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      01-04-2018, 09:23 AM   #1
etr2016
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Spark Plug Change/Cost

Has anyone replaced the spark plugs themselves? My dealer wants to charge $521 for parts and labor to replace them. I'm told I'll get a discount (BMW of Scottsdale has been very good to me in the past), but even hearing of $521 scared the crap out of me. The plugs themselves are $77...
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      01-04-2018, 09:36 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by etr2016 View Post
Has anyone replaced the spark plugs themselves? My dealer wants to charge $521 for parts and labor to replace them. I'm told I'll get a discount (BMW of Scottsdale has been very good to me in the past), but even hearing of $521 scared the crap out of me. The plugs themselves are $77...
As long as you can turn wrenches and follow instructions, you can handle this by yourself. Lot of DIY videos and instructions online. Go dive right ahead and good luck.

BTW, $500 sounds about right from a dealer. But you can do it for $100 with DIY.
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      01-04-2018, 10:45 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mageshkk View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by etr2016 View Post
Has anyone replaced the spark plugs themselves? My dealer wants to charge $521 for parts and labor to replace them. I'm told I'll get a discount (BMW of Scottsdale has been very good to me in the past), but even hearing of $521 scared the crap out of me. The plugs themselves are $77...
As long as you can turn wrenches and follow instructions, you can handle this by yourself. Lot of DIY videos and instructions online. Go dive right ahead and good luck.

BTW, $500 sounds about right from a dealer. But you can do it for $100 with DIY.
I agree. You have to take the cover off and the hardest thing is taking the coils out. Moderately easy swap. Make sure you get bmw or Bosch plugs that are the same heat range. You will also need a thin walled socket. I can't recall the size but you will need it before starting.
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      01-04-2018, 10:54 AM   #4
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Here is a link to Dackels DIY

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=602804

Thanks to Dackel for posting

It has the socket specs
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      01-04-2018, 11:49 AM   #5
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Plugs are relatively easy to change out. Just follow the DIY. Longest part is removing the plastic cowl in the rear of the engine compartment to access the removal bolts on the engine cover. NKG plugs are another option but usually recommended if you tune the car for added HP. Definitely purchase the thin walled socket before tackling this job. Most auto parts stores don't stock them. Online ordering is your best bet.
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      01-04-2018, 02:11 PM   #6
etr2016
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Thanks for all the input!

I guess I was wondering how the dealer can claim 2 hours of labor on this...
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      01-04-2018, 02:16 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stormchaser7 View Post
Plugs are relatively easy to change out. Just follow the DIY. Longest part is removing the plastic cowl in the rear of the engine compartment to access the removal bolts on the engine cover. NKG plugs are another option but usually recommended if you tune the car for added HP. Definitely purchase the thin walled socket before tackling this job. Most auto parts stores don't stock them. Online ordering is your best bet.
I have changed on other BMW's between NGK and Bosch and have experienced some issues. The last time was putting Bosch equivalent plugs in my 330i that came with NGK. Idle deteriorated and this was confirmed by my best friend that runs an independent BMW Mercedes shop. He has stopped interchanging plugs. It's easy to do but still some work so I would strongly recommend you get BMW or Bosch equivalent plugs on a stock 1M. These cars are picky and 1M came with Bosch as far as I know.

2 cents
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      01-06-2018, 12:33 PM   #8
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I have an arrangement with my BMW dealer; he doesn't do Real Estate deals or operate restaurants, and I don't change spark plugs. Has worked for us so far :-)
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      01-07-2018, 10:32 AM   #9
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Gaping...

Make sure that the plugs are all checked for the appropriate and specified plug gap.

Even new plugs require gapping...

Don't not skip this step
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      01-07-2018, 10:50 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rapter View Post
Make sure that the plugs are all checked for the appropriate and specified plug gap.

Even new plugs require gapping...

Don't not skip this step
If the plugs have a platinum ground electrode, changing the gap will damage them.
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      01-08-2018, 11:04 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
If the plugs have a platinum ground electrode, changing the gap will damage them.
Not if you use the proper tool. The coin-style gap tools will damage platinum electrodes, but the wire-type gap tool can adjust the gap properly

Like this:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmr-w162c/overview/
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wtc-9531/overview/
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      01-08-2018, 11:42 AM   #12
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It's a easy job, takes some time the first 1 or 2 times. After that you prolly will be able to do all 6 plugs and coils in 30 minutes.
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      01-26-2018, 11:01 PM   #13
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Wouldn’t the plugs be ready to go with no need for gaping ? I just bought the whole set from BMW and they seem right and I don’t see how you can gap them. They have three prongs perfectly positioned around the electrode.
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      01-26-2018, 11:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by etr2016 View Post
Has anyone replaced the spark plugs themselves? My dealer wants to charge $521 for parts and labor to replace them. I'm told I'll get a discount (BMW of Scottsdale has been very good to me in the past), but even hearing of $521 scared the crap out of me. The plugs themselves are $77...
Did you change them yet ?
I purchased the plugs and coils from BMW and will change them all. The parts associate explained that they are common to fail at around 50-60k miles and they sell quite a few of them. They had them all in stock. I had misfire in one of them and at 41k they had already changed another coil.
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      02-13-2018, 08:03 PM   #15
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Changed all of them. I also got the injectors changed from dealer under warranty. All good, car drives like new.
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      02-13-2018, 08:41 PM   #16
etr2016
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How did you get the dealer to replace the injectors? Was the car exhibiting any issues with them?

I asked my dealer to preventively replace them and they said they were fine (and this dealer has been VERY liberal with my requests).
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      02-16-2018, 04:52 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
I have changed on other BMW's between NGK and Bosch and have experienced some issues. The last time was putting Bosch equivalent plugs in my 330i that came with NGK. Idle deteriorated and this was confirmed by my best friend that runs an independent BMW Mercedes shop. He has stopped interchanging plugs. It's easy to do but still some work so I would strongly recommend you get BMW or Bosch equivalent plugs on a stock 1M. These cars are picky and 1M came with Bosch as far as I know.

2 cents
Problem for me, the dealership has both NGK and Bosch ones for sale at more/less the same price.
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      02-16-2018, 06:06 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zombie_Head View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
I have changed on other BMW's between NGK and Bosch and have experienced some issues. The last time was putting Bosch equivalent plugs in my 330i that came with NGK. Idle deteriorated and this was confirmed by my best friend that runs an independent BMW Mercedes shop. He has stopped interchanging plugs. It's easy to do but still some work so I would strongly recommend you get BMW or Bosch equivalent plugs on a stock 1M. These cars are picky and 1M came with Bosch as far as I know.

2 cents
Problem for me, the dealership has both NGK and Bosch ones for sale at more/less the same price.
It's not about cost. You could go throwing all the work of swapping them and NGK might not run as well in this car. When they tuned the 1M they did it with Bosch plugs. When I swapped I wasn't trying to save money just Bosch was available and didn't think it would matter. But it did. Several times now
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      02-17-2018, 06:16 AM   #19
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The NGK are a better plug IMO. Cars I've tuned idle smoother and take more timing advance than those running Bosch plugs.
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      02-17-2018, 10:38 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by T1M View Post
The NGK are a better plug IMO. Cars I've tuned idle smoother and take more timing advance than those running Bosch plugs.
As I said that is a blanket statement and possibly correct but the point is that swapping them has made a difference for me specifically and confirmed by my friend. Now the issue happened with Bosch plugs and ran better with ngk. But understand that if Bosch plugs have a certain character, even if worse, when tuned you are changing it. So it's cool to try it and let us know but if you are changing coils and plug brand at same time you introduce two variables not one.

So the best thing is for someone who doesn't mind doing the work with a stock 1M to change to NGK and report back. But it's a lot of work and if you are correct and Bosch is crap that is what bmw tuned the idle and mapped with so if ngk is in fact better and different there would be a change ... for better or possibly worse.
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      02-18-2018, 12:15 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by etr2016 View Post
How did you get the dealer to replace the injectors? Was the car exhibiting any issues with them?

I asked my dealer to preventively replace them and they said they were fine (and this dealer has been VERY liberal with my requests).
I told them that even after sparks and coils change, I felt the car was still running rough and I didn’t want to deal with it anymore. If covered under warranty bmw has acknowledged faulty quality and I want them changed. They were very nice and did it.
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