[Dippydo]

For the N20 the manual states changing them every 30k, but when I asked by adviser last visit he told me 60k. The car is now at 33k and there is a slight hesitation when I accelerate and jerks slightly as it accelerates. This seems like a plug issue. My next scheduled maintenance is June and I was going to demand them to change the plugs since the manual says so.

Anyone else have this experience? How can the dealer override the manual recommendations? I would change them myself, but I don't feel I should have to pay for it since it is a "maintenance" issue and is spelled out in the manual. I had one tech tell me they won't change any parts until the CEL comes on. Ridiculous.

[Fast400]

Every 2nd oil change which is 30k

[sbaz2836]

Anyone else have this experience? How can the dealer override the manual recommendations? I would change them myself, but I don't feel I should have to pay for it since it is a "maintenance" issue and is spelled out in the manual. I had one tech tell me they won't change any parts until the CEL comes on. Ridiculous.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by sbaz2836

Anyone else have this experience? How can the dealer override the manual recommendations? I would change them myself, but I don't feel I should have to pay for it since it is a "maintenance" issue and is spelled out in the manual. I had one tech tell me they won't change any parts until the CEL comes on. Ridiculous.

The dealer follows the key reader for your car. BMW may have changed it.

I know it's ever second oil change for the N55.

[_bdiddyb_]

Dippydo - u leased? I purchased, so I wasn't going to wait till 60K or CEL. By then, it's too late, my cylinders will have been all fouled up. Wasn't going to fight the dealer either. I changed the plugs out myself at 30k.

[dreamspeed]

The issue is that there are some maintenance items that show up in your idrive and when they read your key fob (brakes, engine oil etc)...and then there are some maintenance items that are only mentioned in the manual.

Most dealerships go into full auto pilot robot mode and just do whatever the idrive/keyfob indicates they need to do.

[CLittle]

I just checked the 2013 service manual, it's every 4th oil change (approx 60k miles)

[Engelb]

It's clear and cut in the manual 60k for the 335 and 30k for the lower models and it does not come up as a service in Idrive so it's up to you to keep up with it.

[x5mad]

Every 2nd oil change which occurred at 26k km for me

[YeaG30]

I am arguing with the dealer over this currently. When I went in for my previous service, I asked about this as it was my 2nd oil change and over 30k. Service told me that the CBS did not indicate the plugs needed to be replaced and I let it slide because I knew another service would be in the future before the 50k maintenance warranty expired.

So now the car is in the shop (3rd oil change) and he states the technician is claiming that they are good and would probably be replaced around 60k miles. I stated the book clearly shows for the 328i the spark plugs are changed at 30k miles or 2nd oil change. Service stated that when he put the key fob in the machine that it did not come up on the computer as a recommended service.

I escalated the problem to BMW NA and I will be speaking with the service manager to discuss the issue. If no resolution can be agreed upon, then I guess I'm going to be back on the phone with BMW NA...

[F32Fleet]

Here's the thing guys. In the manual there should be verbiage that essentially states that BMW may have modified the maintenance requirements and to visit the a service center for the latest updates.

This might be why there's a disconnect between the dealer and your manual.

The manual isn't always correct.

[Fat Panda]

I asked the dealer the same thing, when the key fob tells them to. Then I asked when approximately, and he said around 60,000km.

I posted the question to our community, and from the responses, I am planning on changing them on my own accord every 2nd oil change.

_bdiddyb_ posted pictures of his plugs at 30,000mi http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...72&postcount=2

[YeaG30]

Service called me back to inform me there was a service bulletin that was issued that backs up the tech's decision. See the following:

“As of March 2012 vehicle production, a new spark plug is being introduced in all models with the N20 engine. Its designation is NGK SILZKBR8C8S, BMW P/N 12 12 0 038 896. The new spark plug doubles the original replacement interval to 60,000 miles or every 4th engine oil service, instead of 30,000 miles/every 2nd engine oil service. The previous spark plug had the designation NGK SILZKBR8B8S. It has been discontinued.”

With that I will assume I have the 60k mile plugs because my car is a June 2012 build. I don't have the TSB number but I hope this sheds light on he subject. Like someone else said, it would be beneficial if the book made a general statement explaining these sort of discrepancies can occur.

[Dippydo]

OK just got done at the dealer debating this myself since I was waiting for my 3rd oil change service and thought since the car is in then they can change them at that point. They said the CBS will tell them when they need it but in the manual it says 30k and spark plugs are not monitored by the CBS. WELL I went with my manual in tow and showed them and they showed me a bulletin from BMW that revised the manual that cars made in March of 2012 or later should be every 60k. We went on a test drive so I could show them the hesitation and of course the car is behaving perfectly normal now and did not hesitate at all and any point in the power band.

So he is going to pull the plugs to make sure because I told him that I had to add a quart of oil since my last oil change that was 6000 miles ago. First time I had to add oil ever since I've own it and I have gone 12k miles between the previous change. I just emailed him to ask if he would be willing to put in the new plugs since they were pulling them to verify if I paid for the parts. Waiting on the answer.

Update...They will replace the spark plugs and also found the epdw valve needed to be replaced. Feel better and must tip my hat off to them.

[_bdiddyb_]

Originally Posted by Dippydo

OK just got done at the dealer debating this myself since I was waiting for my 3rd oil change service and thought since the car is in then they can change them at that point. They said the CBS will tell them when they need it but in the manual it says 30k and spark plugs are not monitored by the CBS. WELL I went with my manual in tow and showed them and they showed me a bulletin from BMW that revised the manual that cars made in March of 2012 or later should be every 60k. We went on a test drive so I could show them the hesitation and of course the car is behaving perfectly normal now and did not hesitate at all and any point in the power band.

So he is going to pull the plugs to make sure because I told him that I had to add a quart of oil since my last oil change that was 6000 miles ago. First time I had to add oil ever since I've own it and I have gone 12k miles between the previous change. I just emailed him to ask if he would be willing to put in the new plugs since they were pulling them to verify if I paid for the parts. Waiting on the answer.

Update...They will replace the spark plugs and also found the epdw valve needed to be replaced. Feel better and must tip my hat off to them.

They're replacing plugs on your own dime? "EPDW" = Electro Pneumatic Valve for Actuating Wastegate. How the hell can you tell this needs replacing unless you're loosing power?

[Dippydo]

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

They're replacing plugs on your own dime? "EPDW" = Electro Pneumatic Valve for Actuating Wastegate. How the hell can you tell this needs replacing unless you're loosing power?

Yes they said they are pulling the plugs to verify they are ok because of my explanation of the problem so I said I will buy the new plugs if they put them in labor free. They agreed. I tried to do it myself a few months ago and when I looked at the one closest to the firewall, I had no ambition to take more apart to get to it so I left all the old ones in. Even though my manual says 30k replacement for plugs, BMW had an update as mentioned above. My car was made in March 2012 so my plug change got changed to 60k. Since I change my oil at half intervals I decided to switch the plugs as well.

Yes I was experiencing slight miniscule pauses in boost between 2-5k which is why I thought first its the plugs since I was reaching 30k. I get the car back tonight so will let you know if that solved the issue or not. When I took them on the test ride yesterday I couldn't get the hesitation to happen which is odd since it was pretty frequent. After telling the head tech the problem and where it occurred on the drive, he said there was an SIB for the valve that was not done on my car yet so they automatically replaced it since there is an SIB for it.

[YeaG30]

Any updates on the car after receiving the car back from the service department?

[Dippydo]

Originally Posted by YeaF30

Any updates on the car after receiving the car back from the service department?

Yup sorry.. Ran smooth as butter. I didn't realize how rough it has been until I got back in. Even when you let off the gas when you are just creeping forward it is smooth unlike before it was a little jerky.

[Stubok]

Originally Posted by Dippydo

Yup sorry.. Ran smooth as butter. I didn't realize how rough it has been until I got back in. Even when you let off the gas when you are just creeping forward it is smooth unlike before it was a little jerky.

So the word I'm now hearing is that one of the things that can cause the N20 to run a little rough when tuned is the plugs. The N20 Stock plugs are quite hot.

My plan is to put the S55 plugs (F80 M3) that are slightly colder plugs into my N20, since apparently once tuned (I'm running GSR flash) the engine runs better (with no misfires) with a colder plug. A few guys in Germany are doing this and swear by it.

I've been looking for the right spark plug socket for the N20 Engine. Seems there is some confusion about what it is or where to get one. The guys at ECS tuning told me that the 14mm 12 point socket used for the N54/55 plugs will not fit. seems odd to me.

_bdiddyb_ Can you let me know what socket you use?

Thanks

[_bdiddyb_]

Originally Posted by Stubok

So the word I'm now hearing is that one of the things that can cause the N20 to run a little rough when tuned is the plugs. The N20 Stock plugs are quite hot.

My plan is to put the S55 plugs (F80 M3) that are slightly colder plugs into my N20, since apparently once tuned (I'm running GSR flash) the engine runs better (with no misfires) with a colder plug. A few guys in Germany are doing this and swear by it.

I've been looking for the right spark plug socket for the N20 Engine. Seems there is some confusion about what it is or where to get one. The guys at ECS tuning told me that the 14mm 12 point socket used for the N54/55 plugs will not fit. seems odd to me.

_bdiddyb_ Can you let me know what socket you use?

Thanks

14mm 12point "THIN" socket.

[Stubok]

Thanks _bdiddyb_ much appreciated!

Anyone else used the S55 plugs in a tuned N20?

I should be running those plugs in a week or so, so will share my findings.

[Dippydo]

Originally Posted by Stubok

Thanks _bdiddyb_ much appreciated!

Anyone else used the S55 plugs in a tuned N20?

I should be running those plugs in a week or so, so will share my findings.

I thought someone posted them as being the same part number? I gave up on trying to find the stuttering. It came back a little bit now. I will just drive it till it breaks or get a new car. Whichever comes first. Since I have a 100k warranty I don't care anymore. :-(