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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum 2017+ BMW 5 Series (G30) General Discussions M550 spark plug replacement interval

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      02-14-2022, 12:21 PM   #1
mercidar
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M550 spark plug replacement interval

Hi everyone, I own a 2018 M550i and with 48000km (30000mi). It's due for an oil change in 1500km. The dealer called to schedule this and left a message saying that it also is time for spark plugs and air filter(s).

In Vehicle Status on iDrive it just says oil change so I'm wondering if spark plugs are not displayed in iDrive or if the dealer is trying to add this earlier than necessary.

Of course I'm happy to pay for required maintenance but not the "dealer-created" maintenance

Appreciate any help and advice!
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      02-14-2022, 12:43 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mercidar View Post
Hi everyone, I own a 2018 M550i and with 48000km (30000mi). It's due for an oil change in 1500km. The dealer called to schedule this and left a message saying that it also is time for spark plugs and air filter(s).

In Vehicle Status on iDrive it just says oil change so I'm wondering if spark plugs are not displayed in iDrive or if the dealer is trying to add this earlier than necessary.

Of course I'm happy to pay for required maintenance but not the "dealer-created" maintenance

Appreciate any help and advice!
Plugs won't show up in the iDrive. iDrive seems to only address certain fluids and brakes. Look in the OM to find the maintenance schedule. Most recommend using the severe-duty schedule.
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      02-14-2022, 12:47 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
Plugs won't show up in the iDrive. iDrive seems to only address certain fluids and brakes. Look in the OM to find the maintenance schedule. Most recommend using the severe-duty schedule.
Thanks! My car is Canadian and the OM has zero details on maintenance intervals. It just says that iDrive "manages" all of this. I was surprised not too see any mileage interval maintenance details.
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      02-14-2022, 01:10 PM   #4
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I have a 2018 but a 530e, not the 550. The included maintenance schedule shows replacing spark plugs at 60K miles for all 5 series cars.
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      02-14-2022, 05:02 PM   #5
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I think it's model specific and region specific, for example my 540i in Ireland, spark plug change is recommended to be done with every second oil change. Which is 2 years/28k kms. At your mileage I would get them done
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      02-14-2022, 06:53 PM   #6
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Whatever happened to the 100K mile spark plug? About 18K miles seems a bit excessive. My '65 Mustang could go at least 15K miles on a set of plugs; and they weren't near as good as today's plugs.
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      02-14-2022, 08:33 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
Whatever happened to the 100K mile spark plug? About 18K miles seems a bit excessive. My '65 Mustang could go at least 15K miles on a set of plugs; and they weren't near as good as today's plugs.
You also weren't hammering them with the voltage your BMW coils put out, and I don't think it was running quite the compression.

https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...aintenance.pdf

Check page 7. It appears that in the USA the schedule is to replace spark plugs "Every 3rd engine oil service (approx. 30,000 mi)" for the M550i, 750i, and (drool) M760i.
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      02-14-2022, 09:45 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by OmahaDB View Post
...
Check page 7. It appears that in the USA the schedule is to replace spark plugs "Every 3rd engine oil service (approx. 30,000 mi)" for the M550i, 750i, and (drool) M760i.
WOW! The V8 eats coils! Glad I went with the I6!
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      02-14-2022, 10:42 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
WOW! The V8 eats coils! Glad I went with the I6!
It’s worth it trust me.
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      02-14-2022, 11:33 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kriz2fer View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
WOW! The V8 eats coils! Glad I went with the I6!
It’s worth it trust me.
Having a 540, I know what he means. I LOVE this car and engine… but damnit, I believe you too!
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      02-15-2022, 12:12 AM   #11
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They replaced my plugs at 40k miles as part of BMW maintenance plan.
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      02-15-2022, 07:32 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
Whatever happened to the 100K mile spark plug? About 18K miles seems a bit excessive. My '65 Mustang could go at least 15K miles on a set of plugs; and they weren't near as good as today's plugs.
That was when BMW included maintenance as part of the new car warranty. BMW Maintenance is a separate thing now paid for by the customer, so that doesn't count.

It is funny how the intervals changed when they aren't paying for it anymore.
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      02-15-2022, 07:39 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Kriz2fer View Post
It’s worth it trust me.
Yep, well worth it. You need to feed the beast. Have to pay to play above 500HP, the adrenaline rush that I am absolutely happy to write the check for.
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      02-15-2022, 08:53 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OmahaDB View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc View Post
Whatever happened to the 100K mile spark plug? About 18K miles seems a bit excessive. My '65 Mustang could go at least 15K miles on a set of plugs; and they weren't near as good as today's plugs.
You also weren't hammering them with the voltage your BMW coils put out, and I don't think it was running quite the compression.

https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...aintenance.pdf

Check page 7. It appears that in the USA the schedule is to replace spark plugs "Every 3rd engine oil service (approx. 30,000 mi)" for the M550i, 750i, and (drool) M760i.
That's the document I couldn't find to send you the link on facebook.
Although you should check again.
It says replace air filter elements for M550i, 750i and M760i on 30k miles not the spark plugs!!
Spark plugs are at 60k miles or 6th oil change for all 5 series. Which is 96k kms.
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      02-15-2022, 02:19 PM   #15
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Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the input from this community. I'm going to ask the dealer to show me some sort of documentation on this and will report back when I have the car serviced next month.

I'm more than happy to spend money to keep the V8 beast running well but hate spending when it is not necessary!
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      02-19-2022, 07:48 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cna90 View Post
That's the document I couldn't find to send you the link on facebook.
Although you should check again.
It says replace air filter elements for M550i, 750i and M760i on 30k miles not the spark plugs!!
Spark plugs are at 60k miles or 6th oil change for all 5 series. Which is 96k kms.
Bah!! You're right. How'd I miss that?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kriz2fer View Post
It’s worth it trust me.
Having come from a Mercedes V12... 24 iridium plugs, at about $13 each... I do miss some of that "hand of God" thrust, but I don't miss the maintenance requirements. And I'm also very impressed with what the I6 and 8-speed transmission can do.
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      03-09-2022, 11:28 AM   #17
mercidar
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Hi everyone, so I managed to find the details in the notifications section (top left) of the MyBMW app. The Services tab in the Vehicle Status section only listed the oil change.
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      03-14-2022, 08:52 PM   #18
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Did you get a quote for replacing the plugs? Getting my 22 m550i soon and imagine it’s more than the $1200 I paid for the b58 plugs.
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      03-14-2022, 09:13 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wakebord99 View Post
Did you get a quote for replacing the plugs? Getting my 22 m550i soon and imagine it’s more than the $1200 I paid for the b58 plugs.

My dealer wanted $700 (parts and labor) to replace the plugs, looked at the process and it's maybe an hours worth of work mostly removing the air intake above the engine. Paid $150 for OEM plugs and will have them in some time this week.
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      03-15-2022, 10:55 AM   #20
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Originally Posted by wakebord99 View Post
Did you get a quote for replacing the plugs? Getting my 22 m550i soon and imagine it’s more than the $1200 I paid for the b58 plugs.
I had an independent BMW shop do all of this. The plugs installed were CAD$715 tax included
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      03-26-2022, 09:41 PM   #21
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Spark plugs are replaced 80K/km or 50K/miles not before then! This deal is trying to created some un-necessary work to hand a bigger bill work...

Quote:
Originally Posted by mercidar View Post
Hi everyone, I own a 2018 M550i and with 48000km (30000mi). It's due for an oil change in 1500km. The dealer called to schedule this and left a message saying that it also is time for spark plugs and air filter(s).

In Vehicle Status on iDrive it just says oil change so I'm wondering if spark plugs are not displayed in iDrive or if the dealer is trying to add this earlier than necessary.

Of course I'm happy to pay for required maintenance but not the "dealer-created" maintenance

Appreciate any help and advice!
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      03-27-2022, 07:09 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
I have a 2018 but a 530e, not the 550. The included maintenance schedule shows replacing spark plugs at 60K miles for all 5 series cars.
That's interesting, as the vast majority of those miles could have been completed without any ICE?

I know for sure that (should mine ever arrive) the only time I put fuel in it will be for a longer journey (holiday or gig going) and that is not that often unfortunately!!

I guess that running the thing in may require it in 'sport mode' more often than not, at least for the first few K miles. I mean, thats a chore eh ;-)
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