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      11-12-2021, 04:14 PM   #89
m3rman
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To change or not to change spark plugs (yet)?

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Originally Posted by therealkenc View Post
Thanks. I decided to do them separately.

I wouldn't be surprised if you said BMW Manhattan charges $500 for an oil change haha. BMW SF's price recently shot up to $400 for the M4. Was paying $150-$175 previously.
I too was quoted $1412 for OEM spark plugs at Peter Pan BMW in San Mateo, CA... And that didn't even include labor I don't think. Oil change was $180 for their "value oil" and $250 for the regular oil, and brake flush was $235... still a bit cheaper than BMW San Francisco.

In the end, I just got a brake flush and oil change for my 6th oil change service (Year 5). Previous owner changed spark plugs under warranty at 22k miles on third oil change (Year 2). Should I get my spark plugs replaced now, or wait until I hit a certain mileage? It only has 20k miles on it after 3 years and has seen zero track days. Suggestions appreciated!
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      11-12-2021, 04:20 PM   #90
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m3rman View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by therealkenc View Post
Thanks. I decided to do them separately.

I wouldn't be surprised if you said BMW Manhattan charges $500 for an oil change haha. BMW SF's price recently shot up to $400 for the M4. Was paying $150-$175 previously.
I too was quoted $1412 for OEM spark plugs at Peter Pan BMW in San Mateo, CA... And that didn't even include labor I don't think. Oil change was $180 for their "value oil" and $250 for the regular oil, and brake flush was $235... still a bit cheaper than BMW San Francisco.

In the end, I just got a brake flush and oil change for my 6th oil change service (Year 5). Previous owner changed spark plugs under warranty at 22k miles on third oil change (Year 2). Should I get my spark plugs replaced now, or wait until I hit a certain mileage? It only has 20k miles on it after 3 years and has seen zero track days. Suggestions appreciated!
I'd be surprised if $1412 didn't include labour costs, since the bulk of the cost of a spark plug change is labor. The plugs are $15-20 each lol. But if $1412 is all-in, then that's $400 less than what they quoted me. I'm gonna do mine at an Indy.

Did they say what constitutes "value oil" vs "regular oil"?
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      11-12-2021, 04:44 PM   #91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by therealkenc View Post
I'd be surprised if $1412 didn't include labour costs, since the bulk of the cost of a spark plug change is labor. The plugs are $15-20 each lol. But if $1412 is all-in, then that's $400 less than what they quoted me. I'm gonna do mine at an Indy.

Did they say what constitutes "value oil" vs "regular oil"?
I didn't really pay attention to the brand the advisor threw at me, as I was so distracted by the $1400+ spark plug quote. I remember hearing Pennzoil or Castrol. I think I'll wait until 30k miles until I change my spark plugs, since spark plugs are dependent on miles driven whereas oil can actually get old.
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      06-21-2022, 08:08 PM   #92
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I just DIY'd the plugs on my F80 for about $72 for the sparks from FCP and $35 worth of tools that I was missing (tools have become expensive lately, specially the e-torx socket sets)
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      06-22-2022, 12:27 AM   #93
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If you're in the bay area DM me. I'll do it for half the price the dealer quotes you
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      06-22-2022, 11:18 AM   #94
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€750 here in Ireland.

It's robbery.

Worst part is they say it's 5 hours Labour and they have to video everything "in case your engine goes bang" when you drive down the road!!

How reassuring
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      06-22-2022, 11:38 AM   #95
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If anyone wants to pay $1000-1400 for a spark plugs change I can fly to your house and do the job.
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      06-23-2022, 09:23 AM   #96
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Question for those that are buying the NGK 97506.

Are y'all adjusting the gap on those or just installing as is?

There's a lot of different posts about different gaps for different mods/maps but I'm just running stock no performance modifications.

Also I've done the sparkplug and coilpack replacement myself in my apartment garage with pretty basic tools. It only took forever but I was able to button it all up and had no issues but I just ran the OEM plugs.
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      06-23-2022, 09:46 AM   #97
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I just did mine recently along with new coils, took me probably 3 hours total. Definitely a lot of work, but the only "specialty" tool I needed was the spark plug socket. The E-torx can be used like normal with a proper 6pt socket. I think I used 10mm and 11mm 6pt 3/8 sockets for the torx on the aluminum brace. Easy peasy.
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      06-23-2022, 09:47 AM   #98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pengwiins View Post
Question for those that are buying the NGK 97506.

Are y'all adjusting the gap on those or just installing as is?

There's a lot of different posts about different gaps for different mods/maps but I'm just running stock no performance modifications.
I'm running the Bosch plugs, checked the gap out the box and they were all 0.28". Bone stock F80 so I felt no need to tighten it up.
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      06-23-2022, 09:53 AM   #99
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Conissah View Post
I'm running the Bosch plugs, checked the gap out the box and they were all 0.28". Bone stock F80 so I felt no need to tighten it up.
Yea I can agree with you on the DIY portion. Definitely more time than difficulty. I ran the Bosch plugs but the general consensus seems people favor the NGKs so I didn't know if they needed to be re-gapped but I guess I can use 0.28" as default and regap to that if needed. Appreciate ya
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      06-24-2022, 12:50 AM   #100
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Just purchased a set of F8S from FCP Euro. I will attempt to change them out myself
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      06-27-2022, 03:01 PM   #101
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I always check my own gaps regardless of vendor. OEM plugs are usually properly gapped at 0.028" but we've seen 0.025-0.032" out of the box.

For any other plug (NGK or F8S) a check and gapping is mandatory. Those plugs usually have wide gaps because it's easier to "gap down" with feeler gauges and a ground strap pusher (screw in the plug, insert feeler, tighten screw to push ground strap to 0.021-0.023"). Trying to open up a gap usually scratches the iridium on the ground plate, and few of us have a proper gap opener tool (like a tiny tree, branches at different thickness to grab a strap in the middle).

Plug change is easy. Remember to tighten to 25Nm for proper washer crush.
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      06-27-2022, 03:16 PM   #102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TopJimmy View Post
I always check my own gaps regardless of vendor. OEM plugs are usually properly gapped at 0.028" but we've seen 0.025-0.032" out of the box.

For any other plug (NGK or F8S) a check and gapping is mandatory. Those plugs usually have wide gaps because it's easier to "gap down" with feeler gauges and a ground strap pusher (screw in the plug, insert feeler, tighten screw to push ground strap to 0.021-0.023"). Trying to open up a gap usually scratches the iridium on the ground plate, and few of us have a proper gap opener tool (like a tiny tree, branches at different thickness to grab a strap in the middle).

Plug change is easy. Remember to tighten to 25Nm for proper washer crush.
Thanks, that was the specific answer I was looking for. Time to invest in a proper spark plug gap tool then.
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      06-27-2022, 03:30 PM   #103
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TopJimmy View Post
I always check my own gaps regardless of vendor. OEM plugs are usually properly gapped at 0.028" but we've seen 0.025-0.032" out of the box.

For any other plug (NGK or F8S) a check and gapping is mandatory. Those plugs usually have wide gaps because it's easier to "gap down" with feeler gauges and a ground strap pusher (screw in the plug, insert feeler, tighten screw to push ground strap to 0.021-0.023"). Trying to open up a gap usually scratches the iridium on the ground plate, and few of us have a proper gap opener tool (like a tiny tree, branches at different thickness to grab a strap in the middle).

Plug change is easy. Remember to tighten to 25Nm for proper washer crush.
TopJimmy suggestion for F8S gaps? currently just tuned stage 2 BMS OTS
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      06-27-2022, 05:03 PM   #104
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wknd_F82 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TopJimmy View Post
I always check my own gaps regardless of vendor. OEM plugs are usually properly gapped at 0.028" but we've seen 0.025-0.032" out of the box.

For any other plug (NGK or F8S) a check and gapping is mandatory. Those plugs usually have wide gaps because it's easier to "gap down" with feeler gauges and a ground strap pusher (screw in the plug, insert feeler, tighten screw to push ground strap to 0.021-0.023"). Trying to open up a gap usually scratches the iridium on the ground plate, and few of us have a proper gap opener tool (like a tiny tree, branches at different thickness to grab a strap in the middle).

Plug change is easy. Remember to tighten to 25Nm for proper washer crush.
TopJimmy suggestion for F8S gaps? currently just tuned stage 2 BMS OTS
BM3 guys say 0.023" for OTS stage maps.
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      06-27-2022, 05:08 PM   #105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pengwiins View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TopJimmy View Post
I always check my own gaps regardless of vendor. OEM plugs are usually properly gapped at 0.028" but we've seen 0.025-0.032" out of the box.

For any other plug (NGK or F8S) a check and gapping is mandatory. Those plugs usually have wide gaps because it's easier to "gap down" with feeler gauges and a ground strap pusher (screw in the plug, insert feeler, tighten screw to push ground strap to 0.021-0.023"). Trying to open up a gap usually scratches the iridium on the ground plate, and few of us have a proper gap opener tool (like a tiny tree, branches at different thickness to grab a strap in the middle).

Plug change is easy. Remember to tighten to 25Nm for proper washer crush.
Thanks, that was the specific answer I was looking for. Time to invest in a proper spark plug gap tool then.
$15 AUTOVIC 12mm Spark Plug Caliper
https://a.co/8c6QcUQ

$10 OEMTOOLS 26 Blade Master Feeler Gauge
https://a.co/jfme95f

That's my set
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      06-27-2022, 10:00 PM   #106
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TopJimmy View Post
If anyone wants to pay $1000-1400 for a spark plugs change I can fly to your house and do the job.
Same

Actually, anyone in MA needs it done I'll do it for 60% of what the dealer quotes you
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