Ignition Coils - E39 520i (01/2002)

[t1mm]

Hi there,

I'm a little bit confused about which ignition coils to buy for my E39 520i. The Bosch coils which need replacing are part number 0221504004.

The following product looks the same as the coils in my car currently, but have a different part number:

http://www.mister-auto.ie/en/ignitio...1!504!029.html


Are these just newer versions of the same thing? Should this coil fit my car?

Lastly, is there any advantage of going for Bosch coils, or would cheaper Bolk coils like this do the trick? http://www.mister-auto.ie/en/ignitio...L-E091175.html

Thanks a lot in advance!

[BMW540san]

In my experience I found that current Slovenian made Bosch is really good quality and I had no issues with them.
On the the other hand, Bremi was factory fit and really good quality but current Bremi isn't even close and it failed on my 540 after a 12 months of use.
I'd stick with Bosch. All these unknown brands on ebay and such are simply a risk.

[t1mm]

Thanks a lot for the advice!

With regards to the model numbers differing, is a case of "if it looks the same, it will fit"?

[geargrinder]

Links are busted for me so can't help more. New Bosch is what I believe I did. Of course 540 engine bay is much harder on coils than a 520 would be. I'd stay away from off-brands unless they come w/ lifetime warranty and you know its easy to just get new ones if they fail (and don't mind the downtime and hassle if and when that happens).

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks a lot for the advice!

With regards to the model numbers differing, is a case of "if it looks the same, it will fit"?

Maybeprobably. Would need to be able to see the PN/s and do some lookup on them. Some of the coils BMW uses cross over across models certainly. Sometimes its a part number supercession thing (i.e. your 2002 part number was superceded at the dealer level years ago to some new part number for whatever reason...) Normally if the parts "cross" as we say, then SOMEPLACE there will be a reference to that effect showing they fit all models.

[StephenVA]

There are two types of coils in our E39s. Old style (Square) vs New Style (Pencil type). The old style utilizes a short plug boot attached on the bottom that is removable vs and extended piece moulded into the coil on the later pencil type. The fastest way to ID these is by the question of how the coil is mounted to the head, Two bolts vs No bolts. See pics below. I could not discover your application on Real OEM without knowing production date of your 520, Right/left drive auto /manual? The versions of these coils are NOT interchangeable but the two manufacturers who build both types of coils are however interchangeable.
Bosch and Bremi OE coils last 100K+ the boots however fail at 60-80K. You can see the increased resistance on a Ign Scope and "feel" the idle issues and hard acceleration misfires on any given hill. There is no "Bench test" for these little plug boots as they have a resistor built in so the resistance can not be read with out a load on them (Oscilloscope Scope required).

Before you blame the coils, try replacing the boots, IF your application uses them. Also upgrade your plugs to NGK Iridium IX ones as well.

Regarding brands of coils, I have installed both Bosch and Bremi with no issues. The knock off fleaBy coils I would recommend running away from as multiple posters have reported improper coil winding assemblies, incorrect mounting points making bolting down impossible, and early winding burn out through the cheap insolation.

[t1mm]

Thanks again for the responses guys. My E39 has the old style (square) ones which are bolted on. Apologies about the broken links. I've edited the original post, and here are some new ones:

http://www.mister-auto.ie/en/ignitio...L-E091175.html
http://www.mister-auto.ie/en/ignitio...1!504!029.html

RealOEM Link: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...2-E39-BMW-520i

Cheers

[StephenVA]

That has to be the worse website for finding parts I have seen.

Try this one https://www.ecstuning.com/ or www.rockauto.com or even www.schmiedmann.com/

12131703228

Ignition coil

BOSCH

From:09/01/1994To:-Weight:0.304 kgPrice:$85.84Supersedes:

12137741417(04/01/2002 — )
Part 12131703228 was found on the following vehicles:

• 3' E36   (11/1992 — 08/2000)
• 3' E46   (04/1997 — 08/2006)
• 5' E39   (02/1995 — 12/2003)
• 7' E38   (11/1993 — 07/2001)
• 8' E31   (01/1994 — 05/1999)
• X5 E53   (10/1998 — 09/2006)
• Z3 E36   (04/1996 — 06/2002)

[StephenVA]

If you buy the plug boots make sure you get the ones for the coil NOT a universal one as they tend to require a match set to function as design. No one have taken the effort to scope these guys and post results so everything is "as I discover the hard way" approach. They are cheap enough so use Bosch Boots on Bosch coils etc.
Some one else may chip in with additional info, as the coils tend to live a long life, then start to fail one at a time. Some posters replace the offending units while others including myself recommend the "if you are going to do one you might just do them all" approach. As a BMW DIY owner it is your time and your money, so just choose the approach that fits your patience, expectations, and wallet!

Ok Danny, GG, etc, your up!

[rbelton]

Also just adding a data point to this thread - my green 01 530i sport was always serviced by the dealer by previous owner. Before I bought it he had a local BMW dealer replace all of the coil packs and spark plugs which was over $1000 invoice. The genuine BMW coil packs (early square type on the 01 model) are all stamped BMW China. I think some Chinese manufacturing has really come a long way in recent years, so I wouldn't hesitate to try buying a set of Chinese coil packs for $60 on eBay. They're likely not much different from what you will get from BMW for $500.

[StephenVA]

There is no question that "Made in China" does not have to be equal to junk. Auto part quality can be of many different levels. Listed blow are the normal three levels. One of the companies I worked for made five levels (two additional ones below Commercially Acceptable)
Better than OE (Better materials) Example in coils, they would have more windings on the primary side = greater coil saturation meaning longer burn times at the plug (a good thing!)) Race parts, etc
OE/OEM - Meets or exceeds engineering standards for part. Can be in a BMW Parts/service box or from the manufacturer directly. Multiple times there are many players building a given part. Some go to the factories for new car install. Some go into the parts and service distribution system. While others sell the part into the aftermarket to make up for the low cost bid they did to win the contact in the first place. Some times the non winner sells the part they designed/reverse engineered from the OE manufacturer. Confused yet?
Commercially Acceptable - a part that those who work on cars, sell parts, sell anywhere accept and resell. No or limited engineering expertise required as they are a de-contented version a given manufacturer is building (Just a copy using cheap materials/ no ISO standard testing, etc)

White Box - No name/none to blame No warranty other than what the finally seller decides on providing. Often having OE part numbers on the box without any logo. Quality- Unknown, Price position only. Can be something built for a given seller (Think big box parts store where instead of a white box, it is branded with the store's name on it/House brands> Quality ranges from OK to maybe it will work out of the box)
Bulk Bins packaging - Price only often a total knock off of the OE part. Seller poly bags it and resells with a sticker of his own making. (RUN RUN RUN from these, unless you too are a price point buyer willing to accept what you paid for. JUNK JUNK JUNK w/ no engineering testing, standards, looks like OE so it must be good concept.

Helpful? Tried to make it easy so I took a few liberties with the definitions without resorting to engineering gobbledygook terminology.

[geargrinder]

The only thing I'd add to the above is - and I'm the first to say knee-jerk China-hating is stupid - there are counterfeit products out there which are really in Stephens latter categories but have had the labels slapped on them. Sometimes they are QC fails, so maybe they are 'ok but sometimes they are really bogus frauds.