[mneedle332@aol.com]

so looking for some help here BMW SAYS TO CHANGE PLUGS at 50 ,000 miles which i think is ridiculous considering the cost of the car i have a 2018 with 63 k on it rides fine i have not done plugs yet
has any body pushed the limit to see when plugs really need to be changed .thanks

[thegrinchboy]

Pretty sure it is standard maintenance procedure for most cars to change plugs @ or around 50K miles

[oakey46]

In the UK, exchange for new spark plugs comes up at the 2nd service which, for my X1, was at 34k miles and completed 3 weeks ago. Probably false economy to leave it beyond manufacturers service schedules. I had several cars that needed new spark plugs at 12k miles, but that was a long time ago.

[jrveron]

BMW service changed the spark plugs at around 25k miles. I thought it was too soon, but it was included with the 3-year warranty and services, so I didn't complain. I drive a 2017 X1 2.0i.

[///Makis]

Originally Posted by mneedle332@aol.com

so looking for some help here BMW SAYS TO CHANGE PLUGS at 50 ,000 miles which i think is ridiculous considering the cost of the car i have a 2018 with 63 k on it rides fine i have not done plugs yet
has any body pushed the limit to see when plugs really need to be changed .thanks

I think for cars with turbos 25-30k miles is where they should be changed. For NA 50k is probably where they should be changed. At least that was the consensus on the e82 forum but that was for n52/n54/n55 engines. I'm sure bmw recommends similar intervals on the x1

I think the longer you go without changing the plugs the more it will wear your ignition coils as they will need more energy to create a spark to jump a larger gap.

Just my two cents though. I would change them at 25k. It's cheap maintenance and good peace of mind

[spitpilot]

Spark plug change intervals are set by the makers' estimate of electrode wear...if the electrodes are allowed to wear too much, the "gap" is increased to the point where you may experience "missing" at higher RPM's. With the exotic metal electrodes and unleaded gas, the change intervals have increased dramatically over the years...used to be 10K miles/once a year back in the day...now up to 100K for some cars...I DIY so have done the platinum plugs at 50K miles...only plan on keeping vehicles for 100K miles or so...doing one plug change along with all fluids (except for brake fluid which I change religiously every two years) at the 1/2 way point gives me peace of mind.

[wcs2229]

If you do not think the spark plugs need changing, then by all means, do not change them.

In my opinion, they are cheap insurance compared to the cost of the car, even at dealer service prices. It is not worth it to me to squeeze 20-30K more miles.

[chowser51]

Changed them on my F33 (B46) around 60k and it looked like it needed them. Wasn't expensive, maybe $50 for four plugs? plug 1,2,3 took like a few minutes each, plug 4 took awhile. Haven't looked at the setup with the x1/x2 yet. only at 16k.

[lonegun]

I was forced to changed mine as I was getting misfires at around 25-30k miles. I do drive mine pretty hard though.

[COUWK]

Anybody have a spark plug brand they are using, that has been problem free for these B46 engines?
Denso, NGK, Bosch?
I think BMW OEM are NGK.
Cheers,

[jrveron]

Hi COUWK,

Yes, both Bosch and NGK are OEM providers of spark plugs for BMW.

A.F.A.I.K., the X1 F48 uses spark plugs from Bosch but I think it could be different depending on the market.

Taking a look at realoem (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=12_1921), I found that X1 can use 2 spark plugs:

• 12120040551
• 12120047375 (flex-fuel, S1AEA=Yes)

I have a related question, are NGK spark plugs better? The Iridium ones for example. Is it worth installing them?

Originally Posted by COUWK

Anybody have a spark plug brand they are using, that has been problem free for these B46 engines?
Denso, NGK, Bosch?
I think BMW OEM are NGK.
Cheers,

[COUWK]

Originally Posted by jrveron

Hi COUWK,

Yes, both Bosch and NGK are OEM providers of spark plugs for BMW.

A.F.A.I.K., the X1 F48 uses spark plugs from Bosch but I think it could be different depending on the market.

Taking a look at realoem (https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=12_1921), I found that X1 can use 2 spark plugs:

• 12120040551
• 12120047375 (flex-fuel, S1AEA=Yes)

I have a related question, are NGK spark plugs better? The Iridium ones for example. Is it worth installing them?

Thanks for that, and yes, that's a good question..!
I have just ordered the following:
https://www.ngk.com/ngk-94201-silzkg...ium-spark-plug
I will update this thread when i install them.
Maybe in a couple weeks, as I'm waiting for a thin-walled 14mm, 1-point deep socket...

Currently running OEM BMW plugs and at 97,200km.
No misfires yet.
Cheers,

[jrveron]

Searching here and there, I found this pros vs. cons page: https://greengarageblog.org/13-advan...ium-spark-plug

• Improve performance.
• Increase fuel efficiency.
• Decrease exhaust emission.
• Smoother engine idle.
• Improve acceleration and engine response.
• Increase fuel economy.
• Reduce the risk of damage to your engine and other components.

All those benefits comparing with copper (regular) spark plugs.

I think the big question is, are they better than OEM BMW spark plugs? Is it even noticeable in the X1?

I think you will help us here in a few weeks, haha. Or maybe another user in the forum can help us too.

Finally, I want to share with you a video I found on youtube on how to change the spark plugs, which might be helpful:

Originally Posted by COUWK

Thanks for that, and yes, that's a good question..!
I have just ordered the following:
https://www.ngk.com/ngk-94201-silzkg...ium-spark-plug
I will update this thread when i install them.
Maybe in a couple weeks, as I'm waiting for a thin-walled 14mm, 1-point deep socket...

Currently running OEM BMW plugs and at 97,200km.
No misfires yet.
Cheers,

[jrveron]

I also found them in Amazon, 4 units pack for $72: https://www.amazon.com/-/en/NGK-SILZ...dp/B07FQLPFLG/ . And just in case, a user confirms that it fits X1 F48.

About the socket, I know you already bought one, but for anyone else (including me, haha), it's a 12pt 14mm deep magnetic socket like this one: https://www.amazon.com/-/en/PANOVO-d...dp/B073PT5M2R/

[jrveron]

More info here. I'm attaching the procedure to replace the spark plugs from ISTA, just for reference.

[COUWK]

Thanks for the info. Good things to know for sure.

I've always used iridium plugs; specifically on my e36, e46, and have never had any issues (Denso plugs) ; cant say that there was noticeable performance, or fuel efficiency gains [read, i was younger and had different driving habits ] But seeing as my e36 has 645k on it, my e46 has 390k, they still run great...

Looking to see how they perform in a turbo, 4-cyl setup...
Cheers,

Originally Posted by jrveron

Searching here and there, I found this pros vs. cons page: https://greengarageblog.org/13-advan...ium-spark-plug

• Improve performance.
• Increase fuel efficiency.
• Decrease exhaust emission.
• Smoother engine idle.
• Improve acceleration and engine response.
• Increase fuel economy.
• Reduce the risk of damage to your engine and other components.

All those benefits comparing with copper (regular) spark plugs.

I think the big question is, are they better than OEM BMW spark plugs? Is it even noticeable in the X1?

I think you will help us here in a few weeks, haha. Or maybe another user in the forum can help us too.

Finally, I want to share with you a video I found on youtube on how to change the spark plugs, which might be helpful:

[COUWK]

That one from Amazon.com looks like the one i got.

Got mine from here: (if you're in Canada)
https://partsavatar.ca/ngk-usa-iridi...num-plug-94201
4-pieces with tax was 67.30$ CAD

These do fit the B46 engine in these cars here in North America.
Cheers,

Originally Posted by jrveron

I also found them in Amazon, 4 units pack for $72: https://www.amazon.com/-/en/NGK-SILZ...dp/B07FQLPFLG/ . And just in case, a user confirms that it fits X1 F48.

About the socket, I know you already bought one, but for anyone else (including me, haha), it's a 12pt 14mm deep magnetic socket like this one: https://www.amazon.com/-/en/PANOVO-d...dp/B073PT5M2R/

[COUWK]

Meant to add: that one's similar to mine.

In Canada, this set is not a bad deal:
https://www.amazon.ca/ARES-11015-3-P...dp/B07ZPHTNV6/
I know amazon has a markup, but it's quick delivery.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by jrveron

I also found them in Amazon, 4 units pack for $72: https://www.amazon.com/-/en/NGK-SILZ...dp/B07FQLPFLG/ . And just in case, a user confirms that it fits X1 F48.

About the socket, I know you already bought one, but for anyone else (including me, haha), it's a 12pt 14mm deep magnetic socket like this one: https://www.amazon.com/-/en/PANOVO-d...dp/B073PT5M2R/

[COUWK]

Originally Posted by jrveron

More info here. I'm attaching the procedure to replace the spark plugs from ISTA, just for reference.

Awesome; interesting the plug boots are "coated with talc"
I'm guessing they mean the outside of the tubes.
I've always used a dab of dielectric grease on the tip of the spark plug to help lubricate and prevent any moisture from attacking the plug.
Seeing as it's silicone based, it's compatible with these boots...?

I've never had any issues in the 20+ years I've been servicing my vehicles.

Good docs.
Thanks,

[COUWK]

So to update ; i replaced the spark plugs this past wknd.

...my immediate feeling was that the car drove smoother overall. (maybe some less engine hesitation)
As for fuel economy, perhaps a slight improvement.

Seeing as the old ones were the original OEM plugs, they were probably breaking down.

It's only been about 600km, mostly highway.



[QUOTE=jrveron;28041931]

[COUWK]

....i meant to add

One thing which i did not do was adjust the plug gap.
The factory sets them at 0.030"
I've read in places that the gap should be set to 0.020" - 0.022"

So I'm willing to give that a try; it's an easy adjustment.

I'll update here once i do...

Cheers,

[jrveron]

Awesome! Thanks for the update.

Glad to hear it's running smoothly. I may give it a try as well =).

Regarding the gap, AFAIK, 0.030" is the factory setup. What would you gain by changing it? I read in other BMW's forums that they got problems when the gap is not right.

Originally Posted by COUWK

So to update ; i replaced the spark plugs this past wknd.

...my immediate feeling was that the car drove smoother overall. (maybe some less engine hesitation)
As for fuel economy, perhaps a slight improvement.

Seeing as the old ones were the original OEM plugs, they were probably breaking down.

It's only been about 600km, mostly highway.