[EClayton08]

I was getting my oil change today and the dealership said I was due for spark plugs changing. And he quoted me $360, and my first thought came to mind was is this guy serious? Do they really charge that much to change spark plugs? Also I only have 52K miles, is it really necessary to change them at that mileage?

[Fzara2000]

Originally Posted by EClayton08

I was getting my oil change today and the dealership said I was due for spark plugs changing. And he quoted me $360, and my first thought came to mind was is this guy serious? Do they really charge that much to change spark plugs? Also I only have 52K miles, is it really necessary to change them at that mileage?

lol? are we the same person? also at the dealership for an oil change and he charged me ~$340. I have 60k miles on my car.

I looked up spark plugs online and they're ~$95

[EClayton08]

Originally Posted by Fzara2000

lol? are we the same person? also at the dealership for an oil change and he charged me ~$340. I have 60k miles on my car.

I looked up spark plugs online and they're ~$95

He told me $360 and I was like umm, don't do that. I'll figure out how to change them myself.

[Bcube]

Originally Posted by EClayton08

I was getting my oil change today and the dealership said I was due for spark plugs changing. And he quoted me $360, and my first thought came to mind was is this guy serious? Do they really charge that much to change spark plugs? Also I only have 52K miles, is it really necessary to change them at that mileage?

335i plugs are to be changed every 45K miles. It is stated in the BMW Service and Warranty booklet.

[AllBlackBimmer]

Does anyone know the breakdown of parts vs. labor for that "$360" ?

6 plugs can't be more than... $100 bucks? I just bought some $1.99 spark plugs for my ford ranger beater...


you should have gotten your plugs repalced BEFORE 50,000 miles and they would have been covered UNDER WARRANTY for FREE!!

335=50k change intervals
328=100k change intervals

...as stated by BMW owner's book.

[jaredlevy]

Originally Posted by AllBlackBimmer

you should have gotten your plugs repalced BEFORE 50,000 miles and they would have been covered UNDER WARRANTY for FREE!!

335=50k change intervals
328=100k change intervals.

They won't change them before 50,000 under warranty because the manual states the recommended service interval is not until 50,000....only after 50,000 will they change them, and wouldn't you know it, the car is out of warranty at that point.

Also, IMO, 100k is a bit long for the 325/328. I would recommend changing them by 75k the latest. You'll start to notice performance issues with the plugs and coils around 70-75k.

[mlifxs]

not sure about 335i but recently bought six plugs for my 328i for $60. there is a diy on this site somewhere,

[hurricane56]

I highly suggest doing the spark plug change DIY. Get your spark plugs at the online retailer of your choice, should run you $100. Even if you don't have the tools and have to buy a few, you'll still be ahead. Plus it's really quite rewarding. I had almost no prior experience working on my car, but I just studied the DIY guide and it took me one hour from start to finish.

The guide is written for a 330, so you may need a 12 point spark plug socket.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174217

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by EClayton08

He told me $360 and I was like umm, don't do that. I'll figure out how to change them myself.

You can get spark plugs from AutohausAZ for $75. You're overdue.
I was quoted $650 at my local dealer

[AllBlackBimmer]

Originally Posted by jaredlevy

They won't change them before 50,000 under warranty because the manual states the recommended service interval is not until 50,000....only after 50,000 will they change them, and wouldn't you know it, the car is out of warranty at that point.

Also, IMO, 100k is a bit long for the 325/328. I would recommend changing them by 75k the latest. You'll start to notice performance issues with the plugs and coils around 70-75k.

MANY people on this and other forums, plus people I know have gotten their plugs changed out, under warranty, for free with the 4yr/50k factory warranty. I actually think it may even state "45k" in the owners manual for that reason, but regardless of what it says, MANY MANY people have gotten theirs changed for free.

I only haev 54k on my 328, I plan on changing my plugs well before 100k - more likely around 75-80k.... that is, if I don't get a new car by then!

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by hurricane56

I highly suggest doing the spark plug change DIY. Get your spark plugs at the online retailer of your choice, should run you $100. Even if you don't have the tools and have to buy a few, you'll still be ahead. Plus it's really quite rewarding. I had almost no prior experience working on my car, but I just studied the DIY guide and it took me one hour from start to finish.

The guide is written for a 330, so you may need a 12 point spark plug socket.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174217

I agree with this in principle; however, if the OP has no previous experience working on cars and has no mechanical aptitude, then starting his DIY career with changing out spark plugs on an N54 is not a good idea. There are too many plastic parts to break. Removing the cabin air filter tray for the first time is a bit daunting for the nubie. Just my 2 cents.

The proper tools needed are torx wrench set, 1/4 drive socket set, 1/4 drive nut driver handle, mechanics pick, 12-point spark plug socket, 3/8 drive ratchet, 3/8 drive 6" extension bar, 3/8 drive universal, 3/8 drive torque wrench, and flat blade screw drivers. If the OP was taking his car into the dealer for just an oil change (out of the free maintenance plan) then I doubt he has any of the tools mentioned above nor the wherewithal to do a plug DIY (no offense).

He should take the car to an Independent BMW mechanic.

[hurricane56]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

I agree with this in principle; however, if the OP has no previous experience working on cars and has no mechanical aptitude, then starting his DIY career with changing out spark plugs on an N54 is not a good idea. There are too many plastic parts to break. Removing the cabin air filter tray for the first time is a bit daunting for the nubie. Just my 2 cents.

The proper tools needed are torx wrench set, 1/4 drive socket set, 1/4 drive nut driver handle, mechanics pick, 12-point spark plug socket, 3/8 drive ratchet, 3/8 drive 6" extension bar, 3/8 drive universal, 3/8 drive torque wrench, and flat blade screw drivers. If the OP was taking his car into the dealer for just an oil change (out of the free maintenance plan) then I doubt he has any of the tools mentioned above nor the wherewithal to do a plug DIY (no offense).

He should take the car to an Independent BMW mechanic.

Agreed, probably a good prerequisite for spark plug change is doing your own oil change at a minimum.

[RazRokz.!]

I used the diy when i changed mine out. Too easy, but then again i know my way around a car. 360 is way too freakin much for a spark plug change. But then again, Dealers charge 200 for an oil change. Learn how to do things yourself on your car and it will save you bundles of money in the long run...

[StanDizle4Shizl]

Same thing happened to me today, just bought this 2007 335i last week and decided to get an oil change today just in case. My vehicle has 43k miles and they told me that it is due for a spark plug change. They priced it at 339.32: 143.46 for spark plugs, 11.96 for shop supplies, 170.80 for labor and 13.10 for tax. I think I'll pass and do it myself. Can someone direct me to some places where I can buy the spark plugs. Thank you

[hxs80]

Originally Posted by mlifxs

not sure about 335i but recently bought six plugs for my 328i for $60. there is a diy on this site somewhere,

+1 it's so easy to do.. Just take your time and save yourself $300.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by StanDizle4Shizl

SCan someone direct me to some places where I can buy the spark plugs. Thank you

Amazon had a pretty good price last I checked. $71USD for a set of six NGK laser iridium high power blah blah blah with free shipping within the US. This was fulfilled by Amazon themselves too, not some unknown vendor.


I'm also a regular autohausaz.com customer. A set of 6 was $85 w/ free shipping when I checked last week.

[StanDizle4Shizl]

Originally Posted by Surly73

Amazon had a pretty good price last I checked. $71USD for a set of six NGK laser iridium high power blah blah blah with free shipping within the US. This was fulfilled by Amazon themselves too, not some unknown vendor.


I'm also a regular autohausaz.com customer. A set of 6 was $85 w/ free shipping when I checked last week.

Thank you!

[TigOn.]

Originally Posted by Surly73

Amazon had a pretty good price last I checked. $71USD for a set of six NGK laser iridium high power blah blah blah with free shipping within the US. This was fulfilled by Amazon themselves too, not some unknown vendor.


I'm also a regular autohausaz.com customer. A set of 6 was $85 w/ free shipping when I checked last week.

+1 on Autohaust i paid $70 when i got my set. Less than a hr DIY

[willypongtb]

i changed my plug $66 over ebay

[vertspeed]

Adding some info to an old thread...I was just at dealer, he told me the computer says that they are to be changed at 45K. He said bring it back in at 41K and they have to change them under the service package agreement if within 4k of the limit.

[Mikaman]

Just bought an '07 335i with 47k mi so I got quotes from my local dealer and two independent shops for several things recently. For spark plugs, dealer quoted $415 ... indie shop #1 quoted $220, indie #2 quoted $230 This is in Lehigh Valley, PA area, mid-size city. Both indie shops have good reputations and specialize in BMW (one also does Audi, MB too).

Just FYI.

[GoRomeo]

Me too, i changed mine and paid only about $65.00 for 6 NGK OEM plugs on ebay. It took me about an hour.