8 to10 hours to install rear subframe bushings?

rajuncajun · 04-10-2014, 05:35 PM

Does that sound right to install M3 rear subframe bushings on a 135i? Seems ridiculously high to me. Especially at $98 per hour. What do you all think?

MightyMouseTech · 04-10-2014, 06:08 PM

Yes, that is what the dealer charges. They don't have the special tool that allows you to do it without removing the subframe completely.

TS135i · 04-10-2014, 06:38 PM

I observed the entire process when the shop did mine, it does take that long.

kirkbar · 04-10-2014, 06:42 PM

It took me 4 hours with the tool that HP Auto rents. BTW: I'm a software engineer - not a mechanic. I did it on jack stands in my garage. They charge that much because they can.

wjk_glynn · 04-10-2014, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajuncajun

...Especially at $98 per hour...

I wish I could get work done for $98/hr.

Any decent independent charges $125/hr around here.

The local dealer charges $205/hr.

Karl.

rajuncajun · 04-10-2014, 06:44 PM

We'll let me ask this then, should it take about 3 hours to replace the front upper and lower control arms and then another three hours for the lower rear control arms?

wjk_glynn · 04-10-2014, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkbar

It took me 4 hours with the tool that HP Auto rents. BTW: I'm a software engineer - not a mechanic. I did it on jack stands in my garage. They charge that much because they can.

Is it something you were able to do by yourself, or did you need a buddy?

Thanks.

Karl.

135iam · 04-10-2014, 06:47 PM

I just put subframe bushings in my car 4 days ago. It didn't take any special tools as I installed whiteline 2 piece poly bushings rather than the m3 bushings. It took 3-3.5 hrs.
8-10 hrs is ridiculous for that job.

kirkbar · 04-10-2014, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjk_glynn

Is it something you were able to do by yourself, or did you need a buddy?

Thanks.

Karl.

Did it all by myself. The tool was the key. And two jacks.

135iam · 04-10-2014, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajuncajun

We'll let me ask this then, should it take about 3 hours to replace the front upper and lower control arms and then another three hours for the lower rear control arms?

I paid 3 hrs of labor for front m3 arms, front coil overs with dinan camber plates, and multiple ride height adjustments. (I installed the rear myself).

The rear arms are easy. All 4 in under an hr.

JSavela · 04-10-2014, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajuncajun

Does that sound right to install M3 rear subframe bushings on a 135i? Seems ridiculously high to me. Especially at $98 per hour. What do you all think?

Now that I've done both of the projects, a friend and I could do front arms and rear (poly) bushings in under 4 hours from pulling the car in the garage to backing it out. I would think the M3 ones would take a little longer since the need to be pressed in, while the poly's are just put in by hand.

3002 tii · 04-11-2014, 11:00 AM

Which is why if I go this route, I'll just go inserts. I would only do m3 bushings if I were going to get a lsd installed.

MightyMouseTech · 04-11-2014, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 135iam

I just put subframe bushings in my car 4 days ago. It didn't take any special tools as I installed whiteline 2 piece poly bushings rather than the m3 bushings. It took 3-3.5 hrs.
8-10 hrs is ridiculous for that job.

You are talking about two very different jobs.

TheSt|G · 04-11-2014, 11:46 AM

I did the subframe bushings in a few hours before lunch. 10 hours is beyond absurd.

Rob Daman · 04-11-2014, 11:49 AM

I got that quote of $1k from a popular mechanic on the m3 forums.

TheSt|G · 04-11-2014, 11:59 AM

Swing into PA and I'll do them for $500.00.

135iam · 04-11-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

You are talking about two very different jobs.

not the inserts, bushings. the only difference is the M3 bushings need pressed in and the whiteline bushings dont. The results are the same for less work and poly wears better than rubber in my experience. I dont understand the fasination with M3 rubber bushings on this forum but to each his own

135iam · 04-11-2014, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Which is why if I go this route, I'll just go inserts. I would only do m3 bushings if I were going to get a lsd installed.

The results between OEM bushings and the whiteline full poly bushings I installed is dramatic. As a former road course regular myself, I think you would really appriciate the full bushings (whiteline or M3)

these prices are just nuts. I hope these shops are offering to lube both the bushings and the customers before they do their business

MightyMouseTech · 04-11-2014, 02:13 PM

Has anyone tried the Group N Motorsport version? Saw them listed at Turner. Not cheap at $600 though.

04-10-2014, 05:35 PM	#1
rajuncajun Private First Class 10 Rep 112 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	8 to10 hours to install rear subframe bushings? Does that sound right to install M3 rear subframe bushings on a 135i? Seems ridiculously high to me. Especially at $98 per hour. What do you all think?
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04-10-2014, 06:08 PM	#2
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Yes, that is what the dealer charges. They don't have the special tool that allows you to do it without removing the subframe completely.
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04-10-2014, 06:38 PM	#3
TS135i piggy in the mirror 47 Rep 595 Posts Drives: 2013 6MT 135i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	I observed the entire process when the shop did mine, it does take that long. __________________ 135i Coupe N55 PPK+JB4 X3 30d LCI
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04-10-2014, 06:42 PM	#4
kirkbar Private First Class 22 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 2011 135i DCT Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Collegeville, PA USA iTrader: (4)	It took me 4 hours with the tool that HP Auto rents. BTW: I'm a software engineer - not a mechanic. I did it on jack stands in my garage. They charge that much because they can. __________________ 2011 135i DCT M/Sport Jet Black Cobb STG2+ \| M3 Suspension Parts \| ERW Charge pipe \| VRSF 7 Intercooler \| Cobb DP \| MFactory LSD w/lockdown \| KW V1 Coilovers \| Apex ARC-8 \| Dinan camber plates \| BMS Intake \| M3 Cluster & steering wheel \| 1M Strut brace
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04-10-2014, 06:44 PM	#6
rajuncajun Private First Class 10 Rep 112 Posts Drives: Join Date: Oct 2007 iTrader: (0)	We'll let me ask this then, should it take about 3 hours to replace the front upper and lower control arms and then another three hours for the lower rear control arms?
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04-10-2014, 06:47 PM	#8
135iam Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2010 135i 6mt Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: IL iTrader: (2)	I just put subframe bushings in my car 4 days ago. It didn't take any special tools as I installed whiteline 2 piece poly bushings rather than the m3 bushings. It took 3-3.5 hrs. 8-10 hrs is ridiculous for that job.
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04-11-2014, 11:00 AM	#12
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	Which is why if I go this route, I'll just go inserts. I would only do m3 bushings if I were going to get a lsd installed. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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04-11-2014, 11:46 AM	#14
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	I did the subframe bushings in a few hours before lunch. 10 hours is beyond absurd.
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04-11-2014, 11:49 AM	#15
Rob Daman Captain 32 Rep 826 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: OC, CA USA iTrader: (2)	I got that quote of $1k from a popular mechanic on the m3 forums.
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04-11-2014, 11:59 AM	#16
TheSt\|G Resident Tamed Racing Driver 298 Rep 4,697 Posts Drives: 911, 130is, E39 M5, E36 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Outside Philly iTrader: (2)	Swing into PA and I'll do them for $500.00.
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04-11-2014, 02:13 PM	#19
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Has anyone tried the Group N Motorsport version? Saw them listed at Turner. Not cheap at $600 though.
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