12-15-2018, 06:06 AM | #1 |
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How often to change spark plugs?
My 320i GT is now 5 years old with just over 50,000 mls. It had the service plan which has now expired.
How often should one change the spark plugs? When I sense rough engine sounds? Routinely every x years or x miles? Something else is odd. For the last 8 months or so, the counter for how many miles are left until a service is required has stood still on the very same figure (3200 mls). I've clearly done more than that in that time (I drive some 10k mls/year) Any advice appreciated. |
12-15-2018, 07:22 AM | #2 |
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I think the general consensus is to change plugs every 50k.
I think you are about due. Simple DIY that you should not pay anyone else to do. |
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12-15-2018, 09:10 AM | #3 |
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A spark plug change will be in the service schedule and should be done as per that schedule, the car via CBS will tell the dealer what needs to be done.
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12-15-2018, 10:39 AM | #4 |
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How do you find out when this are due though. The idrive only tells you when oil, brake fluid, and brake pads are due. There must be some sort of service schedule, but nothing in the handbook or online that I can find. How does anyone get to know what is needed for say a 4 year or 5 year service. (just had my 3 year brake fluid change). At BMW prices it would be good to know what to expect at each year service point.
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12-15-2018, 12:11 PM | #6 | |
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If your car isn't asking for them it won't need them, unless of course it's a failure related issue rather than a service one.
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12-15-2018, 03:04 PM | #7 | |
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12-15-2018, 06:06 PM | #8 | |
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Car doesn't say anything (yet), but if it believes to have to do another 3200 mls to go, how would that ever change? I just took advice of a independent mechanic I trust. My MOT is due in 2 weeks. To avoid an MOT advisory or not passing MOT I just had front discs and front & rear pads replaced. Main stealer had told me this exactly one year ago: "Brakes are due, maybe another 1000 mls, but then they really need to be done.". Well, I got about a full year and 11,000 mls without the car telling me anything about the brakes. Had them done now, though. |
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12-15-2018, 06:25 PM | #10 | |
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12-15-2018, 06:28 PM | #11 | ||
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Relying on the CBS system is not the smartest plan for certain items. |
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12-16-2018, 04:51 AM | #12 | |
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I've done over 500,000 miles across 10 BMWs, the last one did 90,000 miles in 3 years and I've had one on the drive for 12 years and I always follow the CBS schedule and have never had an issue...something tells me they know what they are doing.
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12-16-2018, 05:33 AM | #13 |
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Same here - it was counting down just nicely, but then it's been stuck at 3200 miles for a while now. When I changed to winter wheels a week ago, I got a printout of the service requirements - spark plugs, filter and oil change in just under 6000 miles' time, but brake pads in 3200 miles.
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12-16-2018, 09:00 AM | #14 |
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Tempted to follow mainly the CBS system in the car, this is what it's made for.
I found in the owner's handbook: Replace spark plugs with every second oil change. |
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12-16-2018, 01:14 PM | #15 |
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Also found out now: Car says in its service history that spark plugs were done at 37,000 mls in Oct 2017. This was within the service plan at the time, nothing to pay.
This means they are clearly not due now. I should have checked this obvious display in the beginning. By the time they are due next time, 75-80,000 mls, age 7-8 years I will probably have replaced this car. |
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12-16-2018, 01:26 PM | #16 | |
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Glad you have some peace of mind around it now.
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12-16-2018, 08:08 PM | #17 | ||
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You dont say.... |
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12-16-2018, 08:10 PM | #18 |
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If one thinks CBS is one hundred percent, bullet proof perfect on recommendations to keep a vehicle in tip top condition for a long service life...
Yer nutz! |
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12-16-2018, 08:33 PM | #19 |
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I am interested in when these get done. I have 35,000 miles on mine and the dealer just told me I needed sparkplugs on the 328i. They said it was due. I asked what the service interval was for that, and he said every third oil change. I've got 3500 miles to the next change, so I skipped it for now, but I am interested in how you know when it's needed.
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05-28-2019, 09:07 AM | #20 | |
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https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nance/GIhHxmX4 Look down toward the bottom for the F30 328i. This states that for N20 engines before March 2012, the first spark plug change should be at 18,400 miles (30K kilometers), and the second at about 38,000 miles (60K km). After 3/2012, it says, the interval is 60K km -- so every 38,000: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...nance/IwggoETi So I suppose I should be prepared for my 2015 to start demanding new plugs when I get to about 36-37K miles? That's going to be around next March for me, so no rush. |
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05-28-2019, 12:48 PM | #21 |
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wow my 2014 Hyundai accent that I bought brand new has over 190000km on it and th e original plugs, I have pulled them out and inspected them, checked the gap and they are in perfect condition, back in they go.... Bmw cost me exactly 4x as much and needs plugs every 60000km, come on!!! I know they are completely different cars, but the engines due exactly the same things.. why the ridiculous time interval on plugs???
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05-28-2019, 03:26 PM | #22 |
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B58 spark plug interval is every second service, so 4 years if you follow CBS.
(At least this is the first interval) I always ask for a print out of the key data when it's at the dealers as it shows extra detail not shown on idrive like when spark plugs, air / fuel filter are due etc, both time and mileage remaining. |
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