Ignition Coil Drama

[Mototrav22]

Finally bought a 135i (N55), and am trying to knock out some preventative mx due to the car having 72k miles. I've owned Subaru's and various NA BMW's in the past and have never seen so much drama regarding misfires/coil brands.

Are the cars really that sensitive or are the parts just inferior?

Delphi? BMW (Delphi)? Bosch? Eldor (N55?)?

Trying to get over this coil pack issue, so I can move on to getting my car on the road! Which coils should I buy and are the Delphi same as BMW branded Delphi? Will the Eldors work in the N55? Thanks!

[captain slowly]

does your car actually have a problem? If it does, go buy whatever is the newest version at your local bmw dealer. If you don't have a problem, don't fix it if it isn't broken.

[Mototrav22]

Originally Posted by captain slowly

does your car actually have a problem? If it does, go buy whatever is the newest version at your local bmw dealer. If you don't have a problem, don't fix it if it isn't broken.

Originally Posted by captain slowly

does your car actually have a problem? If it does, go buy whatever is the newest version at your local bmw dealer. If you don't have a problem, don't fix it if it isn't broken.

Based on what I've read, the coils tend to fail at the miles I'm showing. Im all about doing preventative mx... before something breaks. Like changing the belt after it breaks... nicht gut.

[Dackelone]

The N55's use a Delphi coil pack.

N54's use a Eldor or Bosch coil pack, but the Eldor's are the latest units for the N54 engines.


N55 coil pack...

bmw p/n 12137594596

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...17#12137594596

I would replace your coil packs when you change your spark plugs. Spark plugs should be changed every 30K miles or so. Also be sure to buy your spark plugs from a BMW dealer(N55 plugs are different than N54 plugs!) bc some people have had misfires with aftermarket plugs. BMW bought plugs will say "BMW-Bosch" on them instead of just "Bosch".

I recently bought a set of new Eldor coil packs for my N54 from Oembimmerparts.com They have a set of the Delphi coils for $186 for all six.


https://www.oembimmerparts.com/BMW-1...153kitser1.htm

Also buy a spark plug socket from BMW or a good parts source(don't buy an el-cheapo tool from China bc you will be kicking yourself later!... the plugs have a 12 point(12mm ?) socket and you need a special narrow/slim wall socket to get down in the holes in the head.

Are the cars really that sensitive or are the parts just inferior?

Yes, they are.

The biggest thing I noticed on my 135i after my coil and spark plug change was sharper throttle response and way more pops and gurgles from my PE. The change in the exhaust(in a good way!) was really quite a surprise.

Dackel

[Mototrav22]

Dackelone... Thanks for the thorough response!

I've already bought plugs..Bosch ZR5TPP33S. Just made sure they were "S". We'll see how they work out.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, bought this Spark Plug socket from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I assume that since Delphi is the OEM for the coil packs, the non-branded BMW coils should be the same. Going to grab a set of these...
https://www.amazon.com/Delphi-GN1057...+ignition+coil

Brakes, water pump, oil change, and belt on the list as well...

[doublevanosrc]

I would use this socket, it features a magnet and is very well made. It's worth it alone for the magnetic feature and is less than $20.

http://www.burgertuning.com/N54_BMW_...t_adapter.html

Not sure about those plugs since I got mine from a BMW dealer, as Dack mentioned some folks on here had some issues with plugs that don't say "BMW" on them. Weird i know.

[captain slowly]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The N55's use a Delphi coil pack.

N54's use a Eldor or Bosch coil pack, but the Eldor's are the latest units for the N54 engines.


N55 coil pack...

bmw p/n 12137594596

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...17#12137594596

I would replace your coil packs when you change your spark plugs. Spark plugs should be changed every 30K miles or so. Also be sure to buy your spark plugs from a BMW dealer(N55 plugs are different than N54 plugs!) bc some people have had misfires with aftermarket plugs. BMW bought plugs will say "BMW-Bosch" on them instead of just "Bosch".

I recently bought a set of new Eldor coil packs for my N54 from Oembimmerparts.com They have a set of the Delphi coils for $186 for all six.


https://www.oembimmerparts.com/BMW-1...153kitser1.htm

Also buy a spark plug socket from BMW or a good parts source(don't buy an el-cheapo tool from China bc you will be kicking yourself later!... the plugs have a 12 point(12mm ?) socket and you need a special narrow/slim wall socket to get down in the holes in the head.



Yes, they are.

The biggest thing I noticed on my 135i after my coil and spark plug change was sharper throttle response and way more pops and gurgles from my PE. The change in the exhaust(in a good way!) was really quite a surprise.

Dackel

Replace coils every 30k? This sounds like Ferrari maintenance schedule, without the benefits of owning a Ferrari. Can I ask what makes you think this is necessary?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by captain slowly

Replace coils every 30k? This sounds like Ferrari maintenance schedule, without the benefits of owning a Ferrari. Can I ask what makes you think this is necessary?

No. Spark plugs should be replaced every 30K miles on a tuned 135i. BMW says they can go up to 45K miles... but I think that might be a little too long. On the 1M(a tuned 135i motor) the interval is 30K miles. So that's why most of us on the forums say to change the spark plugs every 30K miles.

Coils seem to last about 70 to 80K miles. Again... if you are tuned probably less than more miles.

What I said was IF you are replacing spark plugs at 70K... then you might as well replace the coils too. I know I don't enjoy doing the same job twice or three times. and while your at it Mototrav22 ... you might as well change your pollen filter too... bc that has to come out in order to change the plugs/coils.

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

I would use this socket, it features a magnet and is very well made. It's worth it alone for the magnetic feature and is less than $20.

http://www.burgertuning.com/N54_BMW_...t_adapter.html

Not sure about those plugs since I got mine from a BMW dealer, as Dack mentioned some folks on here had some issues with plugs that don't say "BMW" on them. Weird i know.

+1 on this spark plug socket. Some of the sockets on the market aren't made with enough clearance to work in the BMW cylinder head spark plug holes.


Dackel

[captain slowly]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

No. Spark plugs should be replaced every 30K miles on a tuned 135i. BMW says they can go up to 45K miles... but I think that might be a little too long. On the 1M(a tuned 135i motor) the interval is 30K miles. So that's why most of us on the forums say to change the spark plugs every 30K miles.

Coils seem to last about 70 to 80K miles. Again... if you are tuned probably less than more miles.

What I said was IF you are replacing spark plugs at 70K... then you might as well replace the coils too. I know I don't enjoy doing the same job twice or three times. and while your at it Mototrav22 ... you might as well change your pollen filter too... bc that has to come out in order to change the plugs/coils.



+1 on this spark plug socket. Some of the sockets on the market aren't made with enough clearance to work in the BMW cylinder head spark plug holes.


Dackel

Guess I misunderstood you. That makes quite a bit more sense.

[brytom]

I can see replacing coils on N52K at that mileage because they increased plug replacement to 100k intervals so they take quite a beating.
I can't even remember the last time I replaced an N55 coil. I guessing at least a year or two ago. It's not a common issue.
Without receipts or history, at 72k on an N55, I'd do plugs, air filter, micro filter, brake fluid flush. Maybe an oil change to make sure the right filter was used.

[Mototrav22]

Filters on the list, as well as a brake fluid change.

Bumper painted, tomorrow going to the PDR shop!

[WDE82]

Really no reason to PM coils IMO. Just keep a spare one at home when you approach 75-100K miles. It's not like it's hard to get to the spark plugs/coils. If you get symptoms, then get it to misfire and throw a code and it'll tell you which one to replace.

[brytom]

Originally Posted by WDE82

Really no reason to PM coils IMO. Just keep a spare one at home when you approach 75-100K miles. It's not like it's hard to get to the spark plugs/coils. If you get symptoms, then get it to misfire and throw a code and it'll tell you which one to replace.

Coils 5 and 6 are a bit more difficult on an N55.

[inevitab1e]

Originally Posted by brytom

Coils 5 and 6 are a bit more difficult on an N55.

That's true, just have to remove a bracket and the strut arm.. Probably takes 2 minutes.
I couldn't believe how easy it was to install new coils and plugs.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by brytom

Coils 5 and 6 are a bit more difficult on an N55.

Not by much.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by WDE82

Really no reason to PM coils IMO. Just keep a spare one at home when you approach 75-100K miles. It's not like it's hard to get to the spark plugs/coils. If you get symptoms, then get it to misfire and throw a code and it'll tell you which one to replace.

If you start having problems with one, recommend replacing all six. They do all have the same mileage on them. Don't want to be replacing one every month or so.

[brytom]

Originally Posted by inevitab1e

That's true, just have to remove a bracket and the strut arm.. Probably takes 2 minutes.
I couldn't believe how easy it was to install new coils and plugs.

And the fresh air tube that runs over the back of the head and the oxygen sensor bracket.

Originally Posted by WDE82

Not by much.

Try it on a car with 150k. That crankcase vent hose from the valve cover to the fresh air tube almost always breaks if you're not careful.

[WDE82]

I've got a 165K E46. I know how annoying some of those types of things can be. But let's get real, guys. Changing spark plugs is trivial.