So I went to a performance shop (will leave their name anonymous to avoid possible conflict) to get some H&R springs. I also needed my new tires put on some wheels sitting in my garage. They wanted to charge me $1300!!!!! for:

-springs
-alignment
-tire mounting
-balancing 4 tires on the wheels

Is this ridiculous or what?? The springs cost 300, I know that for a fact. I just had my new tires put on the wheels AND balanced for 100 total by a local buddy. And I know that an alignment shouldn't cost more than 400, 'cause that's what the stealership charges lol. So where's that extra 500 coming from, wtf?

 

That is a good deal.

1300
-300 for springs
-150 for mounting / balancing
-550 labor to install springs
-250 alingment

pretty damn good deal if you ask me.

 

I recently installed coil overs with my buddy, VAGscum, who has done it a few times, and it took 6 hrs. I'm sure a professional could do it in less time, but its got to be at least 5-7 hours book time, so multiply that by the shop rate, which at the dealerships 125 per hr could be close to a grand

I believe timnyc posted the shortcut we used to screw the spring down the perch, but it took finesse to not scratch anything on the way out.

I wouldnt compare it to a Honda in terms of ease as the front axles have to be dislocated by 1 of 2 methods. I'm sure one of the experts here will chime in, but I would have happily paid $550 for a competent Porsche shop to do it.

 

Alignments are easy to do with the right equipment and a good understand of what you're doing and suspension dynamics. Owner of a specialty shop here does lot's of sports cars, race cars, lifted trucks and custom stuff. $59.99 for 4 wheel complete. He's done Porsches, Jags and trucks for me for over 25 years. Always perfect and knows all the tricks, will do race alignments at same price.

I found a tire guy (manager) at a shop that is exceedingly careful and will gladly do carried in tires. Usual cost is $10/wheel for a mount and balance. The last 2 times he did mine he charged $5/tire. It's a national chain, don't want to mention names. I tip him well, although he adamantly refuses it every time.

 

Yah- not bad. Are they also corner balancing? You get all this stuff off and it will shred tires pretty quickly as well.

 

good deal for sure.

 

Yeah -- when I first read this, I was wondering whether you were forgetting about the labor for installing the springs. I'm not an expert for just springs, but I know the labor for installing coilovers is not insignificant.

 

Guys the point I'm trying to make is that the alignment cost is the labor cost. When the dealership says the alignment costs 400, that is the labor, because an alignment is nothing more than labor. I'd understand if an alignment required purchasing some material thing, but it doesn't. That's why I'm a little bugged about a $1300 cost.

 

Okay, so take the $400 out. Take $300 out for springs (just the parts cost) and you're at $600 left.

Am I correct in assuming that they're installing the springs, and not just supplying the parts to you? You didn't specify.

$100ish for tire mount/balance/weights/valves/disposal, and then $500ish for spring installation. That doesn't sound out of line.

If the $1300 doesn't include installing the springs, then yeah it sounds too high. But if it does, then it's not ridiculous at all. What number were you expecting as an estimate?

 

Did the performance shop say the alignment was 400? I'm betting they're charging you much less for the alignment part. Most of the labor cost out of the 1300 total is probably for the springs. Yes, the dealer quote of 400 for alignment is high (I would have guessed 300 tops). If you really want to compare apples to apples, you need to get a quote from the dealer for the whole thing. The bottom line is that the 1300 quote for all the items you listed sounds reasonable if I'm understanding it correctly. Good luck on the mods.

 

to the two above, he just sent me over a spread sheet. He didn't mention to me that the actual install of the spring onto the shock accounts for the meat of the price. I was under the assumption that the install of springs/alignment is covered by the same cost. My mistake. Does around 500 bucks for the spring to shock install alone sound correct? The alignment itself only costs about 200.

 

Jay, owning a porsche usually means paying a porsche tax as the stigmata is we can afford it.
I bought my car with a flash that we think is APR, but want to make sure. I went to a local APR retailer in coral springs, fl who told me they could plug into my obd port and tell me in seconds if in fact it was. They had the car for a total of 8 minutes and wanted 1 hr of labor. After complaining that they never advised me of the cost (in Fl if its over $50 they must advise) they did me a favor of only charging me $60. While I didnt expect it to be free, I think they could have handled it differently as I feel they tried to screw me for a full hour. Oh, and they charge the same rate as Champion's hourly rate

While I agree that an alignment is only labor, there is the cost of the machine, the tech's wage, workers comp, other ins, etc. (hopefully they really do have insurance, google ford gt) and of course profit.

I need an alignment too, and found that most shops in South Florida charge more for a porsche as they claim there are more adjustment points and therefore may require more time to dial it in perfectly. Additionally, with the cost of the very limited supply of 315/25/19's I want to make sure I have the most competent person completing the work.

I hope this helps ease the pain, but I think you will either get use to the costs related to our engineering marvels, or learn how to complete some work yourself, or do as a friend of mine did, RUN LIKE HELL and SELL.

Scott

 

Props for this statement! This is the first car I've owned where I've looked to do some decent modding. Everything else was bone stock. I would love to do the work myself, too bad my garage is filled with the family's crap! They are definitely hoarders...

 

No, installation of springs does not include alignment.
I build my relationship with TCD, they do my alignment all the time.
First time it was $300 it included some simple 15 min installation install of
something I wanted. That was just for springs
next time it was $250 with coilovers, next it was 200, next it was 150 for alignment and corner balance ...I call tony and tell him - hey i need an alignment X day, can you help ? he says yes i will take care of you. O i forgot cash only, Tony " don't worry about it bring it later" ... 1300 for everything you stated i think its cheap. If you want the people that take care of your car to stay in business, they need to make money.

 

i travel 3 hrs to a shop in atl that i trust to work on my new 996turbo. they charged me 300 for raising the car 3/4 " and building me some custom tig welded elbows to run oem tips. 160$ for an alignment. only place i allow work done oin my car and gladly pay for the work. the welder lays dimes for days and the tech showed me how to adjust the coilovers then gave me a spanner wrench for future use if i didnt like the height. best shop around!