[waterchange]

This DIY helped me a ton with my first spark plug change ever, thank you! My 2007 328i had just over 70,000 miles and the whole process took me about an hour. I used NGK ILZFR6D11 plugs. The spark plug change seems to have cured the little hesitation/shakes my car was exhibiting at idle.

fwiw, no need for both 8" and 10" bar extensions; I only had a 10" extension.

[pkdan167]

just changed the plugs in my 06 330i with 107k. took about 45 minutes. swapped the OEM Bosch plugs for NGK LFR6AIX-11 for $8 a piece with an advance auto parts coupon.

I used a flexible spring extension and regular extension to get #5 and #6 out and in. the old plugs were a little too tight so I used a spanner on the socket wrench for extra leverage. I have an old 5/8 Duralast plug socket with a magnet that worked just fine.

car feels peppier now.

[rmonte4]

bought some 6D11's for $6 a pop w/ advance auto coupon. I am only at 65k miles but i figured id give it a shot.

[afineout]

Just got all new spark plugs and one new coil from Midas. Now thats a good deal! Didnt want to do all that stuff my self. Heard other people were paying $360 just for plugs...

[dbm683]

Thanks to everyone over the years that have commented to this thread. The original posting was very helpful for me to change all my plugs at 100K. My car (2006 325 Xi) was running fine so this was just preventative maintenance. The plugs looked fine but were definitely worn. I would recommend to anyone else that they change their plugs around 75K if they are not having other problems. I am still trying to decide if I should change the coil packs now as well or wait until the next service interval.

One other caution. Once I changed the plugs my car was running very rough. I was getting an ignition and misfire code on cylinder #2; and after a short drive around the block, I got the "service engine soon" light. I checked the #2 cylinder and found the the connector was not fully installed into the coil pack even though the latch was all the way down (~1/16" out). I pushed the connector completely into the coil pack and car ran fine. Be careful about installing the coil packs and connectors. Several other people have had rough running cars after changing plugs. The ignition must be sensitive to the contacts.

[waterchange]

Slightly off-topic but related noob follow-up. Changing the spark plugs has caused by 2007 328i (72K miles) to run a lot smoother than it had as wrote a few posts up three months ago. But every now and then, I still do feel a slight hesitation/blip when idling ... just a lot more infrequent now than before the spark plug change. Could this be an indication that a coil needs to be replaced? If so, will a cheap code reader like an Autel MaxiScan 310 give me info that the issue is with a coil and, if so, which specific coil would need to be replaced? Otherwise what's the best way to find out when a coil needs to be replaced? Thanks.

[techie182]

I'm using $10 bluetooth adapter with BMWhat to read codes. Plan to change my plugs next month. Hope it smooths out my idle.

[Fredo]

Originally Posted by waterchange

Slightly off-topic but related noob follow-up. Changing the spark plugs has caused by 2007 328i (72K miles) to run a lot smoother than it had as wrote a few posts up three months ago. But every now and then, I still do feel a slight hesitation/blip when idling ... just a lot more infrequent now than before the spark plug change. Could this be an indication that a coil needs to be replaced? If so, will a cheap code reader like an Autel MaxiScan 310 give me info that the issue is with a coil and, if so, which specific coil would need to be replaced? Otherwise what's the best way to find out when a coil needs to be replaced? Thanks.

Two coils have failed on my 2006 e90 330i. On both occasions it was very obvious (SES on, car running rough). Also, once the symptoms started they stayed until the faulty coils were replaced.

That's very different from what you describe.

[bvanderhaar]

Just did this on my 08 328xi. One thing that I did need was a torx T-30 bit for my engine cover, instead of the T-47 mentioned in the guide.

My car has 82K miles. I'll add another vote that 70-75K seems to be the sweet spot for changing the plugs. 5K miles ago would still have given me benefit IMO.

[alfazrus]

Just did this on sunday. The car is pre 04/2006 330i. I used Bosch 12137594936 coils and NGK ILZFR6D11 plugs. Spark plugs came with the correct gap. Coils and the plugs were $ 216.00 including shipping. It took me about 1 1/12 hours taking my time. Cleaned the engine cover & the top of the engine, looked for leaks and studied how to approach. Everything went smooth. No hesitation or misfires after. The car is running very healthy. Just make sure the coils are fully seated , can be a little tricky. Thank you for this DIY.

[330iE90spt]

Originally Posted by alfazrus

Just did this on sunday. The car is pre 04/2006 330i. I used Bosch 12137594936 coils and NGK ILZFR6D11 plugs. Spark plugs came with the correct gap. Coils and the plugs were $ 216.00 including shipping. It took me about 1 1/12 hours taking my time. Cleaned the engine cover & the top of the engine, looked for leaks and studied how to approach. Everything went smooth. No hesitation or misfires after. The car is running very healthy. Just make sure the coils are fully seated , can be a little tricky. Thank you for this DIY.

Alfazrus, how many miles?

[alfazrus]

89.2K

[talisman311]

Changed mine at 90k just a few ago. What a HUGE difference. Clutch shudder is nearly gone, which I guess was mostly from my engine not having enough juice down low. I used the 5987 NGKs. Thanks for the write-up, awesome directions!

[mi_bimmer]

My 06/06 325i just hit 60K and I want to change the spark plugs per Mike Miller's maintenance schedule.
After researching this thread and the NGK website, I decided to go with ILZFR6D11. NGK recommends the iridium plugs over their platinum ones (PLZFR6A11S)
I'm guessing BMW tried to cut costs by going to the cheaper platinum plugs. I was able to get a set of 6 iridiums for about $54 at Advance Auto. Will install and let you all know how it goes.

[syl2us]

What coil for a 2006 325i? http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/c3/...dSearch=356762

[mi_bimmer]

Originally Posted by syl2us

What coil for a 2006 325i? http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/c3/...dSearch=356762

For old plugs - 12137571643
For new plugs (PLZFR6A11S) - 12137594937

[syl2us]

Originally Posted by mi_bimmer

For old plugs - 12137571643
For new plugs (PLZFR6A11S) - 12137594937

Does the "new plugs" include ILZFR6D11? Is there an equivalent on Advanced Auto?

[mi_bimmer]

Originally Posted by syl2us

Does the "new plugs" include ILZFR6D11? Is there an equivalent on Advanced Auto?

I believe ILZFR6D11 is the old plug, new coils might not work with it.

The old coils are available at AutoHausAZ. Google the part number, you should be able to find other vendors too.

Also found on Amazon (search for 0221504470 - Bosch part number) One of the reviews confirms this works on a 06 325i

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...VPDCXM2CA3V7AR

[syl2us]

Originally Posted by mi_bimmer

I believe ILZFR6D11 is the old plug, new coils might not work with it.

The old coils are available at AutoHausAZ. Google the part number, you should be able to find other vendors too.

Also found on Amazon (search for 0221504470 - Bosch part number) One of the reviews confirms this works on a 06 325i

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...VPDCXM2CA3V7AR

Thanks for the info.
Seemed everyone was going with the D11's (should I get different sparks?), found them on AdvancedAutoParts and wanted to find coils that would match to work as Advanced Auto always has those discounted spend X get Y off.

According to the vehicle to part matching system AAP has, these results are returned that fit the 06 325i - will any of these work?

[FrankoQ]

Thanks for the DIY. I'll do this work tomorrow. my car has 110K miles.
Can't wait to drive it after changing the plugs.

[woodpecka]

Thank you for this nice DIY.

I just replace my spark plugs after 145 000km and they were still looking very good. I choose the NGK ILZFR6D11 to replace the BOSCH.

It wasn't easy to plug the coils and removing the plugs as BMW doesn't put any lube. I decided to respect the specs and not putting any lube and torquing at 30N*m.

[FrankoQ]

All went well. I ended up using a painter's can opener to pop the coil caps.