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      08-22-2008, 05:28 PM   #1
aarong_m3
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A shop is charging me $400/install H&R springs

A shop is charging me $400/labor to install H&R springs.
Why does it cost so much to install H&R springs only on the 135i? I remember paying $325 for installation/alignment on my E46 M3. Has anyone else in the Bay Area lowered their 1 series for cheaper. If you know a shop, fill me in. Thanks
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      08-22-2008, 05:42 PM   #2
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That does sound like a lot. Is that the same shop that did the work for your M3?
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      08-22-2008, 05:48 PM   #3
aarong_m3
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Nah...That speed shop closed back in 2006. And i had it installed in 2004.

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Originally Posted by gatorfast View Post
That does sound like a lot. Is that the same shop that did the work for your M3?
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      08-22-2008, 05:57 PM   #4
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~3 hrs labor.. My guess is that rates have gone up in the past 4 years by $25/hr. Most shops give you a break if you ordered the springs through them, and no break if you did not.
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      08-22-2008, 06:18 PM   #5
eunosracr
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I paid 150.00 for my install. I would not pay more than 200.00
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      08-22-2008, 10:00 PM   #6
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      08-23-2008, 12:51 AM   #7
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H&R Springs + installation/alignment = $1200:eyebulge:in Denmark ....
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      08-23-2008, 09:19 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryn View Post
~3 hrs labor.. My guess is that rates have gone up in the past 4 years by $25/hr. Most shops give you a break if you ordered the springs through them, and no break if you did not.
If it is a 3 hr job (larryn tends to be right about these kind of things) the price is ok for CA. I would expect the install to run from $300-$450. You may want to look for a tuning shop in the hood or the boonies, if you what a lower rate. the hourly rate is usually tied to the shop’s overhead costs. that is why the installs are cheaper in other states.

edit
If it is 2hrs of labor it should be $200-$300, but some shop's have minimums
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      08-23-2008, 09:24 AM   #9
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Too bad you guys don;t live closer to me. I charge a 6 pack of a good beer and some decent co-wrenching.

I think a decent shop should be able to do it in less time than 3 hours. I think it took me 4, alone in my garage with limited tooling, including refrigerator jaunts, because the brown bottles appeared to keep evaporating in my garage. :smile:

I was just comparing what he paid with the same shop 4 years earlier.
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      08-31-2008, 12:09 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryn View Post
Too bad you guys don;t live closer to me. I charge a 6 pack of a good beer and some decent co-wrenching.

I think a decent shop should be able to do it in less time than 3 hours. I think it took me 4, alone in my garage with limited tooling, including refrigerator jaunts, because the brown bottles appeared to keep evaporating in my garage. :smile:

I was just comparing what he paid with the same shop 4 years earlier.
larryn- Did you need to use a spring compressor when you put in the H&R's? I have done springs on plenty of cars before but they have always been the coil over type (spring is on the strut). Is it any harder to do the 1ers?

thanks,

Brandon
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      09-06-2008, 12:22 AM   #11
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You will need to use a spring compressor for the front springs.

$200-300 is about right. It's no more difficult to do than any other car. Shops just give us the BMW "tax".

But $400 is a bit steep....
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      09-06-2008, 02:10 AM   #12
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Time to move the company to Denmark :biggrin:

$400 is too much, even in CA. $125 hour rate for spring install is crazy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M ichael View Post
H&R Springs + installation/alignment = $1200:eyebulge:in Denmark ....
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      09-06-2008, 08:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryn View Post
Too bad you guys don;t live closer to me. I charge a 6 pack of a good beer and some decent co-wrenching.

I think a decent shop should be able to do it in less time than 3 hours. I think it took me 4, alone in my garage with limited tooling, including refrigerator jaunts, because the brown bottles appeared to keep evaporating in my garage. :smile:

I was just comparing what he paid with the same shop 4 years earlier.
we need to start a group spring install and fly larry out so socal and get him started on them LOL
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      10-03-2008, 12:21 AM   #14
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Sorry for the bump, but if you haven't had them installed yet and are willing to make the drive up to Sacramento I've got a guy that will do it for 150.
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      10-16-2008, 10:15 PM   #15
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which shop did you take it to in the bay area?
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      10-17-2008, 02:56 PM   #16
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If you need a shop referral in the bay area, drop me a PM and I can put you in contact with our preferred installer.
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      10-17-2008, 03:27 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryn View Post
Too bad you guys don;t live closer to me. I charge a 6 pack of a good beer and some decent co-wrenching.
Will a six-pack of Samuel Adams do?
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      10-17-2008, 03:46 PM   #18
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take them off yourself and take them to a place with a spring compressor. Most of them charge 10 bucks a piece or less.
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      10-17-2008, 04:51 PM   #19
aarong_m3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoominrex View Post
which shop did you take it to in the bay area?
I don't want to rat on a friend of a friends shop. But the shop is in San Jose.
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      10-17-2008, 04:53 PM   #20
aarong_m3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick@Jlevi SW View Post
If you need a shop referral in the bay area, drop me a PM and I can put you in contact with our preferred installer.
I actually got a pretty good quote from Mach III for $225 installed.
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      10-17-2008, 06:50 PM   #21
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MACH III does good work, and they're reasonable. They did my springs, dowpipes, and FMIC.
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      10-19-2008, 10:53 AM   #22
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Spring install options in Upstate NY

I'm looking to install sport springs on my 128, but so far, the installation prices are outrageous. The dealer quoted me $1,000 for the install, and one local independent wanted $725. Far from the $200-$300 people are talking about. Even $400 looks good right now!

Any suggestions for the Albany area for a shop that could handle this at a better price? Or could I have the prings done at any local chain tire/shock shop (Firestone?) then just get the alignment done at the dealer (have a $99 alignment coupon).

Can't be such a tough job, can it?
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