[f31inmi]

I'm looking to have Koni Yellows, H&R Sports, and M3 Sways (front and rear) installed on my car (E90 335i) in the Bay Area. What is a fair price (or range) for this type of an install? I know the rear sway may take a good bit of time since, I believe, you have to drop the subframe to get to it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA.

[Legato2057]

About $500-600 out the door. $100 or so per corner plus alignment and taxes, etc.

[Octet]

Labor time is 7-8 hours, had sways, shocks and springs installed recently, depends on labor rate...

[iheartsole]

$250 is fair price for suspension install. wow $500-$600 where are you going for that kind of price? hahha

[zsapphire7]

welll actually... i think doing the rear sway bar itsself is about 3 hrs. the springs/shocks 250 is a good price. and front sway is ~30 mins. so id say total for that 700-800.. I duno... im having an issue. I want to get rear subframe bushings + rear sway bar installed only and i can only find 550 cheapest....

[Malek@MRF]

I do suspension installs for $175 for the E9x platform which includes a hand measured alignment.

[Legato2057]

Originally Posted by iheartsole

$250 is fair price for suspension install. wow $500-$600 where are you going for that kind of price? hahha

With the install and alignment at a full service shop with modern equipment and ASE certified techs; that's actually about right considering he's not just doing springs and shock, but sway bars too.

When Dinan had their Stage 2 suspension setup on sale for the 335i, I considered it, until I started asking authorized dealers what their install price was: $1000-1500+ every time. Now that's expensive

One way to find a good install shop for the Bay Area (or wherever) is to use Tirerack.com. Just look at their Recommended Installers for that area and start calling.

[f31inmi]

Originally Posted by zsapphire7

welll actually... i think doing the rear sway bar itsself is about 3 hrs. the springs/shocks 250 is a good price. and front sway is ~30 mins. so id say total for that 700-800.. I duno... im having an issue. I want to get rear subframe bushings + rear sway bar installed only and i can only find 550 cheapest....

$700-$800 are the quotes I've been getting, too. You're right, ~$250 for the springs/shocks but having to drop the subframe to install the rear sway is the lion's share of the labor. BTW, I'm having it done at Mach III in San Francisco. Thanks for the feedback, all.

[roozie2001]

Originally Posted by zsapphire7

welll actually... i think doing the rear sway bar itsself is about 3 hrs. the springs/shocks 250 is a good price. and front sway is ~30 mins. so id say total for that 700-800.. I duno... im having an issue. I want to get rear subframe bushings + rear sway bar installed only and i can only find 550 cheapest....

wow 700-800. i hope they provide the lube also. And its nott for the suspension.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by Legato2057

With the install and alignment at a full service shop with modern equipment and ASE certified techs; that's actually about right considering he's not just doing springs and shock, but sway bars too.
.

Just an FYI.. ASE Certification doesn't really indicate much. It's not difficult to become ASE certified, nor does it constitute that the technician/installer will do a good job.

[CV335]

I paid $500 for installation of TC Kline coilovers with Vorshlag camber plates; $110 for "high performance alignment".

[Legato2057]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

Just an FYI.. ASE Certification doesn't really indicate much. It's not difficult to become ASE certified, nor does it constitute that the technician/installer will do a good job.

True, but would you go to an accountant without an MBA or doctor without a doctorate etc., etc., etc.?

While a piece of paper doesn't mean that a person is actually knowledgeable in their field; most people, given a choice will take their car to a person that has a certification (be it ASE, from BMW etc.) over someone without.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by Legato2057

True, but would you go to an accountant without an MBA or doctor without a doctorate etc., etc., etc.?

While a piece of paper doesn't mean that a person is actually knowledgeable in their field; most people, given a choice will take their car to a person that has a certification (be it ASE, from BMW etc.) over someone without.

If the person has a track record of doing a job correctly, then yes, why not?

Some of the most educated doctors from prestigious schools I have visited for my neck condition have proven to be crap doctors and vise versa.

You don't have to be ASE certified to work at a dealership either. I got a job offer from Lexus when I was 20 years old. $50k per year part time. 2 weeks later someone fell on me and broke my neck.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by CV335

I paid $500 for installation of TC Kline coilovers with Vorshlag camber plates; $110 for "high performance alignment".

You got ripped off bro.

[Legato2057]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

If the person has a track record of doing a job correctly, then yes, why not?

Some of the most educated doctors from prestigious schools I have visited for my neck condition have proven to be crap doctors and vise versa.

You don't have to be ASE certified to work at a dealership either. I got a job offer from Lexus when I was 20 years old. $50k per year part time. 2 weeks later someone fell on me and broke my neck.

If you know the person is qualified (cert or not) then of course there is no problem.

But if you don't know that person, the certification is supposed to mean that someone else (with a verifiable reputation) has said that they are qualified.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by Legato2057

If you know the person is qualified (cert or not) then of course there is no problem.

But if you don't know that person, the certification is supposed to mean that someone else (with a verifiable reputation) has said that they are qualified.

I get your point brotha, it's a valid one, but it's usually not the case these days.

[Legato2057]

Yeah, I feel your pain.

[CV335]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

You got ripped off bro.

Do you charge $175 specifically for spring/shock install or also for coilovers? A typical coilover install is 4-5 hour job (based on what I've read in the forum plus what I asked around here in TX). The going rate over here is $80-90/hour. No offense, either the labor rate over here is too high or you like to work for cheap labor

[Craig@SupremePower]

Definately a lil on the high end but dropping the subframe will take some time!

Originally Posted by e90insf

$700-$800 are the quotes I've been getting, too. You're right, ~$250 for the springs/shocks but having to drop the subframe to install the rear sway is the lion's share of the labor. BTW, I'm having it done at Mach III in San Francisco. Thanks for the feedback, all.

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by CV335

Do you charge $175 specifically for spring/shock install or also for coilovers? A typical coilover install is 4-5 hour job (based on what I've read in the forum plus what I asked around here in TX). The going rate over here is $80-90/hour. No offense, either the labor rate over here is too high or you like to work for cheap labor

A coilover install takes the same amount of time as a spring and shock combo. It is basically the same install.

It does not take 4-5 hours for the job either. Maybe if the tech is chit chatting away the entire time and taking breaks after every corner.

Yes I do coils for 175 as well.

Rates are about the same here and where you are. Right around 80-90 per hour.

[ontopofm]

Originally Posted by Malekreza11

I do suspension installs for $175 for the E9x platform which includes a hand measured alignment.

damn, didnt know you do install, i'lll contact you in the future for any install, btw how much for m3 front & rear installed?

[Malek@MRF]

PM me bro.