Lowering Spring + Spacer Installation: Am I being overcharged?

[brianx42]

Hey everyone,

I recently received an estimate from an auto shop for some work on my 2023 BMW M3, and I’m concerned that I might be getting overcharged. Here’s the breakdown from the estimate:

Services and Parts Charged:

• Labor: 8.8 hours @ $140/hour = $1,232
• This includes installing Eibach Lowering Springs and a Spacer Kit.
• Parts:
• Eibach PRO-KIT: $350
• Bimmerworld 12mm/15mm Wheel Spacer & Bolt Kits: $300
• 4-Wheel Alignment: $225

The subtotal came to $2,107.00, and with an 8.25% tax, the total is $2,160.63.

My Concern:

The shop mentioned in an email that they “rolled the wheel spacer and bolt kits into the labor cost for the spring install,” which makes me think the labor cost for installing the wheel spacer was already included in the $1,232 charge. However, they also charged me an additional $300 for the Bimmerworld Spacer & Bolt Kits, which I understand is the part cost.

Am I potentially being double-charged for labor here? Shouldn’t the $1,232 cover both the spring and spacer installation, and the $300 just be for the part itself? It feels like I’m paying twice for the labor involved with installing the spacers.

Would really appreciate some feedback. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Am I overthinking this, or should I push back on the shop for clarification? Thanks!

[BlkGS]

If you can't do the work yourself, then you're not being overcharged for anything.

I wouldn't pay that much for a set of springs and some spacers, but I can do work myself. I'm not sure your concern. The $1200 labor is to install springs, spacers, and the bolt kit. Then you've got part costs. Theyre not gonna give you a discount on the parts so this sounds about right.

2 hours per corner for a spring install seems a bit long to me, but it's not totally out of the question for a car that's got so much crap packed in so tightly like an M3. Also, $140 an hour is pretty cheap, so I'd be a little leery of that.

[Drewbkm4]

That definitely doesn’t take 8.8hrs to do, you got robbed bro.

[Spaxe]

Originally Posted by Drewbkm4

That definitely doesn’t take 8.8hrs to do, you got robbed bro.

Agreed, I paid around 400 for the springs and spacers... parts were mine

[pikkagtr]

Rear springs take about 20 mins each side
Front springs around 30 mins each side
The bolts take zero time as they just take your own bolts off and put the other ones back in it's place.
The spacer kits take 15 seconds to put on
Alignment is fair priced

[pnwwagon]

I got multiple quotes from various shops around my area and your quote is largely in line with what I found. 9 hrs of labor is a bit higher than I was quoted, but pretty close. Labor rates are a bit higher up here for me, too, so that balances out (PNW).

I've changed springs myself before on my e46 m3 when I had it and it was only a mild pain for someone relatively inexperienced like me, but I opted to pay this time (partly because I no longer have space to work).

For folks claiming a few hundred bucks for this it'd be nice to see the quote from the shop with the breakdown.

[Hit_Apex]

Most high volume shops use one-size-fits-most flat rate guides for labor hours per their policy. Other more enthusiast oriented tuner shops familiar with the exact parts and car model have done it enough that they can undercut the guide, often substantially, and usually have more capacity/willingness to win the job. As always, it pays to shop around.

[ZL9M2]

In the end if you don't do it yourself the price is the price. If you don't like the quote then quote it somewhere else and decide who you would like to work with.

[erickonphoenix]

I seem to recall the book time on a suspension refresh (which is basically what this is) was around 8 hours. However, I could do it in half the time but the alignment was done off site.

btw, the goal was always to try and get a straight service in under the book time. The owner needed to bank that surplus to cover time lost on diagnostics or other unseen issues.

Also, whenever you're getting aftermarket work done on a high end car you're exposed to over charging. Shop the work around reputable shops and see what you can get.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

This is why I hate dealing with shops lmao and just do it myself. God damn

[Gemini562]

I’d be a little skeptical too. 8.8 hours for springs and spacers is on the high side. Realistically, it should take around 6 hours, maybe a bit more, but not that much. The parts prices look fine, though. I’d push back and ask them to explain the labor, or check with another shop to compare.

[Drewbkm4]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

This is why I hate dealing with shops lmao and just do it myself. God damn

Yea most of them exaggerate on the hours. I’ve never seen a shop that allows a tech to spend their entire workday on putting on a set of springs lol