (with cylinder-head removal, machine-shop work for resurfacing if needed, OEM gasket + new TTY head bolts on reassembly) is in our standard scope. Turbo replacement, wastegate work, and supercharger service on AMG / Land Rover / Audi platforms are also handled in-house.
For specialty work that’s outside our scope (engine rebuilds with crankshaft work, for example), we partner with one or two trusted machine shops — we coordinate the work and you don’t deal with the handoff.
How long does an engine repair take?
Routine work (oil-leak repair, valve-cover gasket, water pump): 1–2 business days. Mid-scope work (timing chain, VANOS / Valvetronic service): 2–4 days. Major work (head gasket, turbo replacement): 5–10 days depending on parts lead time and what we find when the cover is off.
We commit to a firm timeline on the approved quote — not an estimate that drifts. If parts lead time pushes the timeline, we tell you immediately.
Will engine repair at an independent shop void my factory warranty?
No. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits a manufacturer from voiding your factory warranty because you used an independent specialist. As long as the work is performed to OEM specification with quality parts and properly documented, your factory coverage stays intact.
We keep a full digital record on every repair — part numbers, sources, torque specs, technician sign-off — so warranty claims and resale-time questions are straightforward.
Bring us your engine for a real diagnosis.
Tell us the year, make, model, and what it’s doing. We’ll scan it free, trace the fault to its source, and come back with a real itemized quote — usually within one business day.