Dealer is recommending a tune up...said spark plugs would run about $497. First, what do spark plugs cost and how expensive is labor to replace? Can another place than dealer change the spark plugs?

its a loaded question as labor rates and parts costs vary greatly depending on your location.

A six cylinder tune-up should run around 80.00 - $100 for labor and figure about $7 a piece for the platinum plugs your vehicle requires, so roughly $120 - $150 for plugs installed.

If you replace the wires there may be a slight charge to install and figure about $40 - $80 for the wires.

If you happen to have a coil with a corroded terminal figure about $40-$60 a piece for coils. There are three.

If you have the throttle body, valve and fuel system cleaner done, figure about $100 - $200.

The best way to find out is to call around some local shops or a dealer and see what they charge.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

Most dealerships charge labor at about $70 per hour. A tune up will take about 2 hours, so your labor cost is about $140 (this will vary by location and it will be less if you go to an independent shop). They should do a computer scan, a road test and idle test. New spark plug wires are about $40.00, spark plugs are about $15.00. Oil change and filter will be about $45. Rotate and balance all tires will cost about $60. A new air filter rins about $14.00.

Well, now.
Spark plugs generally run from 3 - 10 dollars each, and spark plug wires run from 30 - 130 a set.
Now I'll do some estimating:
If you have a V-6 motor, that is 6 X 6 = $ 36 plugs and $100 wires = $136 + tax.
However, garages and shops get labor from $ 30-100 dollars to do this.
So, $ 136 parts plus $ 70 labor = $ 206 + tax.
Next thing to remember:
1) Spark Plugs today are good for 100,000 miles a set.
2) Spark plug wires can easily last 10 years.
3) and most important is - tune -up shops are in business to sell you plugs and wires whether you need them or not. They HAVE to sell them to stay in business.

I recommend a tune up to get it back to running good...
Oil, filters, plugs, radiator flush, brake system flush, ****** flush...check spark plug cables and replace if necessary.
Its a small expense, but it will make it run good and it will last...

Good luck

A tune up consists of the followig: -Spark plug replacement -Air filter cleaning/replacement -Fuel Filter replacement -Engine timing correction.
So yes, you must do a tune up every once in a while and a must before an emissions evaluation. It's not very costly and can be easily affordable by someone who can purchase gas for everyday use. For a 1996 Nissan Sentra, most of the cost will come from the spark plug that you will buy and the labor cost for correcting the timing of the vehicle.

For a basic "tune-up," the rates as low as $30-$50 in places where the cost of living is low, to as much as $100 or more in expensive areas where more is included in the tune-up.
Most places will charge you for parts and labor separately. Often tune-up parts like spark plugs, air filters and fuel filters will run $20-$60. The hourly labor quotes are from $40 an hour, to over $110-$150 an hour at BMW and Mercedes dealerships in urban areas. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the ordinary repair shops charge rates from $55-$80 an hour, and ordinary dealerships rates of $80-$90.
Dealer 30k, 60k or 90k mile tune-ups can run from $250 for 3-4 hours of labor and basic maintenance, to over $1,000 at places with high labor costs and additional maintenance services, such as timing belt replacement.
If the mechanic identifies needed repairs, this can add a significant amount to your total.

Spark plug run about $12.53 each X 6 Double Platinum
Labor to remove and replace only spark plug's
1.6 hour's X there labor rate = labor cost.

To also replace air filter and fuel filter
air filter about $20.69
fuel filter about $37.41
Labor to remove and replace .7thent of an hour
X there labor rate = labor cost.

It is what it is. If it was easy, you would do it yourself. That a avg price for that job. Be sure they use the correct NGK Platinum spark plug.

I had a local for dealer look at my 2005 Crown Vic due to sevice engine light coming on. Was told "coil asy" on two spark plugs was bad & need to be replaced. Being a loyal customer of this dealership I OK'd the repair. The cost were $171.00 for coil asy & $185.16 for two spark plugs. Was I ripped off or what?

U can wait for at least 100,000 miles, that is the factory recommended change mileage, they will last much longer than that, but it depends on how u drive, allot of stop and go will mean the 100,000 change, longer if u drive long distance.