Reasonable price for ssk install? Other questions

Neon01 · 10-15-2012, 01:15 PM

Had a quality local german (mostly BMW) shop quote me $300 to install a SSK if I brought it to them (2010 135i). They said that's if the kit has "the connecting rod" since they would have to remove a significant part of the exhaust. Though, when I asked them how much it would be if the kit didn't include the rod, they said roughly the same... They were trying to sell me on the Active Autowerks or UUC kit, but I'd be too worried about voiding trans warranty with an aftermarket SSK.

Their labor rate is $95/hour, so this looks like about 3 hours labor.

1. Is that reasonable?
2. Does the BMW Performance kit come with the connecting rod?
3. My neighbor is a very good mechanic, but doesn't usually do too much with BMWs. He charges me $60/hour for labor, and I was going to have him do some other work for me anyway. Is an SSK install the kind of job you would trust a good non-BMW specialist mechanic to be able to do? I'd love to save the coin if so.

Zeros and ones · 10-15-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neon01

Had a quality local german (mostly BMW) shop quote me $300 to install a SSK if I brought it to them (2010 135i). They said that's if the kit has "the connecting rod" since they would have to remove a significant part of the exhaust. Though, when I asked them how much it would be if the kit didn't include the rod, they said roughly the same... They were trying to sell me on the Active Autowerks or UUC kit, but I'd be too worried about voiding trans warranty with an aftermarket SSK.

Their labor rate is $95/hour, so this looks like about 3 hours labor.

1. Is that reasonable?
2. Does the BMW Performance kit come with the connecting rod?
3. My neighbor is a very good mechanic, but doesn't usually do too much with BMWs. He charges me $60/hour for labor, and I was going to have him do some other work for me anyway. Is an SSK install the kind of job you would trust a good non-BMW specialist mechanic to be able to do? I'd love to save the coin if so.

95 bucks is cheap. but the install should be no more then 1.5 to 2 hours as per the BMW installation instructions.

I paid a bit more to get mine installed per hour but I got it done at a dealer.

B-Dawg · 10-16-2012, 05:32 AM

The BMW ssk does not include the gear selector rod. I had the Uuc ssk with the dssr installed at the dealer for a bit more than what you are being quoted, and they told me e same thing that you are being told. In the end I was tired of staring at the box and wanted it in the car.

Btw, I'm real happy with it. Nice tight action with much shorter throws.

Neon01 · 10-16-2012, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Dawg

The BMW ssk does not include the gear selector rod. I had the Uuc ssk with the dssr installed at the dealer for a bit more than what you are being quoted, and they told me e same thing that you are being told. In the end I was tired of staring at the box and wanted it in the car.

Btw, I'm real happy with it. Nice tight action with much shorter throws.

So the dealer didn't feel that the UUC would cause problems for your warranty? It's always my biggest fear that a $300 part is going to invalidate a warranty claim on a $5000 part that's having issues.

BTW, is the gear selector rod necessary? I'm curious why BMW doesn't include it if it is.

B-Dawg · 10-16-2012, 11:48 AM

I have a hard time believing that a ssk will void a transmission warranty. The dealer installed it without any concern.

Several ssk's do not change the selector rod. Is it necessary? Probably not. Is it better? I'd say so. Particularly as the car's mileage increases the selector rod does get a bit sloppy. And I consider it added insurance against the money shift.

Dackelone · 10-16-2012, 12:54 PM

OP - you should have your dealer look up the "book time" in the TIS (BMW sw) for how much BMW says should be charged to install THEIR ssk kit.

My German dealer said its easy and an one hour job. That is what they charged me. The tech did have some problems and ended up dropping the mid pipes to gain better access to the shift linkage. Still they only charged me 1 hour's labor, plus I agreed to pay for new mid pipe gaskets which was like $20 extra.

I attached BMW's pdf on the install instructions. I really love my Performance SSK. It really makes the car complete! You might want to go to an indi for a better price on the install.

BMW Performance shifter SSK install.pdf

10-15-2012, 01:15 PM	#1
Neon01 BMW Nut 49 Rep 452 Posts Drives: 12 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bel Air, MD iTrader: (8) Garage List 2004 Honda S2000 [0.00] 2005 BMW M3 - Retired [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 - Retired [0.00]	Reasonable price for ssk install? Other questions Had a quality local german (mostly BMW) shop quote me $300 to install a SSK if I brought it to them (2010 135i). They said that's if the kit has "the connecting rod" since they would have to remove a significant part of the exhaust. Though, when I asked them how much it would be if the kit didn't include the rod, they said roughly the same... They were trying to sell me on the Active Autowerks or UUC kit, but I'd be too worried about voiding trans warranty with an aftermarket SSK. Their labor rate is $95/hour, so this looks like about 3 hours labor. 1. Is that reasonable? 2. Does the BMW Performance kit come with the connecting rod? 3. My neighbor is a very good mechanic, but doesn't usually do too much with BMWs. He charges me $60/hour for labor, and I was going to have him do some other work for me anyway. Is an SSK install the kind of job you would trust a good non-BMW specialist mechanic to be able to do? I'd love to save the coin if so. __________________ 12 X5 xDrive35i \| Platinum Gray \| Oyster \| Burl Walnut \| Premium \| Convenience \| 3rd Row \| Apps 13 Audi S4 \| Misano Red \| Black 04 S2000 \| Berlina Black \| Black
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10-16-2012, 05:32 AM	#3
B-Dawg Private 4 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: North NJ iTrader: (1)	The BMW ssk does not include the gear selector rod. I had the Uuc ssk with the dssr installed at the dealer for a bit more than what you are being quoted, and they told me e same thing that you are being told. In the end I was tired of staring at the box and wanted it in the car. Btw, I'm real happy with it. Nice tight action with much shorter throws. __________________ B-Dawg 2008 135i 6mt coupe 2004 330i zhp sedan (sorely missed) 2004 325i 5mt sedan (sold)
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10-16-2012, 11:48 AM	#5
B-Dawg Private 4 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: North NJ iTrader: (1)	I have a hard time believing that a ssk will void a transmission warranty. The dealer installed it without any concern. Several ssk's do not change the selector rod. Is it necessary? Probably not. Is it better? I'd say so. Particularly as the car's mileage increases the selector rod does get a bit sloppy. And I consider it added insurance against the money shift. __________________ B-Dawg 2008 135i 6mt coupe 2004 330i zhp sedan (sorely missed) 2004 325i 5mt sedan (sold)
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10-16-2012, 12:54 PM	#6
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	OP - you should have your dealer look up the "book time" in the TIS (BMW sw) for how much BMW says should be charged to install THEIR ssk kit. My German dealer said its easy and an one hour job. That is what they charged me. The tech did have some problems and ended up dropping the mid pipes to gain better access to the shift linkage. Still they only charged me 1 hour's labor, plus I agreed to pay for new mid pipe gaskets which was like $20 extra. I attached BMW's pdf on the install instructions. I really love my Performance SSK. It really makes the car complete! You might want to go to an indi for a better price on the install. BMW Performance shifter SSK install.pdf __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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