BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      11-09-2012, 11:17 AM   #1
MysticblueX3
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Spark Plugs, 45k or 100K?

So I've read here a few times here and there that people recommend changing out their spark plugs at 45k. I'm already out of warranty and I was going to do it myself following the DIY in the DIY section. I currently have 46k miles on the car. I called the parts department to get price on the plugs and the guy told me that they are 100k plugs and I should be fine. He didn't even try to sell me the plugs saying stuff like its good for 100k by recommends 45k. He just says I don't need them.

So is there a reason to change them at 5K? Or do the people on the board just change them at 45k for the same reason why some people change their oil every 5k instead of the bmw recommended 15k/1yr?
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      11-09-2012, 11:23 AM   #2
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Perhaps for peace of mind, but it also has a lot to do with how you drive and what mods/tune you have done. Pull one plug and see how it looks. Also shop around for plugs, you can get them significantly cheaper than what the parts dept will offer. IIRC last time I did mine it ran 68 bucks plus shipping for the plugs; I look at it as cheap insurance.

Last edited by Snertz; 11-09-2012 at 11:28 AM.. Reason: derp
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      11-09-2012, 11:28 AM   #3
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I would say if your modded do it at 45k if not do it around 60k, 100k just seems like to long. When i had my PPK installed by the dealer they put a sticker on the intake that reads "Replace spark plugs after 45,000mls!!"
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      11-09-2012, 12:04 PM   #4
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I remember reading in the manual that 45k is for turbo motors and 100k is for non-turbo motors.

I changed mine at 53k and they looked disgusting.

If you have a tune, you should change them even sooner.

edit: found the pic i took. look at my 53k plug, notice how the gap has grown significantly vs. the new plug.
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Last edited by TheBurro; 11-09-2012 at 12:19 PM..
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      11-09-2012, 12:11 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snertz View Post
Pull one plug and see how it looks.
The problem with this suggestion is by the time you get the cabin filter, cabin filter housing, the end covers for the brake fluid reservoir, the tray by the windshield, and the large engine "beauty" cover, and the coil pack off, you might as well be in there changing out the damn plug already. It's a PITA.

edit:

To the OP, i dont know which DIY you found, but this video by Cobb about misfire diagnosis goes through step by step process of swapping out the plugs. It was hugely helpful when I did mine. I had my laptop on the workbench and followed along with the video.
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      11-09-2012, 12:17 PM   #6
MysticblueX3
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Thanks for all the feed back guys. I guess I'll end up changing mine out over Christmas break when I have some free time. $100 for plugs and its not a huge cost and I love reasons to wrench on the car.

Thanks for the video Burro! I just found a DIY on the 1addict DIY section.
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      11-09-2012, 02:36 PM   #7
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I will change by 50K miles and I have a 128i. I don't see the point of depending on inexpensive parts that have been in service a long time. When plugs get old gas mileage drops and power is reduced. Why let that happen when plugs are relatively inexpensive.

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      11-09-2012, 02:43 PM   #8
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45k is factory recommended for 135i. If you're tuned guys say you should do them every 25k. Non-turbo 100k is probably fine.
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      11-09-2012, 03:25 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticblueX3 View Post
So I've read here a few times here and there that people recommend changing out their spark plugs at 45k. I'm already out of warranty and I was going to do it myself following the DIY in the DIY section. I currently have 46k miles on the car. I called the parts department to get price on the plugs and the guy told me that they are 100k plugs and I should be fine. He didn't even try to sell me the plugs saying stuff like its good for 100k by recommends 45k. He just says I don't need them.

So is there a reason to change them at 5K? Or do the people on the board just change them at 45k for the same reason why some people change their oil every 5k instead of the bmw recommended 15k/1yr?
spark plug replacement...

135i = 45K miles
128i = 100K miles


On a tuned 135i I would change the plugs every ~20 to 25K miles. On a 128i thats driven hard/spiritedly I would change them ~45K miles.
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      11-09-2012, 06:48 PM   #10
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Will the dealer change them under warranty, or am I going to have a hard time getting them to do it?
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      11-09-2012, 06:52 PM   #11
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I just changed mine at 30k miles, stock tune until now. Cheap investment. I have the spark plug tool if your interested in buying PM me.
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      11-09-2012, 06:57 PM   #12
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Dealer did mine at 45k on my 135. The manual shows that plugs are to be changed under the OEM plan at 45k and it is not a CBS logged event. They gave me a hassle for a few when I first arrived saying that the key did not show the plugs were due, but as soon as I pulled out the book they changed them without hesitation.
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      11-11-2012, 06:48 PM   #13
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I have activated the spark plug CBS on both my E88 and E70 by coding. All you need to know on b m w c o d I n g dot c o m. There are various other hidden menus which you can activate such as cabin micro filter for example
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      11-11-2012, 07:49 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek8819
Dealer did mine at 45k on my 135. The manual shows that plugs are to be changed under the OEM plan at 45k and it is not a CBS logged event. They gave me a hassle for a few when I first arrived saying that the key did not show the plugs were due, but as soon as I pulled out the book they changed them without hesitation.
+1
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      11-11-2012, 08:17 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by syenisch View Post
+1
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      11-12-2012, 11:17 AM   #16
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I took my car this weekend for oil change 38K miles and I complained to my SA that I have hesitation under WOT and asked for a new spark plugs before 45K miles. he said it will hard but will let the technician check them first.

3 hours later he called and said BMW will change them under warranty at 38K miles because after they checked them they were really bad.
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      11-12-2012, 03:32 PM   #17
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+1 on 25K miles.

I recently started getting misfires on WOT in 2nd and 3rd between 4-5K rpms resulting in limp mode.

Swapped them out and problem went away. I was happy to see the old plugs wore well on all cylinders.
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      11-13-2012, 01:17 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticblueX3 View Post
So I've read here a few times here and there that people recommend changing out their spark plugs at 45k. I'm already out of warranty and I was going to do it myself following the DIY in the DIY section. I currently have 46k miles on the car. I called the parts department to get price on the plugs and the guy told me that they are 100k plugs and I should be fine. He didn't even try to sell me the plugs saying stuff like its good for 100k by recommends 45k. He just says I don't need them.

So is there a reason to change them at 5K? Or do the people on the board just change them at 45k for the same reason why some people change their oil every 5k instead of the bmw recommended 15k/1yr?

NO change them at 45,000 open your manual book some were in the last pages it says

135I SPARK PLUGS ARE DUE at 45,000 AND 128i at 100,000
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      01-29-2013, 01:46 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SfValley335i View Post
I just changed mine at 30k miles, stock tune until now. Cheap investment. I have the spark plug tool if your interested in buying PM me.
I'll take that tool off of your hands if nobody else has claimed it.
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      01-29-2013, 02:33 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by hydroboy35th View Post
I'll take that tool off of your hands if nobody else has claimed it.
3 months too late...
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      01-29-2013, 02:36 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hydroboy35th View Post
I'll take that tool off of your hands if nobody else has claimed it.
Just buy one from Dan@United or Jason@Tischer.
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      02-03-2013, 04:37 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by doublevanosrc
I would say if your modded do it at 45k if not do it around 60k, 100k just seems like to long. When i had my PPK installed by the dealer they put a sticker on the intake that reads "Replace spark plugs after 45,000mls!!"
Can you send me a pic. My 135is does not have that label and it comes with a factory ppk.
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