The Story of the $5800 subframe job...

[genesis]

I took my '04 SMG cab to Fairfield County Motorsports last week for subframe reinforcement- I spoke to the owner several months ago for an estimate, told me it would depend on the condition of the car. Asked for worst case scenario, he said about $2500, they'd done one for as little as 1200 (no cracks). Called a few days ago, told me work was underway and they found 2 cracks. Car would be done by week's end. Asked about cost, said he'd have to tally up the hours. Called today to confirm car complete, same answer regarding cost. I showed up an hour later and was presented a $5800 invoice...WHAT? He tried to tell me it was a lot of work done, I reminded him of our conversation months back, and also told him about the $1700+ estimate I'd gotten from another shop. He immediately shredded the bill, said something to the effect of "if that's what you say I told you, then that's what it is", and presented me with a 2nd invoice to the tune of $3200 (2500 for the subframe reinforcement including welding 2 cracks, and another $448 labor to install subframe bushings, some other chg and tax. I supplied the Redish plates and the OEM bushings) Still felt like that was too high, but I was so pissed off I lpaid it and left quickly before I got myself in trouble.

Based on what I'd seen, they seem to know their stuff (owner said he's a racer/instructor and they track prep cars-lots of Porsches in the shop. For those that don't know, Fairfield CT is an affluent/well to do town, so maybe he thought he could price accordingly, or thought I was a sucker, I dunno. I don't play that BS. Take it for what it's worth, I suggest you avoid this place at all cost, and tell others to do the same.

[TylerBrown]

I paid around $2,100 for solid bushing install, several welded cracks, plates welded in, various bushings replaced and an alignment. $5,800 sounds insanely high, heck even $3,200 is high but I’d have to look at the invoice.

It’s odd he would drop the price by $2,500 so quickly and without question. That’s suspicious to me but I’m glad to hear to you spoke up.

[Raym3]

That’s just terrible. It’s sad that business’s like this exist. To make it seem like he did you a favour by dropping the price when he should have been upfront about the cost before doing the work. Or at least update you as the work is progressing and allowing you to have a say.

Not good business.

[Titaniu//M]

I paid $3000 out the door this spring for rear subframe mount reinforcement, new OE bushings, one new tie rod and two new rear springs (they were cracked). The shop supplied all parts (100% Genuine BMW), and Turner Motorsport reinforcement plates. I thought their quote was on the higher end, but I was well informed ahead of time and told the shop to go ahead. I used to live in New England and glad I never went to that shop. Regardless of their technical competence, what they did to you was totally wrong.

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

The customer should never be surprised. So shame on them for not informing you along the way.

Also that price is way too high. Even for a good shop.


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[timmo]

Geez, I feel really lucky for what I've paid. $1.7K CAD for 1 crack fix, Redish plates welded, split seam in rear wheel well arch welded. Powerflex subframe, RTAB, and OEM diff bushings.

But then the shop "forgot" to do the diff bushings so after some chasing I was refunded $600. Then I dropped the diff and knocked out the bushings on my own in an evening

[James31]

Geez, I feel really lucky for what I've paid. $1.7K CAD for 1 crack fix, Redish plates welded, split seam in rear wheel well arch welded. Powerflex subframe, RTAB, and OEM diff bushings.

But then the shop "forgot" to do the diff bushings so after some chasing I was refunded $600. Then I dropped the diff and knocked out the bushings on my own in an evening

Who did the work?

[FBloggs]

Sounds like the Covid tax continues to creep into consumers pockets.
Various businesses are passing on their losses to consumers.

[EthanolTurbo]

Got mine done for $1700 by a known E46 pro. Sounds like he charged you double what he should've.

[oceansize]

The only parts installed were subframe bushings and the plates? What is his hourly rate?

[02_lsb]

Did you do topside reinforcement or just plates?

Topside is a ton of work, but doing just plates may yield future hairline fractures as you just shifted the stress points without addressing the culprit.

[R60BBA]

I don't live in the US so am not aware of the prices over there but that is terrible customer service.

Stop drilling and welding cracks (especially 2) does not take very long and there really shouldn't be any additional cost to this.

Did they check for spot weld failure?

Did they check for separation around the the rear left wheel arch? Or the spring perches? Or the rear trailing arm pockets?

Also did they check your internal mig welds? (ie behind the rear bench)?

Did they underseal your underside correctly? (ie seam sealer finish with cavity wax to prevent corrosion)?

For 3,200 USD which is circa 2,500 GBP I would want an extensive repair including all common areas of failure on both the underside and the internals resolved.

[Steve]

I trust very few shops because of stuff like this. Sorry you went through it.

[Sprp85]

Bottom reinforcement with TMS plates and seam welding done by Vorshlag: $1300
Top reinforcement with CMP rear & front kit done by Coyne Performance: $2024, which included replacement of flex disk, CSB, and all the ball joints & bushings in the rear control arms.

If the reinforcement was done for bottom side only, oof, I would be furious as well... and no other parts were included in the job..

[elbert]

I think part of the issue is the quote several months ago, but also it sounds like you didn't get it in writing. But even then most quotes expire after a couple weeks. At least he matched the $2500 from his initial quote.
Unless the subframe bushings were included in the original quote, not sure why he needs to eat the bill for the extra work. I agree that he charged a lot, but it's a Porsche shop, which means it isn't going to be cheap.

Sounds like the Covid tax continues to creep into consumers pockets.
Various businesses are passing on their losses to consumers.

I agree there is probably a bit of post-Covid tax, and that's starting to happen a lot more often.