Can Anyone Help? Fitting H&R Lowering springs!

[monte]

Hello everyone. Well i received my H&R spring the other day and i have been getting a few quotes from various places. Can you guys give me your opinion?

I had one quote from a place that deals with race cars and what not in Horncastle and they gave me a quote of £250

I had another quote from Lincoln Vw Specialist for £230

Both places told me it would take about 3-4hrs labour and that the car would be re-aligned after fitting the springs! So this was the sort of figure i was expecting to pay.

Anyway today i went into a local branch (lincoln) of Motosave (wilco direct) and i bought some top-up oil. I noticed they had a sign saying that they sold coil springs, and with the fact that they do servicing/mot exhaust etc etc, i asked them if they would fit my H&R springs. The gentleman said "yes" and said "i will get you a quote".
He came back saying that they will take 3hrs labour @ £30 per hr = £90. I asked will the car be re-aligned? and he replied "yes mate we will make sure its all tracked up right aswell for the same price"

So i have booked it in with them for Monday 11am.

What do you guy's think? Will these guy's know what they are doing? They are quite a biggish chain of motor centres. Should i be weary of them?

I just don't know what to think   Its one heck of a saving..... could anything go wrong? does the car just simply need "trackin up" as he said, or is the wheel alignment more involved, in which case should i let them fit em and then get the car re-aligned somewhere else?

Sorry for all the questions I get suspicious when then quotes are so vastly different!

[vRStu]

They'll be pushing at 3 hours for a first time effort but if it's been done before then it's possible.  Biggest issue is if they get the fronts wrong and mess up the wheel bearings or if they cross thread the top mounts in the chassis on the rear but to be honest anyone could do that if they aren't sure of the job.

£30hr labour is very cheap.

[monte]

Thanks Stu, now im really worried  only kidding mate, i value your advice a great deal Im really on the fence at the mo... should i just pay the extra £140 and have the VW specialist do the work??? i probably should....but £140....its alot!....oh poo. i don't know what to do!

come on guy's tell me to stop being a tight git and do it properly!

[prepree]

I was in a similar situation when i was looking at lowering the car, my VW garage quoted me £200 (mates rates) but a local garage quoted me £125 with wheel allignment, iv just moved house so funds are tight at the moment but i think il pay the extra and have the peace of mind that VW are doing it.

That said depending where you are I wouldnt be suprised if there is someone on here that can help you do it or you pay them. From what i understand its not a hard job just time consuming.

[vRStu]

As an exmaple I think VAG Indys will charge circa £50 - £55 an hour.

I'm not saying they will fcuk it up, my worry would be the lack of experiance with the job itself.  Having done a job before is always a good starting point.

Another weak point if not correctly fitted can be the top mounts on the front.

[H DUBS]

Hello Mr Monte,

I just bought the same springs and got a quote from AMD in Essex to fit and allign for 150+VAT which I thought was very reasonable. I have booked it in for tuesday week. They have a good reputation and will hopefully do a good job. 

[monte]

Hello Mr Monte,

I just bought the same springs and got a quote from AMD in Essex to fit and allign for 150+VAT which I thought was very reasonable. I have booked it in for tuesday week. They have a good reputation and will hopefully do a good job. 

Well that sounds more like it! AMD will be more than up to the job! Trouble is it'll cost me £40ish in fuel to get down there! I guess i will try and screw the local VW guy's down abit   i can but try.

[vRStu]

I was at JKM this morning for the RR session and asked Kate how much they charge, it's £150 + VAT - 3 hours labour.

[SteveTDCi]

if it wasn't for the hassel of removing the hub nut & splitting the hub it would be an easy job. I would have guessed any half decent mechanic should be able to do it providing they had the correct tools.

[monte]

Well guy's i am getting the springs fitted tomorrow   I am going to get them fitted at the local VW independent specialist.

http://www.lincoln-vw.co.uk/service.html

Managed to get em down to £200.

[NotNormal]

Well guy's i am getting the springs fitted tomorrow   I am going to get them fitted at the local VW independent specialist.

http://www.lincoln-vw.co.uk/service.html

Managed to get em down to £200.

 

[monte]

Well guy's i am getting the springs fitted tomorrow   I am going to get them fitted at the local VW independent specialist.

http://www.lincoln-vw.co.uk/service.html

Managed to get em down to £200.

 

Thanks Tom

[monte]

Well they are on, and i must say they look alot better than i thought
Here is a photo i quickly took today, but its not a great one.