Does anyone know approximately how much it should cost to replace all 16 spark plugs at a dealer in Los Angeles. I'm being asked to pay $600. I realize that you always pay a lot more at a dealer than an independent, but there is a reason I'm at the dealer. But even knowing that, $600 seems like an incredible amount of money for plugs.

 

Why are you at the dealer?
$600 + tax insane
you get a full set of ngk 7090 plugs for under $50 oe platinum single side electrode plugs about $2.89 at kraggens etc.
you get the 17mm offset boot removal tool delivered from me for $32
You follow my diy and in about 2 hours on a sat. morning you are done for less than 100 bucks,tools and all.
Why ever step into the dealer?
ohlord

 

I'm at the dealer because I have an extended warranty and they are replacing some other expensive parts. They're also replacing two spark plug wires. I was told the plugs should be replaced and are not covered under the warranty. I knew I would be overpaying, I just didn't know by how much since I want to take this up with them. Question: If I went to an independent service location, as opposed to doing it myself, any idea how much that would run?

 

Wires rarely go bad.You can do your own maint and still be covered under extended warranty.You can also do your own oil changes,and reset you fss indicator,just record what work you do in the service book.Let them do the extended warranty stuff,you or a good indie if you dont want to diy do the regular upkeep.
ohlord
unless saving 5bills does not mean much to you,than go have the stealer do it.

 

They really "rip" or "rape" you, the game is the mechanic does the "warranty" work for the factory rate but if they can sell you something they bill labor and parts the dealer and mechanicmakes money. There are many mechanics that bill (and get paid) more than 40 hours in less than 4 days, if you do it quickly and maybe cut corners. I have come to the conclusion, that if the car is, in the idividual mechanic finds things that he can be paid on. My recent example was they found the bulb on my "digita" temp indicator was burned out, i dont recall it being out, but it was R&R cluster 1 hour labor not covered by warranty! On a previous visit they wanted to do caps, plugsand rotors, since their records did not indicate it, they also wanted to do filters without noticing I had done them,the car does less than 8,000 per year and they did it two years ago. I questioned the rep and got "we only keep records for two years" on maintenance items.

 

@Bruin2.

In agreement with other replies.

However, faced with the situation you are now in I would do the following, in the order listed.

1. Ask for a breakdown of the cost. Parts v labour.
Not much you can do about the "elevated" MB parts costs at this point (see 2) but at least you (should) be confident that you have genuine OE parts fitted. Are the prices are as per the MB price list?

2, Why have they fitted new plugs?
Dependent upon model the service interval for these is something like 50 to 70 k miles. So how many miles has your car done and if not in line why have they changed them?
Did you agree to them being changed and you being charged?
Plugs are often changed since they are a "low cost" way of eliminating certain misfire conditions. This practice of course relies on them being "low cost". At 600USD I would have requested that they change the plugs around and ensured that the misfire or adverse condition moved around likewise.
The DTC diagnostic codes would confirm this if indeed the plugs were faulty but dependent upon the labour rate this practice may not be cost effective.
So why are they changing the leads as well?
I believe Peter Guenter is absolutely bang on in his analysis.

3. What was the time claimed for changing the plugs? Insist on comparing this with the factory "WARRANTY" time for changing the plugs before agreeing to pay. I would expect it to be circa 30 mins.

JFI labour rates in London at main (franchise) dealers for prestige brands is now fast approaching £200/hour. This is "justified" on the basis of the level of training the mechanics (technicians!!) have and specialist equipment (Star Diagnostics SDS) required to service such prestige models, plus of course the London premium!.

Special training to change spark plugs! I think not.

However, although potentiallty expensive I do not have any reason to be disappointed with the service (annual safety/smog test) and advice that I have received from my own MB dealer. However, I have a STRICT understanding that they carry out NO WORK without my express permission.
The charge for the annual test is the standard "national" charge but they also do an SDS quick check each year (free of charge) to highlight and reset any pending codes and also provide hard copy emission and quick check results at my request.

Of course they also provide a list of potential jobs...Paint chip. windscreen chip, LH rear tyre down to 3 mm, electrical fault XXX showing etc in the hope that I might get them to rectify these issues... so they do a thorough job in the hope of getting the go ahead to do (and charge!) for work.

Bottom Line: How else do you think they pay for such prestigious showrooms and "free" coffee etc.

Stuart

 

obviously coil over 2 plugs per cylinder 8right?

 

PLugs on a m113 engine 8@2 per cylinder are 100,000 mile maint interval items.
diy
ohlord

 

I could see 6 beans for 16 plugs on a coil over MB engine...from a dealer that is...each plug has its own coil right?

 

the DEALER...that is the key phrase....I recently (in New Mexico) needed a ZF 4-HP22 transmission rebuilt. The dealer told me it would be $3500, had to rebalance the propeller shaft (if not replace it for an additional $700)..according to the DEALERI was looking at possibly $5 large, the dealer included the cleaning of shop rags in the estimate!...I found a shop in Albuquerque that did a perfect job for $1300...so, screw the dealers so say I....