BMW E60 M5 Spark Plug Replacement

Step by step video on how to replace your spark plugs in your BMW E60 M5.
If you found the video interesting and useful don’t forget to give it a like. Make sure to check out the rest of my KZbin channel for more M5 content, and consider subscribing if that’s your cup of tea.
Thanks for watching!
Part numbers-
BMW 12 12 0 032 273
NGK LKR8AP

[@Hamzeh.]

I just watched this whole video and I drive a Honda Accord

[@MTechGuy]

Haha, glad you found it interesting 👍

[@dpap]

I have a misfire in Cyl 10. The ignition coil top broke off when changing it. I sprayed WD 40 to loosen it up. It was hard to get out. I finally got it out. I might not have soaked up all the WD40 when I replaced the spark plug. Now I have a misfire on Cy 10. How bad is this? I was going to go back and take out the spark plug and use a suction tube and cloth and make sure it is all gone and dry. Will this do anything bad to the engine? Thanks for any advice.

[@MTechGuy]

Yeah that’s not good, I would remove the spark plug, dry it out then reassess. Check the spark plug is clean also

[@dpap]

@MTechGuy How do you remove the hoses in the back corner of the Plenum? They are attached using oetiker clamps. Do you break them off and replace them? Do they just pull off? Thanks!

[@123hoffie]

Guys just be aware there are many counterfeit NGK and Denso spark plugs out of Ebay. Be aware and do some research on this otherwise stick to genuine especially for a gem of a vehicle as this.

[@MTechGuy]

True comment!! Any uncertainty- buy from a reputable parts supplier

[@xcofcd]

Yes I wanted to comment the same. There are even fakes on Amazon...

[@paulloraas2753]

Thanks MTech guy - Bought my 2006 M5 this fall and did the spark plugs last night - Turned out great - I had your video on through the whole thing - Amazingly helpful!!! Dealer quoted me $1200 so you saved me a bundle - Thanks much!

[@MTechGuy]

That’s great to hear! Glad you found the video useful. These engines are super sensitive to worn spark plugs so it’s a good job to get done. Yes, these cars don’t need to be expensive to maintain if you’re DIY’ing 👍

[@bobbyvanrooy6420]

Dear mister Tech Guy I just bought a m6 front 2009 I work abroad Every three Months I can t drive the Car this three months How do you recommend to stall the car in the garage without starting it for 3 months After 3 months not starting the car what do you recommend And is there otters ways to contact you e-mail etc Greetings m6 lover

[@MTechGuy]

Hi Bobby, m6- nice! Storing for 3 months isn’t a big deal, the main things to think about would be to hook up a battery charger/maintainer and leave the hand brake off. Check out one of my previous videos on “winter” storage, it might have some good tips for you- kzbin.info/www/bejne/embWlIuJnrekp7s Good luck with the M6 👍

[@mervgiam77]

My coil pack just went yesterday 93k kms. Got it replaced with 10x plugs at the same time. Burned a $1000 hole in my Christmas budget. No toys for my kids....😂

[@MTechGuy]

Sounds like Santa’s blown the budget! Yes, when you X10 with replacing parts it soon adds up with these cars!

[@robi4387]

Thank you. Fifteen yo and seven into my ownership, I have a misfire on cyl 9. I know when the plugs were done and that one coil was replaced with those plugs. So I'll just replace coil 9 and rescan.

[@MTechGuy]

Swap coil 9 with another cylinder to see if the fault code moves with it

[@jespermartensson7515]

Hi M Tech guy😊 Once again a perfect and informative video. Will swap mine in spring 2021👍 Thanks again for your E60 M5 videos👍 Best regards Jesper

[@MTechGuy]

Thanks man, glad you’re liking the videos. Good luck for spring 2021 👍

[@Crushin_Libs]

I’m in the middle of doing my spark plugs, coil packs and injectors on my M5. I’d pay for your videos right now. 😂 Thanks again my guy!

[@MTechGuy]

Glad you found the videos useful! Sounds like your M5 is getting well looked after 👍

[@Crushin_Libs]

@@MTechGuy I found using the old coil packs (if replacing the coil packs) to place the spark plug into the hole was just as simple as using a magnetic or specific socket. This allows you to get 3-4 threads (turns) of the plug; pull the coil back off the plug and seat it with the socket. This was super helpful for me because I didn’t have the socket tool and was nervous with how specific the gap was to be knocking around the plug when installing.

[@MTechGuy]

Awesome idea man, never heard of that before. Cheers 👍

[@arturozuniga6651]

How often do you recomend in kms or miles change spark plugs and termosthat ?

[@brenkeenan8892]

Thanks for the heads up on how to do this. Changed hundreds on cars in past, but always nice to have a walk through guide. May be due to the insane heat these motors generate but several of the plugs where stupidly tight, so always proceed with care, I was paranoid about snapping a plug in the head……. Got them all out eventually though. With the coils, just go steady with the bar through the clip. I managed to snap one clip, but thankfully have a hot stapler so could repair it easily enough. However, again, I suspect due to heat, and not having been changed for a while, several of the coils were very tight. Consequently I managed to snap the head off of one trying to gently twist and pull at the same time. 🤦🏻‍♂️. Guess the plastic had gone slightly brittle over time. As it was late on a Saturday afternoon, it meant completing the rest of the service and leaving the car until I could go to the nearest automotive parts dealer the next day (it was a Sunday so dealers weren’t open) and buy another coil. Genuine BMW item (VM item identical to the broken one, even came in a BMW labelled bag) Job now complete and the beast is purring away nicely now. Thanks as always for the effort you go to with your content. 👍

[@MTechGuy]

Cheers Bren, these engines love a new set of spark plugs! Yes the coil clips can break, that’s why I give the coil a twist before trying to pull it out. Whenever I’ve had to replace a faulty coil in the past I always keep the clip if it’s in good shape as a spare in the tool box. Sounds like you got it all well sorted 👍 Thanks for watching!

[@brenkeenan8892]

@@MTechGuy haha, great minds and all that. I’ve already taken the clip off of the snapped head and put in the growing box of “spares”. Would thoroughly recommend a hot stapler though, I’ve been amazed at how many times I’ve found a use for it on cars. So many plastic clips and lugs etc that snap. Saves a fortune on parts. 👍

[@MTechGuy]

@@brenkeenan8892 Never heard of a hot stapler before, I’ll have to check it out

[@dpap]

Love the videos! Keep them coming. I have the plenum off replacing the thermostat. I have an 2007 m6 with 49K miles. Should I replace the spark plugs while I have it off? No issues with them so far. Thanks!

[@MTechGuy]

Thanks for checking out the videos, depends how old the plugs are, any uncertainty might as we’ll put a new set in.

[@AbcAbc-ox6pg]

Hello MTech guy. What model year is your car? I have a '08 and there is no entry 'spark plugs' in the list of my service menu on the screen. There is only engine oil, brake fluid, front brake, rear brake and vehicle check so I wonder why it is missing on my car.

[@MTechGuy]

2005 M5

[@robetassakinis2702]

thanks, good video. i have e60 M5 with 400k km but i watch it anyway :D

[@MTechGuy]

Cheers Robetas. 400k km’s on your M5, that’s awesome!

[@505M5-k3p]

What maintenance have you had to do!?

[@robetassakinis2702]

@@505M5-k3p hi. a lot of it 🤣 DIY moust of it. very long list it take a day to writh all of it. change clutch recently with friend cost 600 eu just 😁 not so hard to work on it compared to the rs7 so i do all the works if i need to go to the dealership to do all jobs it wood be to expensive. 🤣 Ps i have not so good english english writhing skills sory.

[@MTechGuy]

Good on ya Robetas 👍

[@jayd1008]

ever run a compression test ? i was thinking of doing to mine would you remove all x10 first or leave them all in and go one by one ? thnx

[@MTechGuy]

No not done one so far, I might make a video sometime on it. Yeah remove all spark plugs, and fuel pump fuses

[@agniskuznecov429]

I can get back one ignition coil going very tight, old one goes easy back, but new one i feel that it doesn’t pops till the end 😬😜 on 8 cylinder 🙆🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️😄

[@MTechGuy]

As long as it’s pushed all the way down it’ll be fine 👍

[@JRP2149]

Thank you so much. I am setting up to tackle the spark plugs on an E64 M6. This video has no doubt saved the cost of the BMW Dealer and a lot of hassle.

[@MTechGuy]

Nice one John, it’s a good job to get done yourself. Don’t see many E64 M6’s about 👍

[@duncsm5662]

I have been hoping you would a spark plug video for some time, mine are due shortly and I have the NGKs sat in my garage waiting! I’ll let you know how I get on. Fantastic vid 👍

[@MTechGuy]

Nice one, hope the video helps. Yes let me know how you get on 👍

[@duncsm5662]

Do you need to adjust the torque setting from 23NM when using a universal joint ? Thanks

[@MTechGuy]

@@duncsm5662 Technically yes. I’ve never used a torque wrench for installing spark plugs though, always done it by feel

[@duncsm5662]

I thought from the video you might be using the trusted calibrated wrist. I once had a spark plug blow out of an old rover k series engine, which took all the threads with it. So I am a bit cautious about getting it right. Thanks

[@carlossoler3999]

Once again, many thanks! Great video! I was not sure to do it myself but now you pushed me to do it! Many thanks again!! Cheers.

[@MTechGuy]

Good on ya Carlos, that’s great to hear!

[@richquarles2832]

Awesome video, besides just swapping in new plugs to keep up on maintenance, did you feel any difference in performance?

[@MTechGuy]

Cheers Rich. The engine idle has been noticeably smoother

[@Johnny4787]

Make sure you use plenty of dielectric grease on the bottom of the coils. Mine were stuck from the stealership to the point that I had to break the coils to get them out...

[@MTechGuy]

Not had an issue with coils sticking myself, never used dielectric grease on them either. Good tip though, I’m sure it will help a few folk out 👍

[@ivanmoore75]

Excellent video, fair bit of stripping but doable, might tackle it on my own soon 👍

[@MTechGuy]

Yes, have a go! It’s not a big deal

[@cubano678]

Thanks, getting close on mine!

[@MTechGuy]

Nice one, it’s a good job to get done

[@505M5-k3p]

Thanks Mtech guy for a thorough video, I’m still scared to open my car up!!!

[@MTechGuy]

No worries! Take it one step at a time 👍

[@b12khx89]

Fantastic video for anyone looking to change coils or plugs on the E60M5👍👍👍 I will say 5 and 10 are a bit of a pain 😁 and for some reason the coil cover on bank 2 as well... Might have just been me on that one I had to do the drop method where you drop the sockets into the void, then attach the extension pieces and then once you're done fish it out with a bendable magnetic pick up tool

[@MTechGuy]

Thanks man. Yes bank two coil cover certainly takes a bit of clever manoeuvring. Gotta get creative with the tools you have sometimes aye.

[@b12khx89]

@@MTechGuy Wish I'd had your video a few years ago when I first did mine, you made it look much easier 😁

[@saltyuno6517]

Thanks so much for this...; fantastic service you are providing!

[@MTechGuy]

No worries, thanks for watching!

[@user-uv7lt4te7t]

Hey M Tech guy, great videos Where do u buy all ur parts from ?

[@MTechGuy]

Pelican Parts in North American usually, or the local BMW dealer

[@LSmiata]

Hello M Tech Guy, Thank You for your video! Just Used it to replace #2 coil that was misfiring terribly. Ordered new set of plugs, but they will not arrive until next week. Thank you! Mr. P

[@MTechGuy]

Nice one. Thanks for checking out the video 👍

[@LSmiata]

@@MTechGuy Thanks for the response! Still have misfire so now changing plugs. Your video was a great help. My vehicle is 08 LHD (US spec). I did not removed the cabin air boxes, but was able to get underneath them and both #5 and #10 were much easier than expected! Loosened plugs with standard 3/8" ratchet then used a "thumb ratchet to spin them out. Thumb ratchet is basically a ratchet head without a handle and knurled outer radius for good grip! Waiting on plugs and the old ones look nice and dry (have soon many black/sooted/oily plugs on S85). While waiting, plan on performing a compression test. So for at 80, 000 miles, no rods a knocking, no smoke or excessive oil consumption. Mr .P

[@MTechGuy]

@@LSmiata These engines respond really well to a new set of plugs. If the misfire remains, don’t rule out the ionic modules. Good luck!

[@LSmiata]

@@MTechGuy Thanks again! Chasing O2 sensors now. I don't have my normal scanner with me and that is proving frustrating! Have a Schwaben that came with vehicle, but seems obsolete for viewing live data (fuel trims, o2 signals, etc.) Mr. P

[@Bloom0to9]

i do it this weekend :) ty

[@mrpeace7]

Great Job Bro 👍🏻 I appreciate your efforts 🌹

[@MTechGuy]

Cheers man, thanks for watching!

[@DogNamedNicolas]

Thank you for doing this! Great video as always

[@MTechGuy]

No worries, thanks for watching C S!

[@duncsm5662]

Just completed this whilst I had the plenum off to do the thermostat. Having the plenum off made it a nice easy job, plenty of space to work with on the rear sparks and made it easy to get a torque wrench in. My ignition coil where very tuff to get out they are the originals and the sparks have not been done for 39000 Miles which I recon was 10 years ago and after snapping the clip on coil pack number 4 (the first 3 where tuff but came out ok) then getting to the point where I realised with 5 if I pull any harder this one is going to snap as well. I decided to rotate the coil, you can do this by gently lifting the rubber guide out of its alignment slot and then slowly rotating the coil until you feel it suddenly ease( this seemed to happen about 180 + degrees) then just straight up and out. I had to do this for 3 coils I think. Great vid thanks for the help👍

[@MTechGuy]

I’ve used this technique on all the BMW’s I’ve removed the coils on, but found it needed most on the S85

[@rollingvenom2380]

Replacing all plugs today!! Thank you for the video!

[@MTechGuy]

Nice one 👍 thanks for watching!

[@antfou2]

Hey M Tech! I noticed you didn’t torque down the spark plugs to the specified 23nm I think it is? Kinda curious if torquing them is necessary or not? I’m about to do them on mine Saturday! Pretty excited

[@MTechGuy]

Not really, I’ve certainly never used a torque wrench on spark plugs. Just snug it down and don’t go mad tightening it

[@antfou2]

@@MTechGuy just finished the job today. Took me about 4 hours or so. I replaced all plugs and coils except for cylinder 5, the dealer replaced cylinder 5 like 7k miles ago. So I decided to just save myself the headache. But followed your DIY the entire time. You made the job probably 10 times easier

[@MTechGuy]

@@antfou2 That’s great to hear! Good job to get sorted 👍

[@OriginalRangsta12]

Came back to this video to do my plugs and ignition coils on my M6 today. Thanks for the continued S85 content 💪🏼😎

[@MTechGuy]

No worries brother, glad you found the video useful. Sounds like the M6 is getting looked after properly 👍