Time to change plugs?

[Frupal]

When do y’all change plugs? I’ve got a 640 GC with about 52K on the clock. Was thinking about changing them. It’s so strange that it’s so hard to find definitive maintenance schedules for these vehicles.

[Wanwansuii]

I changed mine at 55k, so if I were you, yes I would change them.

[Opie55]

I plan to do mine at 50k.

[Alpine650]

I have 50K on my 650i xDrive. New plugs going in Monday - even though BMW says you can go to 60K my Indy recommends now.

[Billyperks]

Are you doing plugs and coils?
If yes, can you give me a ballpark cost?

[Frupal]

I’ve been quoted about $400 from an Indy just to do the plugs. But I’m very mechanically inclined and found the OEM plugs online for about $120 for a set of six. Coils run about $20 each and I don’t intend to replace them, but am open to if recommended.

[Opie55]

$20 each seems low - what brand?

[Frupal]

Originally Posted by Opie55

$20 each seems low - what brand?

Yeah, you’re right. Bosch OEM (not original BMW) are $28 each, and the ones labeled Genuine BMW are $58!! WTF?

[Alpine650]

I had plugs only done, no coils. $235 for 8 plugs + $315 labor ($105/hr.) = $550.

[Alpine650]

And Bosch makes the BMW original plug. It costs a lot to print BMW on them!

[jjasonSU]

Just ordered mine, using Bosch double platinum from RockAuto $6.00 each.

BOSCH 8165

I noticed a shimmy at idle last week so starting with these first. I have 50k mikes on the 650i.
Found a couple YouTube videos so going to tackle this myself. Along with the coolant lines.

[buildermindz]

BMW recommends changing plugs at 45k on my 2013 650i.

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Alpine650

I had plugs only done, no coils. $235 for 8 plugs + $315 labor ($105/hr.) = $550.

Wow. 3-hour book rate labor for a job that anybody who has done it before could easily do in an hour. And they probably did do it in an hour. Book rate labor is such a rip-off.

[Alpine650]

I've heard 30 minutes for the drivers side and 3 hours for the passenger side! Having watched the video on changing the plugs I am more than happy to depart with $315 while I play golf.

[Frupal]

Originally Posted by Alpine650

I've heard 30 minutes for the drivers side and 3 hours for the passenger side! Having watched the video on changing the plugs I am more than happy to depart with $315 while I play golf.

The last BMW on which I changed plugs/coils was a 2005 330ci. It took me about an hour, but then there wasn’t a giant V8 crammed into the engine bay. Mine is the N55 which should prove to be a simpler operation, I’m on the fence about doing it myself. Don’t really feel like getting my hands dirty these days. Lol!

[jjasonSU]

Originally Posted by Opie55

Wow. 3-hour book rate labor for a job that anybody who has done it before could easily do in an hour. And they probably did do it in an hour. Book rate labor is such a rip-off.

Well that's the thing. At 50k miles nobody has done this before.
Also I haven't done major maintenance on this type of car so I know it will take a while. But I could think of other ways I'd like to spend $500

[ex46fanatic]

Originally Posted by Frupal

The last BMW on which I changed plugs/coils was a 2005 330ci. It took me about an hour, but then there wasn’t a giant V8 crammed into the engine bay. Mine is the N55 which should prove to be a simpler operation, I’m on the fence about doing it myself. Don’t really feel like getting my hands dirty these days. Lol!

Hey are you on E46 fanatics? Your nickname looks familiar! Same position as you. It should only take 2-3 times longer to do than on the m54. Lol.

I'm at 100k miles and feel I should do spark plugs now. Coils can wait a little longer. Love the 640i GC. Still got E46 330ci 6sp convertible running strong at 235k miles.

[Alfdog]

It took me a hour to change spark plugs and coils on a 2013 650i. Not that complicated to do.

[Frupal]

Originally Posted by ex46fanatic

Hey are you on E46 fanatics? Your nickname looks familiar! Same position as you. It should only take 2-3 times longer to do than on the m54. Lol.

I'm at 100k miles and feel I should do spark plugs now. Coils can wait a little longer. Love the 640i GC. Still got E46 330ci 6sp convertible running strong at 235k miles.

I think I was on e46 fanatics. I had a gorgeous 2005 330CI M sport. She’s long gone, replaced by her prettier and younger 640i GC sister.

[Derekz4]

That e46 in red looks fantastic, has the look of a ZHP.

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by jjasonSU

Well that's the thing. At 50k miles nobody has done this before.
Also I haven't done major maintenance on this type of car so I know it will take a while. But I could think of other ways I'd like to spend $500

Right, but I was talking about a dealer charging 3 hours. If a job took an hour and the invoice says 3 hours, to me that is just a fancy kind of theft unless it is clearly stated that the job will be charged at book rate no matter what.

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by Alfdog

It took me a hour to change spark plugs and coils on a 2013 650i. Not that complicated to do.

That is my impression as well from having done my breather lines. Once you pull the airboxes, which literally takes 5 minutes, 6 of the 8 are right there, and the front 2 require moving some plastic intake air ducting.