Heres what I got as a quote from a local shop that does MINIs and M7 supply. Does this sound right? Too high?

Thanks!

TJM

Make: 05 MINI COOPER S
License: N/A; Cyl L4; Disp 1.6
Unknown, IL 00000 VIN:
Home Phone: EQ:
Work Phone: Profile:



__________________________________________________ ________________
Job01 Suspension Upgrade Labor: $486.75
__________________________________________________ ________________
Install M7 Lowering Spring Set.


__________________________________________________ ________________
Spring Set 1.0 @ 215.00 =$ 215.00

__________________________________________________ ________________
Estimate Cost Summary
__________________________________________________ ________________
Tax: $16.43
Estimate Total: $725.18

 

thats a scam, just do it yourself, springs are an easy swap.

 

yeah, they are definately bending you over for that price are you near any Mini tuning shops i.e. Helix, Webb, Detroit Tuned? They will give you a fair price.

Mark

 

I would say around $400 or less is a fair price. so yours seem a bit high. try to call around any mechanic shops, it doesn't have to be mini mechanic. I think any shop can install springs, it's nothing special for minis.

 

Holy CRAP. I took my car to Steve's Auto Clinic in North Hills. I don't know where you are located, but that's in the So. Cal area. He did M7 Springs and an H-Sport rear sway bar for $250. I got a slight deal for being in the local MINI club, but still... $700+ sounds really expensive.

 

That's $250 total for both parts and installation? or $250 for installation only?

 

$85x 3hours for labor max.

 

My god that is high, I can do it for you for 1/2 of that...(M7 spring)... lol
Anyway it's only cost $100.00 to have it installed. Check around.

 

~3hr labor is max I'd pay..
a Mini shop that is about 3hr away quoted $150 ($75x2hr).
I'm trying to make some time to travel up there.

 

$250 for installation only.

 

which shop r u talking about?
Since ur from N.va, ... is it helix?

 

You need to make some friends that are handy with cars. My husband and I put on my springs in about 1.5-2 hours and it was quite simple. Having friends that know how to do it and buying them a pizza and a 6-pack is MUCH cheaper than paying someone to do it.

Shoot, this past weekend some of our firends had a big install day that I think ~20 cars showed up to to get stuff done like springs/struts, swaybars, shortshifters, lots of different kinds of bushings, fluids, some engine work etc. I think when they added up the probable cost of labor for everything that was done it would have come to ~$6000

 

yes. helix13

 

Sounds awesome..
they are only about 2 hrs from my house

By the way, I'm still deciding on should I do the springs or not since I'm hearing things like, they will kill the stok shocks / damper faster.

I don't know how much they will cost to replace..
Should I or should i not...

sorry for going off topic..

 

Definately do the spring - I have them and love them. You might want to do a rear sway bar while you're at it, and have the car apart. I've been to Helix, and Eric great, but any good garage can do it to... It's pretty straight forward.

High $400s seems a bit steep... I think I paid $320 for springs AND rear sway bar labor (not at Helix). Heck, you can even print out step-by-step instuctions (see this site's How-to section) and give them to the mechanic to eyeball beforehand. He/she will see how straight forward it is, and maybe revise the estimate. If they don't - go somewhere else!!

If you're near Helix, and don't want to do it yourself, give Eric savage a call. Tell him the guy he installed the 'Invidia exhaust' system for sent you!

- - Michael

 

Hah..!! I've looked at Spring How-to... that things looks pretty damn complicated ..!!

Rear sway, that I can do.. but springs... nayyyy
By the way, about the struts, shocks and dampers.... hmph..

 

I'm running stock struts for now... They seem fine, and the car will be lower, of course, with the M7 springs (1.5 inches lower). You don't HAVE to replace them unless you want to. I'll probably replace them with Eibach's once they wear out.

- - m

 

Its not that I can't do it myself, just more a matter of right now I don't want to. My girlfriend's dad is also a great mechanic, and I frequently have him help me out with stuff. I just sometimes feel bad asking for so many car favors...as there is a neverending list of ideas and wants.

Either way I've decided that estimate is way too steep and will look elsewhere, DIY or not.

Thanks for the info everyone.

TJM

 

For the record it's only 1.3"

peter
Team M7
562-608-8123