[bdardashti]

Hello everyone,

I have a 2011 328i with 88K KM (53K miles) and a few months ago, my car started intermittently 'stuttering' under load. By load, I mean any time when you applied more than 50% throttle (enough to get from 0-60 in 8-9s, perhaps). At this time, I was in warranty. I took it to the dealer, they said they couldn't detect any issues. Few months later, it became much more prevalent. I took it back, they refused to look at it without a diagnostic fee, and said if they could diagnose, it'd be a charged repair. Few days later, I got a check engine light. Took it to my indie BMW mechanic, and he plugged it in and found a cyl 3 misfire - replaced the ignition coil, and we're good to go. Car runs normal, and no errors in his system. Last weeks ago, issue comes back (not intermittent, and very rough this time). Take it back, cylinder 1 is misfiring now. Change ignition coil, and good to go. Now, with probably less than 300/400 miles on the new part, the issue is back (very rough again).

Is there a possible issue with the engine or something else that's damaging these coils? I know he's using genuine BMW parts, and this guy is trusted by many in the GTA as being much more of an expert than the best at the dealerships, so I don't think he's doing something wrong. I've got 5 months left on my lease, and don't want to give up $4k by parking the car and getting something else. Any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

[SS e93]

Carbon buildup, or spark plugs.

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by icyhot e92

Carbon buildup, or spark plugs.

As far as I knew only the n54 twin turbo engines have serious issues with carbon build-up due to the direct fuel injection.
I think the 328xi uses sequential fuel injection so carbon build-up shouldn't be an issue.
Weak spark plugs is a little mysterious at 53k miles, but that could definitely be the issue. Luckily spark plugs are less than $10 each so you could change all 6 for ~$50 and see if that does the trick.

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by Zach1328

As far as I knew only the n54 twin turbo engines have serious issues with carbon build-up due to the direct fuel injection.
I think the 328xi uses sequential fuel injection so carbon build-up shouldn't be an issue.
Weak spark plugs is a little mysterious at 53k miles, but that could definitely be the issue. Luckily spark plugs are less than $10 each so you could change all 6 for ~$50 and see if that does the trick.

Thanks! Would faulty spark plugs damage the ignition coils?

[Miller335]

Bad plugs can cause a significant spike in voltage within the coils according to websites like ngk.

Easy to replace as well.

[ctuna]

You have 6 of them with nearly the same amount of use on each one
they may start failing one after the other . I would change them all out and the plugs as well. Since you have a 328 Intake cleaning is not on your list
of things to do.
Well at 55k miles your plugs should be OK but maybe
you got a bad batch of coils.

[bdardashti]

Thanks guys, I'll replace the spark plugs - hopefully that takes care of it.

[Zach1328]

Originally Posted by bdardashti

Thanks! Would faulty spark plugs damage the ignition coils?

Goodluck! Hopefully that will take care of the issue.
Faulty spark plugs put more stress on the coils since they increase voltage as Miller335 mentioned. Its possible your ignition coils are all on their way out too, but its ~$50 for 1 ignition coil vs. $50 for all 6 plugs so your best bet is to start with the spark plugs and hope that works.
Even if you need all new ignition coils the spark plugs should be changed anyways incase they were faulty and causing your ignition coils to wear faster due to increased stress.

[ctuna]

You should do the rest of the coils as well.

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by ctuna

You should do the rest of the coils as well.

Any particular reason? Not trying to dispute the point - just trying to learn. Thanks!

[e90coast]

Try the vanos plug thingies

[ctuna]

You can keep doing them one at a time or get it over with.
They usually last till around 70 to 90 k miles. If you got a bad batch its likely the others will fail soon.

[A-BAMF]

Originally Posted by ctuna

You can keep doing them one at a time or get it over with.
They usually last till around 70 to 90 k miles. If you got a bad batch its likely the others will fail soon.

I just did this as preventive maintenance. Ensure the connector properly mates with the ignition coil. I had #4 not latch properly, you can tell visually if the connector didn't seat correctly, and it created a rough idle. No cel. After firmly reseating #4, all good.

As stated above, replace any that haven't already failed.

[924er]

dude i would replace all 6 coils and plugs if you have the money. that would rule out a lot of parts. then if it keeps happening its probably your injectors but thats rare in a 328. how are your cold starts?

[gray boy]

many coil are being replaced. plugs should not be going at 50k
one of mine went at 26k, i call BMW customer service and complained becasue my SA indicated that they had a lot of them in stock.. meaning they expected to be used.
got calls and emails back but?

[steel609]

Originally Posted by bdardashti

Hello everyone,

I have a 2011 328i with 88K KM (53K miles) and a few months ago, my car started intermittently 'stuttering' under load. By load, I mean any time when you applied more than 50% throttle (enough to get from 0-60 in 8-9s, perhaps). At this time, I was in warranty. I took it to the dealer, they said they couldn't detect any issues. Few months later, it became much more prevalent. I took it back, they refused to look at it without a diagnostic fee, and said if they could diagnose, it'd be a charged repair. Few days later, I got a check engine light. Took it to my indie BMW mechanic, and he plugged it in and found a cyl 3 misfire - replaced the ignition coil, and we're good to go. Car runs normal, and no errors in his system. Last weeks ago, issue comes back (not intermittent, and very rough this time). Take it back, cylinder 1 is misfiring now. Change ignition coil, and good to go. Now, with probably less than 300/400 miles on the new part, the issue is back (very rough again).

Is there a possible issue with the engine or something else that's damaging these coils? I know he's using genuine BMW parts, and this guy is trusted by many in the GTA as being much more of an expert than the best at the dealerships, so I don't think he's doing something wrong. I've got 5 months left on my lease, and don't want to give up $4k by parking the car and getting something else. Any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

I have had the same issues in my 2010 328i xdrive. I had #1 coil replaced at 44,000 under warranty, #6 replaced by my mechanic at 53,000 and have another failing that I will be replacing this weekend at 60,000.

I have decided to go ahead and replace all spark plugs as well. I bought 6 from O'Reilly's for less than $40, the coil was another $60. I'm probably going to order a 4 pack of coils to replace the remaining ones and have 1 set back as a spare, just in case.

It has taught me to accelerate a little slower at take off so I guess that's a good thing.

[r0bert]

I bought 6 bosch ones from amazon for $160. I would change them all. Not hard to change yourself either. I recommend changing spark plugs while you are at it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1