Ok, I have 65k on a 2002 Max and thought that replacing plugs would probably be a good idea. Knowing it is a bit of pain in the a$$, started calling dealers around town to see what's the going rip off rate
Given that the plugs themselved are about $60 for parts these are the prices (labour and parts together) that I got:

Dealer1: $358 (really recommended to do them at 60k but they said that their techs have yet to do them on a single 3.5Max - not very comforting.)
Dealer2: $249 (took them a while to get a quote. I am thinking they have not done them before either)
Dealer3: $148 (!) - I was given price immediately and confirmed that they were platinum plugss. Sounds very low compared to others.

Finally,
Dealer4: (this is the dealer I trust the most). Service advisor said that he would not waist the money, but would do it at 105k together with Fuel Filter. Price for both is $419. He said Nissan recently sent out a memo to them saying to include fuel filter into 105 interval service. So that's something new from it originally being "non-replacable" .

Either way, I think I am going to do the plugs anyway. Question is, should I risk with the $149 dealer? Thanks for your thoughts

 

I'd say if car seems to run good and gas mileage is ok, then leave the plugs alone, should last 100k.

 

Glad Nissan finally woke up and smelled the coffee... Fuel Filter is now part of the 105Kmi service (although I noticed diffs at 50K, but you consider that many people change their plugs at ~50-60K too)

 

you would have to pay me to keep plugs in for 100k.

 

Really should be no problem leaving your plugs in. I had them changed in my 91 back when it hit 100K and still have the 2nd set in the car. Don't fear the low priced dealer .... if you want to really do yourself a favor .... be nice to the service manager when you bring your car in and ask him if you can "watch this "relatively simple" job so that you might learn the proper way to do it". If they do you can see the tech setting the proper gap. Other than that and tightening them down properly there is really not much more to changing the plugs ... other than knowing the proper method for pulling the plug cap off so that you don't ruin the wire.
Mr. P

 

If you change the plugs, you should change the wires too. Honestly, you don't need platinum plugs either. Just buy some NGK copper plugs and do the job yourself. You have coil packs so it is a relatively simple job. The problem is, you have no idea if the dealer did actually change the plugs that are tough to get to. When you do the work yourself...you know it was done right.

 

I agree completely (except for the wires...we don't got no stinkin' wires).

You can get to 4 of the sparkplugs yourself, but to get the other two the intake manifold MUST be removed. I would love to have someone else do it, and at $148.00 that is not to bad. Problem is I would really wonder if they got those last two.


Here is a write up. We could use some more pics and detail:
http://boostedmaxima.com/plugs.htm

 

Um, you are aware that what you just said is very expensive right?
You are aware that there are no "wires" but coils on the 2K+'s machines right? You are also aware that those coils are 50+ bucks a piece right?

As far as I can see, how would you replace just the "wires" as I didnt see a comfortable way to separate "wires" from the end....?

 

Well, looks like the site is gone or down. I have this saved at home so I will put it on my site and rehost.

http://boostedmaxima.com/plugs.htm

 

[QUOTE=2002 Maxima SE]I agree completely (except for the wires...we don't got no stinkin' wires).

You can get to 4 of the sparkplugs yourself, but to get the other two the intake manifold MUST be removed. I would love to have someone else do it, and at $148.00 that is not to bad. Problem is I would really wonder if they got those last two.


--> That's the catch the last two . I think I'm going to go to the one that offered to do it for $148, play dumb and ask to watch (and maybe even take pictures), ask for old pluggs back and see what happens. I hope that they did not misquote it and not come back with a $400 bill after the job is done ..