bacardy703

I just got my car checked out at a local MB dealer here in Fairfax, VA and I was told that my "aftermarket" Bosch Platinum +4 plugs that fit my 2000 CLK430 are not correct for my car, that I MUST use ONLY OEM Bosch plugs (#F8DPP332). Plus I need 2 new wires (I will just replace the entire wire set at this point). Are you ready to laugh? They want $800 to do this job!! Any comments or agreements that I should go back to the OEM plugs?

Thanks all

falls profet

I think they're full of ****. Althought the +4 might be wrong??? Prznskillz had mentioned in that he used +2. That's what I bought, but have yet to install them. One vocabulary word I learned right off from a lot of these guys when I got into Benz' long time ago, "STEALERSHIP." Remember that.

MarcusF

The M113’s “wiz-tech, phase-shifted” ignition is pretty sophisticated, but I doubt +4 plugs hamper how the ignition itself works. The dealer techs/service writer *may* know something. Of course, they *may* be trying to generate work (that IS how they get paid). I personally wouldn’t use +4 plugs. The only electrode used on a +4 plug is the one with the least resistance making the other three “flame front impediments”. They are the exact opposite of what anyone who’s ever indexed plugs was trying to achieve. That’s not to say +4’s don’t work, just why “I” wouldn’t use them.

Eight bills for a plug change? For a DIY type, a set of plugs from the dealer is $120 (MBCA discount price), and a set of plug wires is $200 at AZ Autohaus (that’s assuming you have a plug wire removal tool and sockets). So the dealer is really costing about $480 in labor. Although the dealer work order probably says $200+ in plugs and $54 for two plug wires – making their labor rate $550. Great White Motorsports (a southern California performance shop) charges a flat rate of $400 in labor for a Mercedes M113 plug change.

Unless bored, I’d just change the wires for now. What does your dealer charge for a wire set? $27 x 16? Where are you getting your new wires?

bacardy703

I will be ordering my wire set from Autohaus, they have had good prices in the past, about $190 shipped for all 16 wires, can't beat that. Also, just to add, when I told the MB tech at the dealership that I will not be doing the service with them, they charged me a $108 "diagnostic" fee.... what a bunch of crooks. Last time I go to the dealer on a whim. I will leave the plugs as they are and see if the wires will make a huge difference here, i'm hoping they will and yes I do need a wire removal tool, can I just buy one from an Autozone or Advance Auto parts? thanks again!

MarcusF

I bought my wire puller at Sears, but they're all basically the same.

jbowen1094

I have had the IR fusion Plugs on my CLK55 for the past 6 months and it runs better than ever.

bacardy703

good to hear.... I will be changing out my wires this coming week when they arrive in the mail.. $183 shipped for all 16 wires. I will post on here if that solved the misfire problem I have been having. Thanks for all the input

jbowen1094

Can you describe it

bmwg84

Is there a Spark Plug removal DIY / writeup for a 430 engine?

jtbeche

I did this really bad writeup awhile ago.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208...ugs-wires.html