[E90Fleet]

BMW has extended service intervals a while after introducing new engines before.

So after inspecting the plugs being removed after each service they may extend the interval.


Anyway, the N20 only uses 4 plugs, so not too much cost at around $8 each.
And they are anyway covered in many countries for 4 or 5 years under BMW's maintenance plans

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Redcapote

How does BMW's service interval compare to its Audi and M-B counterpart? That's open for anyone who knows the service intervals for today's A4 or C-class.

A4 2.0 TFSI has spark plugs replaced at 35,000miles or every 3 years regardless of milage

[Redcapote]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

A4 2.0 TFSI has spark plugs replaced at 35,000miles or every 3 years regardless of milage

Thank you... same for the 2.0 TDI engine?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Redcapote

Thank you... same for the 2.0 TDI engine?

2.0 TDI is a Diesel.
Diesel engines do not have spark plugs.

[Redcapote]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

2.0 TDI is a Diesel.
Diesel engines do not have spark plugs.

I knew that.


No, no I didn't (no spark plugs in a diesel). Ducks for cover.

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

You cannot compare a non-turbo engine with a turbo engine.

Sure I can. Both types are available so I can compare them and make an informed choice as to which I should select to get the best life cycle cost versus other benefits.

I can absolutely compare a naturally aspirated engine to a turbocharged one. And I believe its important to compare... people these days are being force-fed turbo charged engines because the fuel economy is better for a given power level and they are made to believe that there aren't other disadvantages involved.

For the end user, what is the point of saving some fuel when you end up taking a bunch of extra maintenance charges? The advantage for the company is obvious... you spend the money with them rather than at the pump and, on top of that, they get to fit within the new regulations.

I for one really wish that BMW made a naturally aspiriated inline 6 available in the new 3 series and other cars rather than forcing turbo-charged engines on us.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by epiphone3

Sure I can. Both types are available so I can compare them and make an informed choice as to which I should select to get the best life cycle cost versus other benefits.

I can absolutely compare a naturally aspirated engine to a turbocharged one. And I believe its important to compare... people these days are being force-fed turbo charged engines because the fuel economy is better for a given power level and they are made to believe that there aren't other disadvantages involved.

For the end user, what is the point of saving some fuel when you end up taking a bunch of extra maintenance charges? The advantage for the company is obvious... you spend the money with them rather than at the pump and, on top of that, they get to fit within the new regulations.

I for one really wish that BMW made a naturally aspiriated inline 6 available in the new 3 series and other cars rather than forcing turbo-charged engines on us.

Speak to the EU ,US legislators and activists, they are forcing Forced induction with their emissions requirements.

Anyway, the fuel, emissions and planet savings should be more than the cost of a couple $8 spark plugs.

[epiphone3]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Speak to the EU ,US legislators and activists, they are forcing Forced induction with their emissions requirements.

Anyway, the fuel, emissions and planet savings should be more than the cost of a couple $8 spark plugs.

Spark plugs are about $15 a pop plus most people will pay to get them changed because they aren't mechanically inclined (not me, I'd do it myself) so you have labour on top of that... probably an hour. That will make for $60 in parts on a 4-cylinder plus at least $100/hour shop time (my dealer is like $120 per hour) so you have to pony up $160 extra every oil change... plus get your intake valves cleaned probably every second or third oil change. Suddenly the value of the fuel savings is eroding.

To your point, though, I do agree to some extent that the Legislators are to blame.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by epiphone3

Spark plugs are about $15 a pop plus most people will pay to get them changed because they aren't mechanically inclined (not me, I'd do it myself) so you have labour on top of that... probably an hour. That will make for $60 in parts on a 4-cylinder plus at least $100/hour shop time (my dealer is like $120 per hour) so you have to pony up $160 extra every oil change... plus get your intake valves cleaned probably every second or third oil change. Suddenly the value of the fuel savings is eroding.

To your point, though, I do agree to some extent that the Legislators are to blame.

The legislators look at emissions, not service costs.
So we can blame them

[E90Fleet]

New Update:

NGK has improved their spark plug design and Asof March 2012 production N20 engines will now only need their plugs changed every 2nd oil service and not every oil service.

[///M_Power]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

New Update:

NGK has improved their spark plug design and Asof March 2012 production N20 engines will now only need their plugs changed every 2nd oil service and not every oil service.

thank god?? lol

[///M_Power]

subaru has been turboing cars for years.

get this, they require plug changes on their non turbo cars every 30k, 60k, 90k ect..

now on the turbo cars they only require to change plugs at 60k and 120k.. riddle me that?!?!

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Soupnazi4

subaru has been turboing cars for years.

get this, they require plug changes on their non turbo cars every 30k, 60k, 90k ect..

now on the turbo cars they only require to change plugs at 60k and 120k.. riddle me that?!?!

Each type of engine has a different effect on its specific spark plug.
Just because it is turbo doesnt mean the plug must last a shorter time.


We see here on the N20 also that a slight plug design change can improve its life a lot in a specific engine.

[Shuttlegoose]

Not sure I see that big of a problem. Sure it's annoying but wouldn't you want the car running perfect and to last? If your leasing your under warranty, if you bought your good for 50k miles...

Since I "plan" to keep this car awhile I think I'll splurge on the plugs once a year. Think about all the people who change their oil every 3k miles, like it has been for the past 100 years

[raleedy]

At least it's not a 12-cyl.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Approximate service intervals in Europe for the F30

Oil - Every 30,000km ( 15,000miles USA) or 24 Months (USA usually does 12 months)

Microfilter - Each oil change

Engine Air Filter - every 2nd oil change

Spark plugs
- N20 328i Every oil Change ( EDIT: see below)
- N55 335i Every 2nd oil Change

Diesel engien fuel filter - every 2nd oil Change

EDIT: Asof March 2012 production NGK has upgraded their sparkplug design so N20 with teh new plugs will only need replacement plugs every 2nd oil change.

My 328i is a May 2012 build so should have these upgraded spark plugs. I'm currently at 25,000mls (not KM!) and the car is still indicating 2000mls until FIRST SERVICE. The criteria on the iDrive being engine oil change. Hopefully, I will get my new spark plugs at 26,000-27,000mls when it goes in.

What are your thoughts and info on this? I think 25k miles is far too long for a first service. My last cars have all had their first service somewhere between 12k-16k miles.

[SergioK]

Is the spark plug replacement interval still the same or has the schedule changed or been updated again? It is still every 2nd oil change which works out to approx every 30,000 miles?

[RPM90]

The N55 uses a Bosch platinum plug, Bosch ZR5TPP33S,
can be had for around $24 each.
The non OEM Bosch ZR5TPP33 - no S at the end is about $16.
Both are "double platinum".
I've seen anywhere from 30K to 60K miles replacement interval.

The N20 plug is now good for 30K and uses an NGK plug, NGK SILZKBR8B8S.
$14 each.
This appears to be an iridium plug.

[SergioK]

Can someone post the documentation to support this new change schedule?

[nicholas1520]

My dealer sets the computer 5000 km to change the oil, is that normal? After seeing all the extended intervals.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by epiphone3

I for one really wish that BMW made a naturally aspiriated inline 6 available in the new 3 series and other cars rather than forcing turbo-charged engines on us.

International trade laws are just crazy, aren't they? I never realized German companies could force Canadians to buy their cars.

I agree on getting the full picture though, rather than just taking the trends without knowing the other factors. Same goes for hybrids, all electric… It's easy to jump on board, not as easy to decipher all of the true advantages and disadvantages.

[philbake]

I had my '13 328ix in for first scheduled oil at 13k mi. No mention of spark plug replacement by dealer.