Schedule for Diff & Spark Plug Service

DaleWA · 07-05-2016, 11:42 PM

Dealer read my key today and the report print out said spark plugs and diff service was due. It is a 2012 at 15,500 miles.

I was curious as to why these two items were called out so soon. Are these two time based in addition to mileage based? I had not read about a schedule for diff service except the 1200 mi break-in service, and spark plugs are at 37,000 mi.

dparm · 07-06-2016, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleWA

Dealer read my key today and the report print out said spark plugs and diff service was due. It is a 2012 at 15,500 miles.

I was curious as to why these two items were called out so soon. Are these two time based in addition to mileage based? I had not read about a schedule for diff service except the 1200 mi break-in service, and spark plugs are at 37,000 mi.

Differential fluid is changed at every 3rd oil change.

Didn't know that plugs were time-based too, but I guess they are. (my understanding was every 37,000)

MSteve5036 · 08-04-2016, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleWA

Dealer read my key today and the report print out said spark plugs and diff service was due. It is a 2012 at 15,500 miles.

I was curious as to why these two items were called out so soon. Are these two time based in addition to mileage based? I had not read about a schedule for diff service except the 1200 mi break-in service, and spark plugs are at 37,000 mi.

are you not under warranty? Id let them change them if you are, but it is odd to me that spark plugs would be time based

DaleWA · 08-04-2016, 11:45 AM

Warranty expired in March. So I get to decide to change early at 15K or wait until the what the manual says. I wonder if the CBS is calling it early since the last 8K miles I put in in since 2014 were a 24 mile round trip no freeway commute.

dparm · 08-04-2016, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleWA

Warranty expired in March. So I get to decide to change early at 15K or wait until the what the manual says. I wonder if the CBS is calling it early since the last 8K miles I put in in since 2014 were a 24 mile round trip no freeway commute.

The car's CBS does not show spark plugs, but the key read can.

There won't be any harm in changing them now, but they probably still have plenty of life left. Plugs don't really wear out based on time.

I am actually surprised that BMW specs a change at 37k -- double-tip platinums should be good for 50k+.

Helmsman · 08-06-2016, 10:14 AM

Plugs are quite costly, specially if you don't do the work yourself. 15k miles seems very little to me for both plugs and diff fluid. I'd spend the money on engine oil for now.

DaleWA · 08-06-2016, 12:57 PM

Thanks for all the input. I went ahead and had the the diff oil changed but held off on the plugs. I may do the plugs myself as it looks do-able.

M3amigos · 08-08-2016, 11:47 AM

Definitely doable. Get the plugs on amazon for about $10 ea and get a coil remover tool. Should take about 2 hrs following the DIY.

Peertwelve · 08-23-2016, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleWA

Dealer read my key today and the report print out said spark plugs and diff service was due. It is a 2012 at 15,500 miles.

I was curious as to why these two items were called out so soon. Are these two time based in addition to mileage based? I had not read about a schedule for diff service except the 1200 mi break-in service, and spark plugs are at 37,000 mi.

Was this BMW Seattle? Same happened to me. The cbs system does not mention them but my SA said that it came up from the key. I thought he was fishing for more work. BMW Bellevue did not recommend plugs

07-05-2016, 11:42 PM	#1
DaleWA Private First Class 24 Rep 139 Posts Drives: '12 E92 M3 / '20 X5 M50i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List [0.00]	Schedule for Diff & Spark Plug Service Dealer read my key today and the report print out said spark plugs and diff service was due. It is a 2012 at 15,500 miles. I was curious as to why these two items were called out so soon. Are these two time based in addition to mileage based? I had not read about a schedule for diff service except the 1200 mi break-in service, and spark plugs are at 37,000 mi.
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08-04-2016, 11:45 AM	#4
DaleWA Private First Class 24 Rep 139 Posts Drives: '12 E92 M3 / '20 X5 M50i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List [0.00]	Warranty expired in March. So I get to decide to change early at 15K or wait until the what the manual says. I wonder if the CBS is calling it early since the last 8K miles I put in in since 2014 were a 24 mile round trip no freeway commute.
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08-06-2016, 10:14 AM	#6
Helmsman Major General 4465 Rep 7,109 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Plugs are quite costly, specially if you don't do the work yourself. 15k miles seems very little to me for both plugs and diff fluid. I'd spend the money on engine oil for now.
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08-06-2016, 12:57 PM	#7
DaleWA Private First Class 24 Rep 139 Posts Drives: '12 E92 M3 / '20 X5 M50i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (2) Garage List [0.00]	Thanks for all the input. I went ahead and had the the diff oil changed but held off on the plugs. I may do the plugs myself as it looks do-able.
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08-08-2016, 11:47 AM	#8
M3amigos HP addict 37 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2008 Jerez Black E93 6MT Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	Definitely doable. Get the plugs on amazon for about $10 ea and get a coil remover tool. Should take about 2 hrs following the DIY.
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