Change your R56 MINI's spark plugs at 50k miles

*Plaz* · 04-09-2010, 06:16 PM

I've got about 53k on the clock... a week or two ago, started getting some engine missing and "Check Engine" lights (along with accompanying misleading "Increased Emissions" warning messages). The missing seemed to only occur at idle, and at WOT with its overboost engaged.

Bought a cheapo code reader ($39) that indicated repeated missing on cylinder 3. Took some time to get the funky spark plug socket (14mm 12-point... $29 incl. shipping) and plugs ($63 incl. shipping) ordered and delivered.

Changed them today -- the old ones looked very old and scorched for only 50k miles -- and found no more missing at idle or WOT through a medium length test drive. 99% sure that did the trick.

So a total cost to me of $131 + time (an hour and a half all-in?). What do you think I would have ended up spending had I taken it to the dealer?

SARAFIL · 04-09-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

I've got about 53k on the clock... a week or two ago, started getting some engine missing and "Check Engine" lights (along with accompanying misleading "Increased Emissions" warning messages). The missing seemed to only occur at idle, and at WOT with its overboost engaged.

Bought a cheapo code reader ($39) that indicated repeated missing on cylinder 3. Took some time to get the funky spark plug socket (14mm 12-point... $29 incl. shipping) and plugs ($63 incl. shipping) ordered and delivered.

Changed them today -- the old ones looked very old and scorched for only 50k miles -- and found no more missing at idle or WOT through a medium length test drive. 99% sure that did the trick.

So a total cost to me of $131 + time (an hour and a half all-in?). What do you think I would have ended up spending had I taken it to the dealer?

Mine will be gone by 50k...

JST · 04-09-2010, 06:55 PM

Jebus. Mine has 16K on it.

ff · 04-09-2010, 08:06 PM

$63 for spark plugs?? What the...

*Plaz* · 04-09-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ff

$63 for spark plugs?? What the...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018JU656/

$12.97 x 4 = $51.88 + $10.99 shipping = $62.87.

ff · 04-09-2010, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018JU656/

$12.97 x 4 = $51.88 + $10.99 shipping = $62.87.

Those must be some special plugs. I'm used to paying ~ $3/plug for the fancy ones.

lupinsea · 04-12-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ff

Those must be some special plugs. I'm used to paying ~ $3/plug for the fancy ones.

Yes. They are the only plugs certified by the American Proctological Association.

*Plaz* · 04-12-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lupinsea

Yes. They are the only plugs certified by the American Proctological Association.

There would be some major backfiring going on if I had spark plugs in my ass. Probably a little blow-by, too.

John V · 04-12-2010, 02:03 PM

At $13 a plug they sure as hell should last longer than 50,000 miles.

SARAFIL · 04-12-2010, 02:44 PM

Just came to me... it is because of the JCW tuning kit. Cars with the kit need the plugs replaced sooner.

When my dad got his JCW in 2007, it actually listed on service key reader that it needed new plugs at the first service (15k) but after the first service the car was reprogrammed to say something like 40k or 50k.

04-09-2010, 06:16 PM	#1
Plaz ••••••• Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: '11 1M Location: Churzee Posts: 17,741	Change your R56 MINI's spark plugs at 50k miles I've got about 53k on the clock... a week or two ago, started getting some engine missing and "Check Engine" lights (along with accompanying misleading "Increased Emissions" warning messages). The missing seemed to only occur at idle, and at WOT with its overboost engaged. Bought a cheapo code reader ($39) that indicated repeated missing on cylinder 3. Took some time to get the funky spark plug socket (14mm 12-point... $29 incl. shipping) and plugs ($63 incl. shipping) ordered and delivered. Changed them today -- the old ones looked very old and scorched for only 50k miles -- and found no more missing at idle or WOT through a medium length test drive. 99% sure that did the trick. So a total cost to me of $131 + time (an hour and a half all-in?). What do you think I would have ended up spending had I taken it to the dealer? __________________ 2011 1M

04-12-2010, 02:44 PM	#10
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,789	Just came to me... it is because of the JCW tuning kit. Cars with the kit need the plugs replaced sooner. When my dad got his JCW in 2007, it actually listed on service key reader that it needed new plugs at the first service (15k) but after the first service the car was reprogrammed to say something like 40k or 50k. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

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