r&r front shocks '89 525, labor hours/cost

[Gene in NC]

r&r front shocks on '89 525, labor hours/cost for indie in mid atlantic/southeast? What to expect for labor only from indie? Are there standard labor hours for this job? Other e34 work?

Degree of difficulty difference for e34 vs 2002? Plenty experience with 2002.

[zmuff]

I went through my old receipts from 2000. Indy charged $120.00 to replace front shocks and springs, $100.00 to replace the rear shocks and springs. Hours weren't listed but I guess you could correct for inflation. At least you have a starting point.

[Gene in NC]

zmuff,

You have e34 and e28 too? Assumed I might be one of a very few with both. Thanks for the extra effort on the search. Where (area/region) was the work done. My guy in Raleigh wants $300 for the fronts. Sounds like a lot of money. I'm getting a little old, but have some muscle to help with the weight of the strut, and plenty of experience with 2002s.

[zmuff]

I only have the e34, almost bought a 1988 M5...does that count? The work was done local here in the Tidewater VA area. The price does sound a little high. I'm getting ready to replace the rear strut mounts myself, I figure if I can do the subframe mounts, the strut mounts shouldn't be too hard. It would seem to me that if you know your way around a 2002, the e34 shouldn't be that much more difficult. Our local car club has a loyal following of 2002's...I love those cars!

[Gene in NC]

These two links seem to have it all for front shock r&r hours, difficulty, detail tips and pics, and big brake upgrade. What more is there?


http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/suspension/front_shocks.htm

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/brakes.htm

[Torque]

When my dad and I did my front struts (he is a mechanic, so we did it in a shop where he works: lift, air tools etc. ... so what a shop would do) ... it took us ~45 minutes a strut for the fronts.

But lets assume the job takes 3 hrs ... 300 dollars is still too much.