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Change Car Glow Plugs

Intermediate 1h30–8h00 ~150–800£
Estimated time 1h30–8h00
Estimated labour cost ~150–800£
Difficulty Intermediate
Vehicles
X5 1999-2006 2
  • 3.0d Diesel (M57D30)
  • 3.0d Diesel (M57D30TU)
X5 2006-2013 8
  • 3.0d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 3.0d, xDrive 30d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 3.0sd Diesel (M57D30T2TOP)
  • xDrive 30d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • xDrive 30d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • xDrive 35d Diesel (M57D30T2TOP)
  • xDrive 40d Diesel (N57D30B)
  • xDrive M50d Diesel (N57D30C)
X5 2013-2019 6
  • s, xDrive 25d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • xDrive 30d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • xDrive 30d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • xDrive 30d M Performance Diesel (N57D30A)
  • xDrive 40d Diesel (N57D30B)
  • xDrive M50d Diesel (N57D30C)
X5 2018-2025 7
  • M50d Diesel (B57D30C)
  • xDrive 25d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • xDrive 30d Diesel (B57D30A)
  • xDrive 30d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • xDrive 30d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • xDrive 40d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • xDrive 40d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)

What is the role of BMW X5 glow plugs?

Glow plugs are used in diesel engines to preheat the combustion chamber before starting, particularly in cold weather. Unlike petrol engines that use spark plugs to ignite the fuel, diesel engines rely on compression ignition. Modern glow plugs also remain active after starting to reduce emissions and noise during the warm-up phase.

When should you change your BMW X5 glow plugs?

Generally, glow plugs last between 80,000 and 160,000 km. Symptoms of failing glow plugs include: difficulty starting in cold weather, white or grey exhaust smoke on start-up, rough idle during warm-up, the glow plug warning light remaining illuminated, and increased fuel consumption.

How do I know if the BMW X5 glow plugs need changing?

Via the EOBD diagnostic system, faulty glow plugs will trigger fault codes (typically P0380–P0384 for glow plug circuit faults). Individual glow plug resistance can be measured with a multimeter (typically 0.5–2 ohms for a good plug).

Is it difficult to change BMW X5 glow plugs?

Difficulty level 3/5: intermediate. Glow plugs can seize in the cylinder head over time due to heat and corrosion, making removal difficult and risking breakage. Key steps: warm the engine first, apply penetrating oil, use the correct glow plug socket, unscrew carefully (do not force — a broken glow plug requires specialist extraction).

4 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
X5 1999-2006 1999-2006 3.0d Diesel (M57D30), 3.0d Diesel (M57D30TU), 3.0i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B30), 4.4i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M62B44TU), 4.4i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B44A), 4.6is, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M62B46), 4.8is, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B48A) Diesel, LPG, Petrol
X5 2006-2013 2006-2013 3.0d Diesel (M57D30T2), 3.0d, xDrive 30d Diesel (M57D30T2), 3.0sd Diesel (M57D30T2TOP), 3.0si, xDrive 30i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N52B30A), 4.8i, xDrive 48i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N62B48B), M Petrol (S63B44A), xDrive 30d Diesel (N57D30A), xDrive 30d Diesel (N57D30A), xDrive 35d Diesel (M57… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
X5 2013-2019 2013-2019 M Petrol (S63B44B), s, xDrive 25d Diesel (B47D20B), s, xDrive 25d Diesel (N47D20D), xDrive 30d Diesel (N57D30A), xDrive 30d Diesel (N57D30A), xDrive 30d M Performance Diesel (N57D30A), xDrive 35i M Performance Petrol (N55B30A), xDrive 40d Diesel (N57D30B), xDrive 40e Electricity… Diesel, Electricity, Petrol
X5 2018-2025 2018-2025 M Competition Petrol (S63B44B), M Petrol (S63B44B), M50d Diesel (B57D30C), M50i Petrol (N63B44D), s-, xDrive 40i Petrol (B58B30C), xDrive 25d Diesel (B47D20B), xDrive 30d Diesel (B57D30A), xDrive 30d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1), xDrive 30d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol