Costs to install lowering springs on 650 F12 Xdrive?

[MSUGOGRN]

First, please note that I have searched this entire forum and have read countless threads on lowering our 6'ers so I am not starting this thread w/o being educated.

I am currently being shipped some lowering springs for my 2014 650 F12 Xdrive. Knowing they would be the highest price, I asked my dealership for a quote on install of lowering springs and received the following pricing that I could not believe:
$1,500 for install plus
$230 for alignment


I then reached out a couple of other independent BMW mechanics here in Denver and one of them quoted me a "steal" at $1,300 for install plus alignment.

I am lost right now. Reading through so many threads in this forum on "lowering springs" would lead me to believe the cost should be somewhere between $250 and $700, all-in.

When I discussed that fact with one guy, he told me that both the front and rear struts have to be removed and then you have to disassemble them to install the new springs (apparently total hours per the guide of 9).

For those of you have experience working on our cars, can you give me some advice? Is it possible that the work required on my car is so much different than say a RWD F13? Or are these mechanics just taking what I am asking them (which is to simply "install lowering springs") and going to their guide which has some incorrect information?

Thanks in advance for any help you all can provide!

[Fred_Boosted]

$1500 for just install is a little pricey, it depends on what kind shop you go to.

[ndinh]

That sounds like rape to me. Although I have no information regarding AWD setups, my RWD GC costs me $300 for the install plus another $100 for the alignment. Check in the F10 forums because I know there are a few xdrive guys that have lowered their cars on ACS springs.

[MSUGOGRN]

Really appreciate the responses Fred and ndinh. I definitely think these guys are just trying to screw me over. I will go with another option. I will definitely check out the F10 forum. Hadn't even thought of that. Many mods coming over the next 2 months so looking forward to getting them all done and then I will post some pics.

[upstate650]

I havent done it (yet) but by all accounts, replacing the rear springs on the 650Xi GC is a bitch. I think it is just as bad on the F12 as it is on the F06. Easiest way is to remove the rear seat. Best advice is to find a good indy, ideally one who has done it before.

[MSUGOGRN]

When you say indy, I presume you are talking about a non-dealer? Or are you also talking about BMW specialized mechanics? The other quote I received was from a European vehicle specialized mechanic. I think I am going to try calling a bunch of different mechanics until I find one who has done the job before and gives me a reasonable quote. Thanks again for the advice!

[upstate650]

I meant Independant mechanic who specializes in BMWs.

[RAZING]

I am located in NY and also have a 2014 F12 M sport. I was quoted $690 with a 4 wheel alignment from an alignment shop. Another shop I conferred with flat out refused to touch my car. I havent bothered asking the dealer.

[MSUGOGRN]

Is the 690 with springs or just install and alignment?

[RAZING]

$690 is labor only for install plus alignment.

[drmlee]

shops in the LA area charge around $200-500 depending where you go. i lowered my f06 myself and it took me about 3 hours. getting access to the rear top mount bolts too me the longest and was the most bitch part of the whole job. the fronts was easy and quick, the rear took up most of the time. 9 hours is bullshit, i was drinking beer and taking my time, i got done in 3.

[PIR3lly]

I'm going to do mine tomorrow.
Could you give some more information about how to do the rear the quickest way?

Fronts are going to be a difficult job for me too, because of xdrive...

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by drmlee

shops in the LA area charge around $200-500 depending where you go. i lowered my f06 myself and it took me about 3 hours. getting access to the rear top mount bolts too me the longest and was the most bitch part of the whole job. the fronts was easy and quick, the rear took up most of the time. 9 hours is bullshit, i was drinking beer and taking my time, i got done in 3.

does yours have xdrive?

[MSUGOGRN]

Just got done calling 12 or so recommended BMW indy mechanics here in Denver. Pricing was all over the place. For install only (w/ alignment), a couple were around $750 while most were $1k plus. I am fairly capable with a wrench but suspension is something I have never touched and don't really have a desire to do. If there are any guys here in Denver that have done this and would like to help me out, I'd definitely make it worth your while.

Also, any reason why the xDrive springs in the front are more difficult?

[MSUGOGRN]

Originally Posted by RAZING

I am located in NY and also have a 2014 F12 M sport. I was quoted $690 with a 4 wheel alignment from an alignment shop. Another shop I conferred with flat out refused to touch my car. I havent bothered asking the dealer.

Just to make sure I understand, is the alignment shop doing the springs too or would a different shop do the springs?

For those who have done the springs before, is there anything we really need to watch out for / be careful about? I've had lowering springs put on other cars before and it just seemed to be a very straight-forward process.

[PIR3lly]

The routing to get the shock with spring out, is blocked by extra parts, like the front axle. Especially if you also have edc, or adaptive drive, you need to remove a lot more parts to get the shocks out.

I've got all the bmw installation docs. Could make screenshots if people would like them...

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by MSUGOGRN

Just got done calling 12 or so recommended BMW indy mechanics here in Denver. Pricing was all over the place. For install only (w/ alignment), a couple were around $750 while most were $1k plus. I am fairly capable with a wrench but suspension is something I have never touched and don't really have a desire to do. If there are any guys here in Denver that have done this and would like to help me out, I'd definitely make it worth your while.

Also, any reason why the xDrive springs in the front are more difficult?

there are always specialty shops in NYC or LA that will do these for an unbelievably cheap price, but that doesn't mean you can find one in your neck of the woods, or that you should use them even if you could. Find a reputable place, pay them the money and sleep well. Better than getting halfway through and finding out you bit off more than you can chew.

[MSUGOGRN]

Originally Posted by upstate650

there are always specialty shops in NYC or LA that will do these for an unbelievably cheap price, but that doesn't mean you can find one in your neck of the woods, or that you should use them even if you could. Find a reputable place, pay them the money and sleep well. Better than getting halfway through and finding out you bit off more than you can chew.

Really good advice. What I am confused about though is how all these places are quoting 6-9 hours when I have read multiple posts on these forums of people who did it themselves in less than 5, at home. There is clearly a disconnect. Either there is something that should be done by the DIY'ers that is not or ALL of these places are over-quoting me. However, I know they are not "over-quoting" me as every quote of hours I get is based out of some book they are reading from. For example, I just got off the phone with the other BMW dealer here and they mentioned something about needing to use a laser when putting the new spring on the strut and that the headlights need to be re-adjusted once the car has been lowered. I wonder if these sort of things are causing the delta in time between the DIY'ers and the indy's...

[drmlee]

Originally Posted by upstate650

does yours have xdrive?

no but ive personally lowered a bunch of porsches, audis, etc with awd. ive even done a few X5's before. having two axles in the front does not add 6 hours to the labor time. most of the time you dont even need to remove or touch the axle at all. you might have to loosen or remove something else, but rarely does the front axle cause that much problem.

[PIR3lly]

I can confirm that part about the laser.
When reassembling the front shock, you have to align it with a special laser tool...



However, my contact at bmw said that this is more applicable for new installs. You could also make marks before disassembling and put it back the exact same way as it was.

[MSUGOGRN]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Before I have anybody do the install of the Eibach springs, I will make sure they are at least familiar with this.

[RAZING]

Originally Posted by MSUGOGRN

Just to make sure I understand, is the alignment shop doing the springs too or would a different shop do the springs?

For those who have done the springs before, is there anything we really need to watch out for / be careful about? I've had lowering springs put on other cars before and it just seemed to be a very straight-forward process.

I would purchase the springs on my own and bring it into the shop to install. Then, the same shop would do a 4 wheel alignment. Total labor cost is $690.

The $750 quote the original poster got seems about right. A good shop in NY charges around $125/hr plus around $130 for a 4 wheel alignment. At 4 hours labor, plus alignment, that brings you to $630. I guess the extra $60 is sales tax.