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      11-25-2021, 08:54 AM   #1
AlpinewhiteM2C
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Spark plug change at 8600 miles on M2C

I dropped off my 2020 M2C for it's annual service and my service advisor said they will also be replacing the spark plugs since it's the 3rd oil change. I questioned if that was right as I only had approx. 8600 miles. He said that the initial 1200 mile break-in oil change counted as one oil change and being that this will now be my 3rd, yes the car was due for spark plugs replacement. If it wasn't coming out of my pocket, I wasn't going to argue. Seems to me that the dealership may be stretching the interpretation of the third oil change coming w/ spark plug replacements to possibly generate revenue. Anyone else had their spark plugs changed at such low mileage?

Last edited by AlpinewhiteM2C; 11-25-2021 at 09:06 AM..
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      11-25-2021, 09:02 AM   #2
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Agreed, that is not really in the spirit of what the factory wants.
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      11-25-2021, 10:26 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlpinewhiteM2C View Post
I dropped off my 2020 M2C for it's annual service and my service advisor said they will also be replacing the spark plugs since it's the 3rd oil change. I questioned if that was right as I only had approx. 8600 miles. He said that the initial 1200 mile break-in oil change counted as one oil change and being that this will now be my 3rd, yes the car was due for spark plugs replacement. If it wasn't coming out of my pocket, I wasn't going to argue. Seems to me that the dealership may be stretching the interpretation of the third oil change coming w/ spark plug replacements to possibly generate revenue. Anyone else had their spark plugs changed at such low mileage?
I believe that the US maintenance warranty is 36 months. My car had the break-in oil change and 3 more. The last 4th oil change at 36 months included brake line flush, engine oil change and new spark plugs. I didn't think at 20k miles it would need plugs but after the change the idle was smoother with no misses.
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      11-25-2021, 01:15 PM   #4
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Yep, my plugs were changed at the third oil change, around 15,500 miles. I asked my SA about it, and he told me it is BMW policy to change plugs every third oil change, at least on these engines. As long as BMW was paying for it, I had no problem letting them. I really doubt I will be replacing them every third change on my dime, since I am currently only driving about 3000 miles a year.
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      11-26-2021, 01:40 PM   #5
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I'd run far and fast from that stealership. Oil changes are called for at 1200, 10k, 20k, and 30k while you are under the free 3/36 maintenance. Spark plugs are called for at 30k. Saying that the 1200-mile service counted as "1 oil change of 3 included" is just wrong, and most likely the SA knows it, but that's their own business practice to lie to the customer and then do crap like change the spark plugs early, because BMW will pay for it once.

Changing the plugs at 8600 miles is a complete waste of time, money, and parts. If my dealership tries any such nonsense, I'll be complaining to BMW corporate.
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      11-26-2021, 02:27 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinC View Post
I'd run far and fast from that stealership. Oil changes are called for at 1200, 10k, 20k, and 30k while you are under the free 3/36 maintenance. Spark plugs are called for at 30k. Saying that the 1200-mile service counted as "1 oil change of 3 included" is just wrong, and most likely the SA knows it, but that's their own business practice to lie to the customer and then do crap like change the spark plugs early, because BMW will pay for it once.

Changing the plugs at 8600 miles is a complete waste of time, money, and parts. If my dealership tries any such nonsense, I'll be complaining to BMW corporate.
My spark plugs were changes after three years. That technically was during the fourth oil change. After the breakin oil change my oil has been changed once a year due to oil age not mileage (under 10K miles per year).
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      11-28-2021, 09:01 AM   #7
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KevinC - It would have made more sense if I was on my third annual service as similar to davidk and DanG I don't hit 10k miles before annual service is due. Just thought it was weird and wanted to see if people are having similar experiences. I certainly echo davidk's sentiments in that I would not be replacing spark plugs at such low mileage on my own dime.
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      11-28-2021, 11:21 PM   #8
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It doesn't matter if it's your first service or your 20th - plugs don't care about time, they care about how many times they're fired, i.e. MILEAGE. These stealerships are just grabbing money when BMW allows it. Shameful. And a head-scratcher as to why BMW allows it.
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      11-29-2021, 02:53 PM   #9
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At 8,600 miles in that long a time - unless they were track miles - they're probably fouled.

So, you 'could' have them changed. Or you could take it for a several hundred mile drive at sustained high rpm and - in addition to having fun - "service" your plugs...
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      11-29-2021, 02:59 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinC View Post
It doesn't matter if it's your first service or your 20th - plugs don't care about time, they care about how many times they're fired, i.e. MILEAGE. These stealerships are just grabbing money when BMW allows it. Shameful. And a head-scratcher as to why BMW allows it.
Why complain about getting new spark plugs for free?
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      11-29-2021, 03:10 PM   #11
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Who's complaining?

If he's paying (or they're establishing a service pattern) then there is reason to go the full Samual L Jackson with Ezekiel 25:17.
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      12-06-2021, 02:38 PM   #12
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[...] Or you could take it for a several hundred mile drive at sustained high rpm and - in addition to having fun - "service" your plugs...
this sounds way more fun than sitting at the dealership lobby
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      04-26-2022, 08:34 PM   #13
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Not to fire up an old thread but my experience tells me that plugs are changed by time to prevent them from bonding to the head as they're dissimilar metals. The longer a plug sits, it may gradually "corrode" to the head which makes removal less than fun
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      04-26-2022, 08:54 PM   #14
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What’s the average price for a plug change?
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      04-27-2022, 12:07 PM   #15
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I had the same thing …3rd oil change , only had 12100kms and they did the plugs .
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      04-29-2022, 08:29 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximus_M2 View Post
What’s the average price for a plug change?
I don't know what dealerships are charging as I only use them for covered services. Some independent shops in my area are charging in the 800-1100 range for spark plug change.
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      04-29-2022, 09:23 PM   #17
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^^^ that seems like alot for just spark plugs no ?
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      04-29-2022, 09:49 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlpinewhiteM2C View Post
I don't know what dealerships are charging as I only use them for covered services. Some independent shops in my area are charging in the 800-1100 range for spark plug change.
Wow. That sounds ridiculous. What does Strictly BMW charge?
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      05-01-2022, 09:07 AM   #19
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Quote:
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Wow. That sounds ridiculous. What does Strictly BMW charge?
They were one of the ones I called. Also quoted me $2K for OEM camber correction hub install (parts + labor)
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      05-01-2022, 09:15 AM   #20
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^^^ that seems like alot for just spark plugs no ?
Yes seems like BMW independent shops in my area are not that far off from what dealers are charging. I've changed my own plugs on my old E46 330i and M3; was straight forward so I don't understand the 6-8 hour labor estimate shops are coming up with for the M2.
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      05-01-2022, 08:06 PM   #21
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Watch a Youtube video, it's a pain to do on S55 with all the crap you need to remove.
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      05-03-2022, 08:40 AM   #22
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Watch a Youtube video, it's a pain to do on S55 with all the crap you need to remove.
You're right. I does look like a PITA to replace spark plugs on S55 motors.
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