I just had the plugs changed out on my new-to-me 2018 F60 MINI Countryman which has the BMW B46 engine. It had Champion plugs in it (which I didn't know) but I had noticed the engine had a small hesitation under small part-throttle application. I have a BMW/MINI code reader and it showed no misfires, etc., so I suspected plugs. 4 brand new NGK brand BMW OE plugs later and the car pulls smooth as butter at any throttle position. Is it true what they say: Champions are for lawnmowers and NGK are for BMWs?

 

I've been running only NGK plugs in my vehicles for quite some time. Any time I have an ignition related issue, can't say I've ever had it come back as a bad plug.

 

You guys are funny..!

Mike

 

Sorry, folks, but I wouldn't use anything but Champion in any car I've owned.
I currently use the copper version & change them every couple of years. My rationale is that I always have fresh plugs & never a misfire or hesitation.

 

Were the old plugs unusually worn? Or the car high mileage? Unusual to have plugs be an issue after only three years. Normal replacement interval is 60,000mi.

Unless the car has a LOT of miles on it, the plugs you removed should have been the ones installed by the factory. Note, though, I said ”should”. I can’t find any evidence online that BMW/MINI ever uses Champion brand plugs in their gasoline engines. I suspect that the previous owner replaced plugs at some point and cheaped out. (NGK and Bosch, the usual BMW factory choices, are more expensive.)

Did you get service records with the car?

 

The car had 120000 km on it. Very high mileage for a 2 year old car. No doubt the Champion plugs were a replacement at one point and yes, the previous owner cheaped out.