Lowering Springs Install - What is reasonable?

[iowanscott]

Well, I've reached out to a few places to see about quotes on getting this done. Only one has responded (image below), but they seem really high. It was the only Audi/VW shop I saw within 100+mi and had a lot of great reviews. They told me they don't install customer parts so the quote includes the EMD springs @ $280.

I expected springs + $250-$400 labor. What is a reasonable expectation of cost?

At this point I'm considering doing it myself and then just getting an alignment after. Not really what I wanted to do, but I won't pay $720 + $120 for alignment.

Thanks!Screenshot_20200502-142730.jpeg

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[ngmark23]

Labor will be the cost you don't want to pay for but I'd rather get it professionally installed and right than do it wrong and have problems in the future to pay for. I got my springs installed and labor at my shop is about 100/hour, and for springs, its typically 1 hr per spring, probably less. So I'd estimate 300-400$ for install.

[misterkevv]

I used to live in Iowa (DSM area in Waukee) and ended up driving to Omaha to S-Line Motorsports when I wanted to get springs done. If I remember right they charged $495 + $120 for alignment back in 2018. Unfortunately there just aren't that many options available. Minneapolis has a few shops that were offering prices slightly lower than what I was quoted by S-Line Motorsports, but Omaha was an easier drive for me.

I have since moved to the east coast and can get the same work done for about $250-300.

[iowanscott]

That is actually who the quote was from. I got the same line of "we don't install customer parts" from a couple other shops in DSM area. Springs won't actually arrive until this weekend so I'll have to call a few more or just get ready to DIY!

I used to live in Iowa (DSM area in Waukee) and ended up driving to Omaha to S-Line Motorsports when I wanted to get springs done. If I remember right they charged $495 + $120 for alignment back in 2018. Unfortunately there just aren't that many options available. Minneapolis has a few shops that were offering prices slightly lower than what I was quoted by S-Line Motorsports, but Omaha was an easier drive for me.

I have since moved to the east coast and can get the same work done for about $250-300.

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[Pandemic]

I've been quoted between $200-$800

[iowanscott]

So I heard back from 2 of the 3 other shops I spoke to. They said 7 and 7.5hrs labor. Both quotes higher than the $720 originally quoted. This last one quoted $1,195 with alignment - and that is with me providing springs...

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[volcomic]

I paid 4.5 hrs of labor @ $125, and then $160 for alignment. $722.50 total. This was at a very well known / reputable Audi/VW/Porsche retailer/installer/tuner

[iowanscott]

Well. Got another quote this morning. $1,035 with alignment ($95.20). One last place was going to get back to me, but looks like I'm not having someone else do it.

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[Longwolf]

I just got a quote for 8 hours labor, for a total of $1200. That seems crazy. I know things are expensive now, but I paid an indy shop to put springs in my 2006 Avant 4 years ago for $450. I'm going to keep looking for other options. 12 hours for simple spring install seems way high. I could do it in 6 hours in my garage with jack stands.

[BoostFreeak]

I just got a quote for 8 hours labor, for a total of $1200. That seems crazy. I know things are expensive now, but I paid an indy shop to put springs in my 2006 Avant 4 years ago for $450. I'm going to keep looking for other options. 12 hours for simple spring install seems way high. I could do it in 6 hours in my garage with jack stands.

That is highway robbery. Although, that is how shops make most of their money. Quote 8 hours and get the job done in 4… not to mention they pay their mechanics $25/hr. It’s always the same excuse “we quote off of what the book tells us”. I did mine on my last B9 in about 5 hours in my garage on jack stands. Not a bad job at all but I’ve done them probably half a dozen times between B5 and newer cars I’ve had. They are all basically the same and not a bad job. I wouldn’t worry too much about messing something up as long as you are halfway mechanically inclined. Happy wrenching!


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