Spark plug sockets

[SamW]

I am about to change the spark plugs in the near future for my 4.6is and would also like to replace the spark plug sockets, rubber boots or whatever they are called. The part I'm looking at has a BMW part number of 12131740477, made by Bosch. Other option is made by Bremi, with a BMW part number of 12131730412.

The question is, if I order the Bosch rubber sockets, are they compatible even if my current ignitions coils are not made by Bosch, or should I verify this first? At least by looking at the pictures the Bosch and Bremi sockets look a bit different.

[cn90]

I'd verify what you have in the car first.
Very easy to remove the ignition coil and look.
If the rubber boot still good, then you can re-use it.
They are good for about 150K miles or so.

[SamW]

Thanks, I think I will do just that.

[StephenVA]

Tips and tricks on plug changes

There are two plugs recommended for each of the V8 applications.
4.6is NGK
OE Laser Platinum Plugs BKR6EQUP Stock Number 3199 Actual OE plug, Gap: .032”
Iridium IX Plugs BKR6EIX, Stock Number 6418, Gap: .032”

4.8is from NGK
OE NGK ZFR6FH-11, Stock number 4294. Iridium 0.8 center electrode with a platinum ground electrode plug. Factory gap of 0.044 inches
Iridium IX NGK ZFR6FIX, Stock number 6441 Iridium 0.6 center electrode Tip (copper core) with a cut back and tapered platinum ground electrode plug. Factory gap of 0.044 inches.

The big difference between the OE plug and the IX is the additional engineering and trimming steps to provide better anti-fouling, easier cold starts, better tip in acceleration, and the shells are coated with anti-corrosive and anti–seizing materials.

The recommendation is always go with the plug that will provide the best performance over the widest range of driving. In our applications I would go with the NGK Iridium IX plugs every time. Will the smaller center electrode wear faster? Yes, in a lab. You will get 60K out of them easy.

Tips:

Pull the plugs front to rear, one at a time. Check old plugs for fouling and oil on the shell and the boots. (sign of valve cover leaking). cover all the working area with paper towels as the little nuts off the square coils have a bad habit of dropping down to who knows where.
Check the gap on every new plug BEFORE you install them. Better safe than sorry.
USE a F-ing torque wrench unless you have arms that have been replaced with built in torque specs. 20FtLBS (18 FTlbs if you add a drop of anti-seize -RECOMMENDED)
Buy the plug starters shown below as these plugs are way down in the tubes. As you will need them to extract ones that don't want to stay attached to the plug sockets.
Plug sockets: Buy ones with rubber inserts 5/8" size 3/8" drive is all you need.
Buy from a source you trust as the market is full of copy cat crap.

Now on the old style coils (square primary winding area). There were two manufacturers building coils for BMW, Bosch and Bremi. Use the RIGHT boot for the brand and you will be golden.

Want a Hi-po coil for more coil saturation and better tip in acceleration? See Dinan coils as they are now owned by a larger company (Holley https://www.holley.com/) that also owns MSD Ignition and a host of automotive Hi-Po parts companies.

Features:
Up to 10% more energy output than stock.
Black/Yellow/Blue housing with Dinan Logo.
True upgrade, not just aesthetic.
Direct plug-and-play.
Link: https://www.dinancars.com/products/e...arts/D650-0005

[SamW]

Thanks for the info! Already bought six of the NGK's Iridium IX plugs, the place where I bought them ran out of them so I had to backorder the rest.