I checked the DIY section that's stickied on the top of this page but i don't see any spark plug installation info on an M3 engine. Is it any different from other engines??

In 7500 miles or so i have inspedction II coming up and i want to try to do all the easy stuff myself and just have the stealership rip me on the valve adjustment. On my previous E36 M3, changing the spark plugs was easier than changing the oil. I'm hoping it's basically the same with the e46 M3.

Any help or a DIY explanation with pics would be great. :)

Inspection I/II are flat rate charges I believe.

That being said, changing the spark plug is easy, just takes some time.

Remove strut bar (if applicable)
Remove cabin filter
Remove Engine Cover (careful with those bolts)
You'll have to remove some wires here to get to 'em
Remove coil packs (4 hex bolts I believe)
Remove spark plugs (don't mess up here or you are in for a world of hurt).

I'll double check these all when I go home and grab my service manual.

Yes, i do believe inspection I and II are flat rate, but every dealership has it's own flat rate. But then again most of the inspection involves checking this and checking that, so i would guess that if some or all (depending on what needs changing) of the items they are checking happen to need replacing than the cost for the inspection will vary accordingly.

In any case the only thing i feel i wouldn't be able to do within the inspection would be adjusting the valves. So when i go to the dealership for work to be done i will ask them to only adjust the valvse and reset my computer. They can't charge me for a full inspection that way. They can only charge me for the 2 things i ask them to do. I would hope that would save me some dough. :confused We'll see when the time comes.

Thanks for your help as usual Kevlar!!:)

HOW MUCH DOES a full inspection cost??
assuming you have to get the usua;l stuff fixed.

Inspection I is $1200 / Inspection II is $1450 and those prices include replacement of whatever scheduled maintanence is required for those services (oil change, valve adjustment, new air filter (inspection II only), spark plugs, etc.).

Don't buy spark plugs at the dealer... I made that mistake with this car once. Six spark plugs, and before they tell you the total price, they send one of the mechanics in from out back to kick you in the nuts so when you hear the price of six spark plugs you don't feel so bad.

Instruction for spark plug replacement are as follows:

Remove wiring harness attached to microfilter housing
Remove microfilter housing
Remove lower microfilter housing
Remove strut bar
Remove engine cover (don't loose those screws)
Remove coil harness (pull up on the spring clips to disconnect)
Remove coil mounting bolts (4 hex)
Remove spark plug

Recommended OE plug - NGK DCPR8 EKP
Spark Plug Torque - 18 ft-lbs

so inspection 3 and 4 cost 1800 and 2 grand respectively?
what timeframe will i be looking at? 1 inspection every 6 months?

Inspection I is $1200 / Inspection II is $1450 and those prices include replacement of whatever scheduled maintanence is required for those services (oil change, valve adjustment, new air filter (inspection II only), spark plugs, etc.).

Don't buy spark plugs at the dealer... I made that mistake with this car once. Six spark plugs, and before they tell you the total price, they send one of the mechanics in from out back to kick you in the nuts so when you hear the price of six spark plugs you don't feel so bad.

Instruction for spark plug replacement are as follows:

Remove wiring harness attached to microfilter housing
Remove microfilter housing
Remove lower microfilter housing
Remove strut bar
Remove engine cover (don't loose those screws)
Remove coil harness (pull up on the spring clips to disconnect)
Remove coil mounting bolts (4 hex)
Remove spark plug

Recommended OE plug - NGK DCPR8 EKP
Spark Plug Torque - 18 ft-lbs

Ok I read it twice so I have to ask, the E46 S54 has hex bolts holding the coil packs on? That's wierd because the MZ3 S54 doesn't and there is no threads on the valve cover. I'm just curious if I missed a difference.

does the same apply for any other e46? say for instance an e46 323ci?

so inspection 3 and 4 cost 1800 and 2 grand respectively?
what timeframe will i be looking at? 1 inspection every 6 months?

The pattern goes like this...

1 Oil Service
2 Inspection I
3 Oil Service
4 Inspection II
5. Restart at #1

You can normally expect to visit one of the items above every 9,000 to 15,000 miles depending on how hard you drive.

Ok I read it twice so I have to ask, the E46 S54 has hex bolts holding the coil packs on? That's wierd because the MZ3 S54 doesn't and there is no threads on the valve cover. I'm just curious if I missed a difference.

I'll have to recheck the book... it's been a while.

does the same apply for any other e46? say for instance an e46 323ci?

Basic concepts... but the spark plugs are probably different and some of the procedure may be different as the engine and engine bay are slightly different.

Ok I read it twice so I have to ask, the E46 S54 has hex bolts holding the coil packs on? That's wierd because the MZ3 S54 doesn't and there is no threads on the valve cover. I'm just curious if I missed a difference.
No bolts holding the coils, just pull them out while twisting a little bit after you disconnect the cable harness from them They are tight fit to the spark plugs and the holes/counter bores on the head cover. I removed a coil a few weeks ago and that is how it is on my '02.

The pattern goes like this...

1 Oil Service
2 Inspection I
3 Oil Service
4 Inspection II
5. Restart at #1

You can normally expect to visit one of the items above every 9,000 to 15,000 miles depending on how hard you drive.



I'll have to recheck the book... it's been a while.



Basic concepts... but the spark plugs are probably different and some of the procedure may be different as the engine and engine bay are slightly different.

wow kelar. your website is top notch...