Should I change my spark plugs?

[BPe90M3]

I know the recommended mileage for spark plug change is about 30k miles. However with my car being 7+ years old (2011), I was wondering if It would be beneficial to change them due to age.

I have no reason to believe they are bad, but I the plugs have a knock sensor, and if the plugs are faulty, I heard it could lead to increased bearing wear due to the uneven crank rotation. (Who knows if that is actually true).

Should I just wait till 30k? (At 19k now) or should I change them due to age?

Thanks in advance.

[TrueToBMW]

Can't hurt to put a fresh set of plugs in there, the recommended interval is 35k I believe, but years don't put any real strain on them.

It's miles and engine use that wears them down, I like the idea of fresh plugs though if they haven't been done for quite some time (like in your case), just for peace of mind knowing the engine is running with a fresh spark.

Similar to me changing my oil once a year, even if I don't hit my 5,000 mile mark, last oil change I did at 3700, only because it'd been over a year since the last one. Just my $0.02 though.

[BPe90M3]

Originally Posted by TrueToBMW

Can't hurt to put a fresh set of plugs in there, the recommended interval is 35k I believe, but years don't put any real strain on them.

It's miles and engine use that wears them down, I like the idea of fresh plugs though if they haven't been done for quite some time (like in your case), just for peace of mind knowing the engine is running with a fresh spark.

Similar to me changing my oil once a year, even if I don't hit my 5,000 mile mark, last oil change I did at 3700, only because it'd been over a year since the last one. Just my $0.02 though.

Thats how I feel. Always nice to have fresh fluids/plugs, but figured I'd present to question to the forum. Thank you.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by BPe90M3

I know the recommended mileage for spark plug change is about 30k miles. However with my car being 7+ years old (2011), I was wondering if It would be beneficial to change them due to age.

I have no reason to believe they are bad, but I the plugs have a knock sensor, and if the plugs are faulty, I heard it could lead to increased bearing wear due to the uneven crank rotation. (Who knows if that is actually true).

Should I just wait till 30k? (At 19k now) or should I change them due to age?

Thanks in advance.

Positive . Replace your spark plugs . Our S65 engine loves new spark plugs . And you will feel it as well !

[BPe90M3]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Positive . Replace your spark plugs . Our S65 engine loves new spark plugs . And you will feel it as well !

Now I really want to change them lol.

[BOOF-M3]

Interval in manual is actually 38k. BimmerRules! recently did the same thing and immediately thereafter his coils started going bad. Coincidence?

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Interval in manual is actually 38k. BimmerRules! recently did the same thing and immediately thereafter his coils started going bad. Coincidence?

maybe DIY user error when removing coils...

[BPe90M3]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Interval in manual is actually 38k. BimmerRules! recently did the same thing and immediately thereafter his coils started going bad. Coincidence?

Just from changing the plugs? Or are you saying its best to change the coils and plugs at he same time?

[tom @ eas]

Replace them. Get a fresh start and enjoy your M3!

[BPe90M3]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Replace them. Get a fresh start and enjoy your M3!

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by BPe90M3

Just from changing the plugs? Or are you saying its best to change the coils and plugs at he same time?

I'm saying that he changed out his plugs and Wabam!! Coils started popping left and right. But yes I agree with others, it's never bad to change them out. Get them from FCP Euro you will have free plugs the next time you look to replace them with their lifetime warranty.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

maybe DIY user error when removing coils...

No, master tech changed them out. Just odd timing.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by BPe90M3

Now I really want to change them lol.

Nice ! Mine were changed => Friday 13/7/2018 . Car feels more nimble , and get more respons from my S65

[BPe90M3]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

I'm saying that he changed out his plugs and Wabam!! Coils started popping left and right. But yes I agree with others, it's never bad to change them out. Get them from FCP Euro you will have free plugs the next time you look to replace them with their lifetime warranty.

Yes FCP euro is definitely the go to.

[GotV8?]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

I'm saying that he changed out his plugs and Wabam!! Coils started popping left and right. But yes I agree with others, it's never bad to change them out. Get them from FCP Euro you will have free plugs the next time you look to replace them with their lifetime warranty.

agree with above comment, I do mine every 3 oil change or 15k miles via FCP Euro; some may think its overkill, but for me, its simply shipping and handling when you send it back and pays for itself via Warranty Replacement. imo...Of course the first time round you do pay for it,...its the 2nd set and so forth.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by BPe90M3

I know the recommended mileage for spark plug change is about 30k miles. However with my car being 7+ years old (2011), I was wondering if It would be beneficial to change them due to age.

I have no reason to believe they are bad, but I the plugs have a knock sensor, and if the plugs are faulty, I heard it could lead to increased bearing wear due to the uneven crank rotation. (Who knows if that is actually true).

Should I just wait till 30k? (At 19k now) or should I change them due to age?

Thanks in advance.

Interval is 37k, regardless of time. Plugs do not wear out from lack of use, except maybe in some extreme case where a car is neglected and sits in a barn for 20 years (even then, the issue is more around degradation of the wiring going to the plugs, moisture in the cylinder head, etc).

If you're at 19k, I say leave them. The only issue you run into with age is that they can seize up in the head, but as long as you go slow, use the right tools, and apply the proper force to loosen, you should be fine.

If you will sleep better knowing that you threw out perfectly good plugs, then by all means, spend the $80 or whatever and replace them.

[Kamen]

Changed mine at 38k miles. They all looked pretty close to new, and I didn't notice any difference in the car behavior

[opihi5]

Originally Posted by BPe90M3

Yes FCP euro is definitely the go to.

Go with FCP Euro and replace your plugs every 10k....The 30k interval is really only for people who baby their cars.

[Richbot]

I do mine every third oil change. Works out to 15-21k miles.

[Mvy]

What about SC cars spark replacement interval? 15k?

I love the idea of replacing all the coils until I priced them out. Gulp, 850. But now mine are 10 years old so prob have to bite the bullet and do some proactive work.

[ItsGary]

Get them from FCPEuro, and replace them every 5k Miles like a savage

[ItsGary]

Originally Posted by Mvy

What about SC cars spark replacement interval? 15k?

I love the idea of replacing all the coils until I priced them out. Gulp, 850 a pop. But now mine are 10 years old so prob have to bite the bullet and do some proactive work.

Where'd you get that price? You can get OEM Eldor ones for $539USD from FCP???

And that's for all 8 in total, $69USD/each