Spark plug change questions
#1
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My Ride: BMW
Model Year: 2006
My car is just over 60K miles and I want to change the spark plugs just for the hell of it.
1. Do I have to buy anything else besides the plugs themselves such as ignition coils, wiring connectors, gaskets?
2. I notice on ecstuning.com and bavauto.com there's a Bosch BMW genuine part and a regular Bosch part. The BMW genuine part cost about twice as much. Is the BMW Bosch one pre-gapped for our cars compared to the non-BMW one? What's the difference between the two?
Thanks!
1. Do I have to buy anything else besides the plugs themselves such as ignition coils, wiring connectors, gaskets?
2. I notice on ecstuning.com and bavauto.com there's a Bosch BMW genuine part and a regular Bosch part. The BMW genuine part cost about twice as much. Is the BMW Bosch one pre-gapped for our cars compared to the non-BMW one? What's the difference between the two?
Thanks!
#2
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My Ride: '06 530i, '07 C280 4matic, '98 ML320
Nothing else is needed, unless there are any problems with other components.
Spark plugs are pre-gapped when you receive them; however, it doesn't hurt to check the gap before installing.
Spark plugs are pre-gapped when you receive them; however, it doesn't hurt to check the gap before installing.
#3
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My Ride: 04' 545i, Sport Package, Black, Active Xenon, ARS, Aux Input
'10 Tahoe, Black on Black, leather, Nav/XM, 20" tires, full body kit, power 2nd row, loaded
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What car do you have? If its the v8, good luck getting to the back 2 plugs near the firewall! And you should still have 40k left on your plugs.
#5
I used the Bosch Platin FR7NPP332 which I got from Rock Auto (around $10 ea 2 yrs ago) for my 525xi N52. Originals were NGK R5 (ILZFR6D11). The Bosch's came pre-gapped (they're plantinum and you shouldn't regap them) with plastic covers to protect the tips during shipping. I also replaced mine at 60,000 miles and the engine has run like a champ since, although it ran great before too. The job is fairly easy, the only tight spot is the cylinder closest to the firewall on the passenger side. A universal joint on the ratchet comes in handy for that one as you have to snake around a few obstacles.
#6
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My Ride: 540i
Model Year: 2017
I went with NGK at 100K miles.
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_finder/index.asp
Ordered from here:
http://www.sparkplugauto.com/ngk/laser-iridium/
And used these posts for reference:
https://5series.net/forums/topic/688...1#entry1127713
https://5series.net/forums/topic/919...6#entry1174996
Have fun!
http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_finder/index.asp
Ordered from here:
http://www.sparkplugauto.com/ngk/laser-iridium/
And used these posts for reference:
https://5series.net/forums/topic/688...1#entry1127713
https://5series.net/forums/topic/919...6#entry1174996
Have fun!
#7
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My Ride: 2006 Titanium Silver BMW 530iA, Sport & Premium Package, Active Steering, Anti-Roll-Suspension, Adaptive Headlight, Navigation, OEM M-Tech Kit, Authentic RD Trunk Spoiler, VIP Modular Wheels: 245/35/20; 275/30/20, OEM M Trunk Finisher.
I replaced my spark plugs at 68,000 miles last month. The old plugs were as good as new; and the new plugs did not make my car run any better. My car is a 2006 530i. Unless you have engine shaky issues, save your time and money for a nice movie and popcorns. I am convinced the original plugs are good for 100,000 miles.
If you still want to do it, disconnect one from your engine and check it out for yourself. If everything looks good, you can use fine sandpapers to clean it up a bit better before you put them back. Otherwise, here is a link to where I bought my plugs (NGK Laser Iridium) at a very good price: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...006&vi=1431869
Good luck and have fun!
If you still want to do it, disconnect one from your engine and check it out for yourself. If everything looks good, you can use fine sandpapers to clean it up a bit better before you put them back. Otherwise, here is a link to where I bought my plugs (NGK Laser Iridium) at a very good price: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...006&vi=1431869
Good luck and have fun!
#8
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My Ride: 550i SMG, HUD, Cold Weather/Sport Package, Mtech front bumper, Oem M5 rear bumper, V1 Concealed, RPI Scoop, 6000K HID both Fog and Headlight, M5 mirrors, LED interior lighting, M5 SMG Shift Knob, Eisenmann Sport Exhaust Quad Pipe, 30% Tint, Sprint B
Model Year: 2007
I just replaced my plugs and coils at 63,000 miles and the old plugs looked good. getting to the back plugs near the firewall was tough but not impossible. Makes sure when you reconnect your coils that the connectors are pushed all the way until there is no gap.
#9
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My Ride: 2006 530i, Jet Black, Tan, Premium, Steptronic
My car is just over 60K miles and I want to change the spark plugs just for the hell of it.
1. Do I have to buy anything else besides the plugs themselves such as ignition coils, wiring connectors, gaskets?
2. I notice on ecstuning.com and bavauto.com there's a Bosch BMW genuine part and a regular Bosch part. The BMW genuine part cost about twice as much. Is the BMW Bosch one pre-gapped for our cars compared to the non-BMW one? What's the difference between the two?
Thanks!
1. Do I have to buy anything else besides the plugs themselves such as ignition coils, wiring connectors, gaskets?
2. I notice on ecstuning.com and bavauto.com there's a Bosch BMW genuine part and a regular Bosch part. The BMW genuine part cost about twice as much. Is the BMW Bosch one pre-gapped for our cars compared to the non-BMW one? What's the difference between the two?
Thanks!
I also bought a spark plug tool made by Gearwrench from Advanced Auto for about $10. I wanted the socket to be connected to the extension because it is a long way down to the spark plug from the top of the head. Alternatively, you can wrap tape around the 5/8" socket and extension.
IMHO $40 in preventative maintenance is well worth the time and effort.
#10
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My Ride: 2005 530i, Premium Package, Grey Leather, Rear Euro Reflectors
I bought my NGK plugs at O'Reilly Auto. They were pre-gapped.
I also bought a spark plug tool made by Gearwrench from Advanced Auto for about $10. I wanted the socket to be connected to the extension because it is a long way down to the spark plug from the top of the head. Alternatively, you can wrap tape around the 5/8" socket and extension.
Gearwrench 80546
IMHO $40 in preventative maintenance is well worth the time and effort.
I also bought a spark plug tool made by Gearwrench from Advanced Auto for about $10. I wanted the socket to be connected to the extension because it is a long way down to the spark plug from the top of the head. Alternatively, you can wrap tape around the 5/8" socket and extension.
Gearwrench 80546
IMHO $40 in preventative maintenance is well worth the time and effort.
I use a piece of rubber hose to back out the plugs once they break free and to hand tighten the new ones. It fits snugly over the end of the plug so it won"t fall off and you are also sure you will not cross thread the new plugs.