Rough Idle....dealer Says Spark Plugs..

[Aloyouis]

Ok guys ever since I joined this group my previously problem free 2002 325i has been nothing but trouble!

I have had an intermittent rough idle that has been undiagnosed by the dealer on their previous attempt. It stalled no less than 15 times last night in my drive way before finally running right. It was very cold (6 degrees). The check engine light came on but went off today after it had been running awhile. It ran just fine today.

NOW, they say it needs the spark plugs replaced at a cost of the afforementioned $260.

Two questions:
1. Do you think this is the cause? They have ruled out coils, fuel and a host of other possibilities that would show up on the computer....
2. Is it worth that amount of money to have them do it? I really don't want to do it myself, especially in this cold.

Notes: 2002 325i auto, premium,seats,roof. It has 75K on it and is 26 months old (yes I know I drive a ton, but that is why I bought it). I have purchased fuel at the same BP station since new (always premium) and have gone through several tanks/weeks between problems. I really like this car.

PLEASE RESPONDWITH YOUR THOUGHTS!!!!!!!!!

JIM

[PMB]

I would buy the plugs and find a nice warm indoor car park and do it yourself. Apart from trying to rip you off on labor they are probably charging double for the plugs too.

If you do decide to do it yourself make sure you set up the plag gaps first.

[peterkulesza]

if the check engine lite comes on, there a codes. therfore, (and without looking at them) i may be persuaded to buy the plug theory.

buy them from bmw, and replace yourself. do you knwo how to do this without &$$&ing up ?

[matchan]

Your vehicle is covered for 4 years/50,000 miles -> Maintenance is free and also under new car warranty

[falconx_X]

you can go to the nearby and get them to check out the fault codes using an OBDII reader.. it's free!!! you can cross-check it on this website http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshoo...bl_obd_main.htm

The OEM NGK spark plugs are about $13 from the dealer, so they are definitely ripping you off.. just buy the spark plugs and take it to any independent bmw shop for replacement.. good luck!

[Aloyouis]

OK all. Dealer had the service manager drive it. Says I need an alignment. They had previously ruled this out. I will let you know....

BTW- $160 to align it.

[peterkulesza]

what does alignment have to do with the engine????

[J325ci04]

i may have a minor case of the same problem. I have a 2004 325ci. the other day when i started it, it was a rough idle, kind of shaking the car. i checked the oil which was slightly low, so i put a quart in. But today i tried startin it and it took a lil longer to start probably due to the temperature being 14 plus windchill. and it was a rough idle again shaking the car a bit and the service engine light came on. after letting it warm up somewhat i tried backing up a lil in my driveway to see how it felt, and it felt like shit the car was shaking more as i reversed. any1 ever have this problem or have any idea wut they think it is. I'm worried since this car is my baby and the fuckin dealership is booked and said i can't bring it in till like 2 weeks i don't think it'd be good to wait 2 weeks.

any comments or help is greatly appreciated.

[Kade323ci]

$ 260? Those spark plugs better serve you coffee in the morning. Thats a high price. Spend $15 on a Chilton or Haynes manual and install them yourself. And the alignment has absolutely nothing to do with your engine at all. I'd be very carefull about taking the car to this dealer again.

[doughboyea]

Thier taking advantage of you, go to another dealer, if possible. If you have the balls, quote the actual price of the part, ask how long it should take to install the plugs acording to thier books, and ask them to explain the descrepincy. BTW, my dealer charges $97/hr. And also, your plugs, according to the DEALER are 100,000 mi plugs, so technically, thier in thier own warranty, they should last you until your 100,000 mi inspection (service/tuneup) which are changed and the price is included then, should be around $500 for that +/-.

I'm not a mechanic and don't pretend to be, just my experience.

Dough

[Aloyouis]

Originally posted by peterkulesza@Jan 21 2005, 11:40 AM
what does alignment have to do with the engine????

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Sorry, confused two topics.....

Dealer agreed to do plugs for $210 it better solve the rough idle. They say it is 1.75 hours and their rate is $109/HR + plugs at 13.75ea.

The other problemI am experiencing is a tramleing issue that they say will be solved by an alignment at $160.....

Having themdo an oil change to at $86 so I better have a like new running car (it has 75k) or else.

I willreport back on both issues.

JIM

[storme]

1 3/4 hr to undo 6 spark plugs?????????????????????

jesus!!!!!
surely they take 3 minutes each to undo and 3 minutes each to put back...thats 36 minutes at the school i went to
http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technic...spark_plugs.htm
and that is an exaggerated time..i reckon more like 2 minutes each

do it your self..and get some decent iridium spark plugs



http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technic...spark_plugs.htm

[Aloyouis]

Originally posted by storme@Jan 23 2005, 05:36 AM
1 3/4 hr to undo 6 spark plugs?????????????????????

jesus!!!!!
surely they take 3 minutes each to undo and 3 minutes each to put back...thats 36 minutes at the school i went to
http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technic...spark_plugs.htm
and that is an exaggerated time..i reckon more like 2 minutes each

do it your self..and get some decent iridium spark plugs



http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/technic...spark_plugs.htm

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My understanding is that they have to remove several items to get to them including all six ciols. Does that justify the time/expense? I don't know.

[doughboyea]

Now... again, I'm no mechanic, I have done spark plug removal/install before. Not on a BMW, though. On a Mercedes, 6 plugs (same configuration as the inline BMW). Took me an hour... ONLY because some bitch next door kept asking me questions about stupid crap. Shit.. if that's the going rate for spark plug renewal, I'd gotta get up a small buisness of just changing spark plugs.

Just did a quick check on pricing from buyautoparts.com:
Bosch Platinum 2 plug @ $3.53 each = $21.18
Bosch Platinum+4 plug @ $5.04 each = $30.24
Most expensive Bosch plug @ $12.94 each = $77.64

When you spend over $50, free shipping...otherwise ~$5.74

Perhaps someone can better enlighten us why they would charge so much.

Dough

[peterkulesza]

yeah 1.5 hrs may be about right. take the cover off, get the coils off, put this back...

these plugs do last very long, ask them TO SHOW YOU the old ones. that can tell a lot about what was wrong. i'd watch them too (if u decide to do it at a dealer) so they do not give you some old plugs not from your car...