SPARK PLUGS

[JCL]

Originally Posted by m5james

I've bought crappy radiators (another cracked neck), waterpumps (counter guy insisted the plastic impellar is all they had) and a thermostat (3wk old replacement failed and seized shut 2hrs from my house) from the dealership before when I didn't have the time to wait for them in the mail when my 7 overheated on a jobsite. I find it hard to believe that BMW is buying them from anyone else but the same people. Distributors are everywhere, they goto the mom and pop shops along w/ the dealerships. Sometimes it just comes down to brand, not the retailer. BMW is trying to buy low and sell high, just like everyone else.

I fully agree that you can get broken parts from any source. That isn't the same as counterfeit parts, though. Plastic impellors aren't a sign of counterfeit waterpumps, they were the original design (unless the box actually says 'impellar', which is a dead giveaway!) BMW dealers generally get their parts from the local BMW distributor (BMWNA in your case), it is part of their dealer agreement. Of course the parts cost more from the dealership, that is a given, but at least you know the distribution channel. For items like tires or wiper blades, no reason to use the dealer IMO. For items like oil filters and spark plugs (which are most often counterfeited due to the low barriers to entry for a small-scale manufacturer, and the high sales volumes possible) the price of failure is higher, so there is some reason to want to manage the risk. If you have a trusted supplier, and you know where they buy all of their parts, great. If not, the dealer will be safer than a 3rd party shop. Again, the dealer will cost more, it is a fact of life. If you choose to take a chance, you will very likely be OK, since there are still more authentic parts than fake ones, and you will save some money. That's cool. For some, it is the ultimate goal.

I don't agree that BMW is buying low and selling high like everyone else. I work for a dealer of engines and related parts (not BMW). We deal with fake parts regularly, often when a premature failure comes in as part of a parts warranty claim. If the parts come in a box labelled NKG, AC Declo, or Bosh, then it is easy to spot. I actually saw a picture of one labelled FROD once, and that was worth a laugh. Often, through, it isn't easy to spot and you have to cut oil filters open to count the pleats, etc. Anyone notice the photo of the two plugs at the start of this thread? One is apparently OEM and one is aftermarket, with the same part number. Notice that they have a different number of ribs on the porcelain insulator? Want to bet the manufacturer of the fake product can't count the number of ribs? Or, maybe it isn't fake and Bosch just decided that the non-OEM version didn't need as much insulation, so that they could product the same part cheaper for a different distribution channel.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by m5james

I realize the point your trying to make about the BMW ones vs Autozone off the shelf ones, but they're super easy to do as is, so you just put the nail in the coffin for me to keep going the route I've taken w/ my 7.

If I get more power and spend less money, then I'm in. For the price they're sold for at Autozone, I could do them 3x over before even touching the stock BMW price, and I doubt if I'll even have the X or 7 for another 150k anyways.

Believe it or not, I am all for saving money. If you do the plugs yourself and don't mind changing them twice as often, I hear that. If you pay to have your plugs done at a shop, it may make sense to go the OEM route.

If the NGK's really have the same life as OEM and they are 2-3 times less, that is fine too. As long as they are legit as JCL said. Also, as JCL said, there are some parts I don't mind going aftermarket on; brakes, tires, shocks, exhaust, wipers, bulbs, etc., but there are some (spark plugs for example) that I just feel better about OEM.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by m5james

I've bought crappy radiators (another cracked neck), waterpumps (counter guy insisted the plastic impellar is all they had) and a thermostat (3wk old replacement failed and seized shut 2hrs from my house) from the dealership before when I didn't have the time to wait for them in the mail when my 7 overheated on a jobsite.

We all know BMW's cooling system components are not built to last anymore.

JCL, what do yuo think the odds are of buying fake parts from a major chain store like NAPA, Autozone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly's and so on. Also, what about places like Bavarian Autosport and Amazon?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by FSETH

We all know BMW's cooling system components are not built to last anymore.

JCL, what do you think the odds are of buying fake parts from a major chain store like NAPA, Autozone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly's and so on. Also, what about places like Bavarian Autosport and Amazon?

Not living in the US, I don't have sufficient personal experience with any of those vendors to have an opinion on any one of them.


In general:

• I would trust big name chain stores over independents, all things being equal (unless I knew the buyers at the independent), but not if they are discount chain stores.
• I would trust stores that use fewer (or trusted) distributors over those that shop for deals, buy cheap lots or seconds, etc. I tend to buy from suppliers that I have history with, on the basis that past performance is the best indicator of future behaviour
• I would be more worried about plugs, oil filters, air filters, brake pads, rotors, and so on than parts that have lower volumes, and thus aren't as worth duplicating by a scammer
• I inspect parts that I install prior to installing them
• I won't buy anything off eBay. Anything.

Just remember that while it is bad to pay too much for something, it is worse to pay too little. I think people sometimes forget that.

[MESTRE]

How do you find out what heat range your car calls for???

[m5james]

The correct NGK part number has been mentioned plenty of times already, don't even start touching into the whole heat ranges subject. Unless your forced induction, running race gas, etc stick w/ stock.

[MESTRE]

Yeah never mind the heat range question!!! but thanks anyways, I read a whole article about the heat range, and each manufacture has a different way to numbering their heat ranges...

But anyways the NGK plugs recommended by BMW are heat range 6, not sure about the BOSCH plugs.

[MESTRE]

Just a little bit of fun here now, I was just reading another thread about tires, and all of a sudden I see "m5James" post there talking about a spark plug thread floating around here, and pursuing everyone to buy the NGK's $7 bucks plugs...
I don't know bout u guys, but I thought it was very funny, he seems to be trying to build a case for himself trying to get people on his side, lol
No offense AT ALL m5james, really i just found it funny.

[m5james]

No offense, i'm just trying to help out w/ saving myself and others a buck at the same time...I believe it's the whole purpose of these forums.

I wouldn't call it trying to get everyone on my side, but when three BMW mechanics (killcrap, Weasel and myself) are using and recommending the cheaper ones w/o a problem. I think it's good advice to follow from people who do it more than every 80-100k since we work on other people cars instead of just our own.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by m5james

I wouldn't call it trying to get everyone on my side, but when three BMW mechanics (killcrap, Weasel and myself) are using and recommending the cheaper ones w/o a problem.

You are a BMW-trained mechanic? Licensed? Good to know.