c3nthusiast

The local MB repair shop quoted me $500. I'm switching to Eibachs.

C300Sport

I feel your pain. Several guys on here have found pretty good deals but I am getting the $400-$500 quotes like you.

Azn_C300

that's way too much to swap springs. you should only be paying around $200 or less for a spring swap. It's less than an hour's labor.

Derspeed

$200-250.

c3nthusiast

$200-250 huh...... Can anyone reccomend a place in the Washington, DC area?

nrgy

The cheapest quote I could find to do a coilover install was $560. I received quotes ranging from $560-$1200! I don't know much installing suspension, but I heard that changing springs is just as difficult as installing coilovers? I asked 4 different shops, and they all said it would take around 6-8 hours, with the exception of one that said 12.

Spec_Davis

that long for installing a set of coilovers? 6-8 hours?

Azn_C300

They're milking you for manhours if they're quoting you 6-12 hours. It should take like an hour, no more than 2 to install springs or coilovers. Took about as long for mine.

Derspeed

$560.00 sounds like a deal compared to $1200.00. I would avoid any shop that claims this is more than a two hour job. Springs go in and come out the same way no matter who is doing the work.

tanktube67

Did it my self and it took me about 3 hour to the job and the best part it cost me $0.00

white_glass_top

u can rent spring compressors from autozone/ o'reillys/ napa from what i have been, the job is too easy to do, yeah i have a mechanical background but still too easy, especially on new cars, everything comes apart like it should ( NO RUST), lol. there is a do it yourself on here.

Spec_Davis

i rather buddy up with a friend and plus the best part it will cost you $0.00

SickSpeedMonte

You could spend that money in a nice 60 gallon compressor and a few air tools instead of paying someone else to do it.

nrgy

I wouldn't mind taking on the install myself, but I just don't want to get caught in a situation where I'm stuck and I start losing patience and frustration sets in haha. Plus I've been reading that if it is your first time your better off having a professional do the install unless you have a buddy with experience, as you want to do it right the first time when it comes to suspension.

Anyhow, I was also expecting a 3 hour quote from the various message boards I researched. Maybe it's the Mercedes tax?

RedG

It isn't 'less than an hours labor' in dollars. Don't like what shops quote, don't go there, simple.

Sounds like those shops just didn't want to much with custom parts installation on a mercedes benz. Can't say I don't blame them. They install them for next to nothing and if you have problems (even if it isn't the install) who do you go to blaming for the problems?

I run a shop and wouldn't charge LESS than 3-4 hours for customer brought-in springs or coilovers. I should tie up a technician and a service bay for 1-2 hours (including the alignment time) for nothing?

Why? Because most shops won't want to get involved in this type of thing and will automatically try to price themselves out of your budget for the install. Who says they should charge less than two hours for the job when the mercedes book time is as long as (if not longer) than that?

3 hours is not bad, and if the price quote includes aligning the car than I'd say it is a good deal. It isn't fair to expect a shop to do it for free or that some shops have less operating expenses than another shop someone else here had springs installed at.

PLUS in areas like D.C. with the taxes and rent as high as they are expect to pay a little more anyways. Not really a MBTax, but a US government tax.

Azn_C300

Only speaking for shops in cali, but plenty I know of (including my family's) will only charge you 2 hours max of labor. It IS an hour's work, but yeah, most shops will charge more than an hour.

Derspeed

Well the shop should tell him the truth. Yet another reason to avoid that shop.

If he wants to get a Mercedes-type price quote, he can go to a dealership. For that matter, why go to any indy shops if they charge as much as a dealership?

I'm not suggesting a business shouldn't make a profit, but that pricing disparity is ridiculous.

c3nthusiast

The write up seems real simple. I've had 4 Maxima's that I lowered myself. Just a little apprehensive about this car. It's my 1st German car.

E55AMGZ

everything will always be higher if u take it to the dealer. Find a local auto mechanic shops that is familiar with mercedes it'll be much cheaper there. My friend got his done at a import racing shop out here in cali, they only charge him $150.

RedG

Not saying it isn't ridiculous, but it happens. And it is the surest way to dissuade risky installations onto someone else. Believe me, you might not think so, but any problems that arise with the installs, 9 times out of 10 the person is back in your shop, and you are almost literally married to the car. And for what? $150? No thanks.

Derspeed

RedG:
I understand your position and respect it. I have assited my step-father with installations at his shop. It does get hairy at times. I think the OP just needs to shop around.

RedG

Thank you, and I understand yours. It is another reason I said I'd only charge 2-3 hours, at least on a C-Class.