Labor Cost for Spark Plugs

[mtr3s]

Originally Posted by Rantlers

0.022, right?

Yes 0.022

[Trevorstein]

Originally Posted by Trevorstein

Hey,

>>NGK 97506 SILZKBR8D8S<<

Stock M4 ZCP - Installed, Idled, Tracked, Confirmed!!!

Gapped @

* 0.020 inches / .51 mm

Excellent!

Cheers!

[CoolLiving]

Anyone that wants real NGK plugs gapped in too contact Johnny at mpire performance if you want his number I will give it to you in my face tonight he did 3 M's plugs and everyone was satisfied with his price and service. Two of the M's were from Harlem and the other from the bronx. He finished my crank hub all is well car pulls great.

[mtr3s]

Update - the indy shop I go to charged $318, but lowered the cost to do my brake pads to $130. Just an FYI for others who are trying to compare pricing.

Also, my brake pads are noisy AF, but he told me that was normal. I purchased Z26 Stop Tech brakes.

[NicMerry]

Originally Posted by VChenz

I've watched 3-4 videos of plugs being changed on our motor and its really not a difficult job. I would say 2 hours for disassembly and probably another 1.5 hours to put it back for someone whose comfortable working with cars but hasn't done this job on this motor. The hardest part is probably removing the charge pipes due to location of the bolts. There's alot of "fiddly bits" that you need to keep track of during reassembly but nothing some patience and 6 pack of beer cant get you through.

Anything over $600 is truly highway robbery, even if you replace all the strut brace bolts (BMW states the bolts are one time use).

I am contemplating doing it on my own BUT I have done a plug change once before with my father 15+ years ago and we messed up the threads in the block and had to get it towed to a shop to have the threads re-cut. We spent $1000 to save $100 back then

I'm going to try it myself. I'm replacing downpipes and charge pipes and installing JB4 at the same time so I'm hoping it'll kill a few birds at the same time

[GT_Juls]

Originally Posted by mtr3s

Update - the indy shop I go to charged $318, but lowered the cost to do my brake pads to $130. Just an FYI for others who are trying to compare pricing.

Also, my brake pads are noisy AF, but he told me that was normal. I purchased Z26 Stop Tech brakes.

Z26 is garbage. I threw that out so fast and replaced with Akebonos. The squeaking was ridiculous.

[GuyLedouche]

Originally Posted by Matt720s

Anyone that wants real NGK plugs gapped in too contact Johnny at mpire performance if you want his number I will give it to you in my face tonight he did 3 M's plugs and everyone was satisfied with his price and service. Two of the M's were from Harlem and the other from the bronx. He finished my crank hub all is well car pulls great.

What did you say??

[M3FANATIX]

I have not posted in a while, but I am hoping someone can give me some advice? My m3 is due for spark plugs and engine air intake filter. In shock to be quoted at ~$1800 for spark plugs and ~$350 for engine air filters at dealership . Is this normal? I know it’s a luxury car, but this is ridiculously high imho. It’s making me rethink ownership. Please advice.

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by M3FANATIX

I have not posted in a while, but I am hoping someone can give me some advice? My m3 is due for spark plugs and engine air intake filter. In shock to be quoted at ~$1800 for spark plugs and ~$350 for engine air filters at dealership . Is this normal? I know it's a luxury car, but this is ridiculously high imho. It's making me rethink ownership. Please advice.

Ha! That's ridiculous money for filters. I'll sell you a set of 1-day-old real BMW air filters (charcoals too) for $50 shipped, and teach you how to change them. Even got BMC top shelf filters too.

For plug change the guys will chime in. Where in Cali?

[M3FANATIX]

SoCal. Not going to dime them out, but we need to make people aware what are reasonable costs for these types of maintenance. Funny thing is that I’ve had service on the East Coast and the service is still up there (but willing to work with customers doing 2 or more service items).

BMW is just becoming ridiculously expensive for “normal” maintenance. BMWNA should control the dealerships a bit more, as this may drive loyal bmw fans away. I went away and will do this at a reputable INDY SHOP.

[Likeanowl]

Originally Posted by M3FANATIX

I have not posted in a while, but I am hoping someone can give me some advice? My m3 is due for spark plugs and engine air intake filter. In shock to be quoted at ~$1800 for spark plugs and ~$350 for engine air filters at dealership . Is this normal? I know it’s a luxury car, but this is ridiculously high imho. It’s making me rethink ownership. Please advice.

That is absolutely insane. I got plugs AND an oil change done at a dealership here in the northeast for $700 out the door. $350 for air filters is absolutely ridiculous. You can buy two STP filters from autozone for $20 for both and change them yourself in under an hour. Only tool required is a torx t20 driver and only “knowledge” you need to have about your car is where the two air boxes are and how to turn a screwdriver

[mark5092]

Originally Posted by Likeanowl

That is absolutely insane. I got plugs AND an oil change done at a dealership here in the northeast for $700 out the door. $350 for air filters is absolutely ridiculous. You can buy two STP filters from autozone for $20 for both and change them yourself in under an hour. Only tool required is a torx t20 driver and only “knowledge” you need to have about your car is where the two air boxes are and how to turn a screwdriver

You need a few more tools than that!

[TopJimmy]

Yep, best to remove the CF brace first. It's a handful of 13mm and one 10mm. This way you can get the box lids open a good bit. Disconnect tube clamps if needed.

[mark5092]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

Yep, best to remove the CF brace first. It's a handful of 13mm and one 10mm. This way you can get the box lids open a good bit. Disconnect tube clamps if needed.

[Djdnav]

Originally Posted by Likeanowl

That is absolutely insane. I got plugs AND an oil change done at a dealership here in the northeast for $700 out the door. $350 for air filters is absolutely ridiculous. You can buy two STP filters from autozone for $20 for both and change them yourself in under an hour. Only tool required is a torx t20 driver and only “knowledge” you need to have about your car is where the two air boxes are and how to turn a screwdriver

It’s not much more of a stretch that paying $700 for plugs and oil is ridiculous when you can do it yourself.

[tomlong]

After doing it myself, I can certainly say that quoted labor anywhere $350 or below is a probably a good deal. Assuming the shop knows what they're doing.

Pro tip: gapping the iridium NGKs to an exact desired measurement might call for a slight over adjustment when using a tool like the BMS Tuning spark plug gapping tool as the metal can bend slightly back post gap, and potentially throw off precise measurement efforts.