Hello everyone:

I have wanted to get a short shifter for my 04 Mini Cooper S for a while. A local performance shop wants $500 for shifter and the install. That seems a bit high for me. Is $500 a reasonable price for this product and mod?

Thank you!
Michael

 

seems pretty steep to me! Youre looking roughly 1 to 1.5 hours install.

 

im 17 and i bought the shifter for $30 and did the install myself

 

what shop?

 

too high :(

 

Drive it to Newport News, VA and I'll put it on for you. $500.00 is way to high. The install is a bit time consuming but it isn't that difficult.

Send me a PM if you want some help.

 

For a B and M short shifter Steve's Auto Clinic charges 290$ installed. I would stay as far away from that shop as I could.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Dude, do you know what you can get for $500? Some real cool stuff, that's what. I would most certainly make sure they knew that you aren't going to be ripped off by them. Try to find someone who can help you install it. It's really easy, but time consuming as mentioned earlier.

 

Not even close. There are B&M shifters on eBay for under $50. Two hours labor is reasonable but it will take less for anyone with experience to do it. The kit probably lists for $125-150 but even then $350 labor is outrageous.

I'd say $150 labor and you supply the part is more than fair.

Rich

 

once again it did it for 30 bucks (B&M) in like 3 hours and im 17. I love the feel of it

 

Ya the install takes about an hour. Shop rate of say $100 an hour, and $100 for the short shift. So you can figure the rest.

 

lol i only had one jack

 

Wow. Thanks for the input guys. The shop will remain nameless, but is one that is well known to this board and is located close to Northern Virginia.

Can some recommend a shop here in Northern Virginia that has the part and can do the work?

Thank you!
Michael

 

Detroit Tuned carries them and their customer service is great. I'm sure someone in your local club could help you install it. If not, drive down here and I'm do it for you. It's not far and you could spend the day at the beach or something.

 

Thanks for the offer. I may just have to take you up on that offer.

 

what good is that?

 

Hey guys:

PGT is correct. I will give the garage a call again today and ask for another quote. I was kept on hold for 8 minutes yesterday and the guy sounded busy. If they stick with the $500 price tag I'll post the name of the place. There is no reason for other people to get ripped off.

 

$500 is a joke. I bought a knockoff on eBay for 29.95 and a friend and I installed it in a couple hours ( and a six-pack). That was two years, two Dragons and several track days ago. I love it.

 

This is a relatively easy install -- I recommend getting some cheap jack stands and doing it yourself . . . it's a good introductory mod (if you haven't done one before) and a good way to learn about some of the systems in your car (while you're down there you'll probably start thinking about replacing the exhaust, adding some under-body bracing, etc )

 

Hey Guys:

I called the first garage again this morning and they are standing firm on the $500. Even though I want to tell you guys who it was that quoted me that outrageous price. I will not. I am taking the high road and be satisfied in knowing that they will not get a penny from me.

I think that anyone reading this thread will benefit from the knowldge that $500 is too much for a short shifter and not make that mistake.

Thank you everyone for your input.
Michael

 

I guess you were right -- must be very busy it they can pass up customers not willing to pay about $400 per hour of labor.

 

boo. was it in MD or VA?

 

Thats pretty nuts. I got the shifter off ebay (genuine article) for $50 shipped, and its another $90 at Steves Auto Clinic for the install. Much more reasonable.

 

Hey Guys:

Man I am starting to get discouraged. Mach 5 here in Sterling VA wants $413 installed. Is there anyone here in Northern Virginia that can do the job for about $300? Thanks to the people that have offered to personally help with an install, but I do not want to burden anyone. Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

who was the original quote from?