Cost of spark plug change at dealer? Anybody know how much? Thanks in advance!

 

A dealer should be able to do it in 1 hour or less. So the cost should be at whatever their labor rate is for 1 hour plus parts. To give you an idea, I don't think there's a dealer out there that charges less then $100 per hour. So expect to pay that or more.

 

We charge $55.00 at our dealership here in Colorado.

 

Wow, that's cheap! Most independent shops charge more then that out here. I guess when my warranty runs out, I'll have to move to Colorado.

 

2 much. Its way easy. I did it at work in our parking lot in about 5 minutes. I recommend doing yourself and saving the cash. You need a ratchet, a 6 in. extension, a plug socket, the plugs and some anti seize. The cash output is about 50 bucks for everyting where the dealer is gonna charge you a 100 just for labor. But thats only my $.02

 

I agree. Spend the money on a torque wrench and do it yourself.

 

The dealer wants $24 each for spark plugs, you can go to NAPA and buy NGK #3199 (BKR6EQUP) for about $10 or less. You'll need a 5/8" spark plug socket, Torque to 22 ft/lbs, and apply a small amount of anti-sieze lubricant to the threads first, this stuff is sold in small packets at the counter of your local friendly discopunt parts store.

Well, there goes my paycheck this week
--Dan

 

I totally agree...

Get the equipment you need and do it yourself. It does not worth it to get this job done at any garage. If you can unscrew and screw, you can do it! lol

 

When I changed my plugs, the service manual from Bentley Publishers™ said to torque them to 20 foot pounds, I thought that was excessive, but I did it anyway. I always thought it was hand tight then a 1/4 turn, just as I had done on other cars.

 

They will charge a fortune for the parts and about $100 for the labor. It can easily cost you about $200-$250. Alternatively, you can buy 4 Densos for about $40 and a torque wrench from Harbor Freight for about $20 and do it yourself.

 

On the other hand, the spark plugs tell you how the engine is running. If someone who is inexperienced in reading a plug (or just doesn't care) changes them, you could potentially miss something critical. Sometimes its worth paying someone to do a job, as remedial as it may seem. Don't get me wrong, I encourage the DIY guys (and gals) but its easy to miss an important piece of information if you don't know what to look for. and that applies to everything, not just spark plugs.
--Dan

 

The reason I want to have them do it is that if the piston detonates, I want them to repair it at their cost.

 

Gosh, You can swap plugs but if I am not mistaken the Mini is good for 100K before a plug change?

Dan has a good point. If motor has got a problem, the plugs will reveal a lot of information.

 

Anyone know the MINI service interval on the plugs? I'm just past 50k and hitting up a number of other maintenance items this weekend, wondering if it is worth it for me to swap them. (If I'm taking the time to pull them out and look at them I'll just as soon put fresh ones in and have some in a pinch spares sitting in the garage)

Also I've heard 20,21 and 22 ft/lbs.
Anyone want to confirm or should I just split the difference?

 

The factory torque spec printed on the o.e. box is 30 NM, that equals 22.12 ft/lbs
The spec given in BMW TIS is 27 NM = 19.914 ft/lbs

I always use 22, but I'm sure 20 ,21 is OK

 

Service interval is definetly 100k miles....

 

This is me laughing at this Spartan. I'm driving an 08 Mini Cooper S with 47K miles on it. The engine light came on and I took it to Pep Boys for a code read. I called my extended service provider, Preferred and bought it to Spartan for repairs, because they handle Minis. (well, I'm told by RepairPal that they did)

The error code I got was P0304, which is a cylinder misfire. Fine. So he shows me that cylinders 3 and 4 are really rusty and 1 and 2 are not. We get the ball rolling. So, I'm sitting in the lobby for a couple hours, at this point I am there alone for some time and I go to the counter and ask how much longer? He slides the fax sideways across the counter it had already been there for anyone to read...(for G-d knows how long, I was the only person in the lobby, but he just wanted me to wait) He goes: "Oh, they want to put a regular Mini cylinder, not a Cooper S. But I'm going to talk to them." I said fine and waited patiently for about another hour. He comes back with three or so "estimates". No details, just confusing numbers. "Those are 'special' spark plugs! He explained they cost $41/each, $60 diagnostic, $95 labor, and two ignition coils would set me back $537. The man sitting behind the counter chimes in. "Oh, those were really long spark plugs, saw them take them out myself." I'm suddenly not liking either of them. I'm told women experience this sort of patronizing bs all the time. It isn't pleasant.

The warranty company sent him a fax saying they would pay $57.13 each for the ignition coils, not $215 each! Something didn't seem right with his slight of hand, so I delayed the repairs until I could examine all his estimates and research the matter. At that point, I honestly thought I would use him if I could prove his estimate was in line with most places. I just needed to verify a few things so I paid him the $60 diagnostic fee, in the understanding we would apply that diagnostic fee toward my deductible after I get informed. I realize they need to charge a markup, and I figured 100% would be reasonable, but across the board he wanted a 200-450% mark-up?! He's a mechanic, not a brain surgeon! I understand they have to make a living too, but this was a simple job and although it's partially covered, I may do it myself. I went on RepairPal and sure enough, their prices were in line with that site. (which leads me to believe it's a BS site). Now. I figured that the actual cost of parts can be had for $150, 50 for tools, $60 I paid for their diagnostic (to his credit I don't think he would have charged me...but I offered towards the deductible). Lesson learned. Check around before you change your spark plugs.

I think if this shop was fair, I would have to pay say...$200 for the job, since my warranty company would pay $187. But they want to stick me with a range of prices from $575 - $779 with a $50 "supply charge" and $155 labor. I scooped up my fantasy estimates and vacated. Stay away from Spartan! They're shady.

My plan is to call my warranty company and ask if it's OK for me to do the repair myself. buy the OEM parts from Advanced Auto $145, get the tools and supplies $50. Kiss the $60 paid to Spartan goodbye. Take some medical marijuana, watch Youtube for an hour before I fix it myself. Either that or take it to a fair mechanic and then I'll pay my deductible and a reasonable price for plugs.

 

Plugs can be in a range of prices ( 30-$100(JCW )) for all four and we have full kits with coils and plugs. Most Cooper / Cooper S Gen 1 full plugs, wire, and coil kits are around $125 if that a gauge.

Most MINI dealerships charge 1 Hr labor unless they have a special.

 

If you lived near me it would be free.just buy the plugs and id install them for you. Im a mechanic and its so basic and simple on a mini..would take 10min to do..

 

Thanks audio131, my faith in humanity has been restored. I'm in Springfield, MA. Here's an update. I sent my extended warranty the message above along with the three quotes the mechanic gave me ranging from $460-780. They called me back this morning and are completely understanding. they will even refund my diagnostic and are offering to help in any way. I guess I was just a little put off buy a supposedly established company, which has treated me well in the past, trying to pull an Okee-doke on me like that.

 

Well im in attleboro ma and free on sundays.

 

Attleboro, is 93 miles from me. Better try a local mechanic. I'll take the thought for the deed. Thank you.

 

If needed, we have a Spark Plug and Cable Replacement DIY HERE that can help anyone tackle this job themselves. Article gives you an idea of cost and time for repair. We also have awesome ignition kits HERE or just the plugs HERE if needed.

 

MINI owner: "How much to change the plugs?"
Dealer: "How much have you got???"