[wasupdu]

Very nice and detailed DIY! Great post.

Quick question though, I didn't see anything mentioned about measuring the spark plug gap. Did you measure the gap and adjust or just install them as is out of the box?

[BMW535]

Great DIY.

However, can you tell me how to get pictures. I don't see any.

Thanks again.

[wasupdu]

Thanks, Lawrence!

I just followed your DIY step-by-step and replaced the spark plugs in my '05 525i. Your DIY was extremely helpful to someone like myself who has never done any sort of engine work short of changing fluids, much less spark plugs. I opted to replace the spark plugs with OE Bosch ($6-7 each shipped from autoanything.com) since I've read about reduced longevity in some of the higher performance iridium plugs. I noticed that a couple of the 13mm plastic bolts must've already been broken by the mechanic at the dealer since they were missing. Oh well, everything is still held in place tightly. I replaced mine at 60,000 miles as well...the plugs looked very similar to the pics you posted. I haven't noticed any sort of performance gains yet, but we'll see if my fuel economy increases 1-2 mpg. The whole project took about 70 minutes (3 beers) but I was really putzing around and taking my time.

thanks again!

[Nolan222]

Great DIY, thanks for putting it togather for the board!

[PAKOGERTE]

thanks! great DIY

[rjcastr]

did you have any problems getting the spark plug in the far back, i did when i had my 3 series a pain the behind trying to get it out, im assuming the E60 is no different?

[rjcastr]

did you have any problems getting the spark plug in the far back, i did when i had my 3 series a pain the behind trying to get it out, im assuming the E60 is no different?

[Lawr]

I didn't feel it was anything too difficult to reach the ones in the back, so long as you remove the cabin filter boxes.

[BR4INsick]

thumbs up on the post. i like detailed DIY like this.. good job..

[Hailander]

Just completed this DIY on my 04 525i with 59K in about 45 minutes. Super easy with those instructions. The only thing difference in mine were the two screws were torx not Allan. Thanks for the great DIY!

[lcc014]

Thanks for the writeup and pictures. I did not remove the plastic cover in the center. It was also a good time to clean up all the leaves in the drains under the micro-filters. Mine were quite plug-up !!

The 2 nuts which hold the BMW logo cover are 10mm. Once the ignition coil lid is pulled up to 90 degree, a click sound will be heard. Then the wiring connector will come up by itself. I used anti-seize compound on the new spark plug thread instead of engine oil.

The original spark plugs were BMW/NGK. I put in the new Bosch plugs. Car run fine after plugs replacement and my car is about 64k miles.

[nevrev73]

Hi.

I have have just done this spark plug change using these instructions and they are really easy to follow.

Plugs cost around £60 plus VAT

Labour.... FREE


Heres what it would have cost.....

Dealer cost: spark plugs £15 each (£90 in toal) with the toal job including labour..... £260


My engine was slightly different to this.... The one shown is N54.

My one is a Uk spec N52 engine which has the plastic engine cover instead of the metal one shown in pics.

To remove this just pull up on it as it has torx screws on it but it is just clipped on and pull off at the fron first and then at the back. Its as easy as that and then you can get to the spark plugs underneath.


heres how to do it (i know its an E90 forum but if its an N52 engine, the prinicpal is the same)

http://www.e90post.c...read.php?t=4102


All you need to do the E60 spark plug change job is:


Standard socket with long extension bar
Torx 20 screwdriver (to undo the screw holding plastic to bulkhead)
13mm socket to undo plastic bolt / hex on microfilter box
Spark plug removal tool


Latex gloves (if you dont like getting your hands dirty!)


Job took around an hour to do.

Check www.realoem.com for which plugs your engine needs as it does vary.

Some of the new NGk plugs do not need copper grease (anti seizing compound) but i used some just in case

[AchtungE60]

rjcastr, on 08 February 2010 - 05:25 PM, said:

did you have any problems getting the spark plug in the far back, i did when i had my 3 series a pain the behind trying to get it out, im assuming the E60 is no different?

There is no need to remove the micro-filter housing. All you need to do is remove the left side valve cover panel. You'll need your

spark plug socket
3/8" rachet
3/8" swivel head adapter
two 3" socket extensions

Put the swivel adapter between the two extentions.
Put it in the 6th plug hole
Once it's seated, take your rachet and seat it to the extension bar setup. Start turning. As easy as that! Have done at least a dozen times on M54 engines.

Depending on your socket it, it may have a rubber plug catch. Be careful with this catch. Always check it for degradation prior to using it. If the rubber is cracking or what not DO NOT USE, risk of particle falling in hole. If you do not have a rubber catch and have trouble removing the spark plug simply find a rubber grommet or gasket and trim it to fit. Stick it inside.


A side note after reading some posts......the original plugs vary. They can be NGK/BMW two pronged or 4 pronged.. or Bosch/BMW Platinum+4. They're really the same plug. I believe mine were NGK two pronged I replace all my with Bosch Platinum+4. I did this on another M54 engine with 43K miles and the spark plugs looked like the original poster's (maybe a bit worse). And BMW recommends 100K change? Interesting!

[tex_phil]

Very nice, I will need to try this soon.

[Howitzer]

nice write up. I changed my Bosch plugs with NGK's and I noticed the difference right away.