Hi, 2009 non turbo. It seems that the OEM plugs are very specific to this car.

ECS shows NGK 12122158165KT3 but auto part stores show NGK 97968 ($$) and even the NGK site does not show the 121 number.

Just being cautious as my car will use any excuse to misfire.
I have no issue ordering from ECS if thats the best choice.

Thanks

 

12122158165 is the BMW / Mini part number for those spark plugs, that's why it doesn't show on NGK.com

Here are the NGK plugs:
https://www.ngk.com/ngk-97968-ilzkbr...ium-spark-plug

Here are the Bosch plugs:
https://www.boschautoparts.com/p/iri...ugs-zqr8si302-

Here are the Champion plugs:
https://www.drivparts.com/part-detai...atinum%20Power

The Bosch and Champion plugs can be purchased on RockAuto for about $10 each.

 

Yep we just use the oem part as its most common.

Champion of france is now the OEM for MINI. BMW grouped moved to them I believe last year or so across all newer BMWs and MINIs. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-champion...f-four/3455kt/

 

I didn't note the part number when I did mine, but they were NGK Laser Iridium.
Needed a very thin wall spark plug wrench as well, think it was a Lisle.

Mine had fouled the #1 plug, unfortunately when I was 3 hrs from home. Had to keep it over 3k RPM on the drive home to not have a misfire.
Swapped coils with a spare set I had before getting a new set of plugs.
That was October last year, has been solid since.

 

Thanks all, just dont 100% trust the clerks at the chain auto stores, once a guy tried to substitute a plug for another car that was not listed in the manual.

On another note, wife complained that the interior fan is noisy. Hopefully its just the cabin filter. I have one but have never changed it.
I took a look at the housing years ago and could not figure out how to open it and just to look at you have to be a contortionist.
Can you give me a hint on how to open that housing? I could take a picture of it and post if necessary.


Edit - found a youtube on it so will try that.

PS. Dont buy the Mann cabin filter. It has cardboard sides so wont bend w/o wrinkling and thus poor seal. Worthless. Mine is very old though so it looks like they may have changed design based on online pics.

Stuck my hand inside the fan and pulled out some debris and that fixed the issue.

 

Yep, they dont know MINIs, best to double check here.

Blower for a/c and heater problems. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-a-c-on.html

Blower diagram: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...Cooper_S&mg=64 Under electric parts.