Here are my spark plugs, they look to have some sort of buildup around the curved section right above the needle. Is this normal or is that buildup?

 

Ok so I cleaned them using sand paper, gasoline, CLR, break cleaner and a paper rag.

Here are the results. Waiting for the plugs to dry completely before reinstalling them. Perhaps I should invest in a new set as I am not sure if the previous owner ever changed them and I have 84k miles.

 

You can get a new set of those NGK's from ebay for around $40/set of 4. If it were me I'd just buy new spark plugs, and you already took the old ones out anyways

 

Here is some good info about changing plugs. Plugs here if needed.

 

Any wires worth getting? I know that the effects of after market wires are limited at best but I didn't know if there was a set worth looking into.

 

Sorry, my post was a little confusing. The R56 is different in that it features individual coil packs on the top of each spark plug. Info about the R56 is at the link towards the bottom. Coils listed here, genuine or OEM supplier is probably the best to stick with.

 

How many miles on the plugs?

I think buying new ones would be better than sanding,etc-.

 

That "buildup" on the curved part just above the "needle" is normal and is there on new plugs also. It's platinum or iridium just like the needle is. That makes the plugs work and last a long time.

 

Those plugs would have been good for many thousand miles more, but seeing as you've got them out, I'd change them.

There's more risk cleaning them the way you did - they would have been good to go back in as they were.