front coil assembly - 900$?

[julieinbrooklyn]

Hi, I am not a car person, so I thank everyone for their patience.

I recently adopted my mother's 1994 mx3, and it has about 80,000 miles on it.

I live in Brooklyn and I normally don't need a car. However my mother is sick and will be so for about 2 years and the car is useful to go back and forth to pennsylvania.

I was in penna last week, and took the car to the mechanic who has maintained (mostly oil changes) it for about 10 years. I wasn't experiencing problems, but it was time for an oil change. He did a "safety check" and said that one of my front coils is broken and needs to be replaced, and that the parts and labor would cost 900$.

So I took it to the mechanic in my neighborhood and ask him. I did tell him what the first mechanic said. He said the same thing, broken coil spring, parts and labor 900$.

He said that if I don't fix it, I should be ok through the end of the summer with weekend rides only to penna.

The details from the first mechanic are:
Sensa-Trac Ref Front Strut assembly - 2 @ $133.78
coil springs - 1 @ 186
labor $294
wheel alignment - 70$

so my uninformed questions are:

1) does this price make sense?
2) does it make sense that I have this problem?
3) if I don't fix it, what might happen?
4) does it make sense to just use it through the end of the summer (when my mother will be more settled) and then get rid of it?

Many thanks

Julie in Prospect Heights Brooklyn.

[onlytrueromeo]

Drive up to my place in Albany, NY and I'll do the job for cost + $150. You'll save like $500. Then all you need is an alignment.

[wytbishop]

There is a factory recall on the springs. Go to a dealership and they will give you new springs once they confirm that you have not already been recalled. Then get John to do your shocks and you're golden.

[onlytrueromeo]

Good call, I forgot about the recall.

I have extra springs if for some reason you cannot get the recall. Much cheaper than buying new.

[mikeinaus]

you could also get 4 lowering springs and 4 performance struts for slightly more then there charging you on parts.

the warranty as far as i know only covers the springs and not the struts so either way if there bad youll need to buy a set. 4 of these guys are cheaper then what that shop is charging you for 1, there higher quality and theyll improve your handling. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-18000-Z2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; dont worry that it says ford escort, there pretty much a direct fit. heres a guide on them if you want to do a bit of research http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=36490" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wytbishop]

Oooor...you could ge t a friend with a set of hand tools nad go to your local pick n' pull and find a nice 97-00 Escort ZX-2 and take all four struts from it and put them straight on your MX-3. I got two fronts off an Escort with 112,000km last weekend for $45...in about 30 minutes...with a total of 4 tools.

17mm socket
17mm wrench
14mm socket
slotted screwdriver

It's completely easy. A 12 year old could do it.

[mikeinaus]

dont you need the zx2 S/R struts and not the regular zx2? depending where you are s/r's can be pretty rare as they only made a handful of them.

[onlytrueromeo]

For $200 I'd rather have new struts than $50 for used struts that might blow at any time. KYB GR2's can be had for $50-60 a piece new, which is OEM replacement. Then you don't need to get 4.

[wytbishop]

Actually any escort is a direct swap. The ZX2 has slightly stiffer springs than Other trim levels. It's a good low budget fix for your problem but new is great too. I love new parts.

[julieinbrooklyn]

Hi Everyone, thanks so much for your comments.

it turns out that the factory recall was already applied, so that wouldn't help in any case.

I would have no problem buying new parts off the web, and having a good mechanic replace them, somewhere in between Philly and NYC. Can anyone make a recommendation?

Again, thanks.

Julie

[onlytrueromeo]

Buy used springs, cheaper than new and there really isn't a benefit to buying new if you're just going to be driving the car normally. Find a friend to install or you will get raped on charges, struts aren't hard but they will prob charge you like $400 in labor like you said. Bringing in your own parts normally makes their rates go up, but it will save you $$ overall. If your struts are old, might be a good idea to replace them as well. $50-60 each online for KYB-GR2, which is OEM replacement. Get new bumpstops and boots for an extra $10-20, they're worth it.

[iso221]

hey yall about the recall i read that it only covers those in the canadian market? does anyone know if it covers mx3 in the US and do they replace your coils or do they just put on shity gaurds

[mikeinaus]

the recall says its only covered in certain areas that use alot of road salt but ive herd of people in other areas getting the replacements. and as far as i know they replace the whole springs.

[iso221]

thanx man im gonna look into it

[ditty21]

Anyone on the East coast near NY have a set of front springs they are willing to part with. I need 2. Cars been on stands for 3 weeks trying to find a set. NO MORE EBAY crap!!!!

If so, please email me directly with how much you want for them.

ditty_88@yahoo.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

THanks,
Ditty