[washedlew]

Hi all, this is my first post here. I own a 2011 328i E90. I plan on getting some work done on my car soon so I reached out to an auto work shop that was recommended to me. However, I feel like some of the stuff they quoted was a bit on the higher end. I read multiple threads about certain items I wanted to get and they can surely be done by yourself given you have the right tools. I've purchased parts(OEM) on my own already so they will not be supplying any parts.

What do you guys think about the prices I was quoted? Thanks

[robthewrench]

Those hours seem in the ballpark. You're in L.A. so you're paying $100 (or more) per labor hour. Those of us in lower cost areas can get rates in the $60-$80 per hour range.

Be careful supplying your own parts. If any part you supply doesn't work out, don't be surprised to get more labor charged. While supplying your own parts is cheaper, most good shops don't allow this because it causes trouble.

Of the items listed, you could do the brake work yourself. Expect to need to buy some tools. This would include the fronts / rears / brake fluid.

If you are a novice, I would leave the others to the shop.

[washedlew]

Originally Posted by robthewrench

Those hours seem in the ballpark. You're in L.A. so you're paying $100 (or more) per labor hour. Those of us in lower cost areas can get rates in the $60-$80 per hour range.

Be careful supplying your own parts. If any part you supply doesn't work out, don't be surprised to get more labor charged. While supplying your own parts is cheaper, most good shops don't allow this because it causes trouble.

Of the items listed, you could do the brake work yourself. Expect to need to buy some tools. This would include the fronts / rears / brake fluid.

If you are a novice, I would leave the others to the shop.

Hi Rob, thanks for responding, I really appreciate the insight as it provided me some assurance about the rates quoted.

[unrulyteach]

Like rob said ur labor is high because of where u are located. I would also save money on the brakes and ofhg that's a cool $300+ u keep. Brakes aren't hard. Ofhg just hav to be patient with. And i would also say i u hav the tools attempt to do the coilovers, just make sure u plan ahead because that can be a tedious job.

[PichaDis11]

Almost 3 hrs to do OFHG on a 328?? This seems a little off; for 3 bolts! At almost $1000, you can buy yourself some quality tools and DIY these jobs on a few weekends. Added benefit of learning more about the car as you go. We have a DIY for all jobs except the Alignment.

Though learning to do these can be time consuming I do understand paying to get them done. My only issue was that of OFHG.

[Efthreeoh]

Those are pretty good rates IMO. Just have to ask, does the shop regularly work on BMWs?

[robthewrench]

I think your image is the labor hours only and does not include parts, thus the lower cost.

[ctuna]

A dealer would be twice that .
Some Indys would be in between.
DIY would be cheaper
3 hrs for OFG seems high for labor.

Indy shops around me are charging 120 hr dealers 140 plus.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by robthewrench

I think your image is the labor hours only and does not include parts, thus the lower cost.

The OP said he was supplying parts. I hope he knows that he gets no warranty with the work going that way

[MysticRob]

OP, this is all work you can do yourself using youtube videos. Save the cash and DIY. But yeah, sounds about normal for L.A. and CA in general.

[BeaterM3]

Originally Posted by washedlew

Hi all, this is my first post here. I own a 2011 328i E90. I plan on getting some work done on my car soon so I reached out to an auto work shop that was recommended to me. However, I feel like some of the stuff they quoted was a bit on the higher end. I read multiple threads about certain items I wanted to get and they can surely be done by yourself given you have the right tools. I've purchased parts(OEM) on my own already so they will not be supplying any parts.

What do you guys think about the prices I was quoted? Thanks

the labor for the coilovers are cheap compared to what people try to charge around here.

$485 for labor to install front structs/springs = 4.10 hours
$385 for labor to install rear shocks/springs = 3.20 hours

[tcphoto]

It's a great opportunity to get your hands dirty, learn more about your car and have the satisfaction of doing a job plus save money. The only project I could not perform is the alignment but how many of us have the equipment for a four wheel alignment? Besides, $80 for that job is a steal.

[washedlew]

I read all of you guys post and it seems that the consensus is that the prices are fair being in the area that I am. Also, my main concern was the OFHG rate but as you guys stated, it seems about right.

I was lucky enough to have someone who works at BMW and can get me the parts discounted.

I think I will leave it in the hands of a professional and stick to fixing the stuff I feel comfortable with.

As for coilovers, I plan on staying on the budget-friendly side so I think I will go with Solo Werks S1. Do you guys have any other recommendations for coilovers?

Thanks again!

[Trespassers W]

Originally Posted by ctuna

A dealer would be twice that .
Some Indys would be in between.
DIY would be cheaper
3 hrs for OFG seems high for labor.

Indy shops around me are charging 120 hr dealers 140 plus.

3 hrs for OFHG sounds about right if you do it "by the book", (like Bentley manual) and remove intake manifold.

[whyzee125]

That's actually quite reasonable. There are several shops in my vicinity and all of them charge more than that for each thing. Seems good for me especially for California.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Trespassers W

3 hrs for OFHG sounds about right if you do it "by the book", (like Bentley manual) and remove intake manifold.

I just went through negotiating an OFHG replacement for a friend of mine at a dealership. The book rate is 4.4 hours and includes removal of the manifold. The SA brought in the texh to discuss the job with me. BMW gives the tech just about half those hours to do an OFHG as a warranty repair.

Regarding DIY'ing these repairs, while I understand the savings part, the risk of damaging the car with attempting them with novice experience and a limited tool set, is not worth it IOM.

[TemjinX2]

maybe try SSR, they usually give a discount if your getting multiple services done at once. You would probably get better feedback if you posted this in the socal forum.

[bluewater328]

If I assume the rates are fair (sounds right for Cali), the book hours are pretty reasonable. While 3 hrs for OFHG seems like a lot, as someone mentioned, if you do it clean and by the book, it takes off the manifold, so there is a good amount of time put into taking it off and putting back on.

If you really want to get picky, by doing the brakes, brake bleeding and suspension at the same time, they will save on book hours; but that's the standard game. Keep in mind they are probably going off of a system that has estimated industry book time based on the job input (ie. ala carte and with some "problem" time built in).

[Fritzer]

You can do these yourself fairly easily with a basic set of garage/auto tools. In California in general quality indy shops charge a lot. If you want to save money just do it yourself - it's not rocket science.

If you don't have the tools you can purchase them and still come out lower than the labour prices most likely, and continue to get value out of them. Check out FCPEuro's YouTube page them have some pretty awesome videos, and of course on here as well.

[Fritzer]

Also, are you actually getting full coilovers put in? If it was me I would just go OEM struts with Eibach springs. Coilovers are way too overkill in my opinion for an E90 328i daily, I would only put coilovers on that vehicle if it was going to be tracked frequently.

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I just went through negotiating an OFHG replacement for a friend of mine at a dealership. The book rate is 4.4 hours and includes removal of the manifold. The SA brought in the texh to discuss the job with me. BMW gives the tech just about half those hours to do an OFHG as a warranty repair.

Regarding DIY'ing these repairs, while I understand the savings part, the risk of damaging the car with attempting them with novice experience and a limited tool set, is not worth it IOM.

Just Curious. did the tech mentioned why the intake had to be removed?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

Just Curious. did the tech mentioned why the intake had to be removed?

No.