Drivetrain Malfunction = 1 Coil & 8 Plugs

dbs600 · 09-25-2020, 09:42 PM

So…

After just having passed 75k miles, I get a Drivetrain Malfunction; car is shaking / shuddering.

Dealer states car needs 1 coil and 8 plugs, for which it wants $980.

I call my indy, which wants $175 + parts.

I call several dealers; coils are between $90 and $120 and plugs are between $30 and 40.

So the job at my indy would be $615.

Dealer gets extended warranty to cover the 1 coil, but there’s a $250 deductible and dealer still wants $850 from me!?

I’m told that the warranty company will be paying is $120 given my $250 deductible; meaning the portion of the coil job is $370, and the plugs are the balance of the job.

Dealer states they’re charging $30 per plug, but that they need 2 hours of labor at $180 per hour for 8 plugs.

I balk and state there must be overlapping labor charges, but the advisor says no.

I get it that plugs are maintenance and that $365 isn’t a tremendous amount of money, but I feel that I’m being taken here.

ARGH!!!

ezaircon4jc · 09-25-2020, 11:20 PM

Well.... The coil has to come off to replace the plug, so there's an overlap charge right there.

Hoa · 09-26-2020, 12:20 AM

I’d suggest replacing all coils at this time. The other 7 will be failing soon.

If you are handy, it takes 1 hour or less to replace all 8 spark plugs and coils.

lsturbointeg · 09-26-2020, 07:50 AM

DIY!!!!

walmark · 09-26-2020, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

DIY!!!!

Agreed! I just did it last weekend and with a lot of breaks I finished in 2 hours. BMW plugs from an online retailer were $18.50 a piece and the only special tool you need is a BMW specific spark plug socket.

Boosted M5 · 09-27-2020, 10:15 PM

My coils went out at around 80k as well I would replace all of them. Really easy to do and plenty of videos on YouTube on how to do it.

dbs600 · 10-04-2020, 09:11 PM

Thank you everyone.

Car is still at the dealership; doing other work as well.

I'm going to have them do plugs.

They performed diag and if I didn't have them perform the work, they would've charged for same.

Wish I had known what the problem was ahead of time; would've brought parts over to my indy.

When other coils go, I'll definitely the the indy perform.

jasonfarrer01 · 10-09-2020, 07:16 AM

@dbs600 I have completed this job and changed all 8 plugs and coils in about 90 minutes. Found the OEM parts at Pelicanparts.com for $460. It is a very easy change out and once you do it, you will be upset that you paid a dealer that kind of money. I had a warranty and the dealer still wanted $1300 to do all 8 plugs and coils.

09-25-2020, 09:42 PM	#1
dbs600 Colonel 266 Rep 2,246 Posts Drives: 2011 750LXi Individual Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	Drivetrain Malfunction = 1 Coil & 8 Plugs So… After just having passed 75k miles, I get a Drivetrain Malfunction; car is shaking / shuddering. Dealer states car needs 1 coil and 8 plugs, for which it wants $980. I call my indy, which wants $175 + parts. I call several dealers; coils are between $90 and $120 and plugs are between $30 and 40. So the job at my indy would be $615. Dealer gets extended warranty to cover the 1 coil, but there’s a $250 deductible and dealer still wants $850 from me!? I’m told that the warranty company will be paying is $120 given my $250 deductible; meaning the portion of the coil job is $370, and the plugs are the balance of the job. Dealer states they’re charging $30 per plug, but that they need 2 hours of labor at $180 per hour for 8 plugs. I balk and state there must be overlapping labor charges, but the advisor says no. I get it that plugs are maintenance and that $365 isn’t a tremendous amount of money, but I feel that I’m being taken here. ARGH!!!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-25-2020, 11:20 PM	#2
ezaircon4jc Major General 4476 Rep 5,356 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Well.... The coil has to come off to replace the plug, so there's an overlap charge right there.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-26-2020, 12:20 AM	#3
Hoa Major 513 Rep 1,356 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: May 2010 Location: GA iTrader: (9)	I’d suggest replacing all coils at this time. The other 7 will be failing soon. If you are handy, it takes 1 hour or less to replace all 8 spark plugs and coils.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-26-2020, 07:50 AM	#4
lsturbointeg Lieutenant General 9153 Rep 14,522 Posts Drives: 2011 535i Jet Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Asian lost in OH iTrader: (0)	DIY!!!! __________________ ~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-27-2020, 10:15 PM	#6
Boosted M5 Private First Class 69 Rep 193 Posts Drives: F10 m5 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Sf bay area iTrader: (0)	My coils went out at around 80k as well I would replace all of them. Really easy to do and plenty of videos on YouTube on how to do it.
	Appreciate 2 OnlyGerman362.00 Trainwreck914130.00 Quote

10-04-2020, 09:11 PM	#7
dbs600 Colonel 266 Rep 2,246 Posts Drives: 2011 750LXi Individual Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	Thank you everyone. Car is still at the dealership; doing other work as well. I'm going to have them do plugs. They performed diag and if I didn't have them perform the work, they would've charged for same. Wish I had known what the problem was ahead of time; would've brought parts over to my indy. When other coils go, I'll definitely the the indy perform.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-09-2020, 07:16 AM	#8
jasonfarrer01 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: BMW 2015 550i Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	@dbs600 I have completed this job and changed all 8 plugs and coils in about 90 minutes. Found the OEM parts at Pelicanparts.com for $460. It is a very easy change out and once you do it, you will be upset that you paid a dealer that kind of money. I had a warranty and the dealer still wanted $1300 to do all 8 plugs and coils.
	Appreciate 0 Quote