R50/53 Suspension help.
#1
02-11-2018 | 10:07 AM
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Suspension help.
hey just a quick price check. My 2003 r53 (119k) needs the rear suspension to be replaced, I already did the front. The shop says it will cost $1,600. Does that sound like too much? It would be replacing struts, springs and mounts. Please let me know if that price sounds way too high.
#4
02-11-2018 | 12:06 PM
Have you been carrying gold bricks or something in the back of your car? I have never seen a set of factory springs worn out at that low mileage without some sort of damage or abuse.
To answer your question, $1600 seems high, but without seeing the list of parts they plan to replace (and what they plan to use as replacements), it is hard to tell.
To answer your question, $1600 seems high, but without seeing the list of parts they plan to replace (and what they plan to use as replacements), it is hard to tell.
#5
02-11-2018 | 02:34 PM
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Yes, seems high. What type of shocks/springs did you use to replace the fronts? Planning to match brands so the car's handling is consistent, yes??
Like Kevin said, without knowing what the parts list is and the labor rate, hard to know for sure.
R&R of the rear struts should not take an experienced mechanic more than 1.5 hours to do, more like 45 minutes. Yes, it's that easy.
Like Kevin said, without knowing what the parts list is and the labor rate, hard to know for sure.
R&R of the rear struts should not take an experienced mechanic more than 1.5 hours to do, more like 45 minutes. Yes, it's that easy.
#7
02-11-2018 | 04:09 PM
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Yes, seems high. What type of shocks/springs did you use to replace the fronts? Planning to match brands so the car's handling is consistent, yes??
Like Kevin said, without knowing what the parts list is and the labor rate, hard to know for sure.
R&R of the rear struts should not take an experienced mechanic more than 1.5 hours to do, more like 45 minutes. Yes, it's that easy.
Like Kevin said, without knowing what the parts list is and the labor rate, hard to know for sure.
R&R of the rear struts should not take an experienced mechanic more than 1.5 hours to do, more like 45 minutes. Yes, it's that easy.
planning to use OEM Everything as I did in the front. The mechanic said I really should replace the strut mounts as well, but would it be fine to just do strut and springs?
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#8
02-11-2018 | 04:26 PM
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#9
02-11-2018 | 04:28 PM
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Have you been carrying gold bricks or something in the back of your car? I have never seen a set of factory springs worn out at that low mileage without some sort of damage or abuse.
To answer your question, $1600 seems high, but without seeing the list of parts they plan to replace (and what they plan to use as replacements), it is hard to tell.
To answer your question, $1600 seems high, but without seeing the list of parts they plan to replace (and what they plan to use as replacements), it is hard to tell.
#10
02-11-2018 | 05:00 PM
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From: SF Bay Area - Nor Cal
Get a second opinion from a different shop. $1600 is very high.
Oem quality is not the same as genuine Mini if we are really being picky. Even still genuine Mini is in the $150 per shock range. Oem quality is about 1/3 or less. (Bilstein B4, KYB, Sachs are oem)
Springs are again not expensive. Did you take a peek to see if the coils are cracked, rusted or compressed? Super easy to do and doesn’t cost anything. The springs we took off that had 227K salt free California miles were perfectly usable. If you were closer, I’d just send them to you.
The rear shock mount might be necessary if it’s all corroded from salt. Since it’s apart, I would replace the mount and bushing. Maybe $50-75 max if you need mounts and bushings, $20 if only bushings. Again, take a peek and you’ll see if the mount has rust on it.
Btw, what springs did the mechanic put on the front? Can you post a pic of your car? Would help us understand what a sagging rear suspension looks like.
#11
02-11-2018 | 05:36 PM
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Get a second opinion from a different shop. $1600 is very high.
Oem quality is not the same as genuine Mini if we are really being picky. Even still genuine Mini is in the $150 per shock range. Oem quality is about 1/3 or less. (Bilstein B4, KYB, Sachs are oem)
Springs are again not expensive. Did you take a peek to see if the coils are cracked, rusted or compressed? Super easy to do and doesn’t cost anything. The springs we took off that had 227K salt free California miles were perfectly usable. If you were closer, I’d just send them to you.
The rear shock mount might be necessary if it’s all corroded from salt. Since it’s apart, I would replace the mount and bushing. Maybe $50-75 max if you need mounts and bushings, $20 if only bushings. Again, take a peek and you’ll see if the mount has rust on it.
Btw, what springs did the mechanic put on the front? Can you post a pic of your car? Would help us understand what a sagging rear suspension looks like.
#12
02-11-2018 | 06:50 PM
$1600 for just the rear seems high
And with that kind of expense I for sure wouldn't go back with all original parts as many aftermarket parts are better.
for shocks I would go with either Koni FSDs
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fsd-shocks.html
but if you just want two you can do the Koni Orange
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-s...0-r52-r53.html
I would also find some used springs in the marketplace as they will be much cheaper than new as most people just have them from installing lowering springs.
and for the upper rear shock mount the Powerflex will be better
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...-bushings.html
And with that kind of expense I for sure wouldn't go back with all original parts as many aftermarket parts are better.
for shocks I would go with either Koni FSDs
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fsd-shocks.html
but if you just want two you can do the Koni Orange
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-s...0-r52-r53.html
I would also find some used springs in the marketplace as they will be much cheaper than new as most people just have them from installing lowering springs.
and for the upper rear shock mount the Powerflex will be better
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...-bushings.html
#13
02-11-2018 | 08:19 PM
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$1600 for just the rear seems high
And with that kind of expense I for sure wouldn't go back with all original parts as many aftermarket parts are better.
for shocks I would go with either Koni FSDs
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fsd-shocks.html
but if you just want two you can do the Koni Orange
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-s...0-r52-r53.html
I would also find some used springs in the marketplace as they will be much cheaper than new as most people just have them from installing lowering springs.
and for the upper rear shock mount the Powerflex will be better
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...-bushings.html
And with that kind of expense I for sure wouldn't go back with all original parts as many aftermarket parts are better.
for shocks I would go with either Koni FSDs
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fsd-shocks.html
but if you just want two you can do the Koni Orange
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-s...0-r52-r53.html
I would also find some used springs in the marketplace as they will be much cheaper than new as most people just have them from installing lowering springs.
and for the upper rear shock mount the Powerflex will be better
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...-bushings.html
Is it possible that I only need new springs?
#14
02-11-2018 | 08:42 PM
#15
02-12-2018 | 06:04 AM
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Gulf Coast FL
I would never pay a shop $1,600 to replace a collection of rear suspension components. That's close to my entire budget for a suspension overhaul in my car.
#17
02-12-2018 | 12:26 PM
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From: N. Central Indiana, USA
#19
02-15-2018 | 07:33 AM
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If you are just going back to stock, I agree, do it yourself. It is literally just three bolts per side. Two at the top, one at the bottom. It took me 45 min at home and that included getting all the tools out of my garage and basement.
And you have more time than you think as a college student. Put down the beer and pick up the spanners. You'll still make it to the bar for happy hour with plenty of time to pound back that Miller High Life (the champagne of beers) with your buddies. Plus the story of you replacing your rear suspension will totally impress the ladies.
And you have more time than you think as a college student. Put down the beer and pick up the spanners. You'll still make it to the bar for happy hour with plenty of time to pound back that Miller High Life (the champagne of beers) with your buddies. Plus the story of you replacing your rear suspension will totally impress the ladies.
#20
02-15-2018 | 07:46 AM
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From: Gulf Coast FL
And you have more time than you think as a college student. Put down the beer and pick up the spanners. You'll still make it to the bar for happy hour with plenty of time to pound back that Miller High Life (the champagne of beers) with your buddies. Plus the story of you replacing your rear suspension will totally impress the ladies.
Get the wrenches and the beer out! There's no reason you can't multitask here, that is just being efficient with your time! I will not echo his sentiments that the ladies will be impressed, but I stand by everything else.
#21
02-15-2018 | 08:37 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 616
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From: Upstate NY
Agree with waymotorworks. Get some konis, or for around $1000 you can just get an entire coilover kit.
You can check the mounts in the front easy - look for cracking in the rubber at the top of the shock (in engine bay). It should look all smooth. Its a common fail point and cheap to replace. For the rear, you will have to see once its pulled but at that mileage id probably repace them too, esp if the front is gone, likely indicating the rear hadnt been done recently .
I upgrade to the front IE -1.5 deg camber plate mounts and the change is great!
You can check the mounts in the front easy - look for cracking in the rubber at the top of the shock (in engine bay). It should look all smooth. Its a common fail point and cheap to replace. For the rear, you will have to see once its pulled but at that mileage id probably repace them too, esp if the front is gone, likely indicating the rear hadnt been done recently .
I upgrade to the front IE -1.5 deg camber plate mounts and the change is great!
#22
02-15-2018 | 04:09 PM
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What I wouldn't do to have the free time I had in college again.
Get the wrenches and the beer out! There's no reason you can't multitask here, that is just being efficient with your time! I will not echo his sentiments that the ladies will be impressed, but I stand by everything else.
Get the wrenches and the beer out! There's no reason you can't multitask here, that is just being efficient with your time! I will not echo his sentiments that the ladies will be impressed, but I stand by everything else.
No they will totally be impressed almost as impressed if you executed a perfect handbrake turn. Just sayin'... TOTALLY works.
#23
02-22-2018 | 12:09 PM
How honest is your mechanic??
Sounds like he's feeding you a line of BS.
#24
02-22-2018 | 12:17 PM
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 117
From: Gulf Coast FL
#25
02-22-2018 | 12:44 PM
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 985
Likes: 97
From: Atlanta Georgia
+1 That's the question I asked......
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