I'm shortly going to place an order for Koni FSD dampers (MiniMania gave me a very competitive quote for mail order, cheers guys - we'll follow up on that soon!) for my Mini One. I've seen a few links about MINI2 for self-installation, like k-huevo's post where he suggested a NAM D.I.Y. guide to suspension installations. Unfortunately, I'm simply not up to a D.I.Y. installation after I've had several bad D.I.Y. mishaps (usually involving fire, great expense, and personal injury through self-electrocution) - I'd probably end up dropping the car on my head or something.
I'm currently shopping around for competitive quotes for a professional installation of the dampers (to be used in conjunction with OEM springs) and I've got a few numbers for local garages (near Glasgow, Scotland) as well as having fired off a few e-mails to some others. I'm also going to ask the BMW dealerships in Glasgow, but I'm not too hopeful of this as an option as I've had some bad experiences with them in the past. Also, I think they will be overpriced as well as reluctant to fit non-BMW components.
So, my questions are:
What sort of price range do you think is reasonable to pay for a professional installation of a full set of dampers? MiniMania do an installation for £150.00 but it looks like their garage is too far away from Glasgow (5 hour, 40 minute drive each way) to make this a viable option.
Are there any questions I should particularly ask the local mechanics?
Bought the shocks, now trying to get them installed.
Ok,
After receiving a few quotes from local garages between £120.00 and £135.00 for installation, I went ahead and placed my order from MiniMania. I have to say that the shocks arrived amazingly quickly (within 48 hours, in fact!) and that the service thusfar from MiniMania has been outstanding! I would certainly use their services again and, based on my experiences thusfar, highly recommend them.
I should probably note, that MiniMania does offer a fitting service for the shocks, but as I'm all the way up in Glasgow, it wouldn't have been cost effective to have them install the shocks (once you factor in the petrol) - this was the only reason I didn't go with them on this. They also helpfully provided fitting tips and maintenance advice for the suspension - I thought about installing them myself, but the last time I tried a bit of automotive DIY, I somehow managed to both electrocute myself and set the car on fire. Probably best leave the suspension to the professionals - I'd probably drop the car on my foot or take my own head off when a spring goes "ping".
So, now that I've got my shocks, I went back to those aforementioned local garages to get them installed - and SHOCK (slight pun intended )! They're now all saying that what they gave me was the installation price for the shocks, but that they were unwilling to fit shocks ordered through anyone other than themselves. All the local garages gave this line, while the BMW Dealerships have said categorically "we don't fit non-BMW parts". Super... just super... what a bunch of-... (censored)
Anyway, turns out that someone at work is friends with a Fiat mechanic and that they might be able to do the job for me - but not willing to quote a price until they take a look at the car itself. So, I might have one option - but it's not confirmed yet.
I'll keep everyone posted to any further developments - in the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions?
Try and find a small but long established garage, usually the sort that are run by a family or something as they are often the cheapest and actually do quite a good job. I hope you get these fitted as I'm considering getting some.
Actually, the ones that initially gave me the quotes in the local area were the smaller established garages - then they decided I needed to have ordered the parts from them when I went round for fitting.
My work colleague's friend is a private garage, but specialises in Fiats. I'm going to take round the installation instructions from MiniMania and ask him to follow them. As a very experienced mechanic, I dare say that Mechanic Massimo will fair far better than "Sets the Car on Fire" Andrew.
Anyhoo, just today I realised that I'd lost one of my keys for my locking wheelnuts (I have three sets on, I'm a little bit paranoid). So I've ordered another key through the BMW dealer (they're about £4 or so) and will pick it up Saturday. So hopefully all the wheels should come off when required.
I'm really looking forward to it, I reckon I'll probably have them fitted on Monday the 23rd July. I have to try to fit it around my girlfriend's working schedule so that I can leave the car to get the job done while she gives me a lift to work, etc.
Well, I'll let you know how it goes... I reckon I'll do a full review once I get used to them. It'll be a comparison between Mini One stock standard suspension vs. Mini One stock standard springs with Koni FSD dampers.
Now booked in for Monday, the 23rd July with the private garage run by Massimo (my work colleague's friend). He's going to charge me approximately £40 per side (so £80 total, give or take a few pounds). So I've now got it booked in, and for cheaper than I'd originally expected!
So happy... must.... control.... exuberant... self..... it feels like an early Christmas!
They just called me back to say that they won't be able to do it today. They need a pneumatic compressor for the compact springs for the Mini, whereas they've only got a hand-powered one at the moment. Normally, when they encounter this sort of problem, they just borrow a pneumatic compressor from the guy across the street, but he's on holiday at the moment and they can't get into his garage.
So, looks like I'm about 10 days away from getting to enjoy my Koni FSDs...
*sigh*
Where's a crying 'smilie' when you need one?
Excitement and anticipation level set back down from level 10 to level 4. Ah well...
Personally, I would have gone for the shocks... well, actually, I did go for the shocks. I just haven't had them installed yet. Now worrying about a suspension problem I seem to have picked up (seen here). Even when the mechanic is ready for the shocks, I'm going to delay until I've decided on how to proceed with the repairs so that I can get them done at the same time.
Still, I'll be true to my word and post a review of the shocks when they're finally installed.
My apologies... I have been writing a review for them over the last couple of months. When it's finally posted, I'm going to entitle it something along the lines of:
Koni FSD Installation - Review and 4,000-mile Report
Unfortunately, I've been a bit swamped at work over the last few months (I'm sure you'll understand) and I haven't manage to finish it off yet. It really is on the way, I'll make a much more concerted effort to get it posted.
Once again, my apologies for the delay - I'll try to make it worth the wait!
All the best
Andrew.
PS:
Sneak preview: "...best money I've spent since ordering my Mini's build."
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Koni FSD installation costs 
I would certainly use their services again and, based on my experiences thusfar, highly recommend them.
SHOCK (slight pun intended 
)! They're now all saying that what they gave me was the installation price for the shocks, but that they were unwilling to fit shocks ordered through anyone other than themselves. All the local garages gave this line, while the BMW Dealerships have said categorically "we don't fit non-BMW parts". 
Super... just super... what a bunch of-... (censored) 
carefree 
