[BavarianPretzel]

Why does window MSRP sticker say that spark plugs are $0 if the free maintenance only goes up to 3 year or 36000 miles? Or do spark plugs need to be replaced before then?

(2nd item on the right in the photo)

[DanG]

Spark plugs are due every third oil change per BMW.

[BavarianPretzel]

Originally Posted by DanG

Spark plugs are due every third oil change per BMW.

So you mean it’s every 3 years or 30000 miles?

Thanks!

[Brandoch]

Originally Posted by BavarianPretzel

So you mean it’s every 3 years or 30000 miles?

Thanks!

One could call BMW and ask them first hand, that way you know all the information.

[BavarianPretzel]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

One could call BMW and ask them first hand, that way you know all the information.

Stealership service advisor said not needed for another 6 years which made me confused and puzzled. It’s like them refusing to take money?

[No one]

Originally Posted by DanG

Spark plugs are due every third oil change per BMW.

My car's handbook says "every second engine oil change". It's just ///M cars have a schedule of their own which might imply more frequent oil changes while keeping the plugs (relatively ) longer. Say, I have my engine oil replaced much more frequently than recommended (an official BMW service reduced the initially set inter service mileage by half ) but I keep the plugs closer to the recommended schedule. That is, true "ultimate care" and "condition based service" can't be free, of course.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by BavarianPretzel

Stealership service advisor said not needed for another 6 years which made me confused and puzzled. It’s like them refusing to take money?

What dealership did you go to? BMW Seattle changes my spark plugs at year 3 for free.

[DocL]

Stealership changed mine at 28k miles. I had my indie mechanic change them again at 48k miles. He said I didn't need to change them again for another 40k miles as the one's he removed still looked good.

I also started adding Lucas injector cleaner every tank full of gas. It should help keep the carbon deposits down, and helps keep the injectors clean.

[pbonsalb]

Every 3rd oil change or 30k miles on an M5/8, so a spark plug change is within the 3 years or 36k miles of free service that BMW offers.

[xander_g]

I was speaking to a shop foreman recently and he mentioned that most of the issues owners are experiencing with their cars are due to bmw overstretching the maintenance intervals. An example would be stating that some fluids are a lifetime fill.

[Portimao Blue M440ix]

Just looked up the information on my 22' m440ix and spark plugs are every 6th oil change/60 000mi

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by xander_g

I was speaking to a shop foreman recently and he mentioned that most of the issues owners are experiencing with their cars are due to bmw overstretching the maintenance intervals. An example would be stating that some fluids are a lifetime fill.

Of course he said that so customers will bring their vehicles in more frequently & pay out-of-pocket. I get an email from my dealership after every free maintenance visit stating I need additional maintenance I just ignore them.

I've followed the manufacturer's recommended maintenance intervals in every vehicle I've owned (43 so far), and with the exception of a known issue replaced under warranty, I've not had any major component fail in any of them. That includes several that I have driven to well over 100k mi. I've also yet to pay for any significant repairs outside of warranty on any of those vehicles - knock on wood. I think luck is taken out of the equation with that many different vehicles, so I'll continue to stick to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedules.

[LogicalApex]

The sticker says so as anything listed as required by BMW is covered under the free Ultimate Care. If your plugs are due in 3Y/36K it would be $0.

[xander_g]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Of course he said that so customers will bring their vehicles in more frequently & pay out-of-pocket. I get an email from my dealership after every free maintenance visit stating I need additional maintenance I just ignore them.

I've followed the manufacturer's recommended maintenance intervals in every vehicle I've owned (43 so far), and with the exception of a known issue replaced under warranty, I've not had any major component fail in any of them. That includes several that I have driven to well over 100k mi. I've also yet to pay for any significant repairs outside of warranty on any of those vehicles - knock on wood. I think luck is taken out of the equation with that many different vehicles, so I'll continue to stick to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedules.

Not at all, he knows I get all my work done at an independent shop and he went to high school with the owner. I only go to the dealer for warranty related matters.

Agree on the whole luck thing. Also, all my cars are tuned so that's another variable to be taken into consideration.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by xander_g

Not at all, he knows I get all my work done at an independent shop and he went to high school with the owner. I only go to the dealer for warranty related matters.

Agree on the whole luck thing. Also, all my cars are tuned so that's another variable to be taken into consideration.

None of that takes away from the fact that his job is to drive profits for the service department. I'll take the recommendations from engineers who design & extensively test the vehicle vs a dealership shop foreman. YMMV.

[Innovade]

Originally Posted by DanG

What dealership did you go to? BMW Seattle changes my spark plugs at year 3 for free.

They didn't change mine. Was told they only follow condition based servicing

[xander_g]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

None of that takes away from the fact that his job is to drive profits for the service department. I'll take the recommendations from engineers who design & extensively test the vehicle vs a dealership shop foreman. YMMV.

fair enough

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Innovade

They didn't change mine. Was told they only follow condition based servicing

Spark plugs are not part of the CBS system, and the dealership needs to follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. In the maintenance schedule it states spark plugs should be replaced every 30k mi, and your window sticker clearly says that maintenance service is to be completed free of charge.

[Innovade]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Spark plugs are not part of the CBS system, and the dealership needs to follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. In the maintenance schedule it states spark plugs should be replaced every 30k mi, and your window sticker clearly says that maintenance service is to be completed free of charge.

Yup, I literally showed them the maintenance schedule and they still wouldn't. They said they couldn't do anything. I even called BMW USA and they backed up the dealer. I was in for my oil change and the car had 35k~ miles and still a year left on warranty.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Innovade

Yup, I literally showed them the maintenance schedule and they still wouldn't. They said they couldn't do anything. I even called BMW USA and they backed up the dealer. I was in for my oil change and the car had 35k~ miles and still a year left on warranty.

This is probably why they denied it, being 5k over the recommended maintenance interval. What I've read & heard from my service advisor is BMW is very strict about when the service is performed for it to be covered. For example, I was given a +/- 150 mi window to get my 1,200 mi service completed. They wouldn't do it before 1,000 mi or after 1,400. Which was tough for me because I drive about 600 mi per week & during the week I am 250 mi away from my preferred dealer. I had to adjust my driving to make it back in town within that small window.

[STi from DSM]

3 years 36k is the free warranty period where everything they fix on your vehicle is free (With limited exceptions of normal wear items)
There is a specific service window in which they do their services in. Spark plugs are usually pretty common to be done within 3 years or 36k miles. I just had mine done in my 850i about 1k miles ago at 26k miles. The car prompted me to make my appointment for that and for brakes about 3 weeks later. I would say every 3 years is probably a good guideline. (or every 30k miles or so)

https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...vice+intervals

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by STi from DSM

3 years 36k is the free warranty period where everything they fix on your vehicle is free (With limited exceptions of normal wear items)
There is a specific service window in which they do their services in. Spark plugs are usually pretty common to be done within 3 years or 36k miles. I just had mine done in my 850i about 1k miles ago at 26k miles. The car prompted me to make my appointment for that and for brakes about 3 weeks later. I would say every 3 years is probably a good guideline. (or every 30k miles or so)

https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...vice+intervals

The standard warranty is 4 years/50k mi, not 3/36. The CBS (Condition Based Services) system only alerts/displays information for the following:
Engine oil (date & mileage)
Vehicle check (date & mileage)
Front brake pads (miles)
Rear brake pads (miles)
Brake fluid (date)
1200 mile running-in service (date & mileage) applicable to M vehicles only.

This is straight from the BMW Maintenance document for 2023.
You will not receive an alert for spark plugs, and the BMW maintenance schedule says they should be replaced at 30k miles (no time/date).

BMW can be pretty particular with when/mileage for services they are paying for. For example, most dealers will not perform the included 1200 mile running-in service before 1000 miles or after 1300 miles. They will perform the service outside those parameters but likely charge for the service. Just like they won't pay for an oil change before the CBS system alerts for an oil change.

Re: the poster above, he went 5k miles over when the spark plugs were supposed to be changed, and his dealer refused to do it for free, most likely because he was well beyond the mileage.