[xZenki]

Hi Everyone,

N55 motor.

Local BMW dealership quoted me $720 for spark plug replacement. Is that normal? What have you been charged before?

I have changed spark plugs myself in 5 different vehicles and it usually took about 30 minutes. Is there something with N55 that makes spark plug replacement time consuming or difficult?

Thanks!

[celsdogg]

removing everything around the cowl to access the rear couple plugs is what takes the longest. It isnt difficult at all, just takes more time. I really would have to be near dead to pay over $700 for the job; if I were I wouldn't be able to drive it.

[BenStb]

I just changed my Sparkplugs and Coils a few days ago, I already knew what to do and it took maybe about one hour so if you do it for the first time you may take longer but it still is a very doable task if you have the tools for it. Plugs (Bosch) and Coils (Delphi) cost me about 170€ in Germany. BMW original parts will cost way more, at least double I think.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by celsdogg

removing everything around the cowl to access the rear couple plugs is what takes the longest. It isnt difficult at all, just takes more time. I really would have to be near dead to pay over $700 for the job; if I were I wouldn't be able to drive it.

You can actually get those last two in and out using the correct extension and swivel, just saying

Makes complete spark plug replacement a 30 minute job, tops.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by MLJR235

You can actually get those last two in and out using the correct extension and swivel, just saying

Makes complete spark plug replacement a 30 minute job, tops.

I wouldn't do it. Too risky as it's difficult to tell if you're fully seated on the plug. Breaking and/or rounding off a plug could make an easy and cheap DIY job a multi-thousand dollar job. First time around, it takes 20-30 minutes to remove the coil, strut bar, O2 sensor connector mount, engine insulating foam, and associated clips and other cowling parts. From there, it's smooth sailing.

For those DIYing, if the plug have never been replaced and the car has 40K+ miles, you may find that the plugs have a bit of resistance coming out. What ends up happening is the carbon near the plug base starts getting caught up in the threads which are tight. The key here is patience. Loosen, then tighten a bit, then loosen a bit farther, then tighten a bit, and so on. This keeps the carbon from packing tight into a thread and potentially risking a cross threading issue which would be a monumental and expensive nightmare.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I wouldn't do it. Too risky as it's difficult to tell if you're fully seated on the plug. Breaking and/or rounding off a plug could make an easy and cheap DIY job a multi-thousand dollar job. First time around, it takes 20-30 minutes to remove the coil, strut bar, O2 sensor connector mount, engine insulating foam, and associated clips and other cowling parts. From there, it's smooth sailing.

For those DIYing, if the plug have never been replaced and the car has 40K+ miles, you may find that the plugs have a bit of resistance coming out. What ends up happening is the carbon near the plug base starts getting caught up in the threads which are tight. The key here is patience. Loosen, then tighten a bit, then loosen a bit farther, then tighten a bit, and so on. This keeps the carbon from packing tight into a thread and potentially risking a cross threading issue which would be a monumental and expensive nightmare.

Good suggestions. If never done before, go by the book.

It's doable as noted before, but you need to know what you're doing.

[DBinOH]

Find yourself an alternative shop to go to. It’s definitely delicate, but the cost should be no more than $400-500.

[atek]

Originally Posted by MLJR235

You can actually get those last two in and out using the correct extension and swivel, just saying

Makes complete spark plug replacement a 30 minute job, tops.

Trust me, that's definitely more of pain in the ass and higher risk of breaking something vs the added 5 minutes it takes to remove the cowl.

Better to remove the cowl.

And for OP:

the dealership is ripping you off. Even if the plugs are $30/each. = $180 in parts. That means they are charging $540 labor. At a standard shop rate of $125/hr thats 4.32 labor hours. The job doesn't take that long.

Either DIY or find a more reputable independent shop that works on BMWs

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by atek

Trust me, that's definitely more of pain in the ass and higher risk of breaking something vs the added 5 minutes it takes to remove the cowl.

Better to remove the cowl.

And for OP:

the dealership is ripping you off. Even if the plugs are $30/each. = $180 in parts. That means they are charging $540 labor. At a standard shop rate of $125/hr thats 4.32 labor hours. The job doesn't take that long.

Either DIY or find a more reputable independent shop that works on BMWs

Not a pain in the ass at all, if you know what you're doing. Also, there's no risk of breaking anything but to each their own.


OP if you've never done plugs, do it by the book or take it to the shop. It's an easy job so don't be afraid to tackle it on your own.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by MLJR235

Not a pain in the ass at all, if you know what you're doing. Also, there's no risk of breaking anything but to each their own.

I completely disagree and I caution anyone leaving the crossbars and supports in place while doing a plug change to really know what they are doing and have the right tools.

By not giving yourself full access to the two rear plugs, you have to sneak in the socket and extension in rather blindly. There's a host of wires and other crap you're contending with as well right about the plugs. Without a straight shot to the plugs, you run the risk of torguing on the plugs on one side, thus running the risk of cracking the plug (which you won't know until you start the car and it runs like crap) or worse, snapping the plug in half. For the 15 minutes it takes to remove the supports and such, just do it and save yourself one less risk to contend with. Shortcuts can be great, but this isn't one of the places to be cutting corners.

[pmcmtnbkr]

I dont know how people can justify spending 500-700 for a spark plug change. its 6 plugs plus a special thin wall socket I picked up the 6 oem plugs minus the BMW logo for $9 a peace and $25(a one time cost) for the thin wall socket from FCP Euro. so for under $100 for the parts, and you cant beat the lifetime warranty either. I think i was done in a little over an hour the first time I did the plugs

[McCoy22]

For those of you who are DIY'ers, if the plugs have never been replaced and the car has 40K+ miles on it, you may notice a little resistance in the plugs. What eventually happens is the carbon near the base of the plug starts to get stuck in the tight threads. The key here is patience. Loosen, then tighten a bit, then loosen a bit more, then tighten a bit more, and so on. This prevents the carbon from building up tightly in the threads and potentially introducing the risk of cross-threading issues, which would be a huge and expensive nightmare.

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[Cos270]

Just dropped mine off to have the plugs changed at 70k miles. Got quoted $380 all in, I’m on the north side of Atlanta if that matters.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Cos270

Just dropped mine off to have the plugs changed at 70k miles. Got quoted $380 all in, I’m on the north side of Atlanta if that matters.

That's a fair price.