coils, plugs and leads replaced
 

Feeling rather proud of myself at this very moment.
I've fitted brake pads, coils, leads and plugs for the very first time ever!
I understood the need to maintain the rex before making the purchase, and decided at the time that I will do more myself and get out of the habit of 'it's easier to pay somebody else to do the job'.
There was a little bit left on the pads but a little sqeak every now and again made me decide to change them.
The car's now covered just over 50,000 miles and with the recommendation to change the coils around the 30,000 mark decided to get the kit (colis, leads and plugs).
Having the right tools made life so much easier and I was pleasantly surprised that I could achive such tasks.
Below are some photos I took of the coils and plugs. Forgot to make a note of the location but one coil doesn't look too bad. You'll agree that the plugs needed changing badly!
http://i39.tinypic.com/2100dqt.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/22hjy8.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2a5nqwy.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/1gj5ex.jpg
I would say I'm surprised at what a difference it has made (it has made a considerable difference and it feels like a different car) but with plugs that bad it's no wonder.

The marks on the bottom of the coils doesn't mean anything positive or negative about them. Just heat discoloration.

Now, if one was completely burned through on the bottom, then that would mean something.

BC.

congratulations! It feels good to fix something yourself doesnt it? I had never done anything even as simple as change my own brake pads before this car, now ive done pads, brake lines, rotors, plugs, coils, intake, shifter, struts and springs, midpipe, coolant, transmission fluid, rear diff fluid. This forum helps give you the confidence to do these things yourself.

Good work. I'm in the same boat and will be doing the same sometime in the next few months.

If i just have the tools and time, i would be doing it myself, rather than paying someone else to do it for you. Anyway, nice work.

I still have a fear of doing my own brakes ever since dad and I did the rear drum brakes on his truck, and ended up with extra springs left over at the end.

Good thing was we only took one side apart at a time, and could just pull the other one to check. :)

I've gotta ask the OP about his Alias Imprezza2RX8

I'm assuming you use to own an Imprezza and now you have an RX8.

The Imprezza IMO is a rather sweet ride ... what made you switch?