$500 to install springs on an XI???

Hi - I tried three TireRack recommended installers and got $500+ quotes ton install springs on 2004 325xi!

I have heard this is a 2 hour job - WT*@*@*???

$500 is WAY too much

Anything over $200 max is a rip

Yeah, that is absolutely ridiculous. If you can spare the time it isn't too hard to do them yourself. There's a DIY on here somewhere, just have to rent a spring compressor from Autozone and have a few tools handy.

Did my XI in a little over an hour and I had no previous experience with the BMW setup.
I had a quote from a local shop for $200 and I thought that was too high.

$500 is high. Use this DIY http://www.e46fanatics.com/howto/how...hp?howto_id=12
When I pulled out my rear springs, one was broken so I was glad I DIY'd.
Some stores like PartSource in Canada will lend a spring compressor free if you leave a deposit on your credit card.

i payed 150 and took 45 min

How do you detemine when the springs needs to be replaced? Is when the car bounces around a bit too much, much noticable on a windy day.
My car feels a bit too loose on the highway.

the rears break.... alot.

Originally Posted by Mouf

the rears break.... alot.

How can you tell? What are the symptoms?

Originally Posted by mp333

How can you tell? What are the symptoms?

you can take off the rear wheels and look (not to be d!ck). also, the rear would look a little lower than 'normal'. taking a look only should take ~15min for each side (if you move slowly).

Has anyone actually paid $200 to have all four springs put on their car? I've called five indy's and the dealer and all of the labor time has been quoted pretty much the same....2-2.5 hours for the rears and 3-3.5 hours for the fronts. Even this forum says 1.5-2 hours for the rear ones alone. The average labor rate around here is $90/hour. I doubt anyone is going to spend min 5 hours labor on a car and only charge you $200.

Originally Posted by slimwest1

Has anyone actually paid $200 to have all four springs put on their car? I've called five indy's and the dealer and all of the labor time has been quoted pretty much the same....2-2.5 hours for the rears and 3-3.5 hours for the fronts. Even this forum says 1.5-2 hours for the rear ones alone. The average labor rate around here is $90/hour. I doubt anyone is going to spend min 5 hours labor on a car and only charge you $200.

when i was interning over the summer at my shop, it took about an 1-1.5 hours to do the rear on my car (we went at a normal pace) and took about 4-5 for the front b/c the left front bolt-head sheared off and it took a while to fix that one. the front right took about an hour or so (this is from what i can remember from june).

Well that sounds a little more in line with what I've heard (outside of the sheared bolt). I just ordered the Eibach Pro-Kit and Bilstein HD struts/shocks. I've heard that you can do the rears without a spring compressor so I'm tempted to try that myself. My wife says if I do it...it'll probably end up taking 3-4 hours and it's not worth me screaming the whole time. The quotes that I've been getting are just higher than I'd like.

Originally Posted by slimwest1

Has anyone actually paid $200 to have all four springs put on their car? I've called five indy's and the dealer and all of the labor time has been quoted pretty much the same....2-2.5 hours for the rears and 3-3.5 hours for the fronts. Even this forum says 1.5-2 hours for the rear ones alone. The average labor rate around here is $90/hour. I doubt anyone is going to spend min 5 hours labor on a car and only charge you $200.

I've been quoted 4-5 hours of labor when looking for shops to install springs on a Civic, a Miata, and a WRX. $90/hour * 5 hours sounds about right.

Just man the f up and DIY. The rears pull out and the fronts aren't bad at all.

I do not know if this a stupid question, If I want to lower the car, after changing the front springs do I need to re-align ?

Yes. You'll be able to drive on it but you may experience pulling to one side, excessive tire wear, etc. You'll want to get it aligned ASAP.

let me put it to you this way. realistically it takes about 2 hours for a regular person to do it sans air tools. It will take the shop 1-1.5 cause they have air/hydrolics - saves a **** ton of time compressing springs with air rather than using a socket set to compress the spring. but the fronts require quite a bit of dissassemble to yank out, so maybe 200 for all 4 does not seem insane coming from a guy who has done this quite a few times.

I'll do it for $450

$200-250 is a fair price.

Keep in mind some garages may charge $500 because it will actually take them twice as long as a competent mechanic
Also will depend where you are, but it's always worth seeking out the real BMW pros in the area, knowledge & experience is a must.