[D-Rom]

I just received my ACS springs and I'm excited to get them on. I'm planning on going to go to my local shop that specializes in BMWs. BUT then I spoke to the service manager at my local BMW dealership. He said that I really should have the dealer install them because of the special equipment required.
Here are his reasons:
- dealer has some laser tool that properly aligns the springs with the shock mounts... something like that. He said that it was critical that the springs are aligned with the laser or the car will likely not be able to be aligned and will always pull.
- the rear suspension is very complex on these cars and needs some kind of special alignment
- also, something about the electronic power steering, but I forgot what his point was about that
- finally, he cautioned me that the local independent BMW mechanic has probably never worked on an F10 because almost all of them are still under warranty. He's probably right, but does that matter?

I don't think I have read of even one forum member here having their springs installed by the dealer. Is this crazy? Has anyone heard about these concerns?

Of course, the dealer wants $1,180 and that includes a 10% discount.

Thanks!

[alextremo]

I installed my ACS springs in my garage with no lasers. I did have the dealership do an alignment afterwards though, but only because it was already in for scheduled service. I have no issues with pulling.

[KRUZNM3]

Just go to a reputable shop and pay 250-300 to install it. Pay another $100 or so for alignment and save the rest for other mods!

[Vinfast]

Save your money. No pulling issues with mine for over 2 years and mine wasn't even out of specs after the springs were installed.

[Chili Palmer]

Your service manager is also a salesman, I'm sure he still gets a commission on his "recommendations", so for an $1800 service I'm sure it's a few extra bucks in his pocket. Go with an independent like was mentioned in a previous post and use the money you "saved" for more mods.

[D-Rom]

Thanks everyone. This is exactly what I expected, but I just needed to confirm with the forum. Unfortunately, there are no $250-300 installs in Northern California. I've gotten 3 estimates of $650, $735, and $800 NOT including alignment. Oh well, at least I don't have to spend $1,200 at the dealer.
Thanks!

[itzryyster]

Originally Posted by Vinfast

Save your money. No pulling issues with mine for over 2 years and mine wasn't even out of specs after the springs were installed.

Agreed! Mine was the same.

Those are some outrageous prices for install. Good thing I installed the springs myself.

[MELLOWYELLOW06]

there have to be plenty of shops up north that can do out at a reasonable price. I'm sure some members well chime in real soon.
I'll ask my cousin. I think he had some work done in mountain view but I'll verify.

[Mcar2008]

Originally Posted by D-Rom

Thanks everyone. This is exactly what I expected, but I just needed to confirm with the forum. Unfortunately, there are no $250-300 installs in Northern California. I've gotten 3 estimates of $650, $735, and $800 NOT including alignment. Oh well, at least I don't have to spend $1,200 at the dealer.
Thanks!

I found a shop did a few cars for me including the F10 M5 at East bay, $400, they do good job.

[D-Rom]

I am in the North Bay area of NorCal (Marin/Sonoma Counties). If anyone on here can chime in with a shop that can install my springs for a reasonable rate, I would really appreciate it.

[f10inSD]

D-Rom do not pay more than 400 for install and that should probably include an align.

I've priced out several shops and it ranges from 350-450. These are not small shops in the ghetto, they are higher end euro shops here in So Cal. People have installed ACS at their house!

[Mcar2008]

Originally Posted by D-Rom

I am in the North Bay area of NorCal (Marin/Sonoma Counties). If anyone on here can chime in with a shop that can install my springs for a reasonable rate, I would really appreciate it.

Just give Kin a call at 510-7838383, should be 400.

[uurfantasy]

Diamond Autosport in Sacramento will do the install for about $300. Contact and ask for Moe, tell em Dhillon sent you. (916)567-3000

Website: http://www.diamondautolife.com/luxury-cars-sacramento/

[450ryder]

D-Rom, Did you get them installed? I'm just about to order my ACS springs and have also been told around $700-$800 for install and alignment.

I'm in the Pleasanton area, so if anyone knows of a shop around here, please chime in.

[Dhu]

Try performance technic..they re right in Pleasanton. Did my springs and dinan stage 5 with them

[D-Rom]

450ryder, I did have them installed. I went to Bavarian Tuning in Santa Rosa. They gave me a bmwcca discount and it came to around $435. They have always been great to me—good guys that know their stuff.

[D-Rom]

I want to post a quick update to anyone watching this thread.
My car did not pull right before I had the springs installed (a known issue with F10s). The car was then pulling right a bit after the springs were installed. I drove for a few days to let the springs settle and then I took it to BMW for the alignment. My shop recommended using the dealer for the alignment, although it was not necessary. The car still pulls to the right! The dealer tells me that everything is within spec and this is due to the "aftermarket" springs. They have given me a couple options, but of course all will cost more money.
1) software update for the steering
2) remove and reinstall springs ($1200)
I am doing a little research right now before deciding how to proceed. I am almost certainly NOT going to the dealer unless I decide on the software option. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Keyser Soze]

Originally Posted by uurfantasy

Diamond Autosport in Sacramento will do the install for about $300. Contact and ask for Moe, tell em Dhillon sent you. (916)567-3000

Website: http://www.diamondautolife.com/luxury-cars-sacramento/

Where are these guys in Sac? ....oh I see finally that they are by Cal Expo.

I asked Performance BMW out in Rocklin and they wanted to start at $600 to even begin installing them...none of the Sac indy's are really working on F10's at all it seems.

EDIT: ^^ and D-Rom that sucks....I am not feeling 100% confident having these ACS springs installed at all (hence why they've been sitting in my garage since last September). I am going to go insane if when I do finally do it I run into an immediate problem

[Andy H.]

I installed my ACS springs. The upper and lower rubber seats, that each end of the coil sets on must be positioned a specific way. The side of each of the rubber seats have this instruction embedded in the rubber. The coil fits into this rubber seat and the end of the coil spring buts up against a stop within a channel in this rubber seat. Further, the strut tower cap, that fits on top of the upper rubber seat, has an arrow on it that must be facing you and in line with the entire strut when it is installed (front end of car). The arrow on the strut caps on the rear struts point towards the rear of the car. It's a bit difficult to explain. However, if you don't get the coils in the seats correctly and the strut tower cap appropriately aligned you will have difficulty with reinstalling the strut, issues with alignment and problems with pulling to one side or the other.

Make sure your mechanic, or if you do it yourself, knows what they are doing and you will not have any issues with the alignment after the install. BTW, I have DDC too and had no issues with post alignment or pulling to one side or the other post install.

[D-Rom]

Andy- Thank you so much for this info. I would think that my shop knows what they are doing, but just in case I will forward this info to them. I really hope this will fix things. I really appreciate your response!


Keyser- I have not heard of others with these springs having this issue. In fact, I have not found even one person. I would not worry about installing. Aside from this slight pull, the springs are awesome. They are every bit as nice as I had hoped (ride, firmness, height, etc.). I will update this thread once I have my solution if that will help you to decide on installing.

- Dennis

Originally Posted by Andy H.

I installed my ACS springs. The upper and lower rubber seats, that each end of the coil sets on must be positioned a specific way. The side of each of the rubber seats have this instruction embedded in the rubber. The coil fits into this rubber seat and the end of the coil spring buts up against a stop within a channel in this rubber seat. Further, the strut tower cap, that fits on top of the upper rubber seat, has an arrow on it that must be facing you and in line with the entire strut when it is installed (front end of car). The arrow on the strut caps on the rear struts point towards the rear of the car. It's a bit difficult to explain. However, if you don't get the coils in the seats correctly and the strut tower cap appropriately aligned you will have difficulty with reinstalling the strut, issues with alignment and problems with pulling to one side or the other.

Make sure your mechanic, or if you do it yourself, knows what they are doing and you will not have any issues with the alignment after the install. BTW, I have DDC too and had no issues with post alignment or pulling to one side or the other post install.

[Andy H.]

Originally Posted by D-Rom

Andy- Thank you so much for this info. I would think that my shop knows what they are doing, but just in case I will forward this info to them. I really hope this will fix things. I really appreciate your response!


Keyser- I have not heard of others with these springs having this issue. In fact, I have not found even one person. I would not worry about installing. Aside from this slight pull, the springs are awesome. They are every bit as nice as I had hoped (ride, firmness, height, etc.). I will update this thread once I have my solution if that will help you to decide on installing.

- Dennis

No worries. I recommend you tell the mechanic to make reference to the arrow referenced on the aluminum strut tower cap prior to dissasembly.

If I'm not mistaken I believe there is an arrow on the rubber seat beneath the cap too. And these arrows must line up. Again, just make sure they reference this prior to dissasembly. This will insure a problem free reassembly.

[gre8tw8LL]

After the springs were installed, did you guys take the car to BMW for alignment or your local reputable alignment shop?

Thanks