Coil Pack Replacement

[JimVonBaden]

I know this has been discussed, and I have seen it in passing, but the search sucks, so I am going to just ask.

On a 128i, what is the optimum change interval in miles, and what is the best bang for the buck set?

I ask because I have already ordered new plugs, oil, filter, OFHG, and antifreeze. With the plugs out, replacing the coils is easy, but do they need it at 88K miles?

Thanks,

[Shortedaman]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

I know this has been discussed, and I have seen it in passing, but the search sucks, so I am going to just ask.

On a 128i, what is the optimum change interval in miles, and what is the best bang for the buck set?

I ask because I have already ordered new plugs, oil, filter, OFHG, and antifreeze. With the plugs out, replacing the coils is easy, but do they need it at 88K miles?

Thanks,

I lost my first coil at 36000 miles, you might as well go ahead and do yours if they've never been done.

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by Shortedaman

I lost my first coil at 36000 miles, you might as well go ahead and do yours if they've never been done.

I'd use OEM

[chris_flies]

It's probably time to replace them. I'd go with OEM ones, but order from FCP Euro (Unlimited lifetime replacement).

[JimVonBaden]

I ordered the stock Bosch units. Not bad at $127 for the set.

Thanks,

[ulrichd]

I did a spark plug change on my 128 at 45K and then spark plugs and ignitors at 92K. Used OEM.

[Tuxedo]

Bosch coils have a high fail rate, recommend Delphi or oem. One advantage of oem is 2yr warranty parts and labor even if you installed them.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

Bosch coils have a high fail rate, recommend Delphi or oem. One advantage of oem is 2yr warranty parts and labor even if you installed them.

^^this^^

The bosch units are no longer recommend to be used. The Delphi coil is the brand you want to use according to the info I have. I've replaced all of my coils with Delphi at 38k.

[JimVonBaden]

Too late now. I already ordered them. (where were you when I asked?)

No big deal. I only put 3K miles a year on it, and have the old coils if they fail.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Too late now. I already ordered them. (where were you when I asked?)

No big deal. I only put 3K miles a year on it, and have the old coils if they fail.

I was in BMW propaganda sales training last week

[JimD]

Too late now but I see no need to replace coils that are working. I don't think it is at all inevitable that they will fail during your ownership. I can't remember the last time a coil failed on any of my cars. I know it happens but I think it is rare.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by JimD

Too late now but I see no need to replace coils that are working. I don't think it is at all inevitable that they will fail during your ownership. I can't remember the last time a coil failed on any of my cars. I know it happens but I think it is rare.

Yeah, and as always, the forums blow small issues way out of proportion. I am going to go ahead and replace them, just because they will already be removed and I have them in hand. Hopefully I am not adding an issue.

Thanks,

[Z3SpdDmn]

I'd wait until one fails and then replace them all at the same time, with the same brand. I had 2 fail at 67k miles when it was -16 degF out, 12 hours apart. The car had never seen such low temps before (nor will it again, I hope!)

FWIW, I sourced both OEM from the dealer and OE from FCP Euro (both Delphi) and they are made in different plants in different countries. Functionally the same, yes, but they also differed in the color of the epoxy filler on top. Either one should be fine, but I'd replace them as a set.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by NVHoo

I'd use OEM

OE=Original Equipment. IE BMW or for example if BMW is using Eldor coils, you could say aftermarket Eldor coils are original equipment.

OEM= Original Equipment Manufacturer: They are a manufacturer of original equipment for several companies like Mercedes, BMW, Audi. Not necessarily the ones that went in your car...I mention this because people are throwing around OEM as original equipment. So not sure what you mean.

BMW has used Bosch, Delphi and Eldor coils. So all of those are OEM. They are original equipment manufacturers but they dropped Bosch for problems and Eldor too and returned to Delphi as of now.

Finally, while generally using original equipment is good, not always. For example, the BMW coils are crap. All of them. So why spend 4 times the money for BMW ones if they are still only going to last 30-40K miles. You can get Eldor or Bosch for a quarter of the price and they will last 30-40K also.

My ZHP came with ZDK headlights. They are garbage and the plastic reflectors burn out in 3 years. So why would I buy an $1400 BMW ZDK headlight that will burn out again in 3 years. Instead, I bought the AL Automotive Lighting headlight used in the 325i which uses a metal reflectors and still bright as can be 5 years later.

right now Delphi is considered the better of 3 bad choices. However if someone is giving away Bosch or Eldor coils and you can do the work yourself, not a bad choice. If you are paying someone to do the work then go with Delphi.

[JimVonBaden]

Based on the amount of disassembly just to get to the plugs/coils, I see no point in not replacing them when I do the plugs. My car has nearly 90K miles on it. I doubt anything has been touched.

While doing the plugs/coils, I will also be doing the OFHG, oil, coolant and serpentine belt.

Being a 128i, I am not doing the water pump as they seem to do OK on the 128. I will be doing the trans fluid in the near future as well.

[NorthernDancer]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Based on the amount of disassembly just to get to the plugs/coils, I see no point in not replacing them when I do the plugs. My car has nearly 90K miles on it. I doubt anything has been touched.

While doing the plugs/coils, I will also be doing the OFHG, oil, coolant and serpentine belt.

Being a 128i, I am not doing the water pump as they seem to do OK on the 128. I will be doing the trans fluid in the near future as well.

I like the work you are doing.
With respect to the water pump, I think your car is a pleasure mostly car and you have a 2nd car and you live in a moderate size city. In such case, I agree with you.
If car was a DD, you only had 1 car, you lived in a more rural setting, you did long trips, then I would say to replace water pump this summer.
I too have a 128, its an 08 but 3 season car and only have some 60K miles. This summer I'll do fluids & maybe spark plugs. I will track 1 day this year.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by JimD

Too late now but I see no need to replace coils that are working. I don't think it is at all inevitable that they will fail during your ownership. I can't remember the last time a coil failed on any of my cars. I know it happens but I think it is rare.

It is not rare....at all.

Plus, a failed coil can fry the DME.

[Matticus91]

At 88k miles I'd highly suggest replacing the coils, it's not expensive but can cause expensive issues if they fail.

Get any set off FCP Euro and you'll be golden. Bosch/Delphi are completely interchangeable, you drive very little, have an N/A car, and don't race, just make sure you have a matching set and you'll be fine.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

At 88k miles I'd highly suggest replacing the coils, it's not expensive but can cause expensive issues if they fail.

Get any set off FCP Euro and you'll be golden. Bosch/Delphi are completely interchangeable, you drive very little, have an N/A car, and don't race, just make sure you have a matching set and you'll be fine.

In regard to your interchangeability comment, yes it can be done, but I've read not to mix coil brands. Can't find where I read it and not sure why. Let me see if I can find it...

[nato-main-man-5am]

Interesting thread, since I'm about to tackle the coils plus plugs.

I have had an occasional misfire and at 40k ish miles, I don't feel any heartburn being proactive in this way.

Question: Will the car still think the plugs and coils haven't been replaced? Is there a way to update the built in service monitoring system to tell it that they have been replaced?

(Along the same lines, can one self report the work to places like CarFax, so that years from now, a new owner can see both all the work done by commercial outfits AND what work I did, all in one place?)

[nachob]

Originally Posted by nato-main-man-5am

Interesting thread, since I'm about to tackle the coils plus plugs.

I have had an occasional misfire and at 40k ish miles, I don't feel any heartburn being proactive in this way.

Question: Will the car still think the plugs and coils haven't been replaced? Is there a way to update the built in service monitoring system to tell it that they have been replaced?

(Along the same lines, can one self report the work to places like CarFax, so that years from now, a new owner can see both all the work done by commercial outfits AND what work I did, all in one place?)

Yes if you register on Carfax.com you can add diy maintenance. It's really cool so you don't forget. I feel strongly that if you are at 90-100k and doing the work to replace plugs for example. You might as
We'll replace the coils. They always go at
The worse possible time. My moms went Friday at lunch before memorial weekend when she was going to leave on a road trip. She called the dealer and they told her they wouldn't be able to even look at her car until the following Tuesday and not be able to work on it until Wednesday. That's when I hit the parts store Friday after work bought coils and changed them Saturday morning to save her weekend trip. Otherwise she would've been stranded and we called three dealers. I think highly of Bosch but there was a reason why BMW changed to Delphi, Endor and back to Delphi. Not back to Bosch. So I have seen Bosch really cheap. So cheap you can change them with every spark plug change. Otherwise I would go with Delphi again depending on whether you do the work or pay someone. If you pay someone then Delphi probably safest bet. If you do it yourself and don't have a problem and Bosch or Elsie super cheap go that route. Finally it's nice that FCP warranty's stuff but you still don't want to be stranded somewhere. It's a fair amount of work to swap coils so you want the best ones possible regardless. I also never heard of a coils frying the DME. I don't see how but scary if true. The DME shuts down fuel to bad cylinder when coil fails as that could ruin cats and o2 sensors with raw fuel coming out the exhaust. But our cars are smarter and luckily shut off the fuel flow.

[PA135ii]

https://www.bavauto.com/bmw-ignition-coil-set-50056

Anyone ever try these?