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Thread: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

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    Jr Member ds08tf's Avatar
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    Default Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    I've been going to the same mechanic in St.Catharines, (Jamie's Auto) for a long time and he's always been fair. I have a list of things I needed installed and I had called around and his quote seemed in the same area I just wanted to be sure it was fair.
    Also are there any of these installs I can do myself? Is there anyone who wants to install my Kw-V2's so I don't have to shell out 350 to get them installed?

    I was quoted...
    ~350 for Shocks and Strut Replacement (Kw-V2 Coil-overs Replacing Eibach Sportlines and OEM Struts)
    ~100-150 for install of JBR 70 DR RMM, 4 wheel mounting and balancing, 10mm Spacer Install
    ~110 for rear camber arms installation and alignment

    I installed the rear sway bar I bought myself and I'm debating between getting him to install the TWM Short Shifter/Boot or if I should do it myself...

    Let me know what you think. I tried messaging around a little bit on the sponsors section but as I don't live in Toronto (St.Catharines) I didn't even know where to begin..

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    Jr Member mickey_g's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    I am not sure about the rest but $100-$150 for a RMM install is really steep...I paid $35 to have mine installed. Most people just install it themselves

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    Sr Member zzz3's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Quote Originally Posted by ds08tf View Post
    I've been going to the same mechanic in St.Catharines, (Jamie's Auto) for a long time and he's always been fair. I have a list of things I needed installed and I had called around and his quote seemed in the same area I just wanted to be sure it was fair.
    Also are there any of these installs I can do myself? Is there anyone who wants to install my Kw-V2's so I don't have to shell out 350 to get them installed?

    I was quoted...
    ~350 for Shocks and Strut Replacement (Kw-V2 Coil-overs Replacing Eibach Sportlines and OEM Struts)
    ~100-150 for install of JBR 70 DR RMM, 4 wheel mounting and balancing, 10mm Spacer Install
    ~110 for rear camber arms installation and alignment

    I installed the rear sway bar I bought myself and I'm debating between getting him to install the TWM Short Shifter/Boot or if I should do it myself...

    Let me know what you think. I tried messaging around a little bit on the sponsors section but as I don't live in Toronto (St.Catharines) I didn't even know where to begin..
    this is one of those instances where it is worth making a trip to jimmy's. he can do it for much less. with that being said you can do the spacers and rmm yourself. for the cambers and coils it would be a good idea to have someone help you who has done it before (if you're willing to learn about your car and save some coin). give one of the guys in the k-w area a shout or celestspeed.

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    Sr Member peterm15's Avatar
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    Default Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO INSTALL A SHORT SHIFTER!!!!!!
    And for that matter a RMM or spacers.

    The shocks and camber arms I understand as I have done the shocks and I hear camber arms are a bitch.

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    Jr Member ds08tf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Quote Originally Posted by zzz3 View Post
    this is one of those instances where it is worth making a trip to jimmy's. he can do it for much less. with that being said you can do the spacers and rmm yourself. for the cambers and coils it would be a good idea to have someone help you who has done it before (if you're willing to learn about your car and save some coin). give one of the guys in the k-w area a shout or celestspeed.
    Sounds good. Where's Jimmy's ?
    Who would be in the k-w area that I could talk to. I'll message celestspeed

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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Quote Originally Posted by ds08tf View Post
    Sounds good. Where's Jimmy's ?
    Who would be in the k-w area that I could talk to. I'll message celestspeed
    Jimmy = Street Performance in Markham - http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/sh...et-Performance
    In the k-w area - bubba1983 or maybe someguy ?
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    Jr Member rajin929's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Quote Originally Posted by ds08tf View Post
    ~350 for Shocks and Strut Replacement (Kw-V2 Coil-overs Replacing Eibach Sportlines and OEM Struts)
    ~100-150 for install of JBR 70 DR RMM, 4 wheel mounting and balancing, 10mm Spacer Install
    ~110 for rear camber arms installation and alignment
    The price to re and re the suspension is a bit much. The others, not so much...

    mount and balance is gonna cost at least $15-20 per tire at any shop, so say that's $80 right there. What kind of spacers are they? Do longer studs need to be installed? Are you installing spacers on all 4 corners? If so, the difference of $70 to install all that and throw in the motor mount for $150 total isn't THAT bad.

    $110 is not just for the camber kit install, but also alignment too! Again, not TOO bad considering the aligment alone is anywhere around 60-100. It'll take some time to wrestle with the camber kit as they can be a bit of a bitch to install.

    Yeah Jimmy can do it for a great price, but if you look at it from a Joe Blow normal shop in St. Catherines, it's not bad when you really think about it (minus the suspension install)
    Last edited by rajin929; 11-29-2012 at 07:16 PM.
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    Uncle Ben
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Just want to chime in here and ask but would he need extended wheel studs for the 10mm spacers? 10mm is quite the spacer IMO.
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    Jr Member ds08tf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    I have ARP extended studs. I did the group buy through Garage 16.

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    Uncle Ben
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    so you would need them installed along with the wheel spacers or they are already installed?

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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    camber arms is a good deal. those things suck to take off and to have it done with align for that price. awesome. motor mount seems a bit high. and shocks and struts isnt bad. lots of labour to take it all apart so depends on the hourly rate.
    Quote Originally Posted by Lmmorden View Post
    Costco = good cheap solution
    Just go to automotive and ask to see their nuts
    It's like a buck a nut

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    Sr Member zzz3's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Quote Originally Posted by ds08tf View Post
    Sounds good. Where's Jimmy's ?
    Who would be in the k-w area that I could talk to. I'll message celestspeed
    stevenma, someguy, bubba1983.

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    Uncle Ben
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    celestspeed is in vaughan area

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    Sr Member The Wolf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Try Point Zero in Waterloo.
    NO CREW

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    Jr Member JDMdriftchick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Quote Originally Posted by peterm15 View Post
    DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO INSTALL A SHORT SHIFTER!!!!!!
    agreed, ive installed 2 by myself and it literally takes 5 minutes
    taking apart the center console etc, is the most time consuming part

    youtube videos are your best friend
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Bubba does good work...and is very reasonable with price if you just want stuff done. I recommend him as anyones first choice in the kw area.

    I do the NATOR thing mostly for the kw guys. Haven't done camber arms or studs, but shocks/springs, rmm, short shifter, are all easy enough. If you want to do it yourself, its an option.

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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Shocks and Struts - If the springs are already on the shocks, DIY. Or you can try to put them on yourself with spring compressors. A goof learning experience.
    However, the price quoted is 2x what it should be. $140~ is a ball park you can get from Jimmy.
    RMM can be done by yourself with 2 jack stands, a jack, a 19mm, 17mm and muscle.
    Balancing and Mounting ofc the tools will make it a requirement for him to do it. The 10mm spacer install should be free.
    Simply Tire prices for balance and mounting.
    14”, 15”, 16”, 17” - $50.00
    18”, 19” - $60.00
    20”+ - $80.00
    Alignment: $80 Installation of Rear Camber Arms: $40. This is where I would agree on his price.
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    Sr Member peterm15's Avatar
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    Default Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    ^^^ I agree.

    My suggestion is to contact someguy for a little help ( if he's willing) and DIY most of the stuff. By the sounds of it you have very little mechanical experience. If someone is willing to stand by your side and point things out, you'll gain confidence to do stuff yourself.

    I personally taught myself MOST of what I know. Learned the basics off my father. because of that I'm over 2 years with my 3 with. 11 years of owning cars. And haven't been to a mechanic in 9 years. ( other then for safety's, tires balanced and stuff)

    Why would I pay someone to do a job I can do myself.

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    Jr Member ds08tf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Thanks for all the tips guys. The springs are already on the shocks so maybe I will try it myself. Is that 50 dollars for 1 tire or all 4?!
    Thanks again for all the advice I think I will try to DIY some of it. I will post updates if I do, or if I get help from a member!

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    Default Re: Is This a Fair Price/ DIY?

    Quote Originally Posted by ds08tf View Post
    Thanks for all the tips guys. The springs are already on the shocks so maybe I will try it myself. Is that 50 dollars for 1 tire or all 4?!
    Thanks again for all the advice I think I will try to DIY some of it. I will post updates if I do, or if I get help from a member!
    Have you ever done it or seen it done before? Strut replacement (even as an assembly) I would not attempt without a pretty damn good guide, or seeing it done, or having help of someone who has done it. There's a few gotcha's around getting the strut out and back together that would really screw you over first time around. Unless of course you are very mechanically incline to begin with.

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