Another happy customer here. Followed this video and got it done today. Took me about an hour to change out all 4 plugs. Plus a 20 minute trip to buy a socket swivel. Using the swivel is KEY to getting the 3rd & 4th plugs replaced without having to take out a bunch of extra brackets and seals.
Thanks for the video. Rear plug is a pain in the ass but I was able to replace it with a little perseverance. Started the engine, got a “driveline malfunction” error. Made sure the coils were firmly seated on the spark plugs, and discovered that I hadn’t snapped the wiring harness connector firmly on to one of the coils. Click! Start engine, code is gone, all systems go. Saved $375.
I watched your video and getting the rear plug out worked perfectly. The only problem I had was when I got the new plug in, the extension separated from the swivel when I tried to pulled the tool out. I had to re-engage the extension and remove the newly installed spark plug. With everything out, I took the connections between everything apart and pressed all the connections together using electrical tape. This secured everything together. I installed the plug again and easily removed the tool. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for this video and all the people commenting on the best way to do this (no anti-freeze, dialectic grease only on ceramic part). Dealer quoted me $615 for spark plug replacement (May 2024). With buying the socket + swivel + spark plugs I did it for less than $100 in about 1 hour. I'm surprised how easy this was.... easy enough I'm nervous if I did it right. haha. My automotive skills are basic but I happened to have a torque wrench and extensions due to another basic project. One note, my 3" extension was not quite enough length for the 4th spark plug but two 3" extensions together was shorter than my 6" extension alone which was too tall and that worked (weird).
Hey Brian! I am overdue on my spark plug change and been wanting to do the DIY, thank you for the video. I'm just annoyed that my dealership charged me $429 just for a spark plug change.. I'm glad I didn't go that route and was able to change the spark plugs my own! -Mike
@@KiesMotorsportsHey Brian! thanks for the reply, so I set my torque to 17 like you said but it caused my engine to misfire after driving 45 miles. Should I go higher? like around 22?
Thank you so much! I just replaced them in my 328i! For reference, I used aluminum tape to hold the extension and swivel together ,because on my personal experience,when bringing out they disconnect. I followed all your steps, thanks man!!!
Thanks for the video as it was a useful reference guide. Just completed this job on my 2014 328i and figured I'd share some thoughts others might find useful. Regarding which spark plugs to use, you're always safe buying BMW parts although in my case I purchased NGK plugs (SILZKBR8D8S) that are the exact same as the BMW OEM plugs I pulled out. They were $58 from FCP Euro and to me the lifetime replacement warranty is a real plus since I keep my cars for a long time. And as the video points out, having the right spark plug socket is key. I DO NOT recommend the $5 14mm thin walled socket available from FCP Euro as the one I received had WAY too much retention from the rubber washer inside - making it extremely difficult to retrieve from the spark plug tube since it wanted to stick to the plugs. Overall this is a straight forward job but do it when you're not pressed for time to avoid rushing or to address unexpected problems... and along that line allow some time on the last cylinder in the back of the engine bay. It is tight back there but I was able to get the plug out using a 4" extension... since the 3" didn't provide enough clearance for my wrench. Also, I don't think you need to use anti-seize or electric grease on the plugs. Finally it is a good idea to start the car before you put the engine cover, etc back on to make sure all of the coil packs are fully seated.
Thanks for posting this. I was a little worried about how to remove/replace the rear two spark plugs and was ready to take it into a shop. This video saved me $200+
DO NOT PUT dielectric grease on the conducting head. It is a non-conducting insulator to prevent corrosion. You can apply it around on the white ceramic part but not the CONDUCTING TIP
I would like to point out to the DIY'er's that NGK has a tech bulletin NGKSP-0907-1 entitled "Anti-sieze compounds on Spark plug threads". In a nutshell do NOT use anti-sieze on these silver plated NGK plugs. Denso, Autolite, ACDelco, etc. also have similar tech bulletins. Additionally anti-sieze being nickel based has also been known to cause mis-fires. Other than that nice video.
Ok This is a year old now but maybe someone can chime in. My understanding was that you were not to lubricate the plugs with graphite or "copper" based anti-sieze because the friction value of the copper was too slippery that they plugs could come loose. That NGK bulletin says using antiseize may allow you to overtorque the plug and for this reason they do not recommend it (they did not specify what kind of AS). NGK sells to a lot of diy people like us who do not use a proper torque wrench and many of them would in fact over torque or under torque the plugs yes I could agree with that. I would still worry about a plug getting seized in the engine if I didn't use something. I also don't see any scientific basis for saying a nickel based compound is "known to cause misfires" It is a very ambiguous conclusion based on what I said before that if a spark plug comes loose and or is not torqued correctly it can get a misfire which relates back to people not properly torqueing the plugs using nickel or any other type of AS can cause a misfire. The nickel particles provide a "bite" into the threads to hold the plug in while being a non corrosive metal that will not seize in the threaded hole. This is what bmw says about it: Do not grease/oil thread or use any graphite or copper grease. Adhere to the torque values of the packaging information or regulation. Note: If these instructions are not followed, especially with regard to greasing, this may result in mechanical damage to the spark plug housing/thread. Spark plugs that are not tightened sufficiently lead to leaks and to the spark plugs coming loose during engine operation.
Came across your videos while looking for other f30 videos. Your videos look very informative and will sure help me in the future . Keep making good videos man
Here is the torque recommendation from NGK: Specifications Warranty: 1 Year Torque Specs: Cast Iron: 10.8-18 lb. ft. Aluminum: 10.8-14.5 lb. ft. Brand: NGK
Yeah, my dealer wanted to charge $450...I was like, "To replace 4 spark plugs!??!....I'll do it myself, thanks!" Great video, looks like all 4 are easily accessible. I owned an in-line 5 cylinder truck a while back. The 5th plug from what I read was something even mechanics would skip because it was so close to the firewall, making it nearly impossible to change. $150 for the tools I didn't have, which also included the plugs...this also included a cabin filter and a trim removal kit as well lol :D
Perfect video! I have the Haynes re and re manual and was so glad I found this. Made my life so easy and I have a baby to take care of. Thanks so very much!
Did you disconnect the battery?? Or should we ? Also when you talk about the gap, I didn’t understand what gap it was to check!! Thank you for the video
Thanks for this. My 328 plugs at the minimum needed to be cleaned and regapped at 60K; I just replaced them. Two notes: 1. anti-sieze isn't recommended at others have noted. 2. A 3-inch extension plus a swivel wasn't quite long enough for the rear plug for me. I added another 1.5-inch extension (swivel + 3" + 1.5") which worked fine.
@kies motorsport this is a great video, but you don't mention the correct gapping measurements for the sparkplug. I pulled out the plug and it measured. 032 and the new ones are .027 can you please confirm correct measurements or anyone in the thread please. This is for f30 328i 2012. Thanks!!!
Great video, thank you. very easy job to change them out. I am going to go ahead and change out the coil packs soon too just as preventative maintenance.
Sorry for the question, but I am very new to these tools and stuff and don't understand them much. The link for the socket says, it is for the 3/8" wrench and the torque wrench is 1/2" drive. Does that mean they are incompatible with each other?
Chintan Joshi Yes. A 1/2 inch toruqe wrench will not be compatible with a 3/8 socket. You will have either use a 1/2 to 3/8 adpater or a smaller (3/8) torque wrnech. I would use a smaller torque wrench because if you are using a 1/2 inch torque wrenches, they are usually meant for larger torques.
Hey Brian, as a note: the amazon link you linked for the torque wrench is 1/2" drive and not 3/8" drive like the spark plug socket. Should link either 3/8" drive wrench or add an adapter
Great video! Very detailed and in depth. I have a quick question for you or for anyone in general who owns a BMW. I am looking into purchasing a certified pre owned BMW 328i model year 2012-2013. How does this car fare in terms of reliability? I have heard many stories about BMWs poor reliability but I do not have first hand experience with this car brand.
+Christopher Hernandez Hey Chris, thanks for watching. CPO is a good way to go. I've only had my car for about 10,000 miles, so it's hard for me to say. Something that I will note is that if you're looking for a 328i xdrive, they didn't make them in 2012 for whatever reason.. just a side note. I will say that I've had a few minor issues, but if you're getting the CPO, I think you're covered up to 100k miles, so you should be good. They're a ton of fun..
I got my 328i 2013 use with 80k miles it now has 122k mile. As long as you take care of your car and make the necessary changes and tune up you will have no issues. Just don’t go racing it on stock all the time. 🏎😈
+Kies Motorsports You mention that the spark plugs used by NGK brand. Would you buy the specific NGK part # spark plug from Amazon v/s the dealer as there might be a large price difference? I found this to be the case with my Toyota Highlander air/fuel sensor where the dealer wanted $222 and I found the identical Denso part on Amazon for $94. The original part I took out from the vehicle was a Denso part.
+Chris Braganza Hi Chris, definitely.. go for it. I wasn't in a position where I could do that, but I would have, if I had the opportunity. Long story short, here is why I bought them at the dealer: I tried to save money, so I went to Advance Auto. They looked up the plugs and recommended Denso 3457 as a direct replacement. I installed them and noticed that the car acted fine at low RPMs, but my car would violently shake at higher RPMs. I took the car to BMW.... turns out Advance Auto had the wrong spark plugs listed in their system. I only live a half mile from my dealer, so I just bought them there since I wanted them in that night.. and I wasn't paying for them to do the installation. The good news is Advance Auto covered my diagnostic bill from the dealer and removed them from their system..
Kies Motorsports did you check the gap? Called NGK and they said that the pre-gapped doesn’t mean anything. They told me to check with BMW for optimal gap. Can’t find anything on the internet
Thanks for the video! Great job! Does anyone have the repair manual where you can find the intervals of replacing things like filters, spark plugs etc ?
Hi, I like how well you showed everything! Quick question: what was the mileage when you did the spark plugs? Are you supposed to do them every 30k miles on the N20?
Hey Alex. According to my manual. 2014 F30 manufactured before july 2013 plugs will be changed after the 4th oil changed(40k miles). 2014 models manufactured after July 2013 plugs will have to be done after 6th oil changed(60k miles).
Video was an absolute lifesaver, thanks brother! Quick question, anyone know if the NGK 97506 plugs come pre-gapped from FCP Euro? First time changing these on my own and I want to make sure I have everything I need. 2014 328i xDrive with the N26....said those were good replacement plugs. Any feedback would be highly appreciated!
I added extra 20 minutes more time to change my spark plugs removing metal bar( 4 screws) and plastic covers(7 screws) for easy access to spark plugs 4 and 3. Maybe not necessary but it was easier to work .BMW asked 300$ for spark plugs and 150$ for air filter change. Rockauto.com NGK 97506 spark plug 14$ and MAHLE filter 13$.(same one as the old one in the car)
Dude I am your fan. Good videos. Quick question how often do you need to change the spark plugs? And where did you buy the soft close door for the F30? Thanks
nice video bro. I bought ebay NGK laser iridium plugs. installed them with no issues. turned my car back on and got the code "driving train malfunction. operate slowly"! My car stumbled and misfired like crazy. I unstalled the plugs and put the oem ones back in. same code appeared and engine still misfired! I am do most of my car work on most of every car I own. This wasn't my first rodeo. unfortunately I could not figure out why the car acted up. anywa, just left the BMW here in fresno ca. after $600 the car has new spark plugs and no check engine light. I will not be touching the internals again. I contacted the eBay supplier about the plugs and have no success. lesson learned here today after 6 hours in BMW waiting area while the figure out what was wrong with it. A $90 job turned into 6x for whatever reason.
+Joe Hernandez I had the same problem! I bought plugs that Advance Auto said were the replacements and it misfired like crazy! Advanced actually paid my BMW service bill to diagnose it
Great stuff. Enjoyed this and saved over $200 DIY!! I can't emphasize enough how much of a p.i.t.a that last plug int the back really is. first time having this done and it was tough. another lesson learned us that to get that last plug I really needed a 3" and a 2" to get that last one. The two 3" was just too long and the straight 6" was too along as well. Thankfully I had an extra shallow wrench
I tried but not able to open the plastic cover for 2013 x1. It looks like some wires attach to that cover which is not allowing to open the cover from backside which is hidden under metal frame. Any suggestions.
Cylinder #4 was some fun . The way I did it was I got the coil pack out, then dropped the socket in, then the 6in extension, then a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter. I then used a 1/4 drive ratchet because the torque was low. I got the dreaded drivetrain malfunction but it was due to coil pack #2 clip was broken (not by me).
Do you gap the Bosch OEM double platinum plugs for the 2013 335i F30 engine or do you accept the set gap from the factory. If you gap it, what is the gap setting?
How much will it cost you to buy spark plug and fuel ignition? And does it need a program after changing them? Mine has a misfire in cylinder 1 & 2 and dealer wants to change all spark plug and fuel ignition and charge me for over $5,000.. hoping for your response.. thanks!
Awesome Video, Thanks!! Can I have a quick breakdown of things i need? sockets and their sizes? just want to make sure I have everything I have if you don't mind.. also any preference with the two lubs you used? thanks
+kingstagraaam Thanks for watching! You need a thin walled 14 mm 12 Point Socket (make sure that it's extra thin.. I had to grind my "thin walled" socket down, because it wasn't thin enough), a 3 inch extension, a 5 inch extension, a swivel and a torque wrench. As for the anti seize and the other packet I used, I would just go to a local auto parts store. They typically have them at the counter for $1-$2 and I don't think brand matters much.
+kingstagraaam That's a great price. I have a long story about why I bought them at the dealer.. I may make a 2 minute video about that.. thanks for posting.
My plugs are in their pretty tight. Any tips on getting them unscrewed? They seem stuck. And I know the socket is all the way around it. I’m afraid of twisting too hard so I don’t break it
I have this car 2012 bmw 3 series 328i f30. I’m having trouble on what oil it needs but I look on the Manuel for the recommendation, best one was “castrol bmw high performance SAE 5w-30.” But there so many the same. Alot of different oil i can’t choose, I wanna make sure I get the right” one. Idk how it looks tho u think you got a link for the oil?
+Austin Helinger Hi Austin. Thanks! I don't see it being a problem as long as you get the right weight. I've never seen anything that said it was bad to use in the car.
Hey nice video. What is your opinion on the reliability on the N20? I heard there's a problem with the timing chain. Also I've seen one today and the engine is making this loud taping clicking noise.
Hi, so far it's been great. I haven't heard about the timing chain issue, so that's news to me. As for the tapping, they all have that "diesel" sound. It's completely normal and nothing to be worried about. What do you drive now?
I drive an X6 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo. That car has been a nightmare lol. I plan to buy the wife a 2013 328i xdrive. I test drove it today and something doesn't feel right. It has the N20 engine. I guess I'll have to have a mechanic look at it before purchase.
Did you have to gap the spark plugs that you purchased from the dealer? Or was it simple swap out? Mine are due soon and the dealer wants somewhere in the mid $350 range, F that noise.
+Kies Motorsports cool man, I don't need to do it anytime soon. just wondering ahead of time. watching your vids for procedures & tips for mine. I'll be watching for it whenever you put it up, thank you.
Awesome, in that case, I may wait a few more weeks. Just let me know if you need it sooner and I'll see what I can do. When I do my next change, I'll also be installing a fumoto drain valve, so it should be pretty cool. Thanks for watching and commenting!
So I changed all the spark plugs at my dealership and my mechanic over torqued one of the plugs and made it crack. So after stressing for a week of not knowing what's wrong with it, I took it to BMW where they showed me the cracked spark plug. They replaced it for free and my baby was driving smooth for a week. Now the problem is back! Misfiring under high load but no check engine lights! I called bmw and they said it's most likely that all of the plugs could be over torqued. Should I just replace them all??
HI when you will show us coolant flush in N20 F30? There is nothing in radiator and engine block really is eco like hell this motor half of fluid you will have on you or on the floor. Disaster i made that last time.
$350? What a bargain! I came across your video because my friend bought another BMW (against my recommendation, and thousands in repairs on her previous ones), and the dealer, Motorworks in Bloomington, MN (aka the worst dealership I've ever dealt with) mentioned the 55k mile maintenance and spark plugs. They wanted $458 to do it. Thankfully, while she didn't take my advice to avoid BMWs again, she did at least ask for my advice on that before saying yes. $458. To do spark plugs. BMW = Bring More Wallet. This is the same dealership that wanted around $140 to replace the cabin filter in her old 328, and $100 to replace the cabin filter in my POS Cooper S. When the service manager quoted me that, I looked at the guy and asked how he could say that with a straight face. LOL.
I'll change the plugs for $300 ;) My dealer was actually $350 + $100 for the plugs, so we were actually at $450 as well. Once you add NJ tax in, you're looking at another 7%. Crazy. You're being a good friend.. I'll keep making videos.. and you keep fixing her car, ha. Thanks for your comment.
That's what I told her. I gave her the shopping list from Pelican, and I'll take dinner and drinks in payment. I didn't mention that we're going to the best steakhouse in town... but it'll still be cheaper ;)
Thought I’d reply as I also have a 2007 X3 and 2013 X3. The newer engines chew through spark plugs, I’m guessing over twice as fast as the old normally aspirated engines. 40k for replacement is probably safe as I am doing this now at 56k miles due to misfires.
Great video. I just tried to change the spark plugs on my BMW 2013 and the spark plug socket didn't fit properly. I bought the socket at the local auto parts store, which fits the spark plug fine when i hold it in my hand. Where did you buy this specific spark plug socket?
I used ngk and checked the gap however once I started the car it had a rough start and a strong smell of gasoline. What do you think could be the issue?
![Kodak Black - Catch Fire [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/A4ch-olIuZo/mqdefault.jpg)
Another happy customer here. Followed this video and got it done today. Took me about an hour to change out all 4 plugs. Plus a 20 minute trip to buy a socket swivel. Using the swivel is KEY to getting the 3rd & 4th plugs replaced without having to take out a bunch of extra brackets and seals.
Thanks for the video. Rear plug is a pain in the ass but I was able to replace it with a little perseverance. Started the engine, got a “driveline malfunction” error. Made sure the coils were firmly seated on the spark plugs, and discovered that I hadn’t snapped the wiring harness connector firmly on to one of the coils. Click! Start engine, code is gone, all systems go. Saved $375.
4 years later and this video is still helpful and amazing lol. Keep it up, love this channel 👍
I watched your video and getting the rear plug out worked perfectly. The only problem I had was when I got the new plug in, the extension separated from the swivel when I tried to pulled the tool out. I had to re-engage the extension and remove the newly installed spark plug. With everything out, I took the connections between everything apart and pressed all the connections together using electrical tape. This secured everything together. I installed the plug again and easily removed the tool. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for this video and all the people commenting on the best way to do this (no anti-freeze, dialectic grease only on ceramic part). Dealer quoted me $615 for spark plug replacement (May 2024). With buying the socket + swivel + spark plugs I did it for less than $100 in about 1 hour. I'm surprised how easy this was.... easy enough I'm nervous if I did it right. haha. My automotive skills are basic but I happened to have a torque wrench and extensions due to another basic project. One note, my 3" extension was not quite enough length for the 4th spark plug but two 3" extensions together was shorter than my 6" extension alone which was too tall and that worked (weird).
Hey Brian! I am overdue on my spark plug change and been wanting to do the DIY, thank you for the video. I'm just annoyed that my dealership charged me $429 just for a spark plug change.. I'm glad I didn't go that route and was able to change the spark plugs my own!
-Mike
Awesome, Mike! Glad to hear!
@@KiesMotorsportsHey Brian! thanks for the reply, so I set my torque to 17 like you said but it caused my engine to misfire after driving 45 miles. Should I go higher? like around 22?
@@twistedpennywise yes 22pounds
Thank you so much! I just replaced them in my 328i!
For reference, I used aluminum tape to hold the extension and swivel together ,because on my personal experience,when bringing out they disconnect. I followed all your steps, thanks man!!!
The best video for BMW spark plugs change.Congratulations
Thanks!
Thanks for the video as it was a useful reference guide. Just completed this job on my 2014 328i and figured I'd share some thoughts others might find useful. Regarding which spark plugs to use, you're always safe buying BMW parts although in my case I purchased NGK plugs (SILZKBR8D8S) that are the exact same as the BMW OEM plugs I pulled out. They were $58 from FCP Euro and to me the lifetime replacement warranty is a real plus since I keep my cars for a long time. And as the video points out, having the right spark plug socket is key. I DO NOT recommend the $5 14mm thin walled socket available from FCP Euro as the one I received had WAY too much retention from the rubber washer inside - making it extremely difficult to retrieve from the spark plug tube since it wanted to stick to the plugs. Overall this is a straight forward job but do it when you're not pressed for time to avoid rushing or to address unexpected problems... and along that line allow some time on the last cylinder in the back of the engine bay. It is tight back there but I was able to get the plug out using a 4" extension... since the 3" didn't provide enough clearance for my wrench. Also, I don't think you need to use anti-seize or electric grease on the plugs. Finally it is a good idea to start the car before you put the engine cover, etc back on to make sure all of the coil packs are fully seated.
very detailed info, thank you so much! plan to do it myself when I reach 45k miles on my N20 F30
so what socket wrench woud u recommend? is the one in autozone ok?
Great video bro I just bought a 328i and your videos are going to make life easier!
Thanks, glad it's helpful! I have some videos I want to do in the next few weeks, so stay tuned and let me know if you have any video ideas..
P.s. Congrats on the car 👍🏼
Thanks for posting this. I was a little worried about how to remove/replace the rear two spark plugs and was ready to take it into a shop. This video saved me $200+
Awesome, glad to hear!
DO NOT PUT dielectric grease on the conducting head. It is a non-conducting insulator to prevent corrosion. You can apply it around on the white ceramic part but not the CONDUCTING TIP
I would like to point out to the DIY'er's that NGK has a tech bulletin NGKSP-0907-1 entitled "Anti-sieze compounds on Spark plug threads". In a nutshell do NOT use anti-sieze on these silver plated NGK plugs. Denso, Autolite, ACDelco, etc. also have similar tech bulletins. Additionally anti-sieze being nickel based has also been known to cause mis-fires. Other than that nice video.
I was gonna say, I hope someone pointed that out.
Ok This is a year old now but maybe someone can chime in. My understanding was that you were not to lubricate the plugs with graphite or "copper" based anti-sieze because the friction value of the copper was too slippery that they plugs could come loose. That NGK bulletin says using antiseize may allow you to overtorque the plug and for this reason they do not recommend it (they did not specify what kind of AS). NGK sells to a lot of diy people like us who do not use a proper torque wrench and many of them would in fact over torque or under torque the plugs yes I could agree with that. I would still worry about a plug getting seized in the engine if I didn't use something. I also don't see any scientific basis for saying a nickel based compound is "known to cause misfires" It is a very ambiguous conclusion based on what I said before that if a spark plug comes loose and or is not torqued correctly it can get a misfire which relates back to people not properly torqueing the plugs using nickel or any other type of AS can cause a misfire. The nickel particles provide a "bite" into the threads to hold the plug in while being a non corrosive metal that will not seize in the threaded hole.
This is what bmw says about it: Do not grease/oil thread or use any graphite or copper grease. Adhere to the torque values of the packaging information or regulation.
Note: If these instructions are not followed, especially with regard to greasing, this may result in mechanical damage to the spark plug housing/thread. Spark plugs that are not tightened sufficiently lead to leaks and to the spark plugs coming loose during engine operation.
Anti seize also makes them so slick that you’ll end up over torquing them
Awesome man! Keep making videos like this! We're counting on you.
Sure thing!
I don't usually comment on videos, but I have to say I love all your videos. thanks for how simple you make everything to work on. thank you.
Came across your videos while looking for other f30 videos. Your videos look very informative and will sure help me in the future . Keep making good videos man
Great, thanks!
I liked the “lessons learned” segment at the end.
Here is the torque recommendation from NGK:
Specifications
Warranty: 1 Year
Torque Specs: Cast Iron: 10.8-18 lb. ft. Aluminum: 10.8-14.5 lb. ft.
Brand: NGK
The cover is harder to put on than the job itself ! Great vid. Helped a lot!
Yeah, my dealer wanted to charge $450...I was like, "To replace 4 spark plugs!??!....I'll do it myself, thanks!" Great video, looks like all 4 are easily accessible. I owned an in-line 5 cylinder truck a while back. The 5th plug from what I read was something even mechanics would skip because it was so close to the firewall, making it nearly impossible to change. $150 for the tools I didn't have, which also included the plugs...this also included a cabin filter and a trim removal kit as well lol :D
I called my dealer today and they quoted $800 lmao
Perfect video! I have the Haynes re and re manual and was so glad I found this. Made my life so easy and I have a baby to take care of. Thanks so very much!
Did you disconnect the battery?? Or should we ? Also when you talk about the gap, I didn’t understand what gap it was to check!! Thank you for the video
Going to have to do this on our F30 328i soon. Glad to have the video and tips first! Cheers
thanks!
Thanks for this. My 328 plugs at the minimum needed to be cleaned and regapped at 60K; I just replaced them. Two notes: 1. anti-sieze isn't recommended at others have noted. 2. A 3-inch extension plus a swivel wasn't quite long enough for the rear plug for me. I added another 1.5-inch extension (swivel + 3" + 1.5") which worked fine.
@kies motorsport this is a great video, but you don't mention the correct gapping measurements for the sparkplug. I pulled out the plug and it measured. 032 and the new ones are .027 can you please confirm correct measurements or anyone in the thread please. This is for f30 328i 2012. Thanks!!!
Good question, I was about to start on mines and wonder 💭 what if the measurements are incorrect. Brian @kies motorsport what you suggest or recommend
Can you please make a video on f30, 320i or 328i xdrive thermostat replacement..
great video!!! thanks for doing this for us f30 owners. Saved me a fortune
+Alcide Jaramillo Thanks! My dealer wanted $550 for these and it took me maybe 20 minutes or so.
Great video, thank you. very easy job to change them out. I am going to go ahead and change out the coil packs soon too just as preventative maintenance.
Sorry for the question, but I am very new to these tools and stuff and don't understand them much. The link for the socket says, it is for the 3/8" wrench and the torque wrench is 1/2" drive. Does that mean they are incompatible with each other?
Chintan Joshi Yes. A 1/2 inch toruqe wrench will not be compatible with a 3/8 socket. You will have either use a 1/2 to 3/8 adpater or a smaller (3/8) torque wrnech. I would use a smaller torque wrench because if you are using a 1/2 inch torque wrenches, they are usually meant for larger torques.
Thanks bro, nice video. Just finished this job tonight on my f22 thanks to your vid.
I got a 15' 228 and when im out of warranty will surely do my plugs
+Yusuf Memon Awesome car! It's a very straight forward process, so I'd definitely do them.
Hey Brian, as a note: the amazon link you linked for the torque wrench is 1/2" drive and not 3/8" drive like the spark plug socket. Should link either 3/8" drive wrench or add an adapter
Awesome video, very useful. Quick question, don't you also need to change the connector boots?
Hi, thanks. No, you shouldn't need to
Awesome DIY! Followed the instructions and didn't rush it. Brian you rock!
Thanks!
your videos are great! definitely going to need them when my warranty runs out
+RigoRV09 Great, thanks for watching! I have some new ones coming soon that you may like..
Doing mine tonight. Thanks Bryan!
Great video! Very detailed and in depth. I have a quick question for you or for anyone in general who owns a BMW. I am looking into purchasing a certified pre owned BMW 328i model year 2012-2013. How does this car fare in terms of reliability? I have heard many stories about BMWs poor reliability but I do not have first hand experience with this car brand.
+Christopher Hernandez Hey Chris, thanks for watching. CPO is a good way to go. I've only had my car for about 10,000 miles, so it's hard for me to say. Something that I will note is that if you're looking for a 328i xdrive, they didn't make them in 2012 for whatever reason.. just a side note.
I will say that I've had a few minor issues, but if you're getting the CPO, I think you're covered up to 100k miles, so you should be good. They're a ton of fun..
I got my 328i 2013 use with 80k miles it now has 122k mile. As long as you take care of your car and make the necessary changes and tune up you will have no issues. Just don’t go racing it on stock all the time. 🏎😈
Hello, what spark plugs did you use, can you provide link. the video made me change them myself.
Great video , now can you show me how to adjust the low beam headlight up on a 328i ?
I believe he already has a video for this
Thank you. I was having trouble with the back plug, but after seeing it can be done it magically came out. :-)
thanks for an awesome video will be doing it myself. dealership quoted me with an extreme price.
+Geovani Mejia Jr Good, its crazy what they charge!
Geovani Mejia Jr how much did they charged you? I just had mine qouted including the fuel injectors and it was so crazy charged me over $5,000..
jack ammo Run away from that dealer right now
Great video! Did you adjust the gap on the new spark plugs before you installed them or did they come preset?
+Chris Braganza Hi Chris, the plugs come pre gapped from the dealer, but I like to go back and double check them. Good question, thanks for asking
+Kies Motorsports You mention that the spark plugs used by NGK brand. Would you buy the specific NGK part # spark plug from Amazon v/s the dealer as there might be a large price difference? I found this to be the case with my Toyota Highlander air/fuel sensor where the dealer wanted $222 and I found the identical Denso part on Amazon for $94. The original part I took out from the vehicle was a Denso part.
+Chris Braganza Hi Chris, definitely.. go for it. I wasn't in a position where I could do that, but I would have, if I had the opportunity.
Long story short, here is why I bought them at the dealer:
I tried to save money, so I went to Advance Auto. They looked up the plugs and recommended Denso 3457 as a direct replacement. I installed them and noticed that the car acted fine at low RPMs, but my car would violently shake at higher RPMs.
I took the car to BMW.... turns out Advance Auto had the wrong spark plugs listed in their system. I only live a half mile from my dealer, so I just bought them there since I wanted them in that night.. and I wasn't paying for them to do the installation.
The good news is Advance Auto covered my diagnostic bill from the dealer and removed them from their system..
Kies Motorsports did you check the gap? Called NGK and they said that the pre-gapped doesn’t mean anything. They told me to check with BMW for optimal gap. Can’t find anything on the internet
Thanks for the video! Great job! Does anyone have the repair manual where you can find the intervals of replacing things like filters, spark plugs etc ?
I am looking for the same thing
Hi, I like how well you showed everything! Quick question: what was the mileage when you did the spark plugs? Are you supposed to do them every 30k miles on the N20?
Also, around what mileage should you replace the coil packs at?
Hey Alex. According to my manual. 2014 F30 manufactured before july 2013 plugs will be changed after the 4th oil changed(40k miles). 2014 models manufactured after July 2013 plugs will have to be done after 6th oil changed(60k miles).
Video was an absolute lifesaver, thanks brother! Quick question, anyone know if the NGK 97506 plugs come pre-gapped from FCP Euro? First time changing these on my own and I want to make sure I have everything I need. 2014 328i xDrive with the N26....said those were good replacement plugs. Any feedback would be highly appreciated!
I added extra 20 minutes more time to change my spark plugs removing metal bar( 4 screws) and plastic covers(7 screws) for easy access to spark plugs 4 and 3. Maybe not necessary but it was easier to work .BMW asked 300$ for spark plugs and 150$ for air filter change. Rockauto.com NGK 97506 spark plug 14$ and MAHLE filter 13$.(same one as the old one in the car)
Can you make a video on cleaning or changing the differential pressure sensor on f30?
Hello, could you specify the right part number for the spark plugs and coils for the F30. Thanks
Go to FCP Euro and do a parts search based on your year and model. Super easy!
Thanks for the video!!! Saved a couple hundred bucks and only took 45min
Dude I am your fan. Good videos. Quick question how often do you need to change the spark plugs? And where did you buy the soft close door for the F30? Thanks
Thanks! I'd say every 50,000 miles. Also, we sell the Soft Close :)
I guess your website is not working. how much is it?
+Abner Ortiz Our website is up, but we don't list products. If you email me at info@kiesmotorsports.com I can discuss with you
Funny you getting the third plug out with no problems,. I had to take half my motor out just to get to the plug
Hi Kies Motorsports, would you recommend unplugging the car battery before doing this? Thanks!
Hi, you can for added safety, but I didn't
nice video bro.
I bought ebay NGK laser iridium plugs.
installed them with no issues. turned my car back on and got the code "driving train malfunction. operate slowly"! My car stumbled and misfired like crazy. I unstalled the plugs and put the oem ones back in. same code appeared and engine still misfired! I am do most of my car work on most of every car I own. This wasn't my first rodeo. unfortunately I could not figure out why the car acted up. anywa, just left the BMW here in fresno ca. after $600 the car has new spark plugs and no check engine light.
I will not be touching the internals again.
I contacted the eBay supplier about the plugs and have no success. lesson learned here today after 6 hours in BMW waiting area while the figure out what was wrong with it. A $90 job turned into 6x for whatever reason.
+Joe Hernandez I had the same problem! I bought plugs that Advance Auto said were the replacements and it misfired like crazy! Advanced actually paid my BMW service bill to diagnose it
What was the issue?
What was the issue?
Great stuff. Enjoyed this and saved over $200 DIY!! I can't emphasize enough how much of a p.i.t.a that last plug int the back really is. first time having this done and it was tough. another lesson learned us that to get that last plug I really needed a 3" and a 2" to get that last one. The two 3" was just too long and the straight 6" was too along as well. Thankfully I had an extra shallow wrench
Useful video. Good work.
Question, how many spark plugs it takes, 6? pardon if a dumb question.
328 is 4 and the 335 is 6
'12 should be same as '13, right?
u rock, man.
Yea, should be the same
Thanks dude.
I got the drivetrain message and I read that it could be the spark plugs and coils. I am going to do this 😥I hope it fixes it. Thank you!!!!
Did it work out for you? I got the same message today.
Hey Brian. Just want to know if you can do a Video on changing the fog lights. Thanks
Hi, are you just looking to change the bulbs? Do you have an F30?
I tried but not able to open the plastic cover for 2013 x1. It looks like some wires attach to that cover which is not allowing to open the cover from backside which is hidden under metal frame. Any suggestions.
Cylinder #4 was some fun . The way I did it was I got the coil pack out, then dropped the socket in, then the 6in extension, then a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter. I then used a 1/4 drive ratchet because the torque was low. I got the dreaded drivetrain malfunction but it was due to coil pack #2 clip was broken (not by me).
Do you gap the Bosch OEM double platinum plugs for the 2013 335i F30 engine or do you accept the set gap from the factory. If you gap it, what is the gap setting?
How much will it cost you to buy spark plug and fuel ignition? And does it need a program after changing them? Mine has a misfire in cylinder 1 & 2 and dealer wants to change all spark plug and fuel ignition and charge me for over $5,000.. hoping for your response.. thanks!
Awesome Video, Thanks!! Can I have a quick breakdown of things i need? sockets and their sizes? just want to make sure I have everything I have if you don't mind.. also any preference with the two lubs you used? thanks
ECS tuning has the exact spark plugs too for $17.28
www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/spark-plug-priced-each--num-zkbr8c8s/12120039664/Checkout/
+kingstagraaam Thanks for watching! You need a thin walled 14 mm 12 Point Socket (make sure that it's extra thin.. I had to grind my "thin walled" socket down, because it wasn't thin enough), a 3 inch extension, a 5 inch extension, a swivel and a torque wrench. As for the anti seize and the other packet I used, I would just go to a local auto parts store. They typically have them at the counter for $1-$2 and I don't think brand matters much.
+kingstagraaam That's a great price. I have a long story about why I bought them at the dealer.. I may make a 2 minute video about that.. thanks for posting.
My plugs are in their pretty tight. Any tips on getting them unscrewed? They seem stuck. And I know the socket is all the way around it. I’m afraid of twisting too hard so I don’t break it
Brian - do you recommend also changing coil packs when plugs are changed, or is that overkill?
Hey Paul here
Not really if coil packs have around 30,000 i change mine and plugs .
These cars love to eat coils.
brian, how often should we change the spark plugs if the car is tuned with bm3????
Dawg you the mf’n goat for this one bruva. I was really about to take my shit to the shop. 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
Thanks, glad we could help you and save you money!
Do the plugs come from the dealers already gapped correctly?
I have this car 2012 bmw 3 series 328i f30. I’m having trouble on what oil it needs but I look on the Manuel for the recommendation, best one was “castrol bmw high performance SAE 5w-30.” But there so many the same. Alot of different oil i can’t choose, I wanna make sure I get the right” one. Idk how it looks tho u think you got a link for the oil?
Great video! Quick question. How do you feel about Royal Purple motor oil in this car?
+Austin Helinger Hi Austin. Thanks! I don't see it being a problem as long as you get the right weight. I've never seen anything that said it was bad to use in the car.
+Austin Helinger .. I just did my oil change with Mobil 1 0w 40 in another video
+Kies Motorsports You're the man!
Autozone has the thin walled spark plugs if anyone can wait for shipping
thanks for the video god bless you and your family👍
Thanks David 👍
Hey nice video. What is your opinion on the reliability on the N20? I heard there's a problem with the timing chain. Also I've seen one today and the engine is making this loud taping clicking noise.
Hi, so far it's been great. I haven't heard about the timing chain issue, so that's news to me. As for the tapping, they all have that "diesel" sound. It's completely normal and nothing to be worried about. What do you drive now?
I drive an X6 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo. That car has been a nightmare lol. I plan to buy the wife a 2013 328i xdrive. I test drove it today and something doesn't feel right. It has the N20 engine. I guess I'll have to have a mechanic look at it before purchase.
Thanks for the video bud
Did you have to gap the spark plugs that you purchased from the dealer? Or was it simple swap out? Mine are due soon and the dealer wants somewhere in the mid $350 range, F that noise.
+rowdytitan No, I didn't have to gap them, but always check them. Follow the video and you can do it in 20 min for about $100 😀
Hi, thank you. Do you have an oil change video for this car?
+STRAY Hi, Im actually going to record one soon. Do you need to do your oil soon? I can probably do one for you, if you can give me a week or two..
+Kies Motorsports cool man, I don't need to do it anytime soon. just wondering ahead of time. watching your vids for procedures & tips for mine. I'll be watching for it whenever you put it up, thank you.
Awesome, in that case, I may wait a few more weeks. Just let me know if you need it sooner and I'll see what I can do.
When I do my next change, I'll also be installing a fumoto drain valve, so it should be pretty cool.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
So I changed all the spark plugs at my dealership and my mechanic over torqued one of the plugs and made it crack. So after stressing for a week of not knowing what's wrong with it, I took it to BMW where they showed me the cracked spark plug. They replaced it for free and my baby was driving smooth for a week. Now the problem is back! Misfiring under high load but no check engine lights! I called bmw and they said it's most likely that all of the plugs could be over torqued. Should I just replace them all??
Shawn Childs any update?
Funny, the right clip on my engine cover broke too, good video
Somebody from quality control got fired lol
I have an I identical car. Even same color. I just did this and I was so scared to start it 😓 thanks for this video!!!
Nice! Good luck with it!
would you be able to do one for brakes?
Yea, definitely. I just need some time, since I'm not quite ready for them
+Kies Motorsports it's fine bro just want to pick up on some of the things as I would like to start working on the car myself
Sounds good!
I bought the denso 3457 plugs, so i should return them? Which ones should i get?
HI when you will show us coolant flush in N20 F30? There is nothing in radiator and engine block really is eco like hell this motor half of fluid you will have on you or on the floor. Disaster i made that last time.
So is the torque supposed to be 17ft-lb (video) or 22ft-lb (in the comments section)?
From the BMW shop manual its 23 +/- 3 Nm (18 +/- 2 ft-lb)
@@kenlawton1531 is this confirmed? What does Nm stand for?
Mechanic tried telling my friend 800$ to replace them and i thought u needed some special tool or process to change it, BRUHH gonna go do it tmr
What do you mean by check your gaps?
$350? What a bargain!
I came across your video because my friend bought another BMW (against my recommendation, and thousands in repairs on her previous ones), and the dealer, Motorworks in Bloomington, MN (aka the worst dealership I've ever dealt with) mentioned the 55k mile maintenance and spark plugs. They wanted $458 to do it. Thankfully, while she didn't take my advice to avoid BMWs again, she did at least ask for my advice on that before saying yes. $458. To do spark plugs. BMW = Bring More Wallet.
This is the same dealership that wanted around $140 to replace the cabin filter in her old 328, and $100 to replace the cabin filter in my POS Cooper S. When the service manager quoted me that, I looked at the guy and asked how he could say that with a straight face. LOL.
I'll change the plugs for $300 ;) My dealer was actually $350 + $100 for the plugs, so we were actually at $450 as well. Once you add NJ tax in, you're looking at another 7%. Crazy.
You're being a good friend.. I'll keep making videos.. and you keep fixing her car, ha. Thanks for your comment.
That's what I told her. I gave her the shopping list from Pelican, and I'll take dinner and drinks in payment. I didn't mention that we're going to the best steakhouse in town... but it'll still be cheaper ;)
How about a new video for the F3x N55? ;)
Great Video 👍
What should the gappin be on the spark plug
I have a 2016 N20 with 30k miles and its starting to sputter, should I start with plugs??
Fatricantrucker Channel did you end up changing the spark plugs or something else?
I just bought n20 with 120k miles
How many miles are on that 2013? Dealer is telling me that at 40,000 I need to replace plugs. I had over 90,000 on my 2008 X3 before replacement.
Thought I’d reply as I also have a 2007 X3 and 2013 X3. The newer engines chew through spark plugs, I’m guessing over twice as fast as the old normally aspirated engines. 40k for replacement is probably safe as I am doing this now at 56k miles due to misfires.
Need a video for the N55 please :)
Great video. I just tried to change the spark plugs on my BMW 2013 and the spark plug socket didn't fit properly. I bought the socket at the local auto parts store, which fits the spark plug fine when i hold it in my hand. Where did you buy this specific spark plug socket?
Hi, yea, I have one in the description. With the BMW, you'll need a thin walled socket, or it won't fit
Great video! Is the check engine light supposed to go off by itself?
When did it come on? That might be something else
After 75,000 miles the car was idling rough so I change the spark plugs after changing the spark plugs the car idles smooth but the light is still on
You should read the code, you shouldn't have an engine light for the spark plugs unless something is wrong
Great video!
Thanks!
2013 BMW 335i (F30, N55 engine)? Does anyone have any special tricks for replacing the last spark plug towards the rear? Thanks
Video underway...
I used ngk and checked the gap however once I started the car it had a rough start and a strong smell of gasoline. What do you think could be the issue?
Did you ever find out what the issue was?
super usefull
Where can I get new coils and the grease for them ?
How and where do you install a blowoff valve on this engine?
How do you ensure they go in straight?