[AllydNYC]

So I did a search and couldn't find anything. I just bought H&R street coilovers via Tirerack and shipped them to a local install center that has great reviews. I called them up today as they received the coilovers, and are asking ~$630 to install them THEN another 4170 for a 4-corner alignment. I thought it would be around $300 to install (labor) + the alignment... Should I just take the parts elsewhere? I feel like that is WAY to much.

[nissan]

Take elsewhere and check out the regional forums here for some shop recommendations. Most in the northeast charge 250-350 plus alignment. I got a quote from an indy BMW shop here for $1100 and just laughed.

[AllydNYC]

Originally Posted by nissan

Take elsewhere and check out the regional forums here for some shop recommendations. Most in the northeast charge 250-350 plus alignment. I got a quote from an indy BMW shop here for $1100 and just laughed.

I was in the North East (New York) and knew a few good shops there. Now in Phoenix I don't know any good shops plus in the regional section there is very little going on, I will ask again though. I just wanted to make sure that was overpriced.

[MassBimmer]

Any reputable shop is going to quote you around $400 + alignment. It's about an hour's worth of work per corner

[The HACK]

Some of you are very confused on the whole installation process...

SOME coil overs are easy to install. They come pre-assembled because they include camber plates. These take about 2 hours to install, tops, since the entire front end comes out, you plop in the new parts, and VOILA! Done plus alignment. Some of the "pro-sumer" type that comes with new strut hats or camber plates can be cheaper to install.

Most coil overs are harder, especially if it requires the use of the OEM front strut hats. It means having to take the front suspension off, put the springs on a compressor, disassemble the strut hat, compress the coil-over springs, then re-installing the front strut hat. On a coil over without existing strut hat assembly it can EASILY take 1.5x the work time, especially if the shop only has one set of spring compressors.

So anyone here telling you that any coil over installation should only take $200-$300 doesn't know what they're talking about. It'll range from $200-$500 depending on the complexity and what came with the coil overs and if they're already pre-assembled. HUGE difference in the amount of labor involved.

That and it'll take another $100-$200 for proper alignment.

[sLik]

suspension is an easy install. any shop can do it really. should be, at most, $300 including labor and alignment.

[chumley]

Originally Posted by The HACK

So anyone here telling you that any coil over installation should only take $200-$300 doesn't know what they're talking about. It'll range from $200-$500 depending on the complexity and what came with the coil overs and if they're already pre-assembled. HUGE difference in the amount of labor involved.

That and it'll take another $100-$200 for proper alignment.

Exactly right.

[AllydNYC]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Some of you are very confused on the whole installation process...

SOME coil overs are easy to install. They come pre-assembled because they include camber plates. These take about 2 hours to install, tops, since the entire front end comes out, you plop in the new parts, and VOILA! Done plus alignment. Some of the "pro-sumer" type that comes with new strut hats or camber plates can be cheaper to install.

Most coil overs are harder, especially if it requires the use of the OEM front strut hats. It means having to take the front suspension off, put the springs on a compressor, disassemble the strut hat, compress the coil-over springs, then re-installing the front strut hat. On a coil over without existing strut hat assembly it can EASILY take 1.5x the work time, especially if the shop only has one set of spring compressors.

So anyone here telling you that any coil over installation should only take $200-$300 doesn't know what they're talking about. It'll range from $200-$500 depending on the complexity and what came with the coil overs and if they're already pre-assembled. HUGE difference in the amount of labor involved.

That and it'll take another $100-$200 for proper alignment.

Thanks for that write up! I understand now. That's what they told me as well, their are other parts that might be needed to finish the install, I just don't want to walk in there being told it will cost $600 and then walk out spending double that, or knowing that I got ripped off. I know they will do it right though.

[cssnms]

A local shop that does a lot of after market work on BMW's quoted me $380 to install springs and dampers, price includes the alignment.

[tunachris]

I went to a local shop and paid $300 for an install and aligment for KW's.

[MassBimmer]

It varies by region but it's typically anywhere between $75 - $125 per corner plus $100 to $150 for alignment.

[bimmertt]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Some of you are very confused on the whole installation process...

SOME coil overs are easy to install. They come pre-assembled because they include camber plates. These take about 2 hours to install, tops, since the entire front end comes out, you plop in the new parts, and VOILA! Done plus alignment. Some of the "pro-sumer" type that comes with new strut hats or camber plates can be cheaper to install.

Most coil overs are harder, especially if it requires the use of the OEM front strut hats. It means having to take the front suspension off, put the springs on a compressor, disassemble the strut hat, compress the coil-over springs, then re-installing the front strut hat. On a coil over without existing strut hat assembly it can EASILY take 1.5x the work time, especially if the shop only has one set of spring compressors.

So anyone here telling you that any coil over installation should only take $200-$300 doesn't know what they're talking about. It'll range from $200-$500 depending on the complexity and what came with the coil overs and if they're already pre-assembled. HUGE difference in the amount of labor involved.

That and it'll take another $100-$200 for proper alignment.

Sorry, but removing top hats off the stock suspension takes all of 5 minutes per hat. I've done it myself on my previous car and it is not a big deal.

With that said, I've paid $200 for a suspension install that required the oem top hats on all four corners. I watched the install and the guy didn't even use a compressor. Dangerous, but he knew what he was doing. This was not a BMW so no BMW tax applied...

[lpphreakx06]

If I were a shop i wouldnt touch a coil over install for under 400-500.

[ModBargains.com]

Going rate here in California does vary from $250-$450. If you're getting charged more than that, I'd recommend you look for another shop for the install!

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

Sorry, but removing top hats off the stock suspension takes all of 5 minutes per hat. I've done it myself on my previous car and it is not a big deal.

Depending on what tools you have on hand. If you have one of those higher end hydraulic spring compressors? Sure. If you have one of those Harbor Freight specials? It'll take a lot more than 5 minutes.

And I have a feeling the guys with the fancy hydraulic spring compressors will probably charge more for his/her time.

[bimmertt]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Depending on what tools you have on hand. If you have one of those higher end hydraulic spring compressors? Sure. If you have one of those Harbor Freight specials? It'll take a lot more than 5 minutes.

And I have a feeling the guys with the fancy hydraulic spring compressors will probably charge more for his/her time.

Not trying to come off offensive in any way...but have you actually done this?

I borrowed a spring compressor from my local auto parts store. It was the cheap $40 kind that uses two bars with hooks to compress the spring. Takes five minutes (or less) to compress the spring, loosen the nut(s) at the top of the hat, remove the hat, and then decompress the spring. I did not need to use the compressor to transfer the hats since the aftermarket springs were already shorter than the stock springs. Just had to push down with a little force. If a shop is going to charge you $300 more for this (your $ range was $200-$500 based on complexity), then that is a complete joke.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

Not trying to come off offensive in any way...but have you actually done this?

More than you think. I've done about of dozen of these on various cars and suspensions, ranging from simple damper installs, to damper AND springs, to coil overs, to coil overs that came with camber plates. And I've done this with various tools, ranging from the harbor freight special ($20) compressors to fancy hydraulic units that has the adjustable arms that you just pull a lever to compress.

Not trying to come across as a know-it-all, but I have done just about every combination of suspension install you can possibly imagine on a MacPherson strut. That's why I say it's not as simple as most of you may think, and the time to install may vary heavily on the type of tools you have on hand and the type of suspension you're installing. Any shop quoting $120 for an install without finding out what brand of suspension and what condition the car is actually in, are going to be in for a big surprise.

[cotmfk]

Check your regional forums. Maybe there is someone local who can help you out. I ended up getting someone local with great results!