BMW E30 Ignition Service - Spark Plugs, Cables and More!

Replacing everything ignition on the E30. It hadn't been done since I bought the car a year ago so the whole shebang gets changed. It also was a great excuse to swap out the red ignition wires for cleaner black ones.

[@andysiu1994]

What a nice and simple video! Thank you very much.

[@bmw-e30]

That will be one very happy BMW.

[@piipeper]

Great videos, keep them up!

[@AirandFuel]

Thank you Felipe!

[@bmerfan]

Lovely video

[@brownkiddy77]

Nice video

[@brettbacon1]

Note to anyone who does this, you’ll need to remove your battery and the coolant tank (most likely) to get access with your socket to the spark plugs. That random wire everyone is talking about goes under and across the engine, simply release the connection and make note of where the wire fed through. The video makes it look super simple, and it’s a great reference but there are some tricky angles with bolts and spark plugs to deal with. All worked out in the end though!

[@fadlisetiawan4807]

Hello, great video! what size of socket you use to replace the spark plugs?

[@Roubian1]

I also have a 1986 325es! I noticed you have a 885 head installed. How do you like it? Did you have the car tuned after?

[@mattdavidgephoto]

Do you have a parts list for this video?

[@bmerfan]

Did you not have to set the spacing on the new spark plugs?

[@elonmusk8667]

How did you get the new spark plug wires over the new spark plugs....mine are hard to get in

[@robi6713]

What plug wires to choose? Bremi, Bosch, Beru, Ngk?

[@jurgenschembri8376]

Hi, can you please name all of the parts that you have replaced, and also why is it important to replace them? Thanks and keep it up

[@y8er]

bravo

[@davidt4156]

What’s the plug in order for the distribution cap

[@dennyuchiha1461]

Where did you get the spark plug

[@vladk8637]

Hello, Thank you for the video. In my E30, there is a thinner cable, which starts with a ring around 6th cylinder cable, and ends somewhere deep in the engine (I imagine it's a pulse detector). As I can't reach this "somewhere deep in the engine" end of the cable, and couldn't find any information either in BMW maintenance doc, Bentley or Haynes, do you have any clue of where I could find it ? Thank you

[@chillskeleton6529]

I Also have this wire on the wire pack and I've never seen it before

[@BushidoVR]

Hey man. I see you didn't say what parts you replaced. Do you mind taking a minute to let us know which parts these were?

[@albthebeaman]

You got that 86' ? Dope me to.

[@jesuspadilla9283]

Are those little washers you pull off the wire on the ignition coil necessary? I just lost one

[@AirandFuel]

Those are crush washers that help seal, so they are necessary.

[@BOOSTEDJ]

does it matter which cables go on which side for the coil?

[@AirandFuel]

BOOSTED J yes. The eye holes for the wires are different sizes and will only fit over the screws for the correct lead.

[@ADAMSVEND]

question, does the e30 have a distributor or is it coils. sorry i’m new to bmw’s

[@AirandFuel]

These guys have a distributor cap.

[@ADAMSVEND]

Air and Fuel so the thing you pulled out with all of the holes, that’s the distributor correct?

[@DiniNidi888]

What is the name of the part you replaced at the very beginning? The one that has that protective cap? Great video btw! It would help having the name of the part being replaced pop up at the corner.

[@AirandFuel]

Thanks! That was the ignition coil. In future videos I narrate what I'm doing, so that should be cleared up.

[@BoostedM20]

How much did you spend on all the parts?

[@AirandFuel]

Hi there. All told its was $269 from Bav autosport. Great resource for E30 parts and I'd imagine other BMWs. I tried ECS tuning in the past but the kept almost nothing in stock and the shipping was always delayed. Hope this helps.

[@ratede3078]

i agree with ECS tuning being delayed, i keep getting backorder emails on parts i ordered that were previously in stock when i ordered. pelican parts is also a good source for parts

[@campuschicago3555]

What did you gap the plugs to?

[@mrgngstr]

i starting cringing when he pulled the plug leads!! >.