03MBC320

Hey, i just purchased a set of Vogtland springs and am looking for places in orlando to get them installed and am having an awful time. 3 places have quoted me at over 500, 2 places in the 400 range, Euro Image (where i got the transmission flush/radiator swap and gas door fixed, i like them) wanted 330.. well i've been addicted to craigslist recently and searched Automotive suspension under services and got this link
http://orlando.craigslist.org/aos/1649683664.html

gave them a call, and when i said mercedes the first question he asked was if i was riding on an air suspension setup?? idk why that'd be the question but i told him no it was normal shock/spring suspension and he said he could do all 4 springs for 95$, + a 10$ gas fee... which means this guy is gonna drive to me, swap my springs for 105$ and leave, kinda sounds too good to be true?
should i trust this? i havent been able to find any reviews about this "Speedy Autosport & Auto repair" but with places giving me quotes of 500 i dont see how someone can do it for 100
thanks for any advice, i'm down for finding the cheapest price i can do put them on because i'm broke, but i know the suspension isnt anything to mess around with and cheap out on and don't want to be left regretting it

londonbenzkid

If i were you, I would try to verify the guys claims.
You don't know if he is actually from a shop or just a scrub who is a poser on craigslist.
I wouldn't trust some MOBILE mechanic coming to my house to work on my car UNLESS
he can be trusted (from a reputable shop, etc).
My 2 Cents

zerocover

Its a good deal.

Think about it:
He's driving to you which means no over head for him (but gas).

You pay him directly; which means he makes more then the normal $15 an hour a mechanic actually takes home (even though shops charge $100/hr)

And you can watch him as he changes them because he'll be in your drive way. Good for you same for him.

I've delt with mobile guys before they charge way less and take home way more. He prob works as a mechanic during the day and wants to earn some extra cash.

lbmazdaspeed

Hi, yeah I got my spring install at les Schwab for springs alignment and install, it was a total of $540, the reason I did it there is because of their warranty and Mercedes are complicated delicate cars so if something did happen on the install they will cover it and it was only $100 cheaper than doing it at the other shop when you add the springs, install and alignment. But there’s a local shop called regulate and they were actually only going to charge me $85 dollars for the install. And there a well known performance shop here in Utah so I think it is possible for someone to install springs for that cheap, hope that helps.

03MBC320

thanks for the replies so far
i just got off the phone with another guy i found on craigslist, and he said he lowered half of the orlando magic's cars, including Shaqs
well he quoted me 650, which he knew was too high, and before i hung up he said the following:
Whoever you have install it make sure they have a bench or wall mounted strut compressor, if they try to use spring clamps it'll ruin the struts and you'll be in alot of trouble... did he mean spring compressor? i know thats one of the key pieces of equipment you need to install new springs, but is there also such thing as a strut compressor? i'm not too educated about this process and about how the suspension is put together, so if anyones got the time and knowledge to clear that up for me please do, it sounded very important! why would the "cheap $49 autozone spring clamps" ruin it?

LawRens

Using autozone spring compressors are a bit more dangerous, as you're supposed to use mercedes spring compressors to do the job. But as long as it's a capable guy doing the job, you shouldn't have much to fear.

Sanny

i got 2 cars done for 150 so i tihnk 100 is possible....

Norwichdelta06

well you guys also have to realize how not complicated it really is to change out springs/struts/shocks. Any person who can do there own brakes can easily tackle a spring/strut/shock swap out job...and I honestly don't trust portable spring compressors. I usually take out the whole strut assembly and bring it to my mechanic and i just pay the guy 40 dollars to do the swap for me.

TemjinX2

if its a independent guy its believe able. Its best to use spring compressor because will shot out a bit. But most people just aim the top away from anywhere dangerous and just unlock the top and they usually only shoot a short distance, like a few inches. The stock springs are not very stiff.

I think $100 is a pretty good deal since it takes a lot longer then a hr to change springs when you just have hand tools and a jack.

03MBC320

so a spring compressor does the same thing as a spring clamp, just safer? temjinx said that it "shoots a short distance, like a few inches", does that only happen on a spring clamp and effect the quality? or is that okay to happen as long as when it shoots up it doesnt hit a person in the face or a window
if it matters the stock springs on their now are whatever comes with the Sport Edition AWD.. not sure how much that matters

AdidasC230

Sounds good, to me even people with no experience with springs can do it in under 2 hours (I did on my LR, volvo and focus) its just turning bolts and spring compressors, prob one of the easier things to do to a car IMO

TemjinX2

it only shoots if you don't use a spring compressor. The spring compressor is just designed to keep the top from shooting out when you take off the top.

But you can install springs without a spring compressor. You only need them for the fronts not the rears.

Norwichdelta06

i near really lookd at our car setup it's 4 struts or 2 struts 2 shocks?

TemjinX2

two mcpharson struts in the front and independent suspension in the rear. The rears are easy to swap, the fronts are more time consuming.

Norwichdelta06

well independent in the rear so 2 struts in the rear? And Macpherson seriously? I thought MB would use a better manufactor?

TemjinX2

they did it to offer more leg room, BMW did the same thing. But yeah struts in the front and independent in the rear. so the springs and struts are separate in the rear.

splinter

$100 for four springs on a C without “air suspension”?
Curious how some technicians have resorted to hustling their services on Craigslist.

Never have gone with the lowest bidder when subletting work in my trade. Suggest you consider same, particularly with something as critical to your well being and safety as proper suspension component installation. How competent and professional can he be whoring himself out for less than $40 an hour?

Trust you’re aware MB stipulates new fastener hardware be fit during any strut R&R.

03MBC320

no i actually wasn't aware of this, thanks, so i guess i'll need to give a pack of those to the installer?

well i'll be getting all 4 springs on, so the installers going to need the compressor regardless right?

TemjinX2

just rent it from autozone, its free.

kirax2

Macpherson is a type of suspension, not a brand name, its just a guy with a last name Macpherson who invented this

and yes $100 is possible, i got my Tein S-tech spring with installed done for $400 drive out from SonicMS, they provide free Wi-Fi too so i can play WoW while i am waiting

03MBC320

aright well thanks for all the feedback everyone, i'm going to give the guy another call today, talk to him a little bit more about the equipment he'll be using, how come he's mobile, if any shops can refer or vouch for him, etc and if he passes i'll be going with him as long as he's insured and such, still open to any advice or feedback though

i just called MB and they said they had the part, but the guy had never heard about having to get new ones for when you take them on and off (i asked him if needed 1 package per strut assembly, or if i'd need 4 packages), and he looked through the computers and said that the part number on that package (A 203 320 00 56) didn't show up as a part for my VIN, and that even when he searched without my VIN, that note on needing a new set of those every R&R of the struts wasn't on there, and that i didn't need to buy them... so for a dealership that tried to rip me off badly early tell me i dont need them makes me a little confused, if i could save the $100 it'd be for the 4 of them i'd be very happy
dont see how a few bolts/nuts/washers could go bad?

zerocover

Dont forget to factor in at least $80 for a good alignment. Sears gives a 6month warranty

03MBC320

yep thanks^^ aware of the post-installation alignment cost, which is no problem because the cars been pulling to the right for the past little while so the alignment was probably a little needed anyways

kirax2

o man Wheelswork charge 80 with 1 year tho LOL

Norwichdelta06

FIRESTONE has a lifetime warranty for 150