Want cheap mod? Replace the spark plugs!

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01-08-2009, 07:48 AM

#21

ktlocklear

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Quote:

Originally Posted by heavy_g' post='762715' date='Jan 8 2009, 10:38 AM

I have the same question as well as I'm looking to change out my spark plugs too.
Where's the best place to get them at?

I've always bought my ngk's for my other cars from sparkplugs.com
Locally, NAPA Auto Parts carries ngk's as well

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01-08-2009, 08:06 AM

#22

heavy_g

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ktlocklear' post='762729' date='Jan 8 2009, 08:48 AM

I've always bought my ngk's for my other cars from sparkplugs.com
Locally, NAPA Auto Parts carries ngk's as well

Thanks, it looks like i'll be getting the Iridium NGK's.
Kinda scared to change them myself. looking into having someone do it for me :-)

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01-08-2009, 08:13 AM

#23

BrianTx5

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mhs525' post='759405' date='Jan 4 2009, 08:21 PM

I just finished changing my plugs. Not a lot of room in that engine bay. Maybe I'm getting old but I thought they were all a PITA and the two rear plugs were a bitch.

I bought the new plugs from Turner. They had several options. I figured German car buy German plugs so I bought Bosch. What did BMW put in the car new... NGK's

Here are some pics of the new and used plugs.

The old plugs were in pretty good shape but I think they were due for a change and expect the car to perfrom better. My car had a slight engine miss at idle that the dealer could never diagnose. I'm hoping fresh plugs will fix that...

How many miles do you have on your car? The old spark plugs don't look bad.
Did the new spark plugs take care of the slight engine miss at idle?

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01-08-2009, 08:32 AM

#24

mhs525

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Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTx5' post='762760' date='Jan 8 2009, 12:13 PM

How many miles do you have on your car? The old spark plugs don't look bad.
Did the new spark plugs take care of the slight engine miss at idle?

The car has almost 48k miles and I agree the plugs were in good shape. I could have left them but I had some time over the holidays and needed something to keep me busy. And I have a nice warm garage, tools and TV to watch football/basketball when I get frustrated and need to take a break. Which was a LOT....

The slight engine miss at idle is gone and the motor seems a bit smoother, more responsive and powerful. You lean into the gas entering the highway and the motor just pulls wonderfully. I love fast cars but I really can't see where I would have room (barring track time) to take advantage of car faster than my 545i...

A few tips. To release the plug coil from the wire connector slip a small screw driver blade in the gap and twist, makes it pop right open (pulling with your fingers is a pain). Next when removing the coil from the plug first twist the coil in the hole at least 90 degrees to break the seal. Trying to remove the coil without breaking the seal first is a pain and you don't have much room to get leverage. Finally the hole the plugs are in is DEEP, if your plug socket doesn't have a foam insert to grab the plug wrap some duct tape around the socket, leave a 1/4 inch of tape exposed at the end of the socket. The duct tape will grab the plug for your every time.

You will need several types of socket extensions and a flex extension helps to. In some cases I had to assemble the socket and two mid length extensions as I was putting them in the plug hole and reverse the process when when pulling them out because there wasn't enough room for one long extension and the socket.

And remember PATIENCE?

The car repair of my youth, brute force and ignorance, doesn?t work well on BMW?s

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01-08-2009, 07:37 PM

#25

pinguhk

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I change my plug ever 15000km and there is more hp after changing them.
I am planning to get these pulstarpulse plugs

Want cheap mod? Replace the spark plugs!-pulstar_4.jpg

http://www.pulstarpulseplugs.com/
has any 1 tried them on any car?

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01-08-2009, 11:34 PM

#26

einstein57

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dirksqjaw' post='756397' date='Dec 30 2008, 11:22 PM

I replaced mine at 100k kilometers (62.5k miles)... do US spec cars say to replace at 100k MILES?? That doesn't seem right, or make much sense...

Sure it does. Tell the customers to change them after their extended warranty is up. Then smack them with a $500 bill for some plugs. BMW free maintenance is a joke cause they have spread out all the expensive stuff to do after the standard warranty is over. So you get 3 oil changes, 2 sets of wiper blades, and some brake pads. Big woop.