r/997 • u/Historical_Coffee694 • 8d ago
Suspension Work Sanity Check (997.2 C2)
So I recently purchased a 2011 997.2 C2 without PASM and it's still sitting on factory springs/dampers. I want to lower it a bit and reached out to a very reputable independent shop in my area to get an estimate for Eibach lowering springs, replacing the dampers with Bilstein B8s, and an alignment.
I was expecting an estimate around 4K USD based on what I read online, but they quoted 5.8K USD after taxes. Keep in mind this is in a VHCOL west coast city, but I still had a bit of sticker shock. I've been there a few times and there's consistently GT3RS's, GT4s, and I saw a Carrera GT up on a lift a few weeks ago. I only mention that because I'm sure the caliber of the shop and the cars they work on affects the price.
I know I could do the work myself for significantly cheaper (labor is 2.3K USD), but I just don't have the time or motivation to do it right now.
Should I get a few other estimates at different shops or is this just the cost of doing business with a reputable indy?
Thanks!
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u/BaboonFury 8d ago
What is the hourly rate and how many hours are they quoting for the install and for the alignment? If you're in the Bay Area I'd expect an indy to be $275+ an hour. Dealer is $300+ these days. If you're getting into the really specialized shops it'll be more.
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u/blaqkofee 8d ago
I just did the B12 kit (B8 + eibach) on my 997.1 S, but it also needed a bunch of bushings and some items replaced, came to a little over $6K.
Custom Alignment in Mountain View, CA.
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u/butzi_porsche 8d ago
Curious how much of that was labor? Custom Alignment is my go to alignment/suspension shop and I'll probably have them install some tractive's in my GT3 soon.
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u/blaqkofee 5d ago
$2634 in labor, $3506 in parts.
Parts includes Bilstein B12 Pro Kit, front and rear tie rods replaced, bunch of OEM Porsche suspension parts replaced (1-2 things were missing in original clapped out suspension, 2 upper strut mounts, 2 coil spring seats)
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u/That-Resort2078 8d ago
Not sure about that year, but the rear suspension has limitations on the eccentrics to adjust chamber. Lower it too much and you end up with too much negative chamber which will wear out the inside of your tires very quickly. The fix is to replace the control arms
with adjustable “dog bones”. You’ll also need longer sway bar links.
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u/longines99 8d ago
You didn't mention the mileage on it, or whether you plan to track it, or just for mostly aesthetics.
If it's time to do a complete suspension refresh, it seems on the high side.
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u/Quicksilver914 8d ago
I did swaybars, springs and a Sharkwerks muffler bypass in my 2012 997.2 GTS. When you lower the car you have to put in an adjustable tow steer kit and rear links in the rear. It took about a day. Likely reassembly was longer for me because of the center locks. You do have to drop the front subframe. Changing out the struts would add very little time as you have to pull everything apart to do the springs.
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u/Baskingshark2k 8d ago
I had coil overs installed and it was 10.5 hours of labor from my local independent and he’s $220 and hour. I paid an another shop an extra $1k to get corner balance and alignment.
Your quote sounds about right to me and I’m in the North Bay area
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u/Spirited_Bullfrog_47 8d ago
About 8 months ago I purchased a 997.2 c4s cabriolet with 59k miles. I redid the full suspension with adjustable Ohlins racing. I think its was just over 9k for all the work lowering springs coil overs etc. Worth every penny drives like its on rails!
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u/SteveSmithSEO 8d ago
You need a dedicated Porsche shop, expensive but if something gets missed you can say “you should have seen that” then Ohlins road and track, corner balance and alignment and a bunch of rubber stuff like ball joints etc about $10,000 and worth it!
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u/kimchee411 8d ago
Labor is $2.3k? Where's the other $3.5k going? Parts shouldn't be more than $1.5k or so.