[jaydv]

I’m going crazy trying to pull my plugs! I’ve used 14mm, 15mm and 5/8” long reach sockets! None of which seems to work!

What size sockets are you all using?

[mwat]

You need a thin walled jointed 12 point 14mm socket.

I think I used this one when I did mine: https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-12-P...s%2C320&sr=8-7

If you don't use a jointed one you risk breaking the plug off in the socket

Also curious why you're switching to NGK's

[jaydv]

Mwat

Thank you, THANK YOU!

Why in god’s name would BMW make this so difficult? A “thin walled” socket? GTFOH! Now I’m gonna have to find one that’s a little less expensive that what you recommended.

Thanks again!

PS. Using NGK because I don’t know any better!

[HPR]

Amazon has a plethora of the 14mm BMW compatible thin wall sockets ranging in price from $10.00 to $17.00. If you purchase the socket only you'll need a u-joint or wobbler extension to access the number six plug if you have the N55 engine.

[mwat]

Originally Posted by jaydv

Mwat

Thank you, THANK YOU!

Why in god’s name would BMW make this so difficult? A “thin walled” socket? GTFOH! Now I’m gonna have to find one that’s a little less expensive that what you recommended.

Thanks again!

PS. Using NGK because I don’t know any better!

No problem! It's never easy, but always satisfying figuring it out. I picked this one because the plug is about a foot into the engine so I remember it working great. If I'm remembering correctly it was too long to get to the one in cylinder 6 so I had to use an extension and another socket... I think. I really can't remember. 1-4 is easy, 5 is a challenge, 6 sucked. (EDIT, I see the guy above me said the same thing so I'd wager you may need to buy a socket with a joint on it (for cyl 6) and the extension one I linked.(for 1-5)

Also I'd just stick with OEM plugs, but that's just me.

[ClutchFC]

Originally Posted by jaydv

Mwat

Thank you, THANK YOU!

Why in god’s name would BMW make this so difficult? A “thin walled” socket? GTFOH! Now I’m gonna have to find one that’s a little less expensive that what you recommended.

Thanks again!

PS. Using NGK because I don’t know any better!

You wanted a BMW . Do some research before you jump into a project, you can easily make costly mistakes.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by jaydv

Why in god’s name would BMW make this so difficult? A “thin walled” socket? GTFOH! Now I’m gonna have to find one that’s a little less expensive that what you recommended.

IDK, if you can't afford a $10 tool to perform some maintenance, you're in for a world of hurt wrenching on your BMW

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by mwat

No problem! It's never easy, but always satisfying figuring it out. I picked this one because the plug is about a foot into the engine so I remember it working great. If I'm remembering correctly it was too long to get to the one in cylinder 6 so I had to use an extension and another socket... I think. I really can't remember. 1-4 is easy, 5 is a challenge, 6 sucked. (EDIT, I see the guy above me said the same thing so I'd wager you may need to buy a socket with a joint on it (for cyl 6) and the extension one I linked.(for 1-5)

Also I'd just stick with OEM plugs, but that's just me.

OEM plugs from BMW is NGK plugs but branded as "BMW" plugs...

just like buying RAM from Apple for a Macbook or iMac... versus ordering from INTEL or another RAM memory chip manufacturer

[Jolbex]

They used to be Champion...

[mwat]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

OEM plugs from BMW is NGK plugs but branded as "BMW" plugs...

just like buying RAM from Apple for a Macbook or iMac... versus ordering from INTEL or another RAM memory chip manufacturer

Really? The factory plugs I pulled out of mine were Bosch branded as BMW. All the parts sites reference Bosch as the OE plug and NGK as the step colder plug. Interesting. Can you post your source?

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by mwat

Really? The factory plugs I pulled out of mine were Bosch branded as BMW. All the parts sites reference Bosch as the OE plug and NGK as the step colder plug. Interesting. Can you post your source?

I remember way back it used to be BOSCH plugs. I know Audi/VW all use NGK plugs as OEM plugs. I thought I mixed it up but a quick search I found this source:

Source:

https://shop.bmw.ca/p/Bmw__/Spark-pl...120039664.html

step colder plugs are for tuned BMW's/vehicles in general, right? please correct me if I am wrong...

"I know that I know nothing" - Socrates

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

I remember way back it used to be BOSCH plugs. I know Audi/VW all use NGK plugs as OEM plugs. I thought I mixed it up but a quick search I found this source:

Source:

https://shop.bmw.ca/p/Bmw__/Spark-pl...120039664.html

step colder plugs are for tuned BMW's/vehicles in general, right? please correct me if I am wrong...

"I know that I know nothing" - Socrates

another source:

https://oembimmerparts.com/products/...kit-oem-6-pack

[mwat]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

another source:

https://oembimmerparts.com/products/...kit-oem-6-pack

The first link you posted is for 4 cyl engines, the second link above is for an e46. Maybe there's a nuance between the N20 and the N55 when it comes to the OEM spark plug manufacturer but I can say with 99% confidence that the OEM plug for the N55 is bosch.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by mwat

The first link you posted is for 4 cyl engines, the second link above is for an e46. Maybe there's a nuance between the N20 and the N55 when it comes to the OEM spark plug manufacturer but I can say with 99% confidence that the OEM plug for the N55 is bosch.

looks like it varies between models/engines

Source:

https://bmwsparkplugs.com/products/b...em-spark-plugs

BOSCH it is! (N55)

Anyone know if BOSCH is better than NGK?

I've used NGK plugs on all my vehicles, non-bmw/bmw's... no issues at all

[mwat]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

looks like it varies between models/engines

Source:

https://bmwsparkplugs.com/products/b...em-spark-plugs

BOSCH it is! (N55)

Anyone know if BOSCH is better than NGK?

I've used NGK plugs on all my vehicles, non-bmw/bmw's... no issues at all

Ultimately I think people have success with both brands. In my research I think there's just more room for error with the NGK. Some people swear by them so who knows. I'm pretty sure when I did my plugs on my E46 M3 they were NGK.

[ClutchFC]

As long as you’re putting the right plugs in and it’s not something for a different car, I’d argue you’re not really going to find a plug that’s significantly better than the other. They’re just spark plugs. When I was working on a top fuel funny car team, the plugs they used in an 11,000HP engine were Champions. You’re in an X3 bruh. You’ll feel the same performance whether you go Bosch or NGK.

Now if you were to grab a PR coil kit or B58 coil conversion kit you’ll see some performance improvement, but the plugs are going to spark only as much as the system is going to give it.

The gap difference is where you may experience rough performance. So before you screw those bad boys in double check the gaps and put them into spec.

[ClutchFC]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

step colder plugs are for tuned BMW's/vehicles in general, right? please correct me if I am wrong...

No you’re right. A plug you probably shouldn’t worry about unless you’re at least Full-Bolt-On. Even then I’m sure some N54/N55 wizards will say they’re unnecessary. All I can say is, I’ve ran Step2 colder plugs in both a N54 and N55 FBO setup and can’t report any negatives to performance.