[gthanson]

Hi everyone

I've own a 2016 340i xdrive that just reached 90,000km. The agreement I had with my dealership for free servicing apparently expired at 80,000km, a fact I discovered when they contacted me to inform me the car was due for about $1500 worth of "required maintenence". Needless to say I wasn't pleased, and decided out of spite to do all the work myself, even if I spent just as much doing it myself. I figured I'd learn something at least.

The oil change was easy, as was the brake fluid flush (there's a really good youtube video on that here: https://youtu.be/mbK6zB2yglM), the tire alignment I got done at a local shop, and I think the "AC/heating system refresh" is probably BS, or at least not critical to the vehicle operation.

What I am hung up on is the spark plug change. I don't know what's in there now, but all the research I've done online suggested I swap them out for these: https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tu...lug/941022_0_0. I've got a special thin-walled 14mm 12-point socket online, and I'm ready to go, but I just wanted to verify a couple things really quick before I move forward:

• Reading up on spark plugs I keep coming across something called gap, which I think is the distance between the two terminals on the end of the plug? Do I need to set the gap on the new ones, or would they just be a straight swap out for the old ones?
• What are the consequences of me screwing this up, gap or otherwise? Do I get an error message/check engine light, or does the engine blow up?
• Any other advice? I've never attempted this in any vehicle before.

[F32Fleet]

Buy Bosch/OE plugs. On these the gap is pre-set. Part no 12120040551


Buy a torque wrench and use a can of air to blow the wells clean prior to pulling the existing plugs. You'll also need the appropriate extension and wobble adapter to reach the back plug.

[WrxToBeamerGuy]

What extension / wobble adapter if you dont mind listing one to purchase?

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by WrxToBeamerGuy

What extension / wobble adapter if you dont mind listing one to purchase?

See the flex head between extension and spark plug socket.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ugs/1VnYgfptJx

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Buy Bosch/OE plugs. On these the gap is pre-set. Part no 12120040551


Buy a torque wrench and use a can of air to blow the wells clean prior to pulling the existing plugs. You'll also need the appropriate extension and wobble adapter to reach the back plug.

Solid advice. Should be pinned.

[sxmarsha]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Buy Bosch/OE plugs. On these the gap is pre-set. Part no 12120040551


Buy a torque wrench and use a can of air to blow the wells clean prior to pulling the existing plugs. You'll also need the appropriate extension and wobble adapter to reach the back plug.

Agree with this ^^ don't worry about gapping anymore, it's obsolete from about 1999 onwards!

Torque to the correct settings, also personally for the cheap cost of around £40 I'd also replace all the coils as they die soon after spark plugs!

Apart from that not much to it, nice simple job mate! Fuck the dealers and DIY!

[1QuikWS6]

FWIW, I would still check the gap of each plug before installing to make SURE it is correct & hasn't been bumped out of adjustment

The result if not gapped correctly could be misfires/codes which would mean tearing into the engine for plug access again

But yes, only time manual gapping should be necessary is if for instance you are installing the colder plugs due to engine/ignition coil mods done and you wish to use a tighter gap

[jbb2388]

No decent mechanic would do a plug change and not verify gaps first. You know what they say about assumption...its the mother of all f*** ups.

[RAWRRXD340iX]

Originally Posted by gthanson

Hi everyone

I've own a 2016 340i xdrive that just reached 90,000km. The agreement I had with my dealership for free servicing apparently expired at 80,000km, a fact I discovered when they contacted me to inform me the car was due for about $1500 worth of "required maintenence". Needless to say I wasn't pleased, and decided out of spite to do all the work myself, even if I spent just as much doing it myself. I figured I'd learn something at least.

The oil change was easy, as was the brake fluid flush (there's a really good youtube video on that here: https://youtu.be/mbK6zB2yglM), the tire alignment I got done at a local shop, and I think the "AC/heating system refresh" is probably BS, or at least not critical to the vehicle operation.

What I am hung up on is the spark plug change. I don't know what's in there now, but all the research I've done online suggested I swap them out for these: https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/spark-plug/ngk-spark-plug/941022_0_0. I've got a special thin-walled 14mm 12-point socket online, and I'm ready to go, but I just wanted to verify a couple things really quick before I move forward:

• Reading up on spark plugs I keep coming across something called gap, which I think is the distance between the two terminals on the end of the plug? Do I need to set the gap on the new ones, or would they just be a straight swap out for the old ones?
• What are the consequences of me screwing this up, gap or otherwise? Do I get an error message/check engine light, or does the engine blow up?
• Any other advice? I've never attempted this in any vehicle before.

mine are due on my 340i with 47k.
I'm going with the NGK one step cooler, which are basically the same as the Bosch ones that come stock.
our part number is 95770 and Berger motorsports has a gaping and installation kit, as well as 6 of them in a discount package deal. without the tools they are $84.

the Bosch mentioned are solid choices as well, because OEM.

[jbb2388]

Just did a spark plug change this past weekend on my 2016 340. Used NGK 94201s gapped at .023 in anticipation of my MP stage 3 flash. The spark plug change was absolutely simple. Took about 45 minutes which included removing the cowl cover pieces and the strut tower brace to provide unobstructed access to the rearmost plug. This is the best practice I think. It would have been a PITA getting that back plug out and in without removing the brace.

[bellguy]

Guy's put a set of Dealer supplied plugs in 4 months ago, Champion garbage but having read of a few plug issues just bought a new set of NGK 94201s my 2016 340i has had a stage one flash tune so what plug gap would you recommend me to set them at please.
Only done 29K but reason I changed them was while I was servicing it I removed a plug to look see how they were and the electrode was quite worn and the gap was larger than it should be by a fair bit lol, so stupidly not thinking bought a new set, but now I want them gone and the NGKs in it

[bellguy]

New plugs in, about 35 minuits from start to finish so feeling happier with the NGK in, we will see if any difference.

[jetanthony]

Originally Posted by RAWRRXD340iX

our part number is 95770

I believe that part number is for an n55, and you appear to have a b58, no? You'd want the NGK 94201 (OEM part number 12120040551) if you're driving a 2016 340i.

[1QuikWS6]

our part number is 95770

I believe that part number is for an n55

N55 uses NGK 2 step colder plugs #97506 (SILKZBR8D8S) typically gapped to .022

*Tightening torque for this spark plug is 23 ± 3 Nm, a special 14mm, 12 point spark plug socket is required for removal and installation of this plug.

[Rick4345]

I've used NGK on my E46 and my F31 and I will use them on my F87 when the time comes.

Been nothing short of pleased with them.

I'm probably an old school guy but I check gaps every time. You never know if something gets bumped or whatever. Just makes me feel better.