Spark Plug Interval - S55 engine

[gsrbri]

My service writer told me that BMW recommends a spark plug service at 25K miles for the S55?

I was going to change the plugs at 20K miles, on my own, due to how badly turbocharged engines (and the very high cylinder pressures) stress and "eat" spark plugs. My guess is the center electrodes are already worn (my car is at 20,000 miles and has had about 10 track days to-date).

It's a $500 job (parts/labor) and I was pleasantly surprised that they are willing to do it at 25K miles for no-charge (scheduled maintenance).

Does anyone have the service manual handy? Can you confirm this is a correct interval?

Thanks!
-Brian

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

My service writer told me that BMW recommends a spark plug service at 25K miles for the S55?

I was going to change the plugs at 20K miles, on my own, due to how badly turbocharged engines (and the very high cylinder pressures) stress and "eat" spark plugs. My guess is the center electrodes are already worn (my car is at 20,000 miles and has had about 10 track days to-date).

It's a $500 job (parts/labor) and I was pleasantly surprised that they are willing to do it at 25K miles for no-charge (scheduled maintenance).

Does anyone have the service manual handy? Can you confirm this is a correct interval?

Thanks!
-Brian

I am surprised they are willing to do it at 25k. N54 tune up was required at 60k and 40k for 335IS high output engine. Not sure what S55 calls for. I cant find it in my manual.

[clutchdj]

Five hundred dollars to change spark plugs? What has to come off?

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by romanonj

I am surprised they are willing to do it at 25k. N54 tune up was required at 60k and 40k for 335IS high output engine. Not sure what S55 calls for. I cant find it in my manual.

Why is it surprising if it was 60K for an N54 and 40K for a 335IS? Sounds like it's just required sooner for a higher performing engine as the S55 is?

[pikkagtr]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

Five hundred dollars to change spark plugs? What has to come off?

your pants when they bend you over...oh wait

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by pikkagtr

your pants when they bend you over...oh wait

I thought that was part of buying a car with an official M badge

[clutchdj]

yeah seriously, i havn't found any DIYs on plugs yet. looks like the part of the intake has to come off but anyway. labor must be $200/hr.

[gsrbri]

Looks as though you'd have to remove the heat exchanger or HE piping, along w/the coils/plugs. I'm guessing 1.5 hrs labor plus parts. I think the dealer labor rate is $140/hr plus $20/per plug and some incidentals/consumables.

Pricey but it's an M4. At least you don't have to drop the motor, as you do in a porsche cayman/911.

I have to look in my manual and find out of the interval is indeed 25k. Otherwise, I"m doing them anyway.

[WillC310]

FWIW Turner sells the plugs https://www.turnermotorsport.com/c-9...bosch-ngk-beru, and they recommend 60-80k miles.

[romanonj]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Why is it surprising if it was 60K for an N54 and 40K for a 335IS? Sounds like it's just required sooner for a higher performing engine as the S55 is?

I don't think it was established as a requirement yet.. Can you please share the source?

25k is too soon for a production engine, no way BMW would accept two tunes ups with included 50k maintenance plan. That's over a $1000 in dealer costs per car...

[phantomF80]

I just dropped off my F80 for its 3rd service (just shy of 20k miles), and they told me they will change plugs. Supposedly they are changing them on S55 on every 3rd oil change. I am actually quite surprised by this interval, but I guess that's the price of high power turbocharged engines...

[Ian1973]

Really? They are easy to do yourself.

[TheLegend]

Wow so I was notified that my cars needs new spark plugs at 15,000 miles. Now I think it is automatically the third oil change because I've been changing them at 5000 intervals.

[wakdady]

it's at intervals of oil services, of 3. not at specific mileage, i.e. 20k, 40k, etc.
not to be confused with low mileage oil changes where CBS is not reset.

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by wakdady

it's at intervals of oil services, of 3. not at specific mileage, i.e. 20k, 40k, etc.
not to be confused with low mileage oil changes where CBS is not reset.

If you reset your oil service light yourself does that count under one of the three ? Only have 1200 miles since my last oil change done by myself(have lot of spare oil) so was going to reset the 1 year service.

[JoeFromPA]

$500 is not a totally unreasonable rate for a BMW shop to set as standard labor + materials. I'll explain my thinking as such:

- It is a standard rate and assumes high mileage vehicles with corrosion/difficulty removing.

- BMW prices on spark plugs are roughly $150-200 from BMW ($138 from ECS, for example) leaving $300-350.

- It is normal for BMW service departments to offer coupons and discounts of 10-15% - therefore this "shop rate" should still be profitable at $425-450.

- It's a dealership rate which will include minor costs for a loaner, vehicle wash, and associated care - so you are paying jacked up prices for such.

- BMW offers a warranty on their work as well.

...

I don't think it's unreasonable to charge $200 for labor and $150 for parts for this job at an Indy, so you would be paying an extra up to $150 for your dealership, availability of a loaner, and BMW's warranty on their work.

Is $500 too much? Yeah. Is $425-450 too much (assuming some minor shop discounts).....that's harder to say if the loaner and other minor perks are worth it to you.

[wakdady]

Originally Posted by JamesGames

If you reset your oil service light yourself does that count under one of the three ? Only have 1200 miles since my last oil change done by myself(have lot of spare oil) so was going to reset the 1 year service.

Dont reset it yourself. at least not while you have a maintenance program.
Yes, if it's reset, it does go towards the counter of 3. However, if the dealer is clever, they'll notice it wasn't claimed under warranty and not do it.
for example, service counter says it's the 3rd oil service, car has 5k miles and warranty shows 1 oil service claimed. that doesn't add up.

[Someone?]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

Really? They are easy to do yourself.

Agreed, theres no way its to tough to do, change um yourself!

If your not mechanically inclined heres a link to NON Dealer, but certified BMW shops that will do it much cheaper, took my car in for some stuff out of warranty services and saved hundreds!

https://www.bimrs.org/shop-locations/

[wakdady]

Originally Posted by ibmike

Agreed, theres no way its to tough to do, change um yourself!

If your not mechanically inclined heres a link to NON Dealer, but certified BMW shops that will do it much cheaper, took my car in for some stuff out of warranty services and saved hundreds!

https://www.bimrs.org/shop-locations/

Just out of curiosity, what makes a non dealer shop "Certified BMW"? Does BMW come out and say, "ah, you guys? yeah, you guys are cool, here's a certificate to work on our cars" lol.

serious question though.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by wakdady

Just out of curiosity, what makes a non dealer shop "Certified BMW"? Does BMW come out and say, "ah, you guys? yeah, you guys are cool, here's a certificate to work on our cars" lol.

serious question though.

They most likely have a mechanic on staff that was BMW trained and certified.

[CanAutM3]

My spark plugs were replaced during the last service at 22.5k miles as called by the car's service interval. I have 30+ track days on the car.

The car feels great and much more peppy with th new plugs .

[Woodengun]

I had plugs done as part of included maintenance. 20 or 25 k miles.

Probably 25 since I am at 44k miles now