Did I waste $70?

alextremo · 10-30-2010, 08:35 AM

So I changed plugs this morning after 15k miles, all miles running a tune - last 5k or using meth.

Looks to me like these didn't need to be changed - thoughts?

1-6 left to right.

MKE_M3 · 10-30-2010, 08:50 AM

your plugs look ok, but there is a little rounding at the end of the prongs. The biggest thing I noticed when I changed my plugs was a smoother idle. (I also think it revs smoother, but I don't know if that is in my head or not) The smoother idle alone was worth it. Any operating differance for you?

MKE_M3 · 10-30-2010, 08:50 AM

btw... I changed my plugs at 38k miles with about 5k (at most) tuned

alextremo · 10-30-2010, 09:06 AM

Nope - no seat of the pants difference. This is the second time I changed them - first was at 30k with ~20k tuned.

alextremo · 10-30-2010, 10:10 AM

Yeah - will probably extend to 20-25k interval, unless there are symptoms that give me a reason to change earlier.

Once I had everything apart, made sense to put in the new ones even though the old ones looked ok.

I335 · 10-30-2010, 10:15 AM

Cylinder 6 looks a bit rich to me, but it could just be the pics. Also, your electrodes do look a bit rounded as well - the centers and the prongs. The plugs operate better with sharp edges on the electrodes, but I'm not sure yours are worn enough to notice a difference as you said. At least you have spark plug peace of mind for a while though - I wouldn't regret it...

techlogik · 10-30-2010, 10:35 AM

Do you feel warm and fuzzy about changing them? Then it was worth it.

alextremo · 10-30-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techlogik

Do you feel warm and fuzzy about changing them? Then it was worth it.

I do

Got to spend some quality time in my garage and get my hands dirty too.

10-30-2010, 08:35 AM	#1
alextremo Captain 49 Rep 966 Posts Drives: F10 550i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	Did I waste $70? So I changed plugs this morning after 15k miles, all miles running a tune - last 5k or using meth. Looks to me like these didn't need to be changed - thoughts? 1-6 left to right. Attached Images
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10-30-2010, 08:50 AM	#2
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	your plugs look ok, but there is a little rounding at the end of the prongs. The biggest thing I noticed when I changed my plugs was a smoother idle. (I also think it revs smoother, but I don't know if that is in my head or not) The smoother idle alone was worth it. Any operating differance for you?
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10-30-2010, 08:50 AM	#3
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	btw... I changed my plugs at 38k miles with about 5k (at most) tuned
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10-30-2010, 09:06 AM	#4
alextremo Captain 49 Rep 966 Posts Drives: F10 550i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	Nope - no seat of the pants difference. This is the second time I changed them - first was at 30k with ~20k tuned.
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10-30-2010, 10:10 AM	#5
alextremo Captain 49 Rep 966 Posts Drives: F10 550i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	Yeah - will probably extend to 20-25k interval, unless there are symptoms that give me a reason to change earlier. Once I had everything apart, made sense to put in the new ones even though the old ones looked ok.
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10-30-2010, 10:15 AM	#6
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	Cylinder 6 looks a bit rich to me, but it could just be the pics. Also, your electrodes do look a bit rounded as well - the centers and the prongs. The plugs operate better with sharp edges on the electrodes, but I'm not sure yours are worn enough to notice a difference as you said. At least you have spark plug peace of mind for a while though - I wouldn't regret it...
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10-30-2010, 10:35 AM	#7
techlogik Lieutenant Colonel 70 Rep 1,565 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Dravit Grey Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	Do you feel warm and fuzzy about changing them? Then it was worth it. __________________ 2020 M340i: Dravit Grey Mettalic. Loaded.
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