where to get coilovers installed?

Miss325 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 07:01 PM

Well the time has come for me to get my coilovers installed. I bought the Bilstein PSS for my e46 vert.

I was wondering if anyone had any sugestions on a good place to get these installed? What sort of price range should I expect for installation?

mantronic · #2 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 08:38 PM

I got mine done at Heasmans who are the importers ... about $300 + hourly rates for adjusting up and down/fiddling after install. I wasnt that happy with them but they are meant to know their stuff.

Having said that its 99% a normal suspension install IMO so any mechanic should be able to do it.

Id install them about 5-10 mm up from lowest (maybe 5m up at back 10mm at front as front is where I scraped a bit with ch 19s) drive them for a week to settle and see how you like the rake and ride ... and then maybe take them to someone you know to adjust so you dont pay $100 for an adjustment.

I think full hard (9?) on back and 3 off (6?) on front is a decent ride and balance but by after a few months it was on something like 6 back 3 front which handled well and rode OK.

But even on lowest you probably wont need to roll guards and will only rub on huge bumps.

I took measurements from ground to wheel arch or hub centre to wheel arch to see how flat it was before and after and to get it levelish/a touch higher of drivers side (no car is level and I think BMWs often sit higher on drivers side when empty).

CafeRacer · #3 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 08:49 PM

id rather go to someone who knows e46s than who knows suspension. Id head to your usual bmw mechanic (unless its the dealer, in which case head to a bmw specilaist).

1q2w3e4r · #4 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 10:31 PM

I'd go to a specialist as well.. Although you might find you'll put a few noses out of joint as your supplying your own suspension, most workshops make profits on supplying parts and labour. Only doing one doesn't cover the overheads.

Miss325 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 10:54 PM

mantronic - did it rub on the plastics on the inside of the wheel well? or the guards? or both?

mantronic · #6 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 11:02 PM

Plastic on front with 225s or whatever they were ... only on real low heights and medium hardness ... a only a slight bit ... you should be fine.

I also upgraded my rear strut tower whatevers to the ones of the M3 vert ... the are the best oems and could help a bit with subframe issues etc ... only about $100.

CafeRacer · #7 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 11:21 PM

shock mounts?

Etez · #8 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 11:33 PM

Shouldnt be more than $300-$400 labour. Doesnt take a rocket scientist to install coilovers. Its a half a day job and not THAT labour intensive.

Harls · #9 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 03:27 AM

Bavaria Cars in Gladesville NSW do a lot of race prep stuff just for Beemers and they don't cut corners.

Try them for getting your coil overs fitted

Miss325 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 05:12 PM

thanks for the info guys

uKnowSergio · #11 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 07:33 PM

As random as this may sound,

Redline Rotary (Near harvy norman on parra rd)

96481637 - Alex.

He's a rotary guru, but another part of his company is setting up suspension/coilovers etc.

Merli · #12 (**permalink**) 06-29-2007, 01:28 AM

I think my PSS9s have arrived at the office... Coming back from Melb tonight, so I should have them early next week.

I was going to get Bavariacars to fit mine, as they did a great job fitting the diff to my last car...

Did you want to get yours done at the same time?

1q2w3e4r · #13 (**permalink**) 06-29-2007, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merli

I think my PSS9s have arrived at the office... Coming back from Melb tonight, so I should have them early next week.

I was going to get Bavariacars to fit mine, as they did a great job fitting the diff to my last car...

Did you want to get yours done at the same time?

If your ever over there on the weekend (saturday's) or planning on heading down for a chat shoot me a line as Kenny and I stop by occasionally on Sat's and I'll come by and say g'day, be good to put a face to the name

digger · #14 (**permalink**) 06-29-2007, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uKnowSergio

As random as this may sound,

Redline Rotary (Near harvy norman on parra rd)

96481637 - Alex.

He's a rotary guru, but another part of his company is setting up suspension/coilovers etc.

a bit OT but i know Alex and he's a top guy and is one of the few dyno operators that explicitly know what they're doing

Miss325 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-29-2007, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merli

I think my PSS9s have arrived at the office... Coming back from Melb tonight, so I should have them early next week.

I was going to get Bavariacars to fit mine, as they did a great job fitting the diff to my last car...

Did you want to get yours done at the same time?

it all depends on how much the labour is