imdvs

Hi. I have a set of KW v3's and a Goldenrod shift kit waiting to be installed. I got an estimate of $1100-$1300 for both without an alignment. I don't know if that's low or high for that size of a job. What would you guys normally pay?
Thanks

pp000830

Install the coilover's 2 to 3 hours
Adjust the ride height 1/2-1 hour
Alignment usually priced at around $300 at our local dealer
Never put a shift kit in but I can't see it taking any less than 2 hours

So on the high end 6 hours at $125/hour = $750 labor plus $300 for an alignment I would think is reasonable in my neck of the woods.
Shops always aim high on estimates so they are covers on any and all eventualities during the work. I suspect if they have not installed an aftermarket shifter before the guy doing the estimate padded the number a little.

imdvs

Thanks for the reply, I thought it seemed a little high myself.
I should clarify I didn't mean a short shift kit I meant just the goldenrod kit itself. I believe that would be less than an hour if my research proved correct.

fatmike

Honestly the price is fine for both of those jobs. Does the shop work on air cooled cars?

So do you plan to get an alignment? Let the car settle in on the new coil overs for a few days first. Have you discussed setting ride height?

i would select a shop that knows 993s, has a good reputation for alignments and will take the time to set the car up right. Those things are much more important to me than a couple of dollars either way.

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imdvs

Thanks, fatmike. Yes, I do plan on an alignment, this shop doesn't do them.

There are not many shops to chose from in my part of the country, I chose this one because the mechanic claims he was shop manage at a Porsche dealership out East for 19 yrs.I have no way of verifying that.

We discussed ride height and he said he'd work with me on whatever I want.

fatmike

Alignment >>> installation.

I would work on finding the right shop who can do an expert 993 alignment and let them do all the work.

By the way, KW v3s and the golden rod are both excellent choices. I have both.

Good luck.

/

rk-d

Agree. Those prices are reasonable. It’s about what I paid (I think I paid a little more) at a speciality Porsche shop for a KW v3, SSK and GR installation. The SSK install is more involved.

I’m going to echo comments on alignment. This is truly a specialty job. It’s very easy to completely botch alignment on these cars, ask me how I know.

I’d focus on the expertise of the shop more than the prices. If the shop is top tier, it’s worth extra money. Shops will move a little on price, but not usually a ton. Depending on where you live, there may only be one or two viable options, so it’s a tough bargaining position. I had to drive two hours away to find a shop that actually knew what they were doing. It was well worth the hassle.

akrca4

The car will take few days to settle after the coilover installation, so you can always find another specialty shop for the alignment. I think the shop charged me about 4hrs for my PSS10 installation.

Andy

pirahna

You don't list where you live but location makes a big difference in cost and the number of shops that have experience on these cars. The price you listed is average for the SF Bay Area.

911F1

I'll install that stuff for you for half that price. Drop it off in Los Angeles.
I think the price seems a bit high. Even for a professional shop

imdvs

I live in about an hour and a half south of Indianapolis, not many Porsches around here.

pp000830

Yes, but you are just under 3 hours from Columbus OH were lots of vintage Porsches live.

Dr. Ferdinand

I was charged 4 hrs for my PSS10 install on my C4S. Went to a different (and recommended) shop for alignment a week or so later (recommended time to settlement) but wasn't happy with their work. Found a great shop that specialized in aircooleds and they dialed it in perfectly. Wanna say it was in the $300 range for the alignment itself.

Bluehorizon

I was looking at getting PSS10 installed just last week here in Austin. Quoted $850 by a reputable local shop who specialize in German cars.

rs911porsche

I'm south of Indianapolis and also looking for an alignment shop. The roads in Indy are so bad I'm afraid the alignment would be off by the time I made it home. Let us know if you find a good shop close to home.