Install price?
 

I have a base 2015 Z. Buddy of mine gave me a Polk Audio PA660 AMP and I picked up a Pioneer 2din BT touch screen head unit. I got an estimate (see below) for the install and my jaw dropped. Is this reasonable or am I getting shafted here?

I would do it myself as the actual labor part is no big deal, I just have zero knowledge in car audio.

What sayeth you?

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h115/jluke75/Est.png

Watch some youtube videos and do it yourself. That price is ridiculous IMO

I think you should pay it.
If you look at my posts and other posts, there are no audio installers in Northern Nevada, in the Sacramento area nor in the San Diego area.
Also, if read enough of this forum about installing audio systems, you'll notice that there are some serious problems that could happen during/after your install such as, airbag light blinks/stays-on, i.e., serious problems that could involve the death of your car or yourself. Read this forum.
Also, if you do it yourself, be ready to fix any problems you created. Read this forum.
Remember, the HU's are now the brains in most cars and if you screw something up, it could be the death of your car or you. Read this forum.
Finally, ask the installer if he has actually worked on a 2015, not a 2014 or a 2013........and then if he says yes ask him if he meet the customer and look at his installation. Does it look nice? No scars, cuts, damaged door panels, etc....Read this forum
If I were lucky enough to live where you live, I would happily pay that price. This side of the country sucks for having qualified audio installers.

yah, like the $40 dash kit u dont need since u have the base just use the factory bezel, $20+$13 for a harness? wtf mang... those things are free if u bought the HU from crutchfield.

i suggest even if u let the guy do the install, buy all the hardware at amazon or somewhere and bring it in.

I punched in the part numbers into amazon and everything is literally 50% cheaper. For example, the steering wheel module is $39.99 on Amazon so, IMO, he is either getting screwed by his supplier or I'm getting screwed by them. I get that they are a business and as such should make a profit, and believe me I want them to, what I don't like is the idea that I'm getting face raped becuase I don't know how to install it myself.

Why not just buy all of the parts/supplies yourself and have the shop install it for you?

If they are attempting to rip me off, I am not going to give them any of my business. This was the purpose of my original post. If this type of pricing is common than so be it, it is what it is. If it isn't, it changes the game.

That price is astronomical. Talk to one of the installers and ask if he'd like to do a side job for cash a and a 12 pack of beer. Mission accomplished.

Maybe post in your regional subforum and see which forum members can help out for a pizza, beer and some cash?

Definately worth a shot. I would love to learn how to install.

yah, it's just the way it is in their industry. lots of mark ups.

but then again, if one had no idea how to install it and yet the shop does a clean and reliable job, i suppose that is one way to keep a brick and mortar shop going.

if u want to go cheap, then you'll need to do it yourself. :) and yah, see if your locals would be willing to help.

His install prices alone are crazy. You can accept the fact that he has a small markup on parts, most do, but $190 to install an amp? Wtf... That being said, the vast majority of shops (myself included when I was in the biz) will charge a premium for installing equipment that was not purchased through them. Hell, some won't even do it at all.
Find a friend that can help, save yourself a ton of cash, and tackle this simple job on your own. Believe me, your not risking your life, or that of your car. That's ridiculous.

Pretty outrageous :thumbsdown: I've paid legitimate custom shops less than half that for the same amount of work. And the installs were cleaner than I could have imagined (well, the first time at least). My aim is replicate their work when I DIY, that's how good they were.

There's also a forum member (I think in MD - his forum name is bigaudiofanat) that does this kind of stuff exclusively. He even travels to the west coast to do multiple installs coordinated beforehand specifically for his trip. I've considered trying to coordinate some people that need installs and paying for his plane ticket down to Texas.

Jesus. yeah don't go there. That's insane

The price sounds right if you take it to a shop such as cartoys. I am sure that you could do it on your own.

Spoke with a friend of mine who owns a brick and mortar shop locally here in PA. Last night. He priced this install at just under $350

I would keep my car stock if the only shop in town gave me that dam estimate. I did my own install, no expert, but I'm pretty decent as I've been doing my own installs since a teenager.

I appreciate the feedback.

I ordered the parts through Amazon last night. Thanks to same day shipping they arrived this morning. Head unit is out, now I'm off to the DIY to figure out wtf some of the cables are for lol.

It's easy. If you get stuck, take a picture or two of whatever it is that confused you and people will help. Lots of brains on this forum.

I would advise you adding a back up cam and extra RCA line to the list. Back up cams are cheap so it would be a good idea to install it while your already at it. The other thing is to hook up the extra RCA to the subwoofer like and just run that to the amp area. I don't see a Sub on your list (yet), but once you install the new speakers, you might reconsider. All you would have to do is split the power, ground, and remote wire to the sub amp, plug the sub RCA in, and run wires to the sub and your set.

YzGyz

I'm just doing the head unit now. I will get to the amp after I purchase the zenclosure and probably add the back up cam when I do that. I'm al ready stuck so pictures will come shortly lol.

Once you get your harness connected, it will be plug and play.

The ASWC has a connector that I have no idea where it goes. I'm sure I could figure out the wires but the connector is different story.

There is a thread on here that deals solely with the steering wheel controls...look in the stickies

If this popped up where I work you'd be looking at $250 for all labor...

$70 TO INSTALL ASWC? WHAT THE ****?

well only bigaudiofanat knows how to install that pos correctly within 5min on a Z so i think there is much head scratching time included. :icon17:


i did install an ASWC in my dd in other 5min with no issue so i guess its not ENTIRELY a pos... just a little pos-tty

Lol they are not a pos and very easy to install. :tup:

I agree it's not a POS but I think the Maestro is better

Ironically, after watching the video, that appears to be the easiest thing to install :icon17:

and dat is part of the misconception with ASWC. you need to have the latest firmware or it does not work properly. 99% of the time, people can't get it to run first try on the Z. the 1% success rate is Big himself. :D

Guess I'm in the 1%. I just hooked mine up per instruction and it simply works. Held down one button, turned on the car and the rest is history.

:mad: okay, 98% failure rate then.

:rofl2: ;)

I'm a 1% er too. Easy peasy, first time. 97% rate. Lol