[ravenorxs]

Not sure if this is against any forum rules but here goes:

What's the average labor cost to install a set of lowering springs and replace bump stops from a BMW specialized independent shop (not dealership)? This would be for a 2018 440i GC w/ xDrive.. I know there will be a range but I am interested in seeing some ballpark figures.

I was looking at Eibach -05-22's on Tunershop which are under $300. I think the F80 bump stops are about another $100 to $150.

I have a quote from a local BMW specialized shop (with a good reputation) that is quoting me $1900 for labor install (Canadian dollars) for the springs installation and bump stop replacement.

This excludes the springs which I will be procuring myself but includes the F80 bumpstops, labor install and alignment afterwards.

Am I just crazy or does that seem very high? I know nothing about the work required so perhaps I am the one that is out of touch.

[cfm56d7b]

$1900 is simply an excessive amount. How many hours of labor does this quote reflect? Worth asking.

Springs installation requires about 3-4 hours.

[pauli18c]

Way too much unless that includes new struts, shocks, and hardware included in the price as well.

I would ask how many hours they're quoting you for and then ask what they're labor rate is... No way they can charge you over 6 hours worth of work MAX. Even at $200 / hr that's still way under 1900, and that's way excessive.

[ravenorxs]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

$1900 is simply an excessive amount. How many hours of labor does this quote reflect? Worth asking.

Springs installation requires about 3-4 hours.

Originally Posted by pauli18c

Way too much unless that includes new struts, shocks, and hardware included in the price as well.

I would ask how many hours they're quoting you for and then ask what they're labor rate is... No way they can charge you over 6 hours worth of work MAX. Even at $200 / hr that's still way under 1900, and that's way excessive.

In reading the quote, the description is this:

Install front and rear lowering springs, replace bump stops and required hardware.
Verify and set tire pressures to factory specifications.
Reset tire pressure monitoring system.
Recall BMW vehicle specific Alignment specifications.
Perform Complete Four Wheel Alignment, with Geoliner 3D computerized aligner, as per BMW specifications.
Adjust and tighten steering and suspension components as required. Attach Alignment Specification print out to the repair order.
Road teste and verify repairs.

And then for parts there are the 4 bump stops, x2 collar nuts and x10 Hex bolts.

I will say this shop mainly performs service and maintenance work. I asked if they would be willing to do a lowering spring installation and they said yes.

Maybe this is why it's priced a bit higher as they are more thorough with testing and such after?

They also mentioned it would be a 2-day job. I assume this is to do testing after the installation has been completed.

EDIT: this is $1900 CAD so in USD it's about $1,400 (but I have to provide the springs)

[pauli18c]

Originally Posted by ravenorxs

In reading the quote, the description is this:

Install front and rear lowering springs, replace bump stops and required hardware.
Verify and set tire pressures to factory specifications.
Reset tire pressure monitoring system.
Recall BMW vehicle specific Alignment specifications.
Perform Complete Four Wheel Alignment, with Geoliner 3D computerized aligner, as per BMW specifications.
Adjust and tighten steering and suspension components as required. Attach Alignment Specification print out to the repair order.
Road teste and verify repairs.

And then for parts there are the 4 bump stops, x2 collar nuts and x10 Hex bolts.

I will say this shop mainly performs service and maintenance work. I asked if they would be willing to do a lowering spring installation and they said yes.

Maybe this is why it's priced a bit higher as they are more thorough with testing and such after?

They also mentioned it would be a 2-day job. I assume this is to do testing after the installation has been completed.

EDIT: this is $1900 CAD so in USD it's about $1,400 (but I have to provide the springs)

Didn't realize CAD was so far off currently.

The quote includes a 4 wheel alignment which is like ~$200 USD.

Required hardware should also include new top hats, dust sleeves, coil spring shims, and strut mount washer. (about $190 USD)

So they're still at ~$1200 for the spring install which is still a lot. Do it yourself in the driveway over the weekend. It's not a hard job, there's video on here how to do it and even a full tool list.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1717726

[Jvac]

Originally Posted by pauli18c

Didn't realize CAD was so far off currently.

The quote includes a 4 wheel alignment which is like ~$200 USD.

Required hardware should also include new top hats, dust sleeves, coil spring shims, and strut mount washer. (about $190 USD)

So they're still at ~$1200 for the spring install which is still a lot. Do it yourself in the driveway over the weekend. It's not a hard job, there's video on here how to do it and even a full tool list.

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1717726

Unfortunately I would tell anybody who hasn't shopped for service lately to get a quote and see just how outrageous prices on anything are these days. Independent shops in my town are almost as expensive as the DEALERSHIP, and they are backed up on scheduling too. It's not a good time for big purchases. I did a full shock and spring swap myself last year and unless you have some prior experience wrenching on cars and all the needed tools ie spring compressors, torx sockets, jack stands etc, I wouldn't say it's an easy job. It is involved, there are a few steps that can can snag you if not done right, and there are steps that can be downright frustrating if there's any level of rust or corrosion on your suspension parts. The video referenced by FaRKle! is extremely helpful and totally correct if followed, but I still don't rate this job easy and I've been doing basic maintenance for a long time. If you're new to wrenching you'll want to take your time and make sure everything is correct so you don't have issues afterwards which means it's going to take you a bit longer than the shop quotes. I'm not advocating diy or don't, just sharing my experience. It also helps if you have a garage and /or another vehicle to use so you aren't pressured to finish the job too quickly and I case you need additional parts or break something along the way. I'd also get at least one more quote to crosscheck the first shop and see if the price is fair for YOUR area. It really doesn't matter what it costs in some far away place unless you are planning to drive there and have the work done. You're doing almost a full suspension swap with regard to labor in this case - all 4 springs, dampers, and bump stops are coming off the car and going back on, so it's probably 6 hours or so for a good shop. Hope this helps

[sdbwisc]

Originally Posted by ravenorxs

Not sure if this is against any forum rules but here goes:

What's the average labor cost to install a set of lowering springs and replace bump stops from a BMW specialized independent shop (not dealership)? This would be for a 2018 440i GC w/ xDrive.. I know there will be a range but I am interested in seeing some ballpark figures.

I was looking at Eibach -05-22's on Tunershop which are under $300. I think the F80 bump stops are about another $100 to $150.

I have a quote from a local BMW specialized shop (with a good reputation) that is quoting me $1900 for labor install (Canadian dollars) for the springs installation and bump stop replacement.

This excludes the springs which I will be procuring myself but includes the F80 bumpstops, labor install and alignment afterwards.

Am I just crazy or does that seem very high? I know nothing about the work required so perhaps I am the one that is out of touch.

That's way too much.

Come to Wisconsin, I'll do it for you lol. But for real, it took me 4.5 hours and I never did that before on a BMW.

[danarino]

For reference as someone who is looking to do exactly what you are doing, I was quoted 5 hours labor at a bmw specialist ($750) plus $130 for alignment.