Coilover install cost?
 

Looking at getting a set of coilovers, what is a reasonable cost to install, center weight and align at a shop?

Call these guys...
http://www.speedfactoryracing.net/

Closed today... will call this week.

It seems the price difference between proper lowering springs vs. Coilovers install is about $1k after proper equipment and install... sound about right?

Probably so average springs are 200-300 and decent coilovers start around 1200. I would think the labor for coilovers would be a little more.

I think it's cheaper to install coilovers, since they swap out the whole unit. Versus springs, were they have to disassemble the units to remove the springs and then installing the new ones

Maybe if the ride height came pre set but still think coilovers would be more.

Swap hardware yourself, then go get it weighted and aligned.

I am looking at the RS*R coilover group buy from Moto-P. It sounds like they are preset height and compression rates, so all that is needed is install, center weight and alignment. Am I correct? Does look pretty simple for the initial install as a diy.

My other choice is RCE lowering springs, which the labor would only be for install. Am I correct that lowering springs wouldn't need center weighting but would need alignment?

I am comparing the cost, pros and cons of my two options. Both seem great, I can afford either. I don't want to be too cheap, but I don't want to go overkill for my needs.

I do plan on mildly tracking it, daily driving and getting some 18x8 wheels. This will occasionally haul wife and baby on a minimal basis, so suspension needs to be as comfortable as oem or better.

I assume cost of coilover and install $2k + $500= $2.5k; or lowering springs with install $500 + $200 = $700. Plus wheel and tires $2k-ish.

I am also concerned about long term cost, ie maintenance, stress on parts and repairs.

Any recommendations or ideas?

coilovers are an easy DIY install, the extra you spend on the product you can save with the install. springs are a pain to install because you have to compress and disassemble the shock unit to swap them out. most shops charge more for spring installs because of that. around here the going rate ive
heard is about $700 to install springs and $400 to install coils.

do you have basic tools and a jack? Changing suspension on this car is really really easy. I did all 4 corners in under an hour...

700 to install springs is pretty insane....

Both springs and coilovers require alignment. Coilovers can be corner weighted. It's not 100% necessary for a street car but recommended for a track car.

- Andrew

no joke. although i refuse to do any more spring installs in my garage unless the person whos car im working on agrees to do all the spring compressing / decompressing while i watch and laugh at their frustration..

One reason why coilovers > strut/spring setups.