Dealer refused changing plugs at 45k on 135i...

[juliansorl]

Just wanted to thank the OP for relaying his situation. This is very helpful.

[135i_vs_]

Had a long talk today with the Service Advisor today at Smithtown BMW. Regarding the Spark plug change "Interval". It is tied to the 3rd oil change or 45,000 miles (whatever comes later). He showed me on his computer screen that it is due to be changed during the 3rd oil change which is due at 58,000 miles!!! OR first week of May, 2012. My warranty experies on May 28, 2012.

He explained how they will NOT get paid when submitting the claim to BMW NA since the spark plug change interval will not be followed per the report attached from the key reader (CBS report).

I am not sure how some of you guys got this done, unless you were due for your 3rd oil change.

I am just glad mine will be covered within the Maintenance Program.

[Boosted_N54]

i don't know about you guys but i got my 135i April 2007 and now its 2012 and they still have not replaced my AIR FILTER or my front breaks. there "Free maintenance " is bullshit and they only changed my rear breaks cuz i had to bitch. i now have 39,000 miles and I'm going for my 3rd oil change i think
I'm going to take the service warranty book with me and slap them across the face with it and show them that every 3rd oil change is required a new air filter and the spark plugs change at 45,000 .. if they won't do this. I'm going to my lawyer.

there so careless i once took my car in for service and thank god i told the guy who was taking pictures of the car( take a lot of pictures of my new black VMR rims) 3 days later i went to go pick up my car and my front rim was all curb scratch a little chunk of the lip was missing

[Dackelone]

Just change the plugs yourself. Its not that hard. And it costs less then an oil change.


135i Spark Plug replacement DIY...

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

[Derek8819]

I had this done last week on my 08 with 44000 on it. One dealer refused and said the TSB was old and they are tied to the CBS, my local dealer changed them no questions asked because the manual said to. I figured with the PPK they would bump the plug interval, but the first dealer still refused.

[ken1137]

My SA said it's a CBS (Condition Based Service) so the computer will let them know when to change the plugs. The manual does not state it as a CBS, and I dont see a reference anywhere in the manual stating plugs will be changed at 45K mi. I'm just gonna do it myself and maybe new coil packs to be safe. Dack's right...it's not difficult but it will save me time if BMW does it

[Boosted_N54]

Originally Posted by ken1137

My SA said it's a CBS (Condition Based Service) so the computer will let them know when to change the plugs. The manual does not state it as a CBS, and I dont see a reference anywhere in the manual stating plugs will be changed at 45K mi. I'm just gonna do it myself and maybe new coil packs to be safe. Dack's right...it's not difficult but it will save me time if BMW does it

Here you go

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by Da _Grk_Tuner

Here you go

Thx...what page(s)? I do not see this at all in the manual I have for some reason . I would love to show this to my SA.

Found it! Thanks again.

[RnmEvo9]

I wish I would have seen this earlier. I went to the dealership when I had around 48k miles and wanting a spark plug change, but they said it was up to 100k lol. Around 55k I started misfiring so I ordered plugs online for about 69 shipped and installed them. The car felt like a brand new car after that.

[Boosted_N54]

dropped of my car today with 40,042miles at the dealer ( spark plugs, Brake fluid ,Intake silencer, Micro filter) are being replaced with no problems.

but when i asked to have the old spark plugs
back they said that i can't have it back cuz they have to send it to BMW ? weird isn't it?
hope they really change them

[HIPSI]

Mine gave them back to me...

[Boosted_N54]

Originally Posted by HIPSI

Mine gave them back to me...

do you think that my adviser was lying to me about changing my spark plugs? is there a way i can tell if they did change them?

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by Da _Grk_Tuner

do you think that my adviser was lying to me about changing my spark plugs? is there a way i can tell if they did change them?

May not help now, but I always mark the old parts somehow to make it obvious (to all parties) that it will be noticed if it is not changed. Nail polish (orange or some unusual color) works well, on related bolts etc.

I have caught untrustworthy shadetree mechanics this way in the past. I was to have my Z3 driveshaft replaced, put some blue painters tape which was still on the 'new' driveshaft (painted over with flat black paint) when I got the car back.

For spark plugs, a dab of touch-up paint on the plug shaft works nicely, or on the metal nut flange. If the pqaint's still there, you've been had.

[dorkdog]

Just because you get a pile of old parts does not mean they came off your car.

[xerox445]

Does anyone have a copy of this TSB?

[Boosted_N54]

whats tsb

[danielbeast]

In my service/warranty manual it states 45k OR every 3rd oil change. Has anyone tried to get it done on a third oil change?

[thejosha]

what dealer did you end up getting the work done at? I live in richfield and just purchased an 08 135 and it has 38k miles on it so i'm trying to get the service stuff sorted so i know what's going on when it comes time to bring it in. thanks.

Originally Posted by benveds

Show them page 8 of the Service and Maint manual...it's listed twice and states plugs are not monitored by CBS.

My plugs were done today and they even gave me the old plugs.

Good Luck

[qcodec]

At every 3rd engine oil service? I don't get it.
I've had an engine oil service every spring last 4 years. It's more than 3 times, but I believe they didn't change the spark plugs.

Let me double check.

Yeap, I've had my last 4th engine oil service last month, but it doesn't mention about spark plugs.

[icabod7]

I find it ridiculous how there are two BMW-authored documents that, at the very least, recommend, but at the most, mandate, a sparkplug change at 45K. Yet when you take it in, they give you this CBS crap. Obviously its because the dealership's reimbursement is somehow tied to the CBS and not what the SIB or the manual state.

For the record BMW of Dallas is terrible about this. Even if you are past 45k AND your third oil change they will only go by what the CBS says and refuse to goodwill any deviation therefrom. A buddy of mine is currently fighting them on this issue -- hope logic and customer service prevail.

[My135]

BMW's maintenance free program is full of sh*t. They only do oil change on my 1 at a 15,000 miles intervals. I have to replace the spark plugs, brake pads and rotors myself outside the warranty period.

[icabod7]

Good news. My buddy just found out BMW Dallas is goodwilling the sparkplug change. Of course only after he emailed BMW NA and complained to them.

On top of that the dealer said that a new bulletin was released and that the 335i has "high performance spark plugs" that only need to be changed at 100k but "out of a gesture of goodwill" they have decided to change them. What saints.