[HogFan760]

Does anyone know how long it takes to install the springs and bump stops? Whew, I called a Dinan dealer (BMW of little rock) and they quoted $1300 for install and alignment. That's ALOT to pay for installation.

I don't mind pay to play but I've never installed springs that took me over 4 hours to do.

That said, I don't mind using an indy shop to do it, I just don't know of any around in NW Arkansas. I'd be willing to go to OKC, Tulsa, Dallas, KC to have them installed.

I want someone else to do the install because my garage is sloped too steeply and I can't get level ground to hold up the car (that I can trust). It's sloped for water drainage. That's the downside of living in my location. The mountain wants to drain through the garage sometimes when we get torrential rain.

[Prufrock]

My indy shop quoted me around $900 without the four wheel alignment. The alignment adds around $200, so your quote isn't that far off. I ended up installing them myself and had the alignment performed at the dealership. It took me about a day. I would think a professional could get it done in 4 or 5 hours.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by HogFan760

That said, I don't mind using an indy shop to do it, I just don't know of any around in NW Arkansas. I'd be willing to go to OKC, Tulsa, Dallas, KC to have them installed.

For higher-end, very qualified independents, you might try the outfits that are a part of BIMRS.org: https://www.bimrs.org/.

A quick look shows that Dallas has a number of shops, Memphis a couple, KC one...

FWIW, in 2018 I paid $800 to have TC Kline install his coilovers and camber plates on my car. His labor charge included installation of the springs, of course; it also included an alignment. So, maybe $600 for the coilover/springs/camber plates' installation?

This was in Central Ohio, in 2018; the labor rate was $100/hour.

[HogFan760]

Originally Posted by dradernh

For higher-end, very qualified independents, you might try the outfits that are a part of BIMRS.org: https://www.bimrs.org/.

A quick look shows that Dallas has a number of shops, Memphis a couple, KC one...

FWIW, in 2018 I paid $800 to have TC Kline install his coilovers and camber plates on my car. His labor charge included installation of the springs, of course; it also included an alignment. So, maybe $600 for the coilover/springs/camber plates' installation?

This was in Central Ohio, in 2018; the labor rate was $100/hour.

That’s awesome. Thank you!

[XutvJet]

Everyone is going to charge you book time. I think BMW puts it at something silly like 6 hours.

I would suggest finding a friend that has a flat working space and do it yourself. There are plenty of DIYs on this site and YouTube. It is not a difficult process and no different from most any car. You can buy a lot of nice tools too and still walk away with a ton of money in your pocket.

I installed the rear Dinan springs and bump stops on my M235 in 1 hour. I never installed the fronts because I'm fine with the stock ride height plus the front Dinans only add about 10% more spring rate which is nothing. The front spring install is more complex but still simple.

[HogFan760]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Everyone is going to charge you book time. I think BMW puts it at something silly like 6 hours.

I would suggest finding a friend that has a flat working space and do it yourself. There are plenty of DIYs on this site and YouTube. It is not a difficult process and no different from most any car. You can buy a lot of nice tools too and still walk away with a ton of money in your pocket.

I installed the rear Dinan springs and bump stops on my M235 in 1 hour. I never installed the fronts because I'm fine with the stock ride height plus the front Dinans only add about 10% more spring rate which is nothing. The front spring install is more complex but still simple.

Simple if you have another set of hands, LOL. The rears look super easy. I’ve done suspension on most of my cars so this one doesn’t look any harder, I just have no level ground.

[SkyeC]

Find a performance oriented indie euro shop and you'll probably get a much better price.

Even in the Bay Area, most quotes range from $500-$900 for this type of job.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by HogFan760

Simple if you have another set of hands, LOL. The rears look super easy. I’ve done suspension on most of my cars so this one doesn’t look any harder, I just have no level ground.

I've probably done 50 sets of spring/shock swaps over the years. The M235's front Mcpherson setup isn't any different from most. There's no need for a second set of hands. The only specialized tools you need are spring compressors and a knuckle spreader.

If you have a shop do the work, you're definitely looking at $800+ plus alignment costs. Brakes and suspension work are big money makers for shops. Book times are favorable and most techs can do the work in 1/3 of the alloted time or less.

[HogFan760]

Well the springs are on their way along with the bump stops. I’m going to have the dealer do it. They are charging $1200 and that includes the alignment. I could do it myself, but I don’t want to. I want to drop it off, get a loaner and come back and it’s all done.

[Finn Germai-Yaz]

Man that is a lot for a install