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      09-18-2018, 05:25 PM   #67
Billfitz
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Clearly you're not familiar with the Yankee creed:
1. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
2. If it ain't broken don't fix it.

At any rate NKG says 80k to 100k miles with a stock engine, so 60k miles is very conservative. I'd also change the coils at the same time, which makes the cost considerably higher.

Last edited by Billfitz; 09-18-2018 at 05:31 PM..
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      09-18-2018, 06:32 PM   #68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Clearly you're not familiar with the Yankee creed:
1. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
2. If it ain't broken don't fix it.

At any rate NKG says 80k to 100k miles with a stock engine, so 60k miles is very conservative. I'd also change the coils at the same time, which makes the cost considerably higher.
Well the enthusiastic indies will disagree with your decree.

Hmm, if they can last 100k miles per NKG, I will not bother to change mine(@52k) for another 5+ years then!

https://www.ngk.com/product.aspx?zpid=41489

BTW, have your lifetime coolant be changed yet?
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      09-18-2018, 06:46 PM   #69
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Originally Posted by bkkeys View Post
Hey Everyone,

I just put together a "how to" change your plugs on an f30 328i. It's super easy and takes about 30 minutes or so.

Just a note.. It's always best to get the recommended plugs from the dealer (or at least get the ones they sell). I say this because I tried to get cheaper plugs at Advance Auto.. and they have the wrong plugs listed! On their site they list Denso 3457 plugs as a direct replacement. I've been in contact with them and they should be removing them from the site soon..

This will save you about $350 if you do it yourself.. good luck!

Is this yours or Brian's DIY?
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      09-18-2018, 07:14 PM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joshhwhaa View Post
Is this yours or Brian's DIY?
OP is bkkeys, which is Bryan@KiesMotorsports
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      09-18-2018, 10:03 PM   #71
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Clearly you're not familiar with the Yankee creed:
1. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
2. If it ain't broken don't fix it.

At any rate NKG says 80k to 100k miles with a stock engine, so 60k miles is very conservative. I'd also change the coils at the same time, which makes the cost considerably higher.
Damn, you guys are killing me:thumb down

No one seems to agree on any of this maintenance melarchy
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      09-19-2018, 07:11 AM   #72
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Everyone agrees that if something's worn to the point that it's not working as it should that it should be replaced. The problem lies in knowing. Look at the pictures of the plugs a page back. The old plugs are obviously not worn, and don't need replacing. But how do you know that without pulling them, which runs the risk of damaging them? That's why I go by the manufacturer recommendation, either BMW or the manufacturer of the part, like NKG.
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      09-19-2018, 11:04 AM   #73
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Just an FYI, if you have an ENET cable you can use ISTA (free software, look on these forums) to check your "rough running cylinder value"

[IMG]http://*************/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/rough1.png[/IMG]

I forget what values are OK and what are out of spec indicating it might be time to change your plugs but ISTA explains all that. After installing new plugs in my car, there was a dramatic change in the numbers. I'll try to dig up the comparison photo.

Taken from my sparkplug DIY here.
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      09-19-2018, 11:08 AM   #74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badbread View Post
Just an FYI, if you have an ENET cable you can use ISTA (free software, look on these forums) to check your "rough running cylinder value"

[IMG]http://*************/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/rough1.png[/IMG]

I forget what values are OK and what are out of spec indicating it might be time to change your plugs but ISTA explains all that. After installing new plugs in my car, there was a dramatic change in the numbers. I'll try to dig up the comparison photo.

Taken from my sparkplug DIY here.
Notice any difference in the engine ie sound, smoother?
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      09-19-2018, 11:14 AM   #75
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Everyone agrees that if something's worn to the point that it's not working as it should that it should be replaced. The problem lies in knowing. Look at the pictures of the plugs a page back. The old plugs are obviously not worn, and don't need replacing. But how do you know that without pulling them, which runs the risk of damaging them? That's why I go by the manufacturer recommendation, either BMW or the manufacturer of the part, like NKG.
BMW's 60k miles verssu NKG's 100k miles is a big difference though.

Who can be trusted, 60k or 100k?

This is similar to the debate of 60k versus 100k ZF 8AT fluid change, 50k versus 100k lifetime coolant change, etc, etc.
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      09-19-2018, 11:19 AM   #76
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M Smurf View Post
Notice any difference in the engine ie sound, smoother?
No sound change in reference to the spark plug change.

I did this before I had MHD but others have shown a significant improvement in timing corrections with new plugs.

And here is some more about the rough running values (was buried in another blog post)
[IMG]http://*************/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/plugchangeexceprt.png[/IMG]
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      09-19-2018, 11:41 AM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badbread View Post
No sound change in reference to the spark plug change.

I did this before I had MHD but others have shown a significant improvement in timing corrections with new plugs.

And here is some more about the rough running values (was buried in another blog post)
Wow +/-2.0 to +/-0.5 is a big change. How does that change translate to fuel efficiency and performance/power?
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      09-19-2018, 11:46 AM   #78
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianride View Post
Wow +/-2.0 to +/-0.5 is a big change. How does that change translate to fuel efficiency and performance/power?
Unfortunately I don't know. At the time I was limited to logging with a JB4 and a lot less familiar with all this stuff... Maybe I'll bust out the ISTA laptop this weekend and take another look at those values, it's been almost 20k miles now on the new plugs. Gives me a reason to update the blog post as well!

MHD just released an updated set of maps so I'll be logging anyways, might be a good time to compare new vs old (current) plugs, for science of course.
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      09-26-2018, 09:59 AM   #79
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Did mine over the weekend.
First 3 were cake, 4th was a PITA.

Also, duct tape FTW
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      09-26-2018, 11:12 AM   #80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by madmortar View Post
Did mine over the weekend.
First 3 were cake, 4th was a PITA.

Also, duct tape FTW
What was issue with 4th one? And how was duct tape used?
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      09-26-2018, 11:34 AM   #81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianride View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by madmortar View Post
Did mine over the weekend.
First 3 were cake, 4th was a PITA.

Also, duct tape FTW
What was issue with 4th one? And how was duct tape used?
one closes to the firewall was hard to get to.
If you read through this thread a number of people had the same issue and had to get creative with extensions and swivels to reach it.

duct tape kept the spark plug socket from disconnecting from my ratchet
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      03-21-2019, 07:49 PM   #82
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarianride View Post
Spark plug does not trigger separate CBS alert, its change interval is tied to 4th oil change for pre-2014, and 6th one 2014 and up, for 60k miles.

Indies said the Iridium spark plugs used in F30 are sturdy, when they age it can arc differently and can hurt ignition coils(covered by BMWNA in PZEV states), and/or cause non-optimal combustion hence carbon buildup.

80k probably is close to EOL and DIY should be $70-ish.
Sounds like my local dealer is trying to bend me over. Just did my 40k mi oil change on my 2014 f30 and they want me to do the $500 plug change. Along with coolant and several other flushes totaling $2800.

Looks like I'll be doing this work myself
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      03-27-2019, 12:05 PM   #83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirVilhelm View Post
Sounds like my local dealer is trying to bend me over. Just did my 40k mi oil change on my 2014 f30 and they want me to do the $500 plug change. Along with coolant and several other flushes totaling $2800.

Looks like I'll be doing this work myself
damn..... I just did my plugs last night, super easy except for the last one, huge pita but overall not that difficult, for a savings of 400$ its more than worth it DIY.
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      03-27-2019, 12:12 PM   #84
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Originally Posted by RMachuca3d View Post
damn..... I just did my plugs last night, super easy except for the last one, huge pita but overall not that difficult, for a savings of 400$ its more than worth it DIY.
Same here, $60 plugs sourced from Rockauto. Way easier than I thought. a 4in extension plus socket, hand loosened and tightened.

As noted earlier, a good way to keep the socket from letting loose from the extension is to wrap the two together with duct tape.
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      03-27-2019, 12:17 PM   #85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SirVilhelm View Post
Sounds like my local dealer is trying to bend me over. Just did my 40k mi oil change on my 2014 f30 and they want me to do the $500 plug change. Along with coolant and several other flushes totaling $2800.

Looks like I'll be doing this work myself
re fluid changes, and Indy shop is taking care of the transmission, differential, and coolant for $800ish. I was quoted $1300 at another shop just for tranny flush alone. The tranny fluids alone are really expensive.

Just replaced the serpentine belt as well which was another super easy DIY.

Big week! I better get 200k out of this thing!
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      03-27-2019, 12:23 PM   #86
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Originally Posted by M Smurf View Post
re fluid changes, and Indy shop is taking care of the transmission, differential, and coolant for $800ish. I was quoted $1300 at another shop just for tranny flush alone. The tranny fluids alone are really expensive.

Just replaced the serpentine belt as well which was another super easy DIY.

Big week! I better get 200k out of this thing!
You going to replace timing chain with new parts? Would be wise if you want to get to 200K.
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      03-27-2019, 12:28 PM   #87
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You going to replace timing chain with new parts? Would be wise if you want to get to 200K.
Hadn't planned on it. Hadn't seen anywhere thus far that that was another part to replace.
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      03-28-2019, 01:50 AM   #88
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M Smurf View Post
Hadn't planned on it. Hadn't seen anywhere thus far that that was another part to replace.
Oh it should be on your list 100%, its pricey and not very diy friendly.
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