Sub frame bushings install cost

MZWIE · 06-21-2013, 06:43 AM

My local shop is quoting $875 for M3 bushings install (I supply the parts). Not sure if that is worth it. He claims that it will take seven hours.

1Pirate · 06-21-2013, 07:23 AM

Seven hours is right in the ball park for the install. Generally most shops are going to charge $700 to $900 to do the install, dealers a little more. As I recall I paid around $750.

MZWIE · 06-21-2013, 10:31 AM

Wow. Maybe I need to do this myself. I've undertaken failry complicated car DIY's before.

I did this work previuosly on my E46.

1Pirate · 06-21-2013, 10:36 AM

It's not an easy job. And it requires some special tools.

WillisW555 · 06-21-2013, 11:59 AM

Yes, that's what I've heard too. You can rent the bushing tool from HPA. I've found some instructions on here and it doesn't seem particularly difficult, there is just A LOT of removal of things to get to those bushings.

MZWIE · 06-21-2013, 01:20 PM

I made my own bushing removal tool when I did my E46. Should work here as well.

Stohlen · 06-21-2013, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillisW555

Yes, that's what I've heard too. You can rent the bushing tool from HPA. I've found some instructions on here and it doesn't seem particularly difficult, there is just A LOT of removal of things to get to those bushings.

Its really not that difficult. Take off the wheels, undo 2 brake lines, drop the cross bar and the four bolts mounting the front bushings to the unibody and then each of the 4 sub frame bolts is ready to come out and the frame drops. Kinda simple. Most shops just use a press and drop the whole subframe, thus the higher cost.

Probably took me 6 hours on the floor with a tool made out of 4 nuts, 2 pipe floor plates, a threaded rod and 2, 3" PVC pipe bushings.

John ITRW · 06-21-2013, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stohlen

Its really not that difficult. Take off the wheels, undo 2 brake lines, drop the cross bar and the four bolts mounting the front bushings to the unibody and then each of the 4 sub frame bolts is ready to come out and the frame drops. Kinda simple. Most shops just use a press and drop the whole subframe, thus the higher cost.

Probably took me 6 hours on the floor with a tool made out of 4 nuts, 2 pipe floor plates, a threaded rod and 2, 3" PVC pipe bushings.

Ill fly you out so southern cali if you do mine!!!!

Southjersey128 · 06-21-2013, 08:26 PM

I've done these on my 1 and my friends 3. I highly recommend renting the tool from hpa. I used a ball joint press and an installer I made, but it would have been easier with a tool made specifically for them. It's not hard, but it is time consuming. I would also recommend dropping the subframe all the way so it on the ground and everything is out in the open.

MZWIE · 06-23-2013, 08:43 AM

Ok. Made and appt to have these done at a shop. I wish I had the time to it myself.

HP Autosport · 06-25-2013, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e34m5

My local shop is quoting $875 for M3 bushings install (I supply the parts). Not sure if that is worth it. He claims that it will take seven hours.

That sounds about right, we charge 7 hours to do the job and our shop rate is $120 an hour.

MZWIE · 06-26-2013, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

That sounds about right, we charge 7 hours to do the job and our shop rate is $120 an hour.

Ok. I ordered the parts from you guys.

HP Autosport · 06-26-2013, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e34m5

Ok. I ordered the parts from you guys.

We also have a rental tool program to make the job a bit easier.

SfValley335i · 06-26-2013, 03:03 PM

Me and a friend did the install in 3 hours!

Anyone in socal that wants bushings installed PM me for help

My135i · 07-02-2013, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SfValley335i

Me and a friend did the install in 3 hours!

Anyone in socal that wants bushings installed PM me for help

If this is true, then shops must have been pulling boat load of cash charging 7 hrs for literally 3 hr job! That not good!!!

Dafttt · 07-02-2013, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My135i

If this is true, then shops must have been pulling boat load of cash charging 7 hrs for literally 3 hr job! That not good!!!

That's not how it works.

Suprgnat · 07-02-2013, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My135i

If this is true, then shops must have been pulling boat load of cash charging 7 hrs for literally 3 hr job! That not good!!!

2 technicians @ 3 hours = 6 labor hours.

Stohlen · 07-02-2013, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My135i

If this is true, then shops must have been pulling boat load of cash charging 7 hrs for literally 3 hr job! That not good!!!

Also, the shops are dropping the whole subframe in most cases and then using a press to take them out. These guys didn't do that.

But you should read up on flat rate pay, essentially it costs you the same if they do it in 5 hours or in 5 minutes...

CJ421 · 07-05-2013, 08:39 AM

Don't forget to factor an alignment on top of your installation cost.

06-21-2013, 06:43 AM	#1
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	Sub frame bushings install cost My local shop is quoting $875 for M3 bushings install (I supply the parts). Not sure if that is worth it. He claims that it will take seven hours.
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06-21-2013, 07:23 AM	#2
1Pirate Captain 54 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Greenville, NC iTrader: (2)	Seven hours is right in the ball park for the install. Generally most shops are going to charge $700 to $900 to do the install, dealers a little more. As I recall I paid around $750. __________________ 2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
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06-21-2013, 10:31 AM	#3
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	Wow. Maybe I need to do this myself. I've undertaken failry complicated car DIY's before. I did this work previuosly on my E46.
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06-21-2013, 10:36 AM	#4
1Pirate Captain 54 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Greenville, NC iTrader: (2)	It's not an easy job. And it requires some special tools. __________________ 2009 BMW LeMans Blue 135i/Dinan Stage 2 tune/Alufelgen SF-71s/M3 suspension components/Koni Sport adjustable dampers/ETS FMIC/M3 paddle shifters/Alpina B3 TCU flash/VRSF charge pipe
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06-21-2013, 11:59 AM	#5
WillisW555 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 135is Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Yes, that's what I've heard too. You can rent the bushing tool from HPA. I've found some instructions on here and it doesn't seem particularly difficult, there is just A LOT of removal of things to get to those bushings.
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06-21-2013, 01:20 PM	#6
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	I made my own bushing removal tool when I did my E46. Should work here as well.
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06-21-2013, 08:26 PM	#9
Southjersey128 Second Lieutenant 43 Rep 272 Posts Drives: 2008 128i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	I've done these on my 1 and my friends 3. I highly recommend renting the tool from hpa. I used a ball joint press and an installer I made, but it would have been easier with a tool made specifically for them. It's not hard, but it is time consuming. I would also recommend dropping the subframe all the way so it on the ground and everything is out in the open. __________________ Afe Scoops and CAI, PBX, BMS Paddleshift upgrade, 261M's Powder Coated Gunmetal, 225/255 Michelin PSS, (BMW Performance: BBK, Illuminated Door Sills, Shifter Knob and Boot, E-Brake Handle, Steering Wheel, Front Strut Bar), E93 FSB, E92 RSB, M3 Rear Subframe Bushings, M3 Front Control Arms, HPA coilover kit (Koni Adjustables and Swift Springs), Steel Brake Hoses, Black Kidneys, Smoked LED side markers, Blacklines, Msport lip spoiler...
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06-23-2013, 08:43 AM	#10
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	Ok. Made and appt to have these done at a shop. I wish I had the time to it myself.
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06-26-2013, 03:03 PM	#14
SfValley335i Colonel 164 Rep 2,409 Posts Drives: Current:135i Sold:335i sedan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: City of Angels iTrader: (8)	Me and a friend did the install in 3 hours! Anyone in socal that wants bushings installed PM me for help
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07-05-2013, 08:39 AM	#19
CJ421 Brigadier General 1559 Rep 4,109 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Blue Bell, PA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2024 BMW M3 Sedan [9.50]	Don't forget to factor an alignment on top of your installation cost. __________________ 2024 BMW M3 Sedan Frozen Pure Grey II/Fjord Blue, 6MT Past: 2021 Z4 M40i Frozen Grey II/Black Alcantara \| 2017 F30 340i Mineral Gray/Coral Red, 6MT \| 2011 E92 335i Le Mans Blue/Black, 6MT
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