I have surpassed 50K miles, so I am wanting to change out my plugs. After surfing the net for replacements I am finding a wide range of prices for the factory NKG's (some down right ridiculous!). Has anyone changed their's out with a different product? I thought I had read here on the forum that the plugs can be a little tricky to replace on this motor but, I can not seem to find the thread. I have searched for video tutorials but, I can only find vids for older MINI's. Any knowledge you can pass on would be appreciated!

TIA!

 

I purchased my NGK BKR7EQUP off of Amazon rather than spend $120 for the MINI branded JCW version at the dealer. They were $7.80 ea. and free shipping.

I also purchased this plug socket at NAPA Auto Parts for $9.00. It is 4-1/2" long and worked great in the Mini tube. One downside - not magnetic so have a magnetic pickup tool on standby. I had several old socket so I pulled the rubber gripper out of one and laid it in long socket and it worked great after that.

Make sure to do the plug swap on a cold or cool engine and hand start the threads so not to cross-thread by accident.

Also, I like using a thread anti-seize and dielectric tune-up grease.

ECS Tuning seems to have about the best price for your application .. http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2523382/

This video should help ..

 

I just ordered some new Brisk plugs for my 2008 MCS hardtop. I tried Brisk a few years ago when I had to gap them myself and had problems with them. Brisk finally has produced a version that is pre-gapped and ready to go right in. Hopefully they will work out this time. They were just shy of $80 for a set of 4.

 

Thanks! Amazon is telling me those NKG's you (bjcarter2) referenced are not an option for the Countryman. I guess the N18 uses a different plug than the N12/14? Most places online I am finding are recommending a Denso product.

 

Yeah, they are specific to the JCW supercharged engines. I'nm not sure they were intended for the N18.

The link to ECS Tuning is for your application. Double check that though. I can't guarantee they are.

These are the spark plugs I get using your model specs except 2011 since 2012 isn't an option.

 

Just checked for you as MINI had a spark plug 12122163332 up to 10/2011 MINI Countryman S/SX BERU 12ZR6-SPP2 which superseded to 12122293697 BERU12ZR6SPP2-1 which is the :

Spark Plugs

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/12122293697/



So they were correct , watch those other general parts sites as they might not be correct.


You will also need the special thin wall 12 point Beru type socket to take them out.

We have it here.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2561145/




Thanks

 

Thanks ECSTuning! Is there anywhere on your site to get the specifics of the plugs themselves? (i.e. gap, thread pitch, depth, etc,etc)

 

Problem solved! My car has been going in and out of "limp" mode for a week now. I finally got it into the dealer this AM. Turns out that 2 plugs went bad, and they replaced them all under warranty (over 50K miles on them) Sure glad I purchased the extended warranty las month!