Went to get plugs for the car from my Mini dealer after arguing with my wife about why I would go to the dealer instead of the local autoparts store. "Quality" I said. So after driving an hour to get there I order up 4 plugs. $160 says the parts guy, ready to take my cash. "What" I say, he says they have an updated plug which is more expensive. There's no way I'm paying $40 a plug, so I drive back to my local autopart store and get OEM NGK's for $15 each. How is a plug $40?!!! ridiculous.

 

Okay, but did you tell your wife she was right?

 

^^ lol.

I go to the dealer when I want an OEM oil filter or something else that I know I should get OEM.

 

Its a good thing the closest dealer is 2 hours away... There is no way they are stealing my money. But yes did you tell your wife she was right?

 

Glad to hear you went elsewhere. Even with OEM their are differences between dealers. $15 for oil filter at one and $10 at another! WHY??

Bob

 

The dealer is not stealing from you. That is their price pay it or not, it's your choice. I do not understand dealer pricing on parts. If a quality part can be bought in the aftermarket that is where I go. If I have to go oem I buy from Classic MINI. They give a nice NAM discount.

Heck I wouldn't pay $40 for a plug even if that included installation....

 

The plug should have cost $400.00 It probably said "Mini" on it.

 

Yes, I was so irritated I did mention to my wife that I didn't buy the plugs, but she was pretty good about it although I didn't actually say that she was right. I can see why things at a dealership are usually more expensive, higher overhead and such, but $40 for a plug from anywhere is insanity. The NGK's looked identical to the Bosch's as well. At least its not a Hemi, then I would have been buying 16 plugs. I wonder if Chrysler charges $40 per plug?

 

Next time you need plugs let us know

http://www.waymotorworks.com/john-co...gs-by-ngk.html

 

The plugs I pulled from my MINI had NGK numbers on them. Nothing special about the dealers plugs at all.

I found them locally as most folks will be able to do. For those who like to on-line shop they are everywhere there too.

Way, Helix, Detroit Tuned & Outmotoring to name just a few fine purveyors of parts.

 

...Or go to your friendly NAPA store.. Iridiums for Speedee @ $9.00 each.

 

why would you pay 10-15$ for an OEM filter? I never spend more than 5$ on a filter... unless you're going the 15k mile oil change interval which IMO is not a wise idea, I usually hover between 3-4k mile intervals on all my cars.

 

Dealer plugs are NGK, there is nothing higher quality then the ones that you buy from NGK. Go to Way next time and save yourself the from the "i told you so" syndrome.

 

If you can find NGK BKR7EIX-11'S they are pregapped to about .040 and are a really nice plug.

If you are running a 17 or 19 pulley, sometimes it is better to go even colder to NGK BKR8EIX. However, they are not pregapped and what I am running now. And I like'm

*Iridium also has a better heat tollerance than platinum tiped.