Anybody have experience with Midas(shocks)?
 

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/45201/129-2926_img_2jpgwright.jpg"></center><p>I got an estimate for my front schocks wich
are now pieces of s%#t. The estimate for front
schocks with installation is $200. Wich sounds like
a good deal, but is it too good, they only charge $40
per shock and about $118 for installing. I am looking
for really compfy shocks, not stiff sporty ones,
should I go with midas or does anybody have a
better solution. I got a speeding ticket the other day
going 103 and that isn't cool I'll need to go to driving
class to delete a point and not speed for 1 1/2 years.
My leather seats are very stiff and
very smooth shocks would be nice, I wish I had
compyer seats but thats another post.
Thanks
Tansen Sharp

midas should be comfy, but won't last 2 years

get OEMs, or bilstein HD's

Midas shocks are Gabriel.
 

Same ones any Autozone / Pep Boys carry. Overall they are not bad for a cheap replacement, but generally only last a few years. I put Gabriel shocks on my 80 when I worked at the warehouse I used to work at (they were next to nothing). So far they've held up ok. Selling them to you at 40.00 isn't too bad of a deal, they buy them for 24.00 a piece from their distribution center, and 118.00 is nearly two hours est. labor, so you're definately not getting jipped. Coming from Midas, that's a good estimate - I used to manage one of their warehouses and sell their IPC exhaust products to other installers, I know all the Midas goons and their stupid tactics from corporate level down to franchise, so yeah, that's not a bad deal.

Who?

Sklonick, AKA Lucifer, the fallen angel.
 

<center><img src="http://ordo_templi_luciferi.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/lucifer.jpg"></center><p>

My local Midas place will let me bring my own shocks, brakes, etc
 

and install them for the same Labor Charge as installing "Midas" shocks and brakes. That's not a bad deal. And since they install shocks and brakes all day long, they generally do a pretty good job.

I don't know if that's a national policy or if the local guy is just nice, but they are always happy to see me. The other bonus is they don't make me wait for an appointment. Just show up any morning with a trunk full of parts and they are on the car in the evening.

Boge
 

If comfy is what you are looking for I'd go with Boge, the OEM shock for our cars. Should give a nice smooth ride without the bounciness you'd get with Gabriel or other inexpensive shocks. Don't have a source for them but I am sure others on this forum could help you.

Personally I went with Koni since I was looking for a sportier ride and they are good too but slightly more stiff than OEM (on their softest setting, the Konis are adjustable). One big advantage of the Konis if you tend to keep cars a long time is that they have a lifetime replacement warrantee.

It's an interesting tactic.
 

Midas managers do this because most receive bonuses or are evaluated based on their "cost of goods". So when you bring your own parts, cost of goods is zero, which in turn, makes their margins higher in those areas. You just have a smart manager at that store. Trouble is some managers don't like installing parts they didn't buy, but that's just a cop-out. At 60.00 an hour vs. the 12.00 they are paying the tech, the return and margin on labor is much greater than the margin on parts. That's why cost of goods is always an issue.

THANKS!