[slowblackx3f25]

Hi all,

I am installing DINAN ignition coils and NGK plugs (97506) as preventative maintenance.

ODO reading is at 165,000KM (102,000 miles).
I still have the OEM ignition coils, changed spark plugs twice already during 5 year ownership.

Any feedback or tips I should follow?

The gap should be 0.028 according to Autozone.
Torque on the plugs should be 24nm?

Any feedback is highly appreciated.

Thank you guys!

[mwat]

I don't see any reason for you to deviate from OEM plugs and coils. I've heard the Dinan coils are just a waste of money, more validity to the plugs I suppose but I would just stay OEM.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by mwat

I don't see any reason for you to deviate from OEM plugs and coils. I've heard the Dinan coils are just a waste of money, more validity to the plugs I suppose but I would just stay OEM.

well the OEM ignition coils (DELPHI) were causing engine shivers during cold start, as the revs drop during a cold start or even during normal engine start up's, the engine will shiver (like when you come out of a very cold shower and you go into a colder room).

After swapping over to DINAN ignition coils and NGK 97506 (BMW spec) plugs, the engine shiver is no longer there...

DINAN makes BMW performance parts. I trust them. I don't think it is a waste of money. Time will tell.

Ignition cols and spark plugs (NGK 97506) replaced @ 166,000KM (103,147miles).
INSTALLED ON: 05/12/2023

I will inspect 60,000km later

The previous set of spark plugs came out clean... but I still installed NEW fresh plugs to go with the NEW DINAN ignition coils.

The previous set of plugs were installed at 130,000KM... yes I know... I replaced the plugs VERY early... oh well... moving forward. forward always.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by mwat

I don't see any reason for you to deviate from OEM plugs and coils. I've heard the Dinan coils are just a waste of money, more validity to the plugs I suppose but I would just stay OEM.

the plugs sold by BMW is NGK but has the BMW logo instead of NGK... so no I will not buy plugs from BMW... UNLESS it is for a M car (M3,M4, X3 M, etc) and it's specifically required.

[mwat]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

the plugs sold by BMW is NGK but has the BMW logo instead of NGK... so no I will not buy plugs from BMW... UNLESS it is for a M car (M3,M4, X3 M, etc) and it's specifically required.

Must be a Canadian thing. My X3 had bosch plugs when I DIY'd it a few months ago. Friend with a 335i also had bosch plugs from factory.

You can just buy the oe plug... made by bosch.

[n55david]

The Dinan coils are oem aftermarket coils that just are rebranded.. so just buy whichever is cheaper.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by mwat

Must be a Canadian thing. My X3 had bosch plugs when I DIY'd it a few months ago. Friend with a 335i also had bosch plugs from factory.

You can just buy the oe plug... made by bosch.

Not sure why it had Delphi instead of Bosch. The previous owner could've changed it but I doubt it as I got this x3 at 50,000km (31,000miles) in 2019.

For some reason RockAuto considers Delphi as 'premium' ignition coils.

I can buy the OE ignition coil made by bosch or the plugs made by bosch, but I prefer NGK plugs and DINAN ignition coils. A lot of my buddies with M cars run NGK plugs and DINAN ignition coils.

The DINAN ignition coils I installed fit all BMW M and non-M models.

The parts shop I bought it from said they sell these everyday and ship out on a daily basis. I was surprised but it made sense since these ignition coils fit other BMW models as well.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by n55david

The Dinan coils are oem aftermarket coils that just are rebranded.. so just buy whichever is cheaper.

it's really not about the price, I don't mind paying a higher price for quality parts. as long as it is reasonable, all in all it solved the rough engine idling it used to do upon cold starts or regular engine turn over.

It's been one week since I swapped the ignition coils - all good so far. Thanking the BMW car gods /G\

[n55david]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

it's really not about the price, I don't mind paying a higher price for quality parts. as long as it is reasonable, all in all it solved the rough engine idling it used to do upon cold starts or regular engine turn over.

It's been one week since I swapped the ignition coils - all good so far. Thanking the BMW car gods /G\

What I'm saying is all those aftermarket coils are the same.. the colored ones, red, blue etc are all the same coil(repackaged oem). So you can literally just find the vendor that was the lowest price on them and you get the same coil. You're not paying extra for quality, it's the same coil is what I'm saying.
I need to order coils and plugs for the x3 as well.. I really just don't wanna lol

[mwat]

Originally Posted by n55david

What I'm saying is all those aftermarket coils are the same.. the colored ones, red, blue etc sre all the same coil. So you can literally just find the vendor that was the lowest price on them and you get the same coil. You're not paying extra for quality, it's the same coil is what I'm saying.
I need to order coils and plugs for the x3 as well.. I really just don't wanna lol

I went with the FCP Euro kit(s) OE everything. Been running fine since I diy'd it. Cylinder 6 sucks to do.

To OP, often people run into issues that are tricky to troubleshoot because they're not using OE/OEM ignition parts on a stock car(or even slightly modified). My suggestion is to avoid the headache but ultimately it's your choice.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by n55david

What I'm saying is all those aftermarket coils are the same.. the colored ones, red, blue etc are all the same coil(repackaged oem). So you can literally just find the vendor that was the lowest price on them and you get the same coil. You're not paying extra for quality, it's the same coil is what I'm saying.
I need to order coils and plugs for the x3 as well.. I really just don't wanna lol

I went with the Black-top ignition coils... as the BMW engine cover blocks the view so no point in going with Red or another colour.

I went with DINAN and will buy DINAN again. I understand what you are saying though and it shows you are a smart consumer and understand the products.

I appreciate you sharing this with us

LOL I didn't want to as well.... I put this off for years but I got annoyed of the rough idling after a cold start/engine shiver vibration so I said it's time!! for NEW ignition coils!!! especially when I decided to keep the x3 long term.

[slowblackx3f25]

alright the cold start/engine shiver vibration is back again...
this happens once in a while now... looks like the DINAN ignition coils didn't solve it.

[slowblackx3f25]

I'm thinking of pumping a different octane gasoline (OCTANE-94) to see if it gets rid of the engine vibration/shake during certain engine start up's.

No CEL's, thank God.

I have used Liqui-Moly fuel system/injector cleaners with no luck...

[Bdavi011]

Sounds like a vaccuum leak to me. Have you done a smoke test or check your charge pipe or intake pipe for leaks or cracks? Or the pcv pipe from the valve cover to the intake pipe?

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by Bdavi011

Sounds like a vaccuum leak to me. Have you done a smoke test or check your charge pipe or intake pipe for leaks or cracks? Or the pcv pipe from the valve cover to the intake pipe?

I checked the intake pipe and charge pipe, no cracks. I will check again tonight.
I work less than 5km from my home, so I don't drive the x3 quite often. Unless I have to go somewhere far after I'm done work.

vacuum leak should trigger CEL or if there is any sort of leak it should trigger CEL.

Please be aware I do not lose performance at all. No boost issues. The BMW truck takes off with ease.

This engine vibration/shake upon engine start up has been there since I bought the truck in 2019.

It occurs for 5-8 seconds and eases off but doesn't happen ALL the time.

We change the engine oil every 4500/5000 miles, no exceptions.
Still on stock timing chain, putting money aside to get this done... since we want to keep this BMW forever.

[Tommy68]

My X3 2013 N20 (70,00km) has similar symptoms and nearly every 1-2 month a CEL is trigged with misfire on cylinder 4. Replaced ignition coil 4 but still the same.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by Tommy68

My X3 2013 N20 (70,00km) has similar symptoms and nearly every 1-2 month a CEL is trigged with misfire on cylinder 4. Replaced ignition coil 4 but still the same.

that is quite low mileage! good for you on keeping it low.

My X3 (2017) N20 is almost at 170,000KM (105,000miles) and this engine vibration/shake at start up (not all engine start ups) never caused CEL's.

I did replace ignition coils (DINAN) and spark plugs.
The previous spark plugs had no issues, still changed it with the ignition coils for some peace of mind.

Maybe you should check the fuel injectors next?

I have ZERO misfires from my x3, used live data reading to confirm.

so this engine vibration/shake while the RPM's settle upon engine start up is not related to a misfire...

I will be getting NEW timing chains installed soon, and will look into installing BRAND NEW fuel injectors and maybe carbon cleaning.

Water pump is on the list due to the high mileage...

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

.........

I will be getting NEW timing chains installed soon, and will look into installing BRAND NEW fuel injectors and maybe carbon cleaning.

Water pump is on the list due to the high mileage...

Did you get this done yet? Can you recommend any Indy?

My son has a 2015 X3 28i XDrive (08/14 Build) with 150,000Km....No issues yet...

About to do his coils and plugs.

So no problems at the moment...but as he is keeping the X3...better get the timing issue sorted.

Cheers, BF

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

Did you get this done yet? Can you recommend any Indy?

My son has a 2015 X3 28i XDrive (08/14 Build) with 150,000Km....No issues yet...

About to do his coils and plugs.

So no problems at the moment...but as he is keeping the X3...better get the timing issue sorted.

Cheers, BF

No, not yet. I replied to your PM but I can't tell if it was sent to you or not..

I'm waiting for my dad to get the funds ready... AND we plan to do it later at 200k KM...

There is no symptoms and the engine sounds fine.

We stay on top of oil changes and never went over 8,000km interval mark EVER.

I plan to submit the engine oil that came out at the last oil change for oil analysis.

Please do yourself, your pockets AND your BMW a favour and take your BMW machines to RMP Motors in Ontario (Etobicoke).

https://rmpmotors.com/

I have a LONG customer history with RMP and they are 10/10. Prices are up there but I pay the price for Rocco and Johnny to work on my dad's X3.

Here's why...

in 2019-JANUARY my dad bought this 2017 x3, he did not go through a pre-purchase inspection so we didn't know if any problems existed.

We bought it at 50k KM (30-ish miles) second owner, mint condition.

The first oil change on a hoist, I noticed oil sweat along the rear diff (posted here as a thread), I knew the rear diff was leaking, so I asked the mechanic (my dad's buddy) how much will it cost, the man says: 2,000$ + 700$ for diff fluid.... I was blown away, I knew that can't be right.

We received the x3 with BMW warranty, I took it to BMW Park-view on Leslie and Eglinton in Toronto and they said: it's normal, it's just oil sweat........

Pretty much they didn't want to cover the repair under-warranty, claimed we did not buy it from a BMW dealership, and the car had a slight accident (rear-ended) so they said it voids warranty, all kind's of BS but whatever, MONEY TALKS.

I come from a VW GTI and these things have crazy issues and I know a leak when I see one, even if it's OIL SWEAT!!!

so I asked my dad, what do you want to do, do you want to keep this x3 forever? or sell, he wants to keep it. He comes from Toyota's and Honda's (typical Brown dad).

So I did research, searched high and low because no way am I paying 2000$+.... I found RMP MOTORS!!!! THESE GUYS DID IT FOR LESS THAN 1,000$!!!!!! WAY LOWER THAN 1,000$!!!! INCLUDING THE DIFF FLUID!!! at no EXTRA CHARGE....

EVER SINCE THEN I don't trust in ANYONE that claim to be my dad's buddy, nope, lesson learned.

I go to RMP Motors, and I WILL PAY the price he quotes me because I know it is reasonable FROM EXPERIENCE and RMP touch is indestructible!

REAR diff is BRAND NEW, no leaks, x3 drives fine. NO issues.

ONLY downside is RMP is busy and his wait times are LOONG

which is a good thing. They say you should run away from shops that aren't busy.... and it is true... you better run away....

GO to RMP MOTORS (BMW GOD'S in TORONTO).

[slowblackx3f25]

FYI:
The ONLY BMW dealership I would go to and trust is BMW Toronto on Sunlight street, next to the DVP.