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      09-20-2020, 03:29 PM   #1
M2driver101
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Did I get ripped off by the service center?

Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out if I got ripped off by my local service center. I have a 2017 M2 with 13k miles. I bought it used a year ago, and this is my first BMW, so it was my first experience with them.

My car said routine service was due so I took it in. The rep scanned the key fob and said he recommended changing the spark plugs. The estimate was $1200 parts and labor. I couldn't understand how it could be so expensive, or even necessary after so few miles. He replied that they recommend changing plugs after every third oil change, and that hard driving can require early replacement. My alarm bells were ringing, but I figured the previous owner could have tracked the car. So, I said it was okay if they took a look at the forward plugs (which he said were more accessible), and get visual confirmation on their state.

Explaining the cost, he said it was a 4 hour job due to the need to remove the intake manifold to access the rear plugs, plus $240 in parts.

A few hours later he called back to say they did indeed recommend replacing the plugs. I said okay. When I picked the car up, parts + labor for the plug replacement was $1088. He said he saved some time on the labor, so it was a little less than the $1200 estimate.

I feel like a may have been a sucker here. But it was my first BMW service center experience, and at the time his explanation seemed plausible.

I did manage to get a couple of the old plugs from him and have attached a picture.

Basically I have three questions:

1) Is there any scenario in which spark plugs need replacing after 13k miles? (e.g. the previous owner tracked it a lot).

2) Did the spark plugs in the picture actually need replacing?

3) Does the intake manifold needs to be removed to replace the plugs, justifying 3 - 4 hours service time? Some online videos suggests not, but I'd love to know for sure.
Attached Images
 

Last edited by M2driver101; 09-20-2020 at 07:30 PM..
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      09-20-2020, 03:42 PM   #2
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Your grounding electrode is clearly worn on both pictured.
Being in the bay area I'm sure if you ask around you can find some of the best european car mechanics in the country. Used BMW out of warranty is a huge liability.
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      09-20-2020, 04:09 PM   #3
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Thanks j0oftheworld, good to know.

You are right, there are many other BMW mechanics in the area. The dealership is literally on my way in to work (pandemic aside) so I'm hoping to use them.

I don't mind paying a dealership premium and I know what I signed up for when I bought the out of warranty car. So it is not about the maintenance cost per se.

I just need to know if I can trust them or not.
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      09-20-2020, 05:00 PM   #4
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Everything they told you is legit and labor time is always quoted as book time. Pricing is the issue here and you can definitely save a few Benjamins at a indie shop that specializes in BMWs
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      09-20-2020, 05:05 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
Everything they told you is legit and labor time is always quoted as book time. Pricing is the issue here and you can definitely save a few Benjamins at a indie shop that specializes in BMWs
Are you sure you have to remove the intake manifold for plugs? The guides I've seen on other N55 don't show this.
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      09-20-2020, 05:19 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1s View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
Everything they told you is legit and labor time is always quoted as book time. Pricing is the issue here and you can definitely save a few Benjamins at a indie shop that specializes in BMWs
Are you sure you have to remove the intake manifold for plugs? The guides I've seen on other N55 don't show this.
You're right. Shouldn't need to be removed and I'm sure the tech that did the work didn't remove it. The SA might not actually have been familiar with the work process compared to the tech doing the work
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      09-20-2020, 05:25 PM   #7
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Maybe service assoc. confused from N55 to S55?
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      09-20-2020, 05:40 PM   #8
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These motors each plugs and the stock M2 plugs (same as S55) from Bosch have bad durability. Looks like they did need to be replaced though.

Be aware the the SAs usually go by what the CBS says and what service internal you are at. I just had an SA try and tell me I was due for my rear diff fluid at my 4th oil change and 34k. Turns out they had reset my CBS at the break in, which they weren't supposed to do, so it looked like it was at my 5th change at 50k miles. They also wanted something like $340 which is ridiculous.
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      09-20-2020, 06:18 PM   #9
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Get a BMWCCA membership. It will save you a minimum of 10% at your dealership. Spark plugs are a maintenance item not a warranty item if that matters.
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      09-20-2020, 07:00 PM   #10
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Thanks so much for all the feedback everyone. Makes me feel better if the service was legit.

Here is a video that makes me think removing the intake is not necessary:


Last edited by M2driver101; 09-20-2020 at 07:33 PM..
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      09-22-2020, 04:36 PM   #11
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As I understand it, if the engine is stock the plugs only need changing every other oil change. New TIS suggests that should be every 60k Kms - so a little under 40k miles.

Edit: And - based on that video and NewTIS, there is no need to be removing the intake...

Last edited by M Fifty; 09-22-2020 at 06:05 PM..
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      09-29-2020, 02:39 PM   #12
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As far as independent BMW shops go, these guys are the best:

https://goo.gl/maps/ypQJ9ezNqX86KvPF9
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      12-10-2020, 10:16 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M2driver101 View Post
Hey everyone, I'm trying to figure out if I got ripped off by my local service center. I have a 2017 M2 with 13k miles. I bought it used a year ago, and this is my first BMW, so it was my first experience with them.

My car said routine service was due so I took it in. The rep scanned the key fob and said he recommended changing the spark plugs. The estimate was $1200 parts and labor. I couldn't understand how it could be so expensive, or even necessary after so few miles. He replied that they recommend changing plugs after every third oil change, and that hard driving can require early replacement. My alarm bells were ringing, but I figured the previous owner could have tracked the car. So, I said it was okay if they took a look at the forward plugs (which he said were more accessible), and get visual confirmation on their state.

Explaining the cost, he said it was a 4 hour job due to the need to remove the intake manifold to access the rear plugs, plus $240 in parts.

A few hours later he called back to say they did indeed recommend replacing the plugs. I said okay. When I picked the car up, parts + labor for the plug replacement was $1088. He said he saved some time on the labor, so it was a little less than the $1200 estimate.

I feel like a may have been a sucker here. But it was my first BMW service center experience, and at the time his explanation seemed plausible.

I did manage to get a couple of the old plugs from him and have attached a picture.

Basically I have three questions:

1) Is there any scenario in which spark plugs need replacing after 13k miles? (e.g. the previous owner tracked it a lot).

2) Did the spark plugs in the picture actually need replacing?

3) Does the intake manifold needs to be removed to replace the plugs, justifying 3 - 4 hours service time? Some online videos suggests not, but I'd love to know for sure.
Just finished replacing my plugs on my 18 M2 because I was 6 weeks over the 3 year Maintanance Warranty, and I would have to pay for it myself. Did the job myself. Cost $75. Would have cost twice that if I used Bosch plugs with "M" on them,which you will never see. Intake Manifold does not have to be taken off. However, insulation, Cross Brace, 3 Plastic Covers, and O2 Wiring Sensor Bracket have to be removed to access the two rear Plugs. No more than 1.5 hrs labor. 4 hrs. is B/S. Also 14mm thin wall magnetic socket is a must have. $15.
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Last edited by chief1richard; 12-10-2020 at 10:32 AM..
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      12-10-2020, 12:29 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief1richard View Post
Just finished replacing my plugs on my 18 M2 because I was 6 weeks over the 3 year Maintanance Warranty, and I would have to pay for it myself. Did the job myself. Cost $75. Would have cost twice that if I used Bosch plugs with "M" on them,which you will never see. Intake Manifold does not have to be taken off. However, insulation, Cross Brace, 3 Plastic Covers, and O2 Wiring Sensor Bracket have to be removed to access the two rear Plugs. No more than 1.5 hrs labor. 4 hrs. is B/S. Also 14mm thin wall magnetic socket is a must have. $15.
this. Did it on my '17 a few weeks back. 1.5 hrs is worst case doing it your first time. A trained factory tech probably knocked it out in a half hour
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      12-10-2020, 12:35 PM   #15
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this. Did it on my '17 a few weeks back. 1.5 hrs is worst case doing it your first time. A trained factory tech probably knocked it out in a half hour
Exactly, it was my first time. I'm not a Factory Trained Tech. However A Factory Trained apparently will charge 4 hours according to OP.
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      12-12-2020, 11:16 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief1richard View Post
Also 14mm thin wall magnetic socket is a must have. $15.
Which operation required the thin wall socket? I'm actually dropping my 2016 M2 (16k miles) off at the dealer today for its annual oil change and happened to stumble across this thread. I'm thinking they may try to sell me on a spark plug change and based on what I saw in that Youtube video posted here there's no way in Hell I'm paying $1,200 to have someone do this for me. Looks to be a straightforward job.
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      12-12-2020, 11:39 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DETRoadster View Post
Which operation required the thin wall socket? I'm actually dropping my 2016 M2 (16k miles) off at the dealer today for its annual oil change and happened to stumble across this thread. I'm thinking they may try to sell me on a spark plug change and based on what I saw in that Youtube video posted here there's no way in Hell I'm paying $1,200 to have someone do this for me. Looks to be a straightforward job.
The thin wall 14mm socket is for the spark plug. It is also magnetic to keep plug in socket for removing and installing. Keis Motorsports sells the socket. Replacing them is not difficult at all. There are some videos to walk you through the process if you Google them. It;s actually very easy if you have basic mechanic skills.
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      12-12-2020, 12:17 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chief1richard View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by DETRoadster View Post
Which operation required the thin wall socket? I'm actually dropping my 2016 M2 (16k miles) off at the dealer today for its annual oil change and happened to stumble across this thread. I'm thinking they may try to sell me on a spark plug change and based on what I saw in that Youtube video posted here there's no way in Hell I'm paying $1,200 to have someone do this for me. Looks to be a straightforward job.
The thin wall 14mm socket is for the spark plug. It is also magnetic to keep plug in socket for removing and installing. Keis Motorsports sells the socket. Replacing them is not difficult at all. There are some videos to walk you through the process if you Google them. It;s actually very easy if you have basic mechanic skills.
Awesome, thanks!
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      01-05-2021, 02:46 PM   #19
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This provides a good walkthrough if you want to change plugs yourself. I can confirm you do not need to remove the brace (see video comments). I knocked it out in under 90 minutes my first time.

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      05-31-2021, 05:48 AM   #20
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