A few people asked for a small write up, so here it is! The job itself is not very hard, just takes a little time and some small hands. I am not responsible for any damage you do to you engine or yourself. This is a high voltage system, use common sense and disconnect your battery.
Tools:
3/8'' Rachet
LONG 3/8'' Extension
3/8'' Wobble joint
10mm Socket
Spark Plug socket
Torque Wrench
Flat head screw driver
New plugs, NGK or Bosch are the BMW choice from the manual
Lots of light
Gloves
Liquid refreshment
A girlfriend/wife with small hands (If you have giant monster hands like me)
I started with the passenger side first. In order to access everything the cabin filter and its plumbing need to be removed. Zee Germans did a very nice job of making this unit easy to remove. At the center of the filter tray there is a small metal clip that holds the entire unit to the strut tower. Pull this clip out and set aside. Now lift the long, thin black bar that holds the filter lid on. Remove the lid and filter and set aside. Now to disconnect the plumbing into the firewall. On the filter box end, there are 3 tabs on the connector that need to be lifted (I choose a small screw driver but your fingers will do) The filter box and plumbing should now be separated. To remove the tube from the firewall rotate the entire tube clockwise, then it will pull straight out. To remove the filter box lift it from the right side. the box has a tab that sits in the fender and will pull right out when the right side in angled upwards.
You should have an area like this when finished
Parts that were removed look like this
There are two 10mm nuts on the surface of the access cover that need to be removed. Take care are not to drop the nuts or their washers into the engine bay! Once these bolts are removed the cover can be lifted (with a little force) and then maneuvered out of the engine bay. Be gentle and just wiggle the cover out, it will come, it may take some different angles.
You should see this
Now for the Bremi's (coils). I found it best (after trying many different ways) to remove all connectors first. To remove the electrical connector from the bremi takes the following: There is a large metal retaining clip that holds each connector in place. I found it best to use a flat head screwdriver, insert in the small recess at the front/long side of the clip and just "pop" the clip up. Then with your fingers lift the clip as far up as you can (it will stop, you won't pull it off). These clips are a pain in the arse because they always want to work there way back down, so with one hand hold the clip up, and with the other slide the electrical connector off the bremi. Repeat this process for all 4 bremis. The last one (closest to the firewall) is a PITA but take your time, just move the rubber insulator as best you can to access the connector. With the electrical connectors off I then removed the two 10mm nuts that hold the black, plastic wire loom in place. With the all of the above mentioned removed it makes access to the bremis very easy.
On to the Bremis. There are two 10mm nuts that hold each bremi in. Start with the first bremi, remove the nuts (again be careful as not to drop the nuts down into the galley) With the nuts removed get two fingers under each side of the bremi and give it a firm tug straight out. Remove the bremi and set aside.
Cover off and the first bremi out
Here is a pic with a bremi out, it is the driver's side but you getb the point
With the bremi out, use a very long 3/8'' extension, a wobble joint and your spark plug socket to get the plug out. Try to turn the plug as true to center as possible. This is hard because of the angles required to access the plugs. Remove plug and number. Reinstall new plug and turn in with FINGERS ONLY (ie remove the racket and turn the extension with your hands) this will ensure the plug seats true and not cross threaded. These are aluminum heads, not hard to f up. Once the plug is turned down by hand grab your torque wrench and tighten to 21-22 ft/lbs. Again keep your extension as true to center as possible. Reinstall the bremi and your done your first plug. I again suggest leaving the electrical connectors off to better facilitate access to the remaining units.
Work your way rearward. The last plug is a bit hard to access, but use your head and take your time.
After you change all 4 plugs, put everything back together in reverse order. Again the plug closest to the firewall is just a PIA.
I am not going to post about the drivers side because it is 99% the same as the passenger! There are a few AC hoses that are in the way, so small hands work better.
Button everything up
Start her up and enjoy! Make sure you get all your tools out of the engine bay!! Label your old plugs and post pics on here so smarter people can analyze them for you
Linear Mode
