Stopped by my local Meinike shop to see what they would charge for an install of 4 H&R springs and a 22mm Alta sway bar. They quoted me 8 -10 hours or $650.

Sounds like gouging to me! What do you all say?

 

WOW, my installer quoted me 5 hours for 4 H&R springs and a 19mm ALTA rear sway bar and I thought that was ridiculous! Check out my question to Adam from ALTA concerning exactly this, here (3rd post on the page).

 

I'm not sure where you are from, but I had my old springs swapped at a reputable European car shop in Columbus a couple years ago for $280ish. I thought that was a steep price for the job.

I installed my rear sway bar in my garage, but I would say $80-100 is a reasonable price for professional installation.

 

245.00 here all the time. 175 springs/70 sway bar

 

DAMN, that's a deal!!! Never have I wished so much to be on the West coast...

 

Looks like CCC is right on. I did mine in my driveway with ramps/jacks/air and the whole job (springs/rear bar) start to finish was 3.5 hours. You could easily trim an hour off that with a lift.

$250.00 bucks is a fair price, $650.00 is outright robbery.

 

Wow! I had two bids today and neither were under $500! What gives? I don't mind paying a little more to get it done right, but what freaks me out is that they have to rely on their computers to get billing times. This tells me that they haven't done a MINI recently, if ever!

I'm not sure what to do now. I don't have the means or facility to do it myself. I'm a dentist, so I need to be careful of my hands. I guess I need to check out some of the custom spring shops that do lifts and suspension work.

Anyone in the San Antonio area familiar with any business to do the work? With a lift and shop tools, come on, how hard can this be? One guy at Goodyear flat out said "I'm going to pass on this one!" WTF! since when do shops turn away business? I think they get pissy since they can't sell you the springs and sway bar on top of the labor!

 

The prices seem a bit nuts. We would charge $262.50 for the work.

Granted Texas is a huge state, and I don't know where Texas Speedwerks is located, but you might want to try them. Hopefully they are close enough to help you out, if not, maybe the know someone.

 

I think they get pissy since they can't sell you the springs and sway bar on top of the labor!
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to be completely honest, We prefer to sell you the parts as well-but-I have never refused to install a customers parts nor have I ever jacked the price over it-and our parts prices are competitive so we can usually sell and install for a good rate.

 

I would do it for 3 cans of beer. Bring a sixpack and I will do it while you drink your 3 cans of beer.

 

WOOHOO finally an installer with a good price that's near me. Especially after getting a quote for $450, I'll definitely be giving you guys a call once I purchase my springs in late February/early March.

 

What are you really saying??????? I've been know to drink quickly at times!

Well, thanks for the offer, but it might be a little cheaper to have it done locally . The price if great but getting there might be a problem!

 

Brake Check.......$380 total for the springs, sway bar, alignment and an Alta intake hose and filter.

Had it done in under 4 hours total including the alignment and the intake! Gotta watch out for gouging!

Wow, it runs great, but I really have to watch the numerous speed bumps in my daily route to and from work. They're everywhere and are mean speed bumps!

 

glad you got it worked out!!

 

That's what I want to pay. A guy here quoted my $650 (springs, bar, alignment). No way. Anybody know a Phoenix shop they can recommend?

 

DynoComp or Mini Works are both in the Scottsdale airpark.

 

I was charged for 5 hours at $90 per hour by my mechanic for the springs and sway. It was his first MINI job and he did it at my office with portable equipment. I would expect a shop that has lifts and has done work on MINI's before would take more like 3-3.5 hours.

Some of you have killer deals! I pay extra for EVERYTHING living in this expensive part of the country.

 

Hmm, I'm still debating what I should do about my H&R 19mm swaybar install (already in my garage). I'm certain I have all of the needed tools (I even have a compressor and impact wrenches ), but not the know how for this particular job. I need to either find someone local who knows how to do it and bribe them with food/beer or a reasonable and reputable shop.

From what I've heard the swaybar install isn't rocket science, but unlike some things I don't think I want to do it 100% solo.

 

I know how you feel. Many on here told me to just tackle the rear sway bar myself as it's supposed to be a really easy job. Issue for me was, know how aside, I don't have any of the needed tools. Ended up getting it done at a reputable local shop for $150 I believe. Free would have been much better, but I'd prefer the peace of mind in knowing it was done professionally. Especially on a new car you obviously don't wanna risk screwing anything up, warranty or otherwise.

Looking to get a set of springs installed now. Hoping that price Helix quoted earlier in this thread is still good.

One thing you should definitely do is check out local MINI clubs in your area. It was through them that I got pointed to my current installer. One guy even offered to help me do it. Problem was just finding time as we live about an hour apart. Also there are these 'pulley parties' which happen in my area (I'm sure others as well). Basically a group of MINI owners gather just to help each other out installing different mods. Sound very cool.

Best of luck!