SPARK PLUGS

[m5james]

Why the cynicism?

No, I'm not BMW trained. Nor do I have a motorcycle endorsement/license or taken a class in order to qualify me to teach others. Have I gone down (crashed) enough on the 3 bikes that I've owned over the years to others what not to do...yes. In regards to BMW's, what I have done is owned 5 of them, and still have 3 of them now.

I've done everything from replaced wiperblades to pulled transmission and disassembled them to replace their internals (w/ guidance of more educated people.) Some things in regards to maintenance, I've lived and learned myself and vicariously through others since I first became a member of the M5 boards back in 99. Can I rebuild an engine...no. Am I confident enough to recommend a sparkplug that I've had luck w/ compared to other suggestions...yes.

I've helped countless friends in the Seattle area do work on their cars. I've done the same here in Boise for the past few years I've been here, but I finally decided to create a website to document my work. But no, I'm not licensed...nor are 99 percent of the members on these forums who follow the advice and writeups we create while the owners are doing the work themselves. I didn't know certification was required to give experienced advice. No offense to killcrap or Weasel at all because we already know they give great advice, but plenty of board members over the years have experienced BMW techs (indy and dealership) that had absolutely NO clue what the hell they were talking about. Ask me about my 3k estimate for an indy to do repairs...which I myself discovered to be a simple clogged cat. That's the beauty of these forums.

[MESTRE]

Hey m5james guess what?!?!?!

I got the cheapest NGK's at the parts store and the car finally started, I haven't take it to the street yet, because I had broken the sucking jet pump when removing one of the hoses on the oil separator, and this pump valve seems to be the cause of now the abs and traction control lights staying on, I'll get a new valve this week and put it on, but the actually starts right up now, thanks for the advice, thanks for everyone about all advices, turned out I only spent little over 20 bucks for new plugs.


I'll let everyone know what they feel like once I get some miles on them.


Once again THANKS ALL.

[m5james]

I didn't say get the cheapest NGK's, I just said get the Iridium plugs at your local parts store instead of the stealerships. Even if they only last half as long (50k vs 80-100k), its still 1/3 the price and they're supposed a better performing plug as opposed to be a long termer. You should still have spent around $60 for 8 plugs, so how you got away w/ $20 is questionable. Hopefully no other rubber lines broke, even hairline cracks can cause all kinds of related issues to misfire, poor idle, etc. Either way, congrats you got it running and keep us posted.

[c4racer]

I picked up the NGK OEM replacement plugs from my local auto parts store. $86 with tax. They came in original NGK boxes so they look legit to me. I trust this store. Autozone did not carry them in my area.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by m5james

Why the cynicism?

No, I'm not BMW trained. Nor do I have a motorcycle endorsement/license or taken a class in order to qualify me to teach others. Have I gone down (crashed) enough on the 3 bikes that I've owned over the years to others what not to do...yes. In regards to BMW's, what I have done is owned 5 of them, and still have 3 of them now.

I've done everything from replaced wiperblades to pulled transmission and disassembled them to replace their internals (w/ guidance of more educated people.) Some things in regards to maintenance, I've lived and learned myself and vicariously through others since I first became a member of the M5 boards back in 99. Can I rebuild an engine...no. Am I confident enough to recommend a sparkplug that I've had luck w/ compared to other suggestions...yes.

I've helped countless friends in the Seattle area do work on their cars. I've done the same here in Boise for the past few years I've been here, but I finally decided to create a website to document my work. But no, I'm not licensed...nor are 99 percent of the members on these forums who follow the advice and writeups we create while the owners are doing the work themselves. I didn't know certification was required to give experienced advice. No offense to killcrap or Weasel at all because we already know they give great advice, but plenty of board members over the years have experienced BMW techs (indy and dealership) that had absolutely NO clue what the hell they were talking about. Ask me about my 3k estimate for an indy to do repairs...which I myself discovered to be a simple clogged cat. That's the beauty of these forums.

No offense man, but my dad has performed countless hours of repair and maintenace on BMW's seeing as we have owned nothing else in the past 20 years. That includes everything from regular maintenance to re-painting a 325e, replacing transmissions and completely rebuilding a BMW V12 engine. However, I would not call him a BMW mechanic. Can he do just about anything on a Bimmer...yes, but still. You really shouldn't take anything away from Weasel or other certified BMW tech's by putting yourself in the same league, IMO. Not saying you can't contribute and give helpful info, but don't pose as a BMW tech who does this as a profession.

I know someone who once gave himself stitches after he accidentially cut himself, but I wouldn't exactly call him a doctor, if you know what I mean.

[m5james]

None taken, I know exactly what you're saying. I'm not an official BMW tech and I'd never take anything away from Weasel or killcrap because they've proven their worth in knowledge compared to some of the BMW techs I've spoken w/ over on Bimmerforums or Bimmerfest. I was just saying that even though someone is a BMW tech, that doesn't mean they paid attention in class , which is why I said in my previous posts that I've seen some BMW techs on other boards who had absolutely no clue what the hell they were talking about. BMW techs have to learn about the broad spectrum of models that BMW makes, while I've just become (patting myself on the shoulder here) well educated in the S38 and M60/M62/S62 engine. Everything else...I'm a dear in headlights w/o coming to the boards for information on customers cars when they bring me something besides a 5, 7, 8 or an X.

My main point in this whole thread, which killcrap even agreed to, is that the BMW specific plugs aren't anything more magical than the ones I've gotten from my local Autozone. I appreciate the fact that you called NGK, because I was too lazy , and confirmed that while the BMW version may last longer, the off the shelf ones at the local auto parts store are definitely cheaper and maybe even slightly more powerful. For the guy who doesn't want anything to do under his hood, but just wants to drive it and forget it, then I'd suggest the dealership version. Seeing that I have no problem working on my own car, I see the cheaper ones as a plus because I drive the piss out of all my vehicles and I want all the power I can get, I can change them inside of like 10 minutes and I can replace them 3x over using Autozone bought plugs vs the dealership verison. I'm glad this thread came about because it has some great info.

[juppalgae]

guys, I did go with genuine spark plugs from NGK. They were replaced about a week ago and my car is running great. Was able to get a big discount from Moorestown BMW for the parts, almost half price...

[FSETH]

I am overdue to change my plugs, so I just called a local dealer here for BMWCCA price quote on the NGK's. He told me that the NGK plug is no longer supplied by BMW and that Bosch is the sole plug used now.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by J.Belknap

My guess is that the 4417's run slightly hotter.

In any case, NGK BKR6EQUP here.

So I was going to do my plugs today since I'm replacing a failed thermostat (the electronic portion is giving me a CEL) and it seems NGK has changed the numbers to BKR6E1X for the iridium's. Anyone else notice this as I'm used to the numbers J posted above.

[aimtimes100]

wish i knew about the part numbers before i replaced my plugs.on the serious note what is exactly is the worst possible outcome of not choosing the best plugs around.from what i read,im guessing a decrease in gas mileage.i went with bosch platinum +4 and it terms of performance i didn't really notice anything.i thought i heard misfires at first but then i got the codes and the only one that issstill outstanding is p0174"system lean".vaccum hose leak or 02 sensor most likely.fuel delivery problem at the worst.ive had that code for a while now and im not too worried about it