[mlifxs]

Decided to start the New Year with new plugs. Wanted to try them myself and it went pretty well, thanks to a DIY on this site. Car is an '07 328i.

Bought the plugs from 4WheelsAutoParts.com. Six plugs came to $58.32, plus shipping and FL sales tax. You can avoid shipping if you spend a little more. I purchased NGK ZFR6AP11GS per some recommendations on this site.

I do feel a difference in how the car idles. In park, with foot on the brake, I could feel and hear a low frequency vibration. Now, almost all of that is gone. Car may pull a little better at full throttle, though it could be my imagination. Fuel economy at 60mph is about 1 mpg better.

Here are the pics of the old plugs, in order, from front of car to dashboard:

[BudVlad]

N53 engine has different spark plugs. You need special socket for these plugs and the thread is different too.

[N0OS3]

those actually don't look bad... just a slight wire brush cleaning and you could have saved $60. I went with PulStar brand plugs just out of curiosity... worked great... even sold my old spark plugs to some honda civic owner (because the OEM are still iridium) for $50. ^__^

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by lync9763

those actually don't look bad... just a slight wire brush cleaning and you could have saved $60. I went with PulStar brand plugs just out of curiosity... worked great... even sold my old spark plugs to some honda civic owner (because the OEM are still iridium) for $50. ^__^

Thanks for the comment

Yes perhaps they had more life left. Performance-wise, the car seemed okay before the change. I figured I might "need" a change at 100k per the CBS but decided it would be a fun DIY . I haven't changed plugs (myself) since the early '80s. If I can do this anyone can LOL.

[N0OS3]

I felt the same way... the car didn't need a change for a while, but i figure i'm not going to reach 100k miles any time soon. I ended up getting the idea from a 'spark plug debate' on the N/A forums... O'Reilly's sold them so i save a few $$ from shipping and also got them next day as apposed to waiting.

I was going to keep the old ones and just throw them into this 1988 325ic i may be purchasing... the iridium plug upgrade i think would help improve the performance and gas mileage a little bit.

I suggest your next DIY should be to clean the intake valves! I see from other members' posts that they get extremely dirty at 50k miles or so.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by lync9763

I felt the same way... the car didn't need a change for a while, but i figure i'm not going to reach 100k miles any time soon. I ended up getting the idea from a 'spark plug debate' on the N/A forums... O'Reilly's sold them so i save a few $$ from shipping and also got them next day as apposed to waiting.

I was going to keep the old ones and just throw them into this 1988 325ic i may be purchasing... the iridium plug upgrade i think would help improve the performance and gas mileage a little bit.

I suggest your next DIY should be to clean the intake valves! I see from other members' posts that they get extremely dirty at 50k miles or so.

Maybe....or do my front pads. Regarding the valves my impression has been the turbos are worse than the NA (in terms of build up). I've been pretty good about gas and techron treatments, but guess I should take a look at some point.

[berserkerx]

yeah I was under the impression that the carbon buildup was on the turbo motors. namely because they are direct injection and the fuel does not wash over the intake valves. techron should help with this. I am a bg person so I like to stick with that stuff. it may or may not be better. water methanol would help keep them clean too!!!

[Glim]

Budvlad, your N53 is direct injection, what country are you in?

If you are outside of North America and Australia you have no sulfur in your fuel so you shouldn't have carbon buildup.

It would be interesting to hear if you have any carbon buildup on your valves and intake.

[BudVlad]

My car is in the Czech Republic. There is some carbon buildup after 60K km. For cleaning valves I’m using Wynn’s direct injection valve cleaner.

[AlanAZ]

those actually don't look bad... just a slight wire brush cleaning and you could have saved $60.

The OP also went to a newer model NGK plug, which may account for some performance increase.

[Dr. Nate]

Originally Posted by lync9763

those actually don't look bad... just a slight wire brush cleaning and you could have saved $60. I went with PulStar brand plugs just out of curiosity... worked great... even sold my old spark plugs to some honda civic owner (because the OEM are still iridium) for $50. ^__^

Who the heck buys used spark plugs? I guess Honda owners do.

-Nate

[N0OS3]

Originally Posted by Dr. Nate

Who the heck buys used spark plugs? I guess Honda owners do.

-Nate

lol, as i was posting the ad in craigslist, i told my girlfriend in a sarcastic manner "watch, i bet some guy with a honda is gonna buy these" ... sure enough, 3 days later...

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by lync9763

lol, as i was posting the ad in craigslist, i told my girlfriend in a sarcastic manner "watch, i bet some guy with a honda is gonna buy these" ... sure enough, 3 days later...

Sorry Honda guys. I'll be keeping these beauties, maybe for a Seafoam experiment.

[roundle]

Originally Posted by Dr. Nate

Who the heck buys used spark plugs? I guess Honda owners do.

-Nate

Better question: Who sells used spark plugs?

[Dr. Nate]

Originally Posted by lync9763

lol, as i was posting the ad in craigslist, i told my girlfriend in a sarcastic manner "watch, i bet some guy with a honda is gonna buy these" ... sure enough, 3 days later...

That is awesome!

-Nate