S55 Spark Plug DIY

555 · 12-19-2017, 12:41 AM

Thank you! I just went through all of this today and over the last few days

except I dropped the bolt for the front charge pipe, had to get a neodymium magnet and find the bolt from the bottom side of the under tray then drag it across to a spot that I could then use a magnetic extender and pull it out

m4journey · 02-22-2018, 03:23 AM

Excellent write up, thanks

How many month/mileage plugs need changing?

gatorfast · 02-23-2018, 07:01 AM

Great writeup but that is a lot of work to change the plugs!

tomci08 · 04-22-2018, 08:12 PM

Thanks for the write up on this, Getting around to swapping my plugs out this week. One question i had was does everyone disconnect their battery when changing plugs? Don't think i do but then again better be safe than sorry. Thanks

BzsBimmer · 04-23-2018, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomci08

Thanks for the write up on this, Getting around to swapping my plugs out this week. One question i had was does everyone disconnect their battery when changing plugs? Don't think i do but then again better be safe than sorry. Thanks

I didn’t

BLKSAPPE92 · 04-23-2018, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4journey

Excellent write up, thanks

How many month/mileage plugs need changing?

It's CBS (conditions based servicing)
Every 3rd oil change so will be about every 30,000miles.

That can be sooner for example if you drive the car hard, leave idle if you run in somewhere and don't wanna shut the car off (someone waiting in car, or your dogs in car) or the car is tuned.

HPIA4v2 · 04-27-2018, 10:07 AM

At least the first one is included in the free maintenance? no?
But looks doable, definitely more work than N54, N55 and N63 I've done.

Yup great write-up, for future ref.

knightarmor · 04-28-2018, 12:22 AM

Great write up. Thank you!!

M Vier · 05-25-2018, 06:37 PM

Thank you all for the great write up and input. It's good to do it with the air filter.

gixxerboy63 · 06-18-2018, 01:40 PM

Is the torque spec for the plugs 18nm or 18ft-lbs?
I have read somewhere else that they were 18Nm which would explain the 24 ft-lbs needed for removal...

TMD29 · 06-18-2018, 03:53 PM

Name: M3 sparkplug torq.png
Views: 4714
Size: 14.5 KB

Quote:

Originally Posted by gixxerboy63

Is the torque spec for the plugs 18nm or 18ft-lbs?
I have read somewhere else that they were 18Nm which would explain the 24 ft-lbs needed for removal...

Thread M12x1.25 =23+/-3Nm
Thread M14x1.25=30+/-3Nm

View post on imgur.com

kingofqueenz788 · 06-21-2018, 08:24 PM

I googled this diy after I just ordered the plugs. I went with stock ones I have abt 48,000 and want to change them, did anyone use anything else besides stock ? I ordered from fcp Eur0 since Everything’s guaranteed for life even wearable items !!!

BzsBimmer · 06-21-2018, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofqueenz788

I googled this diy after I just ordered the plugs. I went with stock ones I have abt 48,000 and want to change them, did anyone use anything else besides stock ? I ordered from fcp Eur0 since Everything’s guaranteed for life even wearable items !!!

I used the stock equivalent which means they are the same plug, without the M logo

mystermykee · 06-24-2018, 02:28 PM

Anyone ever have issues with the spark plugs not coming out? I keep unscrewing but it doesn’t to thread out

BzsBimmer · 06-24-2018, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mystermykee

Anyone ever have issues with the spark plugs not coming out? I keep unscrewing but it doesn’t to thread out

Hope they’re not stripped!
Do you have a capturing mechanism on your spark plug socket?

mystermykee · 06-25-2018, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

Hope they’re not stripped!
Do you have a capturing mechanism on your spark plug socket?

They’re not...I’m an idiot and the resistance I was getting was actually from the spark plug itself. It was actually the spark plug socket rubbing against the spark plug bore. Sigh...lol. Socket wasn’t going all the way down—sure felt like it did though!

Shout out to Cary for the epiphany.

robert5c · 07-04-2018, 05:27 PM

On the step 4 image...disconnect connector on both sides...

Does anyone know what that connector is for? My car doesn't have it nor does the harness that runs between the air filter and mount.

My guess it's for those with the adaptive suspension that i don't have optioned...but anyone know for sure?

Luc@Speed&Tech · 07-04-2018, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert5c

On the step 4 image...disconnect connector on both sides...

Does anyone know what that connector is for? My car doesn't have it nor does the harness that runs between the air filter and mount.

My guess it's for those with the adaptive suspension that i don't have optioned...but anyone know for sure?

Yeah it's for EDC, goes straight to the top of the strut.

Kbueno · 08-24-2018, 07:25 PM

Just finished this DIY..it helped a lot. Like others stated, it’s not a difficult job just tedious with all the removals. I would suggest not using a socket extensiion through the opening of the coil packs to pull out. Better off just wiggling our by hand to avoid breaking off/snapping the cool cover. Also, the plugs have a lot thread to turn in order to remove/install LOL! Took a while..

Mandi90TT · 09-15-2018, 03:54 PM

As a note, used this today. Wasn't perfect, but it was very helpful, so definitely thanks.

jzhu625 · 09-20-2018, 11:24 AM

very nice, will try to do this soon, my car has 55K miles.

what plugs does everyone use?

Mandi90TT · 09-20-2018, 11:38 AM

NGK 97506 as referenced earlier in the thread. I have a tuned M4, which really likes colder plugs.

12-19-2017, 12:41 AM	#23
555 Doing it for TV! 10 Rep 182 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Thank you! I just went through all of this today and over the last few days except I dropped the bolt for the front charge pipe, had to get a neodymium magnet and find the bolt from the bottom side of the under tray then drag it across to a spot that I could then use a magnetic extender and pull it out __________________ 2008 135i - Jet Black, Coral, full options Procede v4 SOLD 2009 123d - Space Grey, MSport 18" 2012 328i - Estoril Blue MSport 19", BBK + options 2015 M3 - Alpine White, HUD, Ext Leather
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02-22-2018, 03:23 AM	#24
m4journey Private 20 Rep 57 Posts Drives: f82 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	Excellent write up, thanks How many month/mileage plugs need changing?
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02-23-2018, 07:01 AM	#25
gatorfast Major General 4992 Rep 6,860 Posts Drives: 718 Cayman Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SoFla iTrader: (4)	Great writeup but that is a lot of work to change the plugs!
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04-22-2018, 08:12 PM	#26
tomci08 Private First Class 13 Rep 169 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (3)	Thanks for the write up on this, Getting around to swapping my plugs out this week. One question i had was does everyone disconnect their battery when changing plugs? Don't think i do but then again better be safe than sorry. Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-27-2018, 10:07 AM	#29
HPIA4v2 Major 254 Rep 1,391 Posts Drives: F80, F86 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Washington iTrader: (3)	At least the first one is included in the free maintenance? no? But looks doable, definitely more work than N54, N55 and N63 I've done. Yup great write-up, for future ref.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-28-2018, 12:22 AM	#30
knightarmor Lieutenant Colonel 855 Rep 1,550 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Washington iTrader: (2)	Great write up. Thank you!!
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05-25-2018, 06:37 PM	#31
M Vier Private First Class 51 Rep 144 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Boston to Jeddah iTrader: (0)	Thank you all for the great write up and input. It's good to do it with the air filter. __________________ ///M4 /// 6MT /// Alpine White /// Sakhir Orange
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06-18-2018, 01:40 PM	#32
gixxerboy63 Tanzanite Blue II X5M Pilot 1025 Rep 2,011 Posts Drives: M3, M4, X3 M40i, X5M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: WS, GSO High Point, NC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2017 m4 [0.00] 2010 BMW X5M [10.00]	Is the torque spec for the plugs 18nm or 18ft-lbs? I have read somewhere else that they were 18Nm which would explain the 24 ft-lbs needed for removal...
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06-21-2018, 08:24 PM	#34
kingofqueenz788 Banned 35 Rep 156 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: NewYork(queens) iTrader: (0)	I googled this diy after I just ordered the plugs. I went with stock ones I have abt 48,000 and want to change them, did anyone use anything else besides stock ? I ordered from fcp Eur0 since Everything’s guaranteed for life even wearable items !!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-24-2018, 02:28 PM	#36
mystermykee Private First Class 48 Rep 108 Posts Drives: '18 M4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Anyone ever have issues with the spark plugs not coming out? I keep unscrewing but it doesn’t to thread out
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07-04-2018, 05:27 PM	#39
robert5c Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: Alpine White 2003.5 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (0)	On the step 4 image...disconnect connector on both sides... Does anyone know what that connector is for? My car doesn't have it nor does the harness that runs between the air filter and mount. My guess it's for those with the adaptive suspension that i don't have optioned...but anyone know for sure?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2018, 07:25 PM	#41
Kbueno Lieutenant Colonel 99 Rep 1,712 Posts Drives: F82 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: California iTrader: (5)	Just finished this DIY..it helped a lot. Like others stated, it’s not a difficult job just tedious with all the removals. I would suggest not using a socket extensiion through the opening of the coil packs to pull out. Better off just wiggling our by hand to avoid breaking off/snapping the cool cover. Also, the plugs have a lot thread to turn in order to remove/install LOL! Took a while..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2018, 03:54 PM	#42
Mandi90TT Colonel 2712 Rep 2,371 Posts Drives: BSM 6MT M4 F82 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	As a note, used this today. Wasn't perfect, but it was very helpful, so definitely thanks. __________________ 2015 Black Sapphire Metallic 6MT M4
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09-20-2018, 11:24 AM	#43
jzhu625 Lieutenant 119 Rep 443 Posts Drives: f83 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Long island iTrader: (0)	very nice, will try to do this soon, my car has 55K miles. what plugs does everyone use?
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09-20-2018, 11:38 AM	#44
Mandi90TT Colonel 2712 Rep 2,371 Posts Drives: BSM 6MT M4 F82 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Colorado Springs iTrader: (0)	NGK 97506 as referenced earlier in the thread. I have a tuned M4, which really likes colder plugs. __________________ 2015 Black Sapphire Metallic 6MT M4
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