Best $60 spent so far - spark plugs
08-02-2012 | 03:02 PM
#11
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 197
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From: San Diego CA
My Ride: 08 528i
Model Year: 2008
I've gotten good at removing the plastic covers on the engine bay, did my brakes a couple months ago and just last weekend I flushed the brake fluid also.
By the way, the best tip I can share to remove the coil packs is to use the hole in part 2 of the coil (pic on second thread). After disconnecting the wire, part 2 sits straight up. Wiggle the coil sideways first to loosen it, than use your finger or the shaft of a screwdriver to lift the coil, careful not to break it.
By the way, the best tip I can share to remove the coil packs is to use the hole in part 2 of the coil (pic on second thread). After disconnecting the wire, part 2 sits straight up. Wiggle the coil sideways first to loosen it, than use your finger or the shaft of a screwdriver to lift the coil, careful not to break it.
08-02-2012 | 04:00 PM
#12
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 196
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From: Raleigh, NC
My Ride: 98' 528i Manual07' 550i Sport
My coils were really firmly seated in there so i laid a big screwdriver across the valve cover and then used another through the top of the coil to leverage it loose. Worked great.
08-03-2012 | 08:52 AM
#13
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Don't buy the plugs from the dealer stealer. I've gotten quotes as high as $39.00 per plug which is ridiculous. Buy online or most auto parts stores can get them for you on the same day if they don't have them in stock.
08-03-2012 | 09:13 AM
#15
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 197
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From: San Diego CA
My Ride: 08 528i
Model Year: 2008
Glad the visual helped 
I bought a whole set of wire brushes at harbor freight for a couple bucks, the trick to get more bristles into the coil is to cut the tip of the wire brush, the very tip is twisted heavy gauge wire with no bristles.
I bought a whole set of wire brushes at harbor freight for a couple bucks, the trick to get more bristles into the coil is to cut the tip of the wire brush, the very tip is twisted heavy gauge wire with no bristles.
08-03-2012 | 09:22 AM
#18
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 197
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From: San Diego CA
My Ride: 08 528i
Model Year: 2008
Probably not necessary but I had the wire brush in hand and only took about 2 minutes to run it through all the coils. The contact looked "shinier" (less dull/corrosive powder) which probably means better contact.
08-03-2012 | 10:09 AM
#19
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,098
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From: Los Angeles, CA
My Ride: BMW
Model Year: 2006
Are there any advantages to using the NGK with 4 electrodes over the Bosch with 1 electrode?
08-04-2012 | 02:22 PM
#20
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 44
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From: USA St. Augustine, Florida
My Ride: 2006 525i with nav and blue tooth , the wifes
and 1999 740il, my beast
I just did my spark plugs also at 85k miles. I have the N52 motor. I used NGK irridium plugs. The original plugs were labeled BMW on one side and NGK on the other and were also irridium plugs. (2006 525i, build date 7/2005)
I used a deep standard socket to remove the plugs...no problem. With the N54 engine you need a 12 point spark plug socket. Not sure when a thin walled socket is needed.
Always apply copper based anti seize compound on the threads. Torque to 18 ft-pounds (216 inch-pounds)
Car seemed to run smoother.....Getting better at removing all the plastic and rubber stuff to get at the engine.
I used a deep standard socket to remove the plugs...no problem. With the N54 engine you need a 12 point spark plug socket. Not sure when a thin walled socket is needed.
Always apply copper based anti seize compound on the threads. Torque to 18 ft-pounds (216 inch-pounds)
Car seemed to run smoother.....Getting better at removing all the plastic and rubber stuff to get at the engine.