Spark Plug change cost

[troym]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Dealer just quoted me $1,400 to change plugs! WTF?

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Dealer just quoted me $1,400 to change plugs! WTF?

I bought prepaid maintenance with BMW so I don't know what the actual cost was last time I had it done, but there is no way BMW Portland would charge that. Was this kuni?

Give Matrix Integrated a call, they are a great dealer alternative 👍

[GarlicBread]

Originally Posted by erictrainer

560 was quoted last year at BMW dealership.

For real? I was just told sparks need changed for $1400. Car has 16k miles on it so I declined. I'll do them myself with a beer in hand for that amount.

[erictrainer]

Originally Posted by GarlicBread

For real? I was just told sparks need changed for $1400. Car has 16k miles on it so I declined. I'll do them myself with a beer in hand for that amount.

Phorreal

[Blancofire]

The job should be no more than 1.5 hours, go by the shops hourly rate, you should come up with a solid number. Use OEM plug if no tune on the car, NGK Iridium plugs if you are running tune, they're awesome and worth the money

[espressoo]

Dealer changed my plugs during the last visit as my 3 year free maintenance is coming to an end. Car only has 10K miles and 3 oil changes.

[MarcoM3]

Originally Posted by GarlicBread

For real? I was just told sparks need changed for $1400. Car has 16k miles on it so I declined. I'll do them myself with a beer in hand for that amount.

I just had mine changed at the dealer. $1,100 out the door and first time since the car is out of warranty/maintenance coverage. It was painful to hand over the card, I’m not going to lie.
BMW recommends replacing the spark plugs every fourth or fifth oil change. You should not be there yet. Also, at 16K miles you should still be covered by the maintenance program?

[GarlicBread]

Originally Posted by MarcoM3

I just had mine changed at the dealer. $1,100 out the door and first time since the car is out of warranty/maintenance coverage. It was painful to hand over the card, I’m not going to lie.
BMW recommends replacing the spark plugs every fourth or fifth oil change. You should not be there yet. Also, at 16K miles you should still be covered by the maintenance program?

It's past the 3 years maintenance by a few months now as it's a 2017. No way I would change them for that much at 16k miles. I'll just change them myself once I get closer to 25k-30k miles. But the car sits during the winter months as I'm in Maine so it's going to be a while longer I think.

[TopJimmy]

At the dealership they told me plugs get changed every third 10K service (30/60K). They swapped mine at the 30K service. If you're stock and no problems then no reason to use the full 30K life of a stock M plug. If you're tuned for increased boost use the colder NGKs and change at 15K intervals for best performance.

$200 is a great price. I've been quoted $700! DIY is best.

[f80er]

Originally Posted by espressoo

Dealer changed my plugs during the last visit as my 3 year free maintenance is coming to an end. Car only has 10K miles and 3 oil changes.

Same with mine at no charge.

[keiridin]

So what would you say the average cost for labor (I'm guessing 1.5 hourly rate) and cost for plugs if the car is tuned?

Also, is it best to get the plugs (are there any other parts) and bring them to the mechanic? If so, where's the best place to get the plugs/parts?

[bsmf8x]

Originally Posted by keiridin

So what would you say the average cost for labor (I'm guessing 1.5 hourly rate) and cost for plugs if the car is tuned?

Also, is it best to get the plugs (are there any other parts) and bring them to the mechanic? If so, where's the best place to get the plugs/parts?

fcp euro.

My guy charges 120/ per hour and did It In 2 hours.

[panzer948]

Originally Posted by GarlicBread

For real? I was just told sparks need changed for $1400. Car has 16k miles on it so I declined. I'll do them myself with a beer in hand for that amount.

I got quoted similar at $1200 to $1300 from my dealer so there must be something to this overinflated driller service. It was a cold call though as they thought I was at 60K for my 2nd plug change. However, I am only at 55K so still have some time.

I am the original owner so had the first change done at 30K under warranty so I was in quite a shock when they called with that quote. I told them I was going to have to shop around and that they must be mistaken . I am going to call a couple of performance / Euro shops in my area instead.

Question, I only have the Stage 1 JB tune. Should I just replace with stock spark plugs too?

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by panzer948

Question, I only have the Stage 1 JB tune. Should I just replace with stock spark plugs too?

Yes, OEM plugs are fine, and I gap to 0.022" for mild to moderate boost.

[THEROK]

I am no wrench and I have yet to identify a BMW tech I trust in SoCal so will be DIY'ing when the time comes.

I found this video rather cathartic. Best DIY video I've come across for the spark plug job. Only detail missing that I observe are calling out the one time use bolts and maybe torque values.

Can you imagine a mechanic vacuuming out the little bits of rust residue off the plugs in the chamber? Not a snowball's chance in Death Valley. 🤪

🤜🏻🤛🏻 to the channel creator if you're here!

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by THEROK

I am no wrench and I have yet to identify a BMW tech I trust in SoCal so will be DIY'ing when the time comes.

I found this video rather cathartic. Best DIY video I've come across for the spark plug job. Only detail missing that I observe are calling out the one time use bolts and maybe torque values.

A few IMPORTANT ADDS:

ALWAYS disconnect your battery. At 11:20 guy says this is a pain...but if you drop a bolt in the red zone and you spark then you just BOUGHT A $5K DME job.

The NGK plug box says 23Nm but my BMW mechanic said use 26Nm to make sure your crush washer seats. I first torque to 23 and then go back and creep them to 26 Newton Meters (not foot pounds).

Another good trick from my dad...use a piece of silicone tubing to slide new plugs in and thread, it's a bit easier to catch the threads than using a plug socket. It gives better "feel". I put the ground strap on the bottom so it protects the electrode from hitting any threads. Last thing you want is to cross thread a plug... Imagine pulling a head just to tap one plug hole (remember the hole is on an angle down in the coil chamber).

[THEROK]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

A few IMPORTANT ADDS:

ALWAYS disconnect your battery. At 11:20 guy says this is a pain...but if you drop a bolt in the red zone and you spark then you just BOUGHT A $5K DME job.

The NGK plug box says 23Nm but my BMW mechanic said use 26Nm to make sure your crush washer seats. I first torque to 23 and then go back and creep them to 26 Newton Meters (not foot pounds).

Another good trick from my dad...use a piece of silicone tubing to slide new plugs in and thread, it's a bit easier to catch the threads than using a plug socket. It gives better "feel". I put the ground strap on the bottom so it protects the electrode from hitting any threads. Last thing you want is to cross thread a plug... Imagine pulling a head just to tap one plug hole (remember the hole is on an angle down in the coil chamber).

That's a siq pro tip from you dad - I can totally envision how you can feel your way better with the tube than a heavy piece of metal since it'll give you some feedback from the minute movements afforded by the flexible material. Props!

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by THEROK

That's a siq pro tip from you dad - I can totally envision how you can feel your way better with the tube than a heavy piece of metal since it'll give you some feedback from the minute movements afforded by the flexible material. Props!

3/8ID x 1/2OD works great...$8.50.
A 1 foot cut is my plug tool, the last 4 feet a siphon for my race gas pails.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XMHJX8Z...b9NXSS2B?psc=1

Props to Pops!

[gerri]

BMW's maintenance schedule for M4 says to change the spark plugs every 3 engine oil changes including the first at 2,000 km. I did my third oil change at 16.000Km after 4 years and it was included in the 5 years / 100.000Km program. All this is reminded you and recorded by the iDrive which shows it in the logbook.

[robertg]

Just had mine done yesterday by the dealer, quoted $1392 before BMW CCA discount. After discount $1058. Since I have a BMW MasterCard with tons of points, I cashed them out to pay for this service.

At a min sign up for a BMW CCA membership, it pays you back in the form of 10% off labor and 20% off for parts.

[GKay]

Originally Posted by robertg

Just had mine done yesterday by the dealer, quoted $1392 before BMW CCA discount. After discount $1058. Since I have a BMW MasterCard with tons of points, I cashed them out to pay for this service.

At a min sign up for a BMW CCA membership, it pays you back in the form of 10% off labor and 20% off for parts.

Originally Posted by robertg

Just had mine done yesterday by the dealer, quoted $1392 before BMW CCA discount. After discount $1058. Since I have a BMW MasterCard with tons of points, I cashed them out to pay for this service.

At a min sign up for a BMW CCA membership, it pays you back in the form of 10% off labor and 20% off for parts.

Where do you see that offer? I don't see it in the discount page.

[robertg]

It's not listed but offered by most BMW dealerships. Just call any dealership and get a quote for your service and then tell then you are a BMW CCA member. They will tell you what your discounted price is. You will need your card as prove as the time of service.

I have been a CCA member for over 15 years and have always gotten this discount for service (parts and labor) or at the parts counter.

I am in Maryland btw.

Contact your local CCA Chapter for details. Even got a $500 rebate when I purchased my F80 (new cars only).

[icegrill]

I can't believe the layers involved getting to the plugs😐