I bought a set of Tein Basic coilovers about a month ago and have yet to install them, mostly because of the cost involved. Ive asked around at a few shops, and they all want $200+ to install and re-adjust the coilovers. On top of this cost Id also need to get an alignment done, so the cost to install is looking like at least $250, more like $300 if I had to guess.
Does anyone know a shop in Miami that will install and re-adjust for a more reasonable price OR Would anyone be interested in helping me install them myself for some pocket cash (we can discuss how much is fair). I live in a condo building, so I have no garage to work in, no jack stands or ramps, I most likely have none of the tools needed *including one of the adjustment wrenches which was lost in the mail* I would have had the Basics on my ride by now, but the cost for install is really killing me. Anyone out there have any suggestions or is anyone willing to help?
Post back or preferrably PM me and let me know, Id appreciate any help I can get!

Thankyou in advance if you have any words of wisdom. Drive safe

 

I hate to say this, but the prices you were quoted sound very reasonable for the time involved. Actually "corner weighting" the car after the install will take some additional time, and a set of scales. I'm surprised you didn't anticipate this. I do my own work, so I know how long it takes.

I wish you the best of luck finding a good samaritan to help out!

 

Im not auto-xing the car any time soon, so cornerweighting can wait, cant it? Even on the street I hardley push the car far enough for that to make a difference I would think.

Am I ok just installing and alligning without corner weighting if Im only street driving the car?

 

...how much did the coils run you?

 

$450 brand new. <<<< cant you tell Im a cheap ***?

 

well, If I was down that direction I would help its pretty easy to do, look at the springs DIY. It would be cheaper if you bought a small jack and a tool kit and you would have em for future projets. But it is really easy

 

I guess the corner weighting can wait. I just assumed you would be doing all the work at once. I guess we all have different priorities.

 

200 for acoilover install sounds cheap to me. It is a few hours worth of work, one of our guys did his own in his garage in about 6 hours. I was not brave enough to install mine. Too many things that I could do wrong, on such a key piece of the car.

The alignment is a good idea, but only after you drive around for at least a week, to let the springs settle in.

Good luck. It is hard to mod a car on a tight budget. Especially without the tools of space to do your own wrenching.

 

Well, I guess Im gunna just take the hit and get them installed for $200 at my brothers mechanic. They'll be on by the end of the month, and Im gunna do a write-up to let everyone know what I think. Thanks for the help, not exactly what I wanted to hear, but pretty much what I expected. Thank god I have another project this month, otherwise I wouldnt be installing these untill the end of the summer.

 

Putting coilovers on is a very easy mod. It takes some time(4-6 hrs) but isn't very technical. Having them cornerweighted properly is a whole new ballgame though. I'm sure that if you looked around, there is probly a DIY on it somewhere on this site. $200 is VERY reasonable if you don't feel comfortable doing it your self. Good luck.

EDIT - Here is a DIY on lowering springs. All you really need to do is take out the oem assembly and replace it with the coilovers.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-lowering-springs-install-23403/

 

Is corner weighting really neccessary right away or can I get away without it for a little while?

 

I suppose that you could get away with not doing is at all. Corner weighting(and ride height) is one of the main benefits to purchasing coilovers in the first place. You would need either some scales($1200 a set) or a shop that corner weights to get this done. If I were you, and I didn't plan on racing, just put the coilovers on and get a consistant ride height. You should be good.

 

I installed my JIC's myself, with some help from friends.

Id come and help you if either of us had somewhere to do it.

 

I got a friends house to do it at around the corner, but I still need one of the adjustment wrenches and a little know-how... never handled coilovers before myself. Ill buy you lunch if you come down and help... while your at it, you should come to a meet at Tangos too :P

 

you dont need adjustment wrenches, just set the spring preload to hand tight

its pretty easy, we could probably do it at a meet :-p

 

Thats is, if you really make it down here :P