[mrmonkey]

My 08 328i started shaking really bad on my drive home from work yesterday, accompanied by the service engine light. Had it towed to a specialty BMW mechanic in the area. They are going to replace all 6 ignition coils, which I guess at least one of them was bad but per BMW spec they replace all of them at once, and 6 spark plugs, and the bill is over $800. I've already said yes so I'm guessing they're already working on it, but just wanted to see if that was right or if I should not return to this place or if I should demand a lower price or anything lol. It just seems high. I actually feel dumb for saying yes right away because I just assumed that's what had to be done but now I'm reading around and I'm not so sure.

I know a lot of people DIY these things but I have literally no tools and no place to do any kind of work. I just want to know how much this repair should cost.

[El Cheapo Loco]

If you don't have the means to DIY, it's wise to have all 6 replaced to save on labor. Coils are about $30 apiece from online retailers. Not sure about book, but it took me about 2 hours. $800 is a little high, I'd definitely ask for a discount.

TBH you only need a set of sockets and some torx bits to DIY. You can even do it next to the curb if you don't have a garage.

[mrmonkey]

Originally Posted by El Cheapo Loco

If you don't have the means to DIY, it's wise to have all 6 replaced to save on labor. Coils are about $30 apiece from online retailers. Not sure about book, but it took me about 2 hours. $800 is a little high, I'd definitely ask for a discount.

TBH you only need a set of sockets and some torx bits to DIY. You can even do it next to the curb if you don't have a garage.

He quoted $70 a piece on the coils, FYI.

[El Cheapo Loco]

Originally Posted by mrmonkey

He quoted $70 a piece on the coils, FYI.

My closest dealer wanted $120 each and I gave them the finger. I've bought Duralast (Delphi OE) from Autozone for $50 each. I would find another Indy if they want $70 apiece.

[igzekyativ]

coils and spark plugs have to be one of the easiest DIYs if you have a couple wrenches... I just paid $233 for 6 ignition coils (bosch from ecstuning) and took 15 minutes to install. Replacing spark plugs adds another 15 minutes. Spark plugs are like $60ish for 6. The hardest part would be removing the cabin filter and cover thing, but even that is not hard. You should spend the money you save on the tools.

[Three_thirty_I]

I think it's fair to say that this is a lot for replacing 6 coils and 5 plugs, even with the fact that they're no doubt OEM parts. And as for the labour, honestly, it's a 10 minute job with basic tools - can even get away without having to use a torque wrench - the Bosch spark plugs need 90 degree beyond finger tight which ends up being the specified 28NM tightening dry torque. But, peace of mind that they're fitting you will have a 2 year warranty on the parts fitted by them.

[El Cheapo Loco]

Originally Posted by Three_thirty_I

it's a 10 minute job with basic tools

Please show us how you can remove micro filter, cowl, vanity cover, replace all 6 plugs/coils, and put everything back together in 10 minutes.

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by El Cheapo Loco

Please show us how you can remove micro filter, cowl, vanity cover, replace all 6 plugs/coils, and put everything back together in 10 minutes.

The point is, it really doesn't take that long to do. Granted, the grey top N52 vanity cover just pops off (no need to unscrew). Micro filter cover and cowl is just a few screws. For someone doing this for the first time, it may take a while longer, but if you working on these cars all the time, it really isn't a big job and certainly not worth the labour being charged. Sure, 10 minutes might be an exaggeration, but I'll put it this way, if it takes half an hour, then there must be some sort of "go-slow" taking place. Some feel the need to remove the strut brace, but it's not necessary, there is enough space.

[WhiteBeard]

I just did replace coils and spark plugs on my sister's bmw 528xi 2009 - i believe it has same n52 engine as your 08 328i.
I ordered coils and spark plugs from rockauto - coil is $19, irridium spark plug is $4. I also ordered a spark plug socket for $12 and all you need basically is 1h time. You'll need a basic set of tools that also have torx set. That's all you need. Video's DIY are available.
As for your $800 quoted job - it sounds high, but the thing is this kind of jobs are tend to be pricey because, mechanics think they can charge you that much. IMHO many shops have a rate of $60 per hour and 1h work is what is takes roughly to get this job done.

[WhiteBeard]

Originally Posted by El Cheapo Loco

Please show us how you can remove micro filter, cowl, vanity cover, replace all 6 plugs/coils, and put everything back together in 10 minutes.

That's why I deliberately left out 2 bolts holding plastic cover of engine in the back. That's is why usually you need to take all the stuff to get reach. Now, next time I'll just take 2 front bolts out and cover comes off. After that it's a 5min max to replace all coils. A bit more if you are replacing spark plugs too, but they usually last 2x longer.

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by WhiteBeard

That's why I deliberately left out 2 bolts holding plastic cover of engine in the back. That's is why usually you need to take all the stuff to get reach. Now, next time I'll just take 2 front bolts out and cover comes off. After that it's a 5min max to replace all coils. A bit more if you are replacing spark plugs too, but they usually last 2x longer.

Exactly, getting off the cosmetic stuff is actually a non issue, it's the actual job of changing the coils and plugs that I am mostly focussing on in the "time spent" - it takes more time getting all the covers off and back on that the job at hand.

[hankcah]

I get my parts from Pelican Parts. 328i spark plugs are - $12.25 - $17.00 max, each. http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item0

The most for parts is $102. Cheapest is $73. If you know how to hang a picture on a wall, you can change your spark plugs. I'd rather do spark plugs than an oil change as you don't have to get under the car.

This DIY puts things into perspective.

.

Here's another from Pelican: http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

Do it on the side of the road or where you park. Open the hood and do it there. Get some gloves, get the tools and put them in a backpack. Print out the instructions and label the parts with blue painters tape. Take breaks. You don't even need to jack up the car or get dirty. Just your hands.

If anything you need to call around to different shops. I wouldn't pay more than $200 for that job.

[PichaDis11]

Just about right on the mark of dealership prices.. Plugs and coils are easily ~$500. then add their diagnostics fee and labour charge and it's spot on..

[Needbmwpartzz]

Coils at dealer are very expensive....115 a piece up here in Canada at my local stealer.

[Three_thirty_I]

If the coils and plugs at the dealer there are as expensive as they are here, then along with the typical labour charge this is probably about right. I still think it is far cheaper and just as practical to DIY with good OEM parts which are available for considerably cheaper than the dealer parts. And anyone that insists that the BMW OE parts are better, then ask yourself why are we having to replace these parts to begin with? And often this is on youngish cars with not very high mileage. But then again, there will always be differing opinions and viewpoints...

[Delta0311]

MAJOR OVERKILL!! Someone is seriously trying to rape you..

A set of 6 coils will be less then $200. On a N52 this is roughly an 1 to 1.5 hour job if you are doing it the first time, very easy to do..

[LsuGeaux]

Easy Job, I'm not a mechanic but I watched plenty of videos and read a lot of information.
I just changed my coils/plugs two weeks ago. It took an hour because I was babying the process. You definitely should look into options before going straight to the stealership.

[ivscout]

I would agree with others on here, local dealer quoted me $120 per coil, I got mine for around $32 off Amazon. So yeah the part cost seems a bit high, but most BMW mechanics won't do customer supplied parts. And if they charge you for more than an hour of labor, I would question it.

[04gto]

Originally Posted by El Cheapo Loco

Please show us how you can remove micro filter, cowl, vanity cover, replace all 6 plugs/coils, and put everything back together in 10 minutes.

+1

[Three_thirty_I]

Originally Posted by 04gto

+1

Read my reply.

[fazman]

Originally Posted by mrmonkey

He quoted $70 a piece on the coils, FYI.

Did you end up getting this fixed? What path did you end up going with?

Some good sources to get parts from:
fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee (They Guarantee wear/tear items for LIFE)
Rockauto.com
GetBMWParts.com
advanceautoparts.com (use coupons, TFT31/TFT41/TRT31/TRT41/HUGE50)

I would try to find a good local Indy who will give you better labor rates and bring him your own parts that you buy. I would have them do both ALL 6 Spark plugs and All 6 coils (Tell them you want to keep your old parts and for them to label which one came from which cyl so you can inspect them later).

old coils might still have a little life in them to make them good spares for temporary use... old spark plugs are useless, but it gives an indication about a lot of stuff just by looking at them and smelling them:
* smells like fuel = leaky injector
* if oily, wet
* if white
* if etc...

My take is, this job for changing spark plugs should take no longer than 30 minutes but expect that they bill you for 1 hour of shop time. To get to the Spark plugs... they need to remove the coils (no additional labor required), so when they go to re-install the coils after the new spark plugs are in... there is no cost to put in the new coils instead of the old coils (unless they plan to charge you an unboxing fee )

[Darkfox2002]

I ordered a set of ignition coils for 155.00 off amazon bosch http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o09_s01 replaced them myself, first time ever doing my own spark plugs took me maybe 30-45mins to do so. Removing all the stuff to get to the plugs took longer then replacing the plugs lol