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  #11  
Old 09-15-2015, 01:43 PM
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dont quote me but if you go back to the, gappable, copper plug specs for m52/m50 engines which still used copper, I think its the same spec since the +4's are cross compatible.
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  #12  
Old 09-15-2015, 02:46 PM
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i think i'm just gonna go with the NGK BKR6EQUP plugs. i dont feel like dealing with ignition issues or fiddling with proper gap on an iridium plug. Putting in any new plug is gonna feel better. I haven't found any real evidence that a plug will make any difference in this engine and with the fuel i'm using.
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  #13  
Old 09-15-2015, 03:18 PM
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The recommended gap is .32 for fine wire plugs like Iridium. This plug technology has been coming on strong ever since Champion introduced the H.O.T. plugs way back in early 1990s, that were fine wire with the side electrode back filled with copper so the plugs ran hotter at idle (smoother idle, less fouling, etc) and 200 degrees colder at wide open operations (no detonation due to poor cyl fuel mixtures of the day).

The fine wire plugs like the NGK Iridium IX open up the spark area to allow cleaner firing of the fuel mixture in the cylinder. The end results (as the center electrodes do not wear as fast as the older three and four prong plugs due to the precious metals used) are better tip in acceleration, smoother idle, and some better performance and economy.

With that said ANY plug/brand/configuration that is the right heat range, that fits the hole and will not hit the piston is better than that worn out OE plug at 100K.

Review the plug manufacturer's websites for more info. There are LOTS of errors on vendor websites who distribute or retail plugs. Go to the source of info. Our owners manuals are indeed 15 year old now so they can only show what was available in the year or two before production started.
NGK NGK Spark Plugs USA
Bosch Home | Bosch Auto Parts
Champion Champion Spark Plugs
Stay away from the wacko plug brands you will be happier

For the V8 the NGK Iridium IX installed, provide all the improvements as advertised.

SPECIAL NOTE: Buy a plug gaping tool as plugs are gaped at the factory to something that MAY NOT be your settings and plugs are DROPPED all along the way so who knows what it is when you open the box.

From NGK website
The Spark Plug Serious Enthusiasts Rely On

Designed specifically for the performance enthusiast. Iridium IX® offers extreme ignitability, improved throttle response and superior anti fouling

Fine Iridium tip ensures high durability and a consistently stable spark
Iridium alloy has extremely high melting point, perfect for today’s high-tech, high-performance engines
Trivalent Metal Plating - superior anti-corrosion and anti-seizing properties
Outstanding acceleration, high fuel efficiency and durability
Ultimate design, technology and performance.
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2005 X5 4.8IS
The Blue ones are always FASTER....

Current Garage:
2005 X5 4.8is
2002 M5 TiSilver
2003 525iT
1998 528i
Former Garage Stable Highlights
2004 325XiT Sport
1973 De Tomaso Pantera, L Model
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp GoManGo Green
1971 Dart Sport, “Dart Light” package
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Ply Barracuda 340S FB Sea-foam Green

Last edited by StephenVA; 09-17-2015 at 09:33 AM.
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  #14  
Old 09-15-2015, 03:38 PM
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I'll give the NGK BKR6EIX plugs a shot. they are less expensive as well.
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  #15  
Old 09-15-2015, 04:50 PM
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Tip and Trick for those who have the REPLACEABLE coil to plug boots. Replace them at 80-100K (OR 10 years) as the resistance will grow until the plug will not fire as the boot resistance exceeds the coil's output. They just twist and pull off. They are nothing but a really short plug wire. Later models have molded boots that do NOT come off. Images below...

The first indication is poor idle and miss fires in high load situations (part throttle hill climbs)

Cheap part but make sure you match up coil brand/manufacture to the boot you are buying. (Bremi/Bosch)

More images BMW E53 X5 M54 3.0L Engine Ignition - ECS Tuning
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2005 X5 4.8IS
The Blue ones are always FASTER....

Current Garage:
2005 X5 4.8is
2002 M5 TiSilver
2003 525iT
1998 528i
Former Garage Stable Highlights
2004 325XiT Sport
1973 De Tomaso Pantera, L Model
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp GoManGo Green
1971 Dart Sport, “Dart Light” package
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Ply Barracuda 340S FB Sea-foam Green

Last edited by StephenVA; 09-15-2015 at 05:05 PM.
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  #16  
Old 09-15-2015, 05:51 PM
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Ok, just got convinced in Iridium plugs
My car has 123K, not sure if they were replaced or not but for the price - will replace them anyway. I guess I will save the receipt in case what is in the car now is really brand new.
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  #17  
Old 09-16-2015, 10:20 AM
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Nice tip Stephen for early production models, I unfortunately have late production. Would the coil packs themselves be something replaced around 100k or 10 years as well?
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  #18  
Old 09-16-2015, 10:44 AM
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The positive aspects of the NGK Iridium vs Bosch Iridium 4s was never addressed in the plug thread from over 1 yr ago.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...park-plug.html

The only response was "try them and you won't go back".

Ran the NGKs in my E46 330i perf pkg 6 spd, didn't notice any improvement.
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  #19  
Old 09-16-2015, 10:57 AM
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In the automotive testing world, coils are only replaced upon failure as some will last a lifetime, others overheat, melt their cases, and/or short out.

When cars had one coil and a distributor that sent the pulse to the right cyl at the right time, everything gets replaced at the same time- Coil, coil wire, cap, rotor, plug wires, plugs. With today's coil on plug technology, the correct service pattern is to replace the failed unit - coil (boot if applicable) and plug. Is the complete set of coil replacement a good practice? It would not hurt (only the costs would). I would recommend replacing only the failed one(s) as the other 5 or 7 would run and perform as new for many more service cycles. In a DIY world all bets are off as the only costs are parts.

In any event replacing all the plugs at sooner than recommended intervals is ALWAYS a great choice. If one fails, replace all. Hell once your in there and you have all of them out, why reinstall old wear parts like a plug? They are cheap enough to pull, inspect, and the replace on a regular basis. On street muscle cars, I used to replace them every year as normal service. Race cars every race, timed run, or test cycle. Verify on a scope and off they went. Testing only takes a few minutes with proper equipment.

With the right scan software and the on board systems, X5 owners can read miss fires by cylinder stored over time. What more can you want? Botton Line: When in doubt replace!
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2005 X5 4.8IS
The Blue ones are always FASTER....

Current Garage:
2005 X5 4.8is
2002 M5 TiSilver
2003 525iT
1998 528i
Former Garage Stable Highlights
2004 325XiT Sport
1973 De Tomaso Pantera, L Model
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp GoManGo Green
1971 Dart Sport, “Dart Light” package
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Ply Barracuda 340S FB Sea-foam Green
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  #20  
Old 09-16-2015, 11:19 AM
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TiAgX5

I was a part of that conversation/posting a year ago, but it all comes down to the following:
The only advantage to fine wire precious metal plugs is long life 1st, un-shrouding of the plug to promote clean first fire at the cyl due to lean mixtures 2nd, and a longer (mil sec) of burn time 3rd. No low speed fouling characteristics 4th. WHEN COMPARED to single side strap fat center electrode plugs. The multi side strap plugs like the Bosch +3, +4, offered at that time, a solution to long life that was not available by any other manufacturer except by Champion with their HOT plugs that made their way from F1 and Top Fuel plug engineering testing.

Will both plugs technologies offer long life and proper service? YES, of course. Does technology move on and has the market accepted that the fine wire precious center electrode plugs like NGK Iridium offer better throttle response and the same life when compared to multi prong plugs? Yes. Any secondary ignition testing shows the voltage and burn time improvements. Can owners feel it in a "butt" dyno world? Some can, some can not. My non car wife can not. She like her cars always perfectly clean.

Every plug manufacturer offers these plugs, most if not all auto manufacturers have them installed in the heads at the factory.

Now when the conversation moves to multiple sparks per cyl cycle (MSD- Capacitive Discharge Igntion (CDI) systems) will that change everything? Big time improvements on old style combustion chambers due to air/fuel mix and even flame travels. The impacts to this on plug types get really technical.....This is a conversation for another tread as this forum is a owner DIY user level.
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2005 X5 4.8IS
The Blue ones are always FASTER....

Current Garage:
2005 X5 4.8is
2002 M5 TiSilver
2003 525iT
1998 528i
Former Garage Stable Highlights
2004 325XiT Sport
1973 De Tomaso Pantera, L Model
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp Alpine White
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A 4 sp GoManGo Green
1971 Dart Sport, “Dart Light” package
1969 Road Runner 383
1968 Ply Barracuda 340S FB Sea-foam Green

Last edited by StephenVA; 09-16-2015 at 11:59 AM.
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