I want to install lowering springs on my R56 and I am wondering what is a reasonable install price? Do I need to do an alignment also?

I was quoted $500.00 for install and alignment. I provide the springs. Is this a reasonable price?

not sure what the going rate for working on mini's is since I'm new to this car....

thanks......

 

It doesn't sound reasonable to me. Do you belong to a local club? There are usually mechanics involved with local clubs that also own a mini. Lots of local clubs usually have "pulley parties" or meets where everyone shows up to have different items done there car. Or if no meet you should talk to a mechanic involved with a local club an get an estimate from him.

Get involved with your local mini club, talk to the members. I am sure they will have recomendations of where to get this done at a reasonable price. $500 is way too high.

 

A good mechanic should be able to do this in a hour. It is also very easy to do yourself. $100 would be a fair price.

 

I had mine purchased and installed for $400.00

Minicorsa did quote this with alignment as well, although at the time his shop had moved. :( So i had to pay for alignment which was $100 extra.

I would say its fair? but hey i live in Cali where everything is expensive But really i think $200 for install and alignment out the door would be a good price in your case.

J

 

No, the $500 is install and alignment only!!!

I would have to pay an extra $250.00 for springs


this was a quote for installation was from a forum vendor...which i will not name

 

dude.

totally just do it yourself.
follow DIY instructions. Fun experience.
don't let the mechanic take away your FUN Project!

 

The only problem with a DIY is that you're really going to need an alignment. $200 or less is good price for the install and alignment. You should check with your dealership. MINI of Nashville quoted me $180 for the whole shabam. Also, talk to your MA and see if any of the mechanics will do it over the weekend or something "under the table". I was quoted $100 in such circumstances.

Long and the short: don't pay more than $200 for the install and alignment.

 

Alta D.I.Y. spring install.

 

Just installed springs myself last weekend. One dealer wanted $650 to install springs and the other wanted $850 - this is in addition to $159 + tax for 4 wheel alignment. So I installed them myself. Not that difficult if one is mechanically inclined. The only difficult part for me was figuring out how to properly torque the nut on top of the front dampeners without the special tool socket that the dealer has. In the end, I used a set of vice grips on the spring to keep it from turning while I torqued the nut. PITB.

If I had it to do over again I would save my money and get coilovers - an easier install, better adjustability, more suspension travel. But if one cannot afford coilovers, the springs are nice - flatter turning, cooler lowered look, cheap. They are "springy" though, no pun intended, when they bottom out on the jounce bumpers, which happens frequently on the roads here. And it doesn't take a pothole either, the typical variations in the road surface caused by settlement will do it.

I plan on ditching mine for coilovers when the dampeners need replacing.

 

That's a great DIY! I didn't even think about marking the springs . So simple. Thanks for posting that.