# Help on new plugs and wires **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mercedes-benz\ **Created:** [January 12, 2021, 7:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109 "2021-01-12T07:36:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 7:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/1 "2021-01-12T07:36:55Z")
Mercedes 500E 4 matic 2005 model, 130K, runs great but I notice could use some pick up. Wondered if new plugs and wires would help. Dealer tells me its not running rough and wait till lights come on. I think its a good idea since it costs 1700$ to change plugs (16) and wires. What do you all think? Can I wait till next service? And why does it cost $17)) to change plugs and wires? Are those plugs made of gold or what? Can any one help? Suggestions? comments ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 8:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/2 "2021-01-12T08:38:34Z")
Those kind of prices are why so many of us on here do our own work. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 9:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/3 "2021-01-12T09:29:07Z")
> [@ramikumi](#): > > And why does it cost $1700 to change plugs and wires? If you can find them, do it yourself ![Capture](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/a/e/ae9f617203da897f731716adf2627aa17dcc4438.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 10:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/4 "2021-01-12T10:44:18Z")
The 3 biggest reasons it costs so much is: 1. Mercedes-Benz 2. Dealer 3. Luxury Euro import. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 11:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/5 "2021-01-12T11:17:05Z")
That is it, most of the cost is labor. As far as a **noticeable** change in power, unlikely. Most manufacturers usually recommend plugs around 100K miles, but sure, no CEL, wait until the next time you drop it off for service. ---
**Author:** ![vipergg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@vipergg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vipergg)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 1:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/6 "2021-01-12T13:53:42Z")
Pretty much sums it up .That and the fact that you decided to get a car with an engine that has 2 plugs per cylinder . There is usually nowadays a ton of stuff that has to be disassemble just to be able to get at the plugs thanks to govt emmissions regulations . ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/7 "2021-01-12T15:23:44Z")
Plugs were changed in 2017 around the 75K mark. I guess I can wait for next time around. I don’t drive the car much. But I did make the mistake of using regular gas a bunch of times and then started noticing the lack of a pick up. With premium it seems to go away. You think thats the issue. These things are so much electronic that is hard to figure like I could in my college days with an oldsmobile cutlass supreme. ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/8 "2021-01-12T15:24:46Z")
The picture sums it up. ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/9 "2021-01-12T15:26:16Z")
But then even independent mechanics for MB and BMW cost the same in unit labor. Dealer is 150/hr. thee other shops are around the same. Might as well depend on original parts from dealer. This is SF mind you. ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/10 "2021-01-12T15:27:17Z")
I guess with a Tesla I dont need to worry about plugs. One less headache. Actually the cost of a Tesla Model 6 is less than than my car when I bought it fully loaded. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/11 "2021-01-12T15:27:54Z")
Change them if you want, but I’d bet a donut there will be no improvement in performance. Of course, after spending those $$$ you’ll THINK there is… ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/12 "2021-01-12T15:28:07Z")
> [@ramikumi](#): > > since it costs 1700$ to change plugs (16) and wires I think you need to get another quote. An independent shop did the spark plugs (16) and wires (Bosch OEM) on my mom’s CLK 430, for less than half that price. The spark plugs aren’t especially expensive, they go for less that $5 a piece. The wires can cost upwards of $300 retail, and a shop will mark that up somewhat. Also the labor rate at MB dealership is going to be astronomical. With that said, the plugs should be replaced every 50k miles or so per the manual. ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/13 "2021-01-12T15:29:15Z")
you hit the nail on the head. LOL ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/14 "2021-01-12T15:35:07Z")
My Cutlass Supreme required premium. Your MB **may** need premium, 91 or greater octane, for best performance. If so, when using lower octane fuel the computer will make adjustments to the engine such as less advance on the ignition timing, hence less performance. ---
**Author:** ![steve63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8baadc/32.png) [@steve63](https://community.cartalk.com/u/steve63)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/15 "2021-01-12T15:37:05Z")
> [@ramikumi](#): > > But I did make the mistake of using regular gas a bunch of times and then started noticing the lack of a pick up. With premium it seems to go away. When the car requires premium (which yours does) if you substitute regular the car will retard its timing to cope with the lower octane. You will have less power and poorer gas mileage as a result. Go back to using premium and performance and gas mileage should both improve. ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/16 "2021-01-12T16:11:38Z")
Good advice. Saving a few dollars may not help in the long term. ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/17 "2021-01-12T16:14:34Z")
When was that - I had my second hand one in the mid eighties. It was on regular leaded and then unleaded. The at 350 engine was a bullet when I pressed the throttle - the whole body stood up. It did fine with regular. Only downside - Rear wheel drive was terrible in snow and one time I did a full 360 on Route 128 in Mass and luckily did not hit anyone. ---
**Author:** ![ramikumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@ramikumi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ramikumi)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/18 "2021-01-12T16:15:44Z")
Good advice. I need to take it to an independent shop and get a quote. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2021, 6:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/19 "2021-01-12T18:51:40Z")
Mine was a 1970 with the Olds 350 4bbl, pretty sure it was an Olds engine—not an SBC, I think the compression ratio was 10.5 to 1, required premium. ---
**Author:** ![Darron](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/darron/32/21829_2.png) [@Darron](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Darron)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2021, 4:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109/20 "2021-01-13T04:35:34Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/c/7/c72980a880732ff50b225e997db918e1408bff13.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/0/2/02d99ec682df59974e377235ee2f05b67cf3f05e.jpeg) 2016 Rolls Royce ghost everything up to and including the wipers need to be removed to do plugs, glad I don’t do many [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/help-on-new-plugs-and-wires/174109.md?page=2)