Getting Springs Installed

[yossefay]

Called my local trusted shop to get a quote on installing H&R OE Sport Springs. They quoted me at $500 for the job. I feel as if that is a bit ridiculous although they are including a balance afterwards. Without getting yelled at because I haven't searched around for it for hours, how much is the usual cost of this job? How hard would it be to do it myself? Thoughts are much appreciated.

[kobrian85]

That's not a bad price. Balance, do you mean alignment? Not sure what your tires have to do with suspension installation...

Figure $100/hr labor rate. That makes it a 5 hour job, which doesn't seem totally out of line.

EDIT -- Oops, forgot something.... As for doing the install yourself, I can't really say on this car. I did coilovers on a Jetta Sportwagen two years ago, had the help from a couple of buddies, I think it took us 6-7 hours to do all four corners, and that included beer drinking and other shenanigans... You'll have to source a couple of tools, but it wasn't too bad. I replaced the coilovers with the stock suspension on my JSW before I sold it, and I did that myself and it took a me probably 8-9 hours.

[PSUGOLD]

My local shop did it for $350 with the alignment too. $500 not horrible though, little high, but not way out of line.

[awwturbo]

It's not a really difficult job to DIY. My friend and I did mine and the fronts took 45-60mins each side while the rears took 10mins. But we've done this before and knew what to do.

30mins for an alignment after.

Shops will charge flat rate and it usually takes about 4-5 hours.

[Wiredin]

you do need special tools to compress the springs, but it's not too bad. 4-5 hours is the average time with alignment. Depending on what the shop rate is where you are. Dealerships are usually more expensive than after market shops are... you may save $50/hr by not going to the dealer. Myself personally, I always go through a dealer... I feel safer going through the dealer because they are usually more responsible if something goes wrong.

[14S4GWM]

Do it right the first time and do some Bilsteins shocks with the springs.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_S4-Quattro-3.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES3010022/

[Teamnct4]

My local shop quoted me $450 to install springs and $180 for alignment.

[mjames]

I just paid $450 at independent shop and paid $189 at dealer for alignment. Need adjustable front control arms to get camber in spec, didn't realize that before I lowered. But I may not bother.

[ModItNow]

I paid $550 to install kw h.a.s with alignment.

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[yossefay]

Do it right the first time and do some Bilsteins shocks with the springs.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_S4-Quattro-3.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES3010022/
Would you like to help me pay for them? Joking aside, how good are they in the winter?


I just paid $450 at independent shop and paid $189 at dealer for alignment. Need adjustable front control arms to get camber in spec, didn't realize that before I lowered. But I may not bother.

What's wrong with your camber? Or is it that you want it to look a certain way?

[kobrian85]

What's wrong with your camber? Or is it that you want it to look a certain way?

When you lower a vehicle, the camber will naturally change. Depending how low you go, you may fall out of spec. Most of the daily driven cars that are lowered are likely on the edge of being in spec, and in this case most people think it is fine to not hassle with getting adjustable control arms to bring it back into spec. My JSW was out of spec, but not to the point where it looked "off", nor did I notice any excessive tire wear.

[14S4GWM]

Would you like to help me pay for them? Joking aside, how good are they in the winter?

They have nothing to do with winter. Certain shocks are made for certain spring rates. Stock shocks are made for stock springs. With aftermarket springs you will ruin your stock shocks and the ride will become noticeably worse over time. Just replacing the springs is something someone will do only once because you will learn your lesson.

[LYKUNO]

They have nothing to do with winter. Certain shocks are made for certain spring rates. Stock shocks are made for stock springs. With aftermarket springs you will ruin your stock shocks and the ride will become noticeably worse over time. Just replacing the springs is something someone will do only once because you will learn your lesson.

I agree, as many have learned this lesson, i.e. changing springs but retaining stock OEM shocks/struts. Here's a recent thread on this topic (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/695131-HR-OE-springs-and-stock-shocks-struts-Need-an-explanation?) which should be informative.

[AerotusX]

Paid $300 for KW HAS install + $125 for alignment at local shop. This was the lowest quote out of 3-4 local shops.

[14S4GWM]

I agree, as many have learned this lesson, i.e. changing springs but retaining stock OEM shocks/struts. Here's a recent thread on this topic (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/695131-HR-OE-springs-and-stock-shocks-struts-Need-an-explanation?) which should be informative.

Bingo! Thanks

[mjames]

They have nothing to do with winter. Certain shocks are made for certain spring rates. Stock shocks are made for stock springs. With aftermarket springs you will ruin your stock shocks and the ride will become noticeably worse over time. Just replacing the springs is something someone will do only once because you will learn your lesson.
Mostly true, although I read the KW HAS springs are designed to work with stock shocks, aka if you have full ADS, the way to go. My ride is amazing, better than stock, and not bouncy or noisy one bit. So we shall see.

[mr shickadance]

$500 is not unreasonable especially if it includes the alignment. Springs are not a terribly difficult job, but it is time consuming, each corner should take about an hour, maybe more if you get some stuck bolts.

[silverf0x]

Hmm I paid like 300$ CAD with alignment!!

[Seattle996]

I lowered mine with a buddy.. took me about 8 hours. I was ready to kick the car off the jackstands... absolute nightmare if you have never done it before. My suggestion, pay the money. Cause once you are in the 4th hour of doing it on your own, you won't hesitate with the thought. :)

[XxSullyxX123]

I lowered mine with a buddy.. took me about 8 hours. I was ready to kick the car off the jackstands... absolute nightmare if you have never done it before. My suggestion, pay the money. Cause once you are in the 4th hour of doing it on your own, you won't hesitate with the thought. :)

My thoughts exactly! Ive done springs on prior cars a few times and it wasn't bad, but it was money well spent to pay this time around. There's no way I'm going to be able to do a good alignment myself, so really youre talking about maybe $300-$400 for the actual install and saving yourself many brain cells. I paid right around the $500 for install and alignment and it was a very reputable shop and it was cheaper than I had been quoted elsewhere.

[mmm def]

Paid $450 for install with alignment. And get the Bilstein shocks while you are at it. Do it right the first time.

[dudley]

I lowered mine with a buddy.. took me about 8 hours. I was ready to kick the car off the jackstands... absolute nightmare if you have never done it before. My suggestion, pay the money. Cause once you are in the 4th hour of doing it on your own, you won't hesitate with the thought. :)


I couldn't agree more...Local shop quoted me at 900. I was shocked...all because I didn't buy the springs through them. So naturally..did it myself. It was a nightmare. After having done it know, I feel I could do it much quicker..but it was a very long job the first time. 500 including alignment seems worth it for my sanity.

[na_v]

i got it done for 250, but i didn't do it right with getting shocks, bilsteins on the way right now...

[14S4GWM]

I just bought springs, spacers, shocks, and rear Akebonos today. Got a dealer visit soon so i'm going to have to wait until September for the install.

[PSUGOLD]

Doesn't having ADS screw you on getting the Bilsteins though, unless you get the adapter to knock out the ADS system for $400 or so too?

[M3KILR]

Take that $500 buy some coilovers grab a friend and DIY.

[yossefay]

Take that $500 buy some coilovers grab a friend and DIY.

Coilovers are expensive though! I also do not want to mess anything up so I'd rather pay a shop to do it 100% right.

What is my best bet as far as cost, quality, and ride height? I definitely don't want to ruin my ride quality but at the same time $1000+ Bilstein coil overs and new shocks aren't in the budget. If you were me, would you spend the money on wheels now or just get the suspension done and wait until next spring for wheels? I'm gonna be getting my exhaust done in the next week or so, and while I think function is my main priority right now I'm tired of the way the car sits on the stock peelers.


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[AudiSTL]

Coilovers are expensive though! I also do not want to mess anything up so I'd rather pay a shop to do it 100% right.

What is my best bet as far as cost, quality, and ride height? I definitely don't want to ruin my ride quality but at the same time $1000+ Bilstein coil overs and new shocks aren't in the budget. If you were me, would you spend the money on wheels now or just get the suspension done and wait until next spring for wheels? I'm gonna be getting my exhaust done in the next week or so, and while I think function is my main priority right now I'm tired of the way the car sits on the stock peelers.


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i would buy the suspension now and then next summer buy wheels. reasons being you don't want the monster truck look and 2. car season is almost over... the stock wheels look awesome if lowered and stance is perfect imo

[EHesh14]

Jesus those are some good prices! A few years ago 3zero3 motorsports quoted 1k for spring install. I politely said no thank you [wrench]

[yossefay]

i would buy the suspension now and then next summer buy wheels. reasons being you don't want the monster truck look and 2. car season is almost over... the stock wheels look awesome if lowered and stance is perfect imo

Yeah that's what I think I'll do. Maybe during the winter prices will drop too and it'll be a better time to buy. Thinking about getting the peelers powder coated in the mean time but not 100% sure.


Jesus those are some good prices! A few years ago 3zero3 motorsports quoted 1k for spring install. I politely said no thank you [wrench]

Wow, $1k... That sir is a rip off.

[MrFunk]

Do it right the first time and do some Bilsteins shocks with the springs.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_S4-Quattro-3.0T/Suspension/Cup_Kits/ES3010022/

This x 1000
$500 is not bad.

[kobrian85]

Jesus those are some good prices! A few years ago 3zero3 motorsports quoted 1k for spring install. I politely said no thank you [wrench]

EFF 3zero3, those guys can get bent. I've never heard anything positive about that shop.

I've got a great indy shop in the Highlands that takes care of my motor/mechanical stuff. I'll probably go to Berg for springs when I get them done. Not sure I want to tackle the effort on the S4.

[M3KILR]

I really like my Vogtlands for under $1k. Coilovers, sways, drivetrain stabilizer and a Shortshifter are musts. I did the springs and shocks on my B5 and ride was crap compared to when I switched to coilovers.

[EHesh14]

EFF 3zero3, those guys can get bent. I've never heard anything positive about that shop.

I've got a great indy shop in the Highlands that takes care of my motor/mechanical stuff. I'll probably go to Berg for springs when I get them done. Not sure I want to tackle the effort on the S4.

Where do you take it? I've been taking mine to Hardey's Motorwerks in Parker and now I can't go anywhere else cause they are so good. They usually work on vw's, but they have a certified Audi tech

[kobrian85]

Where do you take it? I've been taking mine to Hardey's Motorwerks in Parker and now I can't go anywhere else cause they are so good. They usually work on vw's, but they have a certified Audi tech

I take mine to 5280 Motorsports (http://www.5280motorsportsdenver.com/), reasonably priced, super friendly, they've always taken care of me for my previous two cars that have excursively been taken there.

I've heard great things about Hardey's too, but I'm on the north end of the Metro area, so Parker is no good for me.