Second Hand BMW 4 Series Glow Plugs

Only diesel variants of the BMW 4 Series have glow plugs — petrol engines do not use them at all, so if your car is a petrol model (including any hybrid variant), this part simply does not apply to your vehicle. Diesel versions such as those with the N47, B47, or N57 engines are the ones to look for. If you're unsure whether your 4 Series is petrol or diesel, check your V5C or run a VIN check before ordering.

The BMW 4 Series F32/F33/F36 generation ran from 2013 to 2020, with a facelift in 2017, so both years sit within the same generation — however the engine code is the critical detail here, not the year alone. A 2014 model may carry the N47 diesel engine while a 2017 facelift model is more likely to use the updated B47, and these engines take different glow plugs. Always match the engine code from your V5C or a VIN check, and confirm compatibility with the breaker against your registration before buying.

No — body style makes no difference to glow plug fitment on the BMW 4 Series. Glow plugs are determined entirely by the engine fitted to the car, and the same diesel engine could appear across Coupe (F32), Convertible (F33), and Gran Coupe (F36) body styles. Focus on your engine code rather than which body style you have.

Trim level has no bearing on glow plug fitment whatsoever — SE, Sport, M Sport, and M Sport X are all cosmetic and equipment packages rather than mechanical differences. What matters is the engine code stamped on your V5C or found via a VIN check, as different diesel engines require different glow plugs regardless of trim. Tell the breaker your engine code and registration and they can source the correct plugs.

Diesel engines in the BMW 4 Series are four-cylinder or six-cylinder units, so you'll typically need four glow plugs for four-cylinder engines such as the N47 and B47, or six for a six-cylinder diesel like the N57. It's worth replacing all plugs at the same time rather than just the failed one, as the others will have covered the same mileage. Confirm the cylinder count for your specific engine with the breaker when you enquire.

The BMW 3 Series (F30) and 4 Series share the same engine family and many of the same diesel units — for example the N47 and B47 four-cylinder diesels appear in both — so there is a reasonable chance the glow plugs are identical if the engine codes match exactly. That said, you should confirm this directly with the breaker against both registrations rather than assume compatibility, as ancillary specifications can vary and the breaker will be able to cross-reference the part numbers to be sure.