As Motoringfile broke the news that the installation instructions on the JCW kit (dealer installed, not sure about factory installed) indicates that the special JCW spark plugs should be replaced with every service interval:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/11/...plug-bulletin/

I'm hoping that the dealership will cover these expensive little tidbits during my next oil/service interval coming up in the next couple of months (I got the early extended maintenance plan that extended the maintenance to 4 years 50k). Has anyone gotten this included with their free maintenance from the dealer, or have they made you pay for it out-of-pocket? I'm hoping that the dealership will cover these expensive little tidbits during my next oil change coming up in the next couple of months.

 

Not here but I did ask about this even though my car only had 6,000 miles on it. Here's the answer i received:

[SIZE=2]As far as the install instructions for the JCW kit, I have looked into the issue before. Basically what it is trying to say, and just not very well admittedly, is that you should use the JCW spark plugs and not factory ones at each subsequent spark plug maintenance or service. The recommended time for spark plug replacement is 100,000 miles. I know the line is confusing, but we have verified with MINI N.A. that they do not cover the spark plugs on the oil service and inspection times.
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I received basically the same answer. The SA didn't know about it before hand but said that it's a 100k replacement.

 

The spark plugs may work fine for 100k miles, but I wonder what the odds are of actually removing them without buggering up the cylinder head threads after they've been installed that long?

(Aluminum head, steel plug threads, corrosion, thousands of heat cycles, etcetera etcetera)

 

Thanks for your replies...it sucks that the language is 'technically ambiguous,' although it seems rather clear in my eyes (of course anything seems a bit clearer if it comes for FREE).