Spark plugs brand: NGK vs NGK Iridium vs Bosch
 

2005 X5 3.0i 126K miles

NGK BKR6EQUIP
NGK IRIDIUM BKR6EIX
BOSCH FGR7DQP

Which should I use? I see many recommendation for NGK Iridium but someone mentioned the Iridium part cannot touch the connector whatever that means. I thought for spark plugs, you basically remove the old part and screw back the new ones to a proper torque.

Also, are NGK spark plugs made in china?

I just put those iridium ones in my '06 3.0i @ 143k miles. I've heard you shouldn't gap the iridium but I think they come within spec when ordered so not sure it's needed. There's a DIY thread here I used and plenty of other threads on the subject if you do a search:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...m-bkr6eix.html

Not sure the iridium made a difference in performance/mileage but the plugs I pulled out didn't look too bad. My understanding is iridium are recommended as they can provide both longevity and performance whereas platinum plugs don't perform as well and copper plugs don't last as long. But I'm sure there's a lot of guys that know more about this than me.

I just replaced mine with the NGK platinum ones (NGK BKR6EQUIP) as per specifications for the N-62 motor. The OEM bosch plugs I pulled out @ 140,000 kms were a bit sad, but not totally stuffed. Have not noticed any difference in performance or economy (only done 100 kms ago). Changing plugs was not a difficult task at all. I laid out the coils in the order I removed them, so they all went back on the same cylinder. Oh - and by the way, NGK are made in Japan and probably one of the best spark plugs you can get (all my petrol/gas/lpg vehicles, stationary motors and machines have them).

Use these, you will be happier in the long run.

From NGK website
The Spark Plug Serious Enthusiasts Rely On

Designed specifically for the performance enthusiast. Iridium IX® offers extreme ignitability, improved throttle response and superior anti fouling

Fine Iridium tip ensures high durability and a consistently stable spark
Iridium alloy has extremely high melting point, perfect for today’s high-tech, high-performance engines
Trivalent Metal Plating - superior anti-corrosion and anti-seizing properties
Outstanding acceleration, high fuel efficiency and durability
Ultimate design, technology and performance.
NGK WEBSITE: https://www.ngksparkplugs.com/produc...ugs/iridium-ix

BUY AND USE A GAPING TOOL GAP setting is .032"

Buy the BKR6EIX as it is designed for .032 gap setting
The other part number is BKR6EIX-11 is designed for .044 gap setting

^Single tip NGK iridiums for all of my bimmers as well. Never had a problem.

^I agree with Stephen to check the gap as well out of the box

Thanks for all your input. Youtube videos on replacing E53 spark plugs seem to be for 4.4 engine which requires 8 pcs. Since mine's a 3.0i, I just need 6, correct? Are they located 3 on each side of the engine block when you take the cover off? Just wanted to clarify before ordering.

Yep. It's a straight six with all plugs on the US passenger side after you remove the engine caps, 2 10mm nuts, oil cap, engine cover, connectors and coils (see DIY link I sent earlier). The plugs near the firewall can be a bit tricky - you need a socket extension long enough to get to the plug but not so long that the ratchet hits the overhanging body. I also highly suggest a torque wrench with the new ones to ensure you don't under/over tighten (spec is in DIY; I think 18-20 ft-lbs).

Thank you so kindly!

Yep besides cylinder 6 which is tricky with the length of extension but extremely doable, just take off the engine cover and pop each coil out individually and R&R - spark plugs on these cars are very easy - I'm doing the Iridiums this weekend with new Delphi coils just as preventative spring maintenance at my mileage of 86k and 13 years of age

Would this be the correct choice? 5/8" x 6"
Gear Wrench 5/8" x 6" Magnetic Swivel Spark Plug Socket 80546: Advance Auto Parts

^^YES! I picked one up at Pep Girls last week, the magnetic socket is so much better than the rubber one - I threw out my old rubber spark plug socket lol

That back one nearest the firewall is the hardest but it is just a question of taking your time.
If you are planning a life of DIY on this and additional vehicles, may I suggest that it maybe a good time to think of investing in a great selection of automotive hand tools. These will provide a Rate of Return (ROI) that will measure 3x your investment in a few months. Most simple tools like sockets, combo wrenches (Open on one end box end on the other) will provide a positive return on one or two usage. See Sears Craftsman tool sets to get you started.
Buying a set will provide additional saving compared to "as needed tools" due to the fact they match and compliment each other.

Pay attention to needing 16MM sockets and wrenches as they typically are missing in most metric wrench and socket sets and our X5 tend to use them on everything.

Oh and buy that Bosch spark plug gaping tool they have also.
Bosch Spark Plug Gap Gauge Y101150379BOS: Advance Auto Parts

OEM coils don't tend to call it quits until well over 100k, and when they go, they go and you can tell. I had a BMW tech in my other car club (pontiac 3.8 v6, go figure) and he advised me to hold onto those oems until they absolutely croak.

He also advised me to use NGKs. Japanese plug in a German car...but they tend to like them across most BMW, not just E53/M54.

I got a good deal on the Delphi (OE for the M54) coils from a distributor for $150 for the set - I probably wouldn't pay the $300-400 for Genuine BMW coils - for one the coils I have are the exact same Genuine coils just in a Delphi box instead of BMW, and 2, I agree the OE coils are robust - I was just putting in Iridiums and wanted to do the whole set of coils while I was in there

OE coils for the M54 are currently made by Delphi and no longer Bosch as I cross referenced RealOEM for my 9/2003 built X5 earlier this week -

.032” gap setting is correct for the n62b48? All sites show.044” for the 4.8is.

Just confirming before I order a set.

NGK Plugs and respective gap settings
 

NGK Plugs and gap settings for X5's (Updated 4/28/2020)

3.0
Laser Platinum Part No. BKR6EQUP Stock Number 3199 Plug Gap .032"*
Iridium IX Part No. BKR6EIX, Stock No 6418, Plug gap .032”
Ruthenium HX Part No. FR6AHX-S, Stock 94279, Plug Gap .032”

4.4
Laser Platinum Part No. BKR6EQUP Stock Number 3199 Plug Gap .032"*
Iridium IX Part No. BKR6EIX, Stock No 6418, Plug gap .032”
Ruthenium HX Part No. FR6AHX-S, Stock 94279, Plug Gap .032”

4.6is
Laser Platinum Part No. BKR6EQUP Stock Number 3199 Plug Gap .032"*
Iridium IX Part No. BKR6EIX, Stock No 6418, Plug gap .032”
Ruthenium HX Part No. FR6AHX-S, Stock 94279 , Plug Gap .032”

4.8is
Iridium IX Part No. ZFR6H11, Stock No 6441 Plug gap .044”
Lazer iridum part No. IZFR6HFIX-11 stock No. 4294 (OE plug)
Ruthenium HX Part No. FR6AHX-S, Stock 94279, Plug Gap .044”

I added the newest plug the "Ruthenium" that has some added burn enhancements and longevity properties. In the engine world nothing stands still. Technology is always moving forward.

* Actual OE plug

Note corrected info
4/28/20

Plug tools to add to your tool box that will make your life easier

GearWrench (KD 41740)
3 Piece 5/8 in. Magnetic Universal Spark Plug Service Kit
MFG: GEARWRENCH
Part No: 41740
Item Number: KD 41740
In stock: Yes www.tooltopia.com
MSRP: $84.20
PRICE:
$36.69

Thexton (THX492)
Spark Plug Installer/Remover Kit
MFG: THEXTON
Part No: 492
Item Number: THX492
In stock: Yes www.tooltopia.com
MSRP: $14.15
PRICE:
$11.34
Features and Benefits:

Start and remove spark plugs in deeply recessed cylinder spark plug holes
Set includes 3" and 6" plug starters
6" length is designed for coil-on plug applications and other engines with recessed spark plugs
The shorter version is for other applications where space is limited
Can't reach or safely start spark plugs in deep recessed holes? This kit contains the tools to fit most spark plugs especially coil-on-plug. Tools are made of flexible, heat-resistant plastic to reach into recessed areas or over, under and around hot manifolds. Shaft is stepped to grip insulator. Non-slip, black grip surface for sure handling.

Bosch Spark Plug Gap Guage - 0986600000
Part # Y101150379BOS
In Stock: Yes https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...bos/10853051-P

I had a bad experience using other than OE plugs (they lasted less than 30,000 miles) so I stick with the NGK on our 3.0s now. I've exclusively used bosch platinum on previous cars though, and if other people have good luck with them i wouldn't recommend against them. I don't have a 4 wire gap tool, but was careful to check the cardboard protection tube was intact and each plug looked as if factory gap was identical.

Plugs manufacturers actually make a tool to check the gap on the older style three/four prong ground strap plugs. Looks like a small steel tube. NO ONE buys one. They assume the factory knows what they are doing and just screw them in. 99% of the time they are golden.

Regarding plug manufactures and good VS bad experiences, in the mid '80s to late 90's, gasoline in the US was in a constant state of change (see winter blend mandates in CA and New England). This mix of solutions to gov mandates resulted in combustion temps that were and still are 100 degrees colder at idle when compared to lead based fuels. Add in NOX reduction attempts (Early EGR valves, etc)and other engineering first steps and you get poor running engines where the plug got the blame. Too many techs relied on one example to assume everything was bad. I spent way too many hrs dealing with "Bloc Heads"and bench racers at dealerships and race tracks that I now twitch uncontrollably at the conversations.....:wow:

In response, most manufacturers revamped their plug heat range recommendations and at the same time introduced precious metal plugs that provided the added flex in performance that mitigate gas variations.

All brands/plugs that are the right heat range, sizing, and fit for our applications will deliver as they were designed. The newer releases from every plug brand will be an improvement from the OE single ground strap "copper plugs" (REALLY OLD STYLE) to multi-prong plugs that were all the rage in 1998. The precious metal plugs like the NGK IX will provide a driver noticeable improvements in tip in acceleration, idle stability, and longer running life. On the 4.8is they came with the first versions of the NGK IX as OE installed.

I just pulled a set of plugs out that had 70K of idling, highway, and city short runs. The gap was on target to .020" wider on the cyl that were nearest the firewall. Car ran fine. The installation of new plugs and boots resulted in a return to smoother idle and an improvement in tip in. All normal results. Could the driver tell? NO. She noticed the car was washed and vacuumed that is all. :)

I would recommend the IX and any other brand to everyone based on real world results.

Helpful? As I did not want to add to a "my brand is better than your brand" back fires and mud slinging. Disclaimer: I worked for Champion in a previous life for what that is worth. As there were lots of individuals who were my counterparts who could have cared less about cars other than at work. They were into to golf...:dunno:

Thanks I will give the IX a try. Currently have Bosch installed last year by po and even though they looked good (checked them 10k miles later when doing valve stem seals) at this point I will try everything before doing my intermediate levers.

Iridium IX part# is 6441

Laser Iridium is 4294

Corrected the posting
Thanks for catching that. I was using my iPad and could not read the NGK site correctly.old age moment.
The back ground on the two Iridium plugs is the fact that the 4.8is used the first generation Iridium plug as the IX version came after production. The difference is the metal in the center electrode

Ok cool, replacing mine ask we speak

If you want to see how much plugs make a difference in idle and tip in acceleration, install the Bosch 3/4 prong plugs, drive 100 mile to burn off all the factory coatings, then install the NGK IRIDIUM IX plugs. I tried just that a few years ago right after I purchased the X5. Did not looking on NGK website ordered the wrong plugs from a vendor due to their miss information. Completely different experience.

SPARK PLUG UPDATE- NGK ETC...
 

Greetings everyone-

I spent some time this morning on the phone with NGK headquarters discussing the proper spark plug for the BMW x5 (all engines).

The answer is NGK BKR6EQUP

They specifically do not recommend the bkr6eix as it is in their words- an inferior plug and fouls more often, and needs to be replaced no longer than every 20k miles.

The BKR6EQUP has a stronger electrode , comes gapped correctly at .032 and will last longer with better results all around.

By the way- if you see the #3199 before or after the NGK or BKR6EQUP, that number is simply a stock number used by the auto parts stores.

NGK Plugs and respective gap settings
 

That plug (NGK Laser Platinum BKR6EQUP Stk #3199) is the actual OE plug on the X5 for 3.0, 4.4, and 4.6is

On the 4.8is
Iridium IX Part No. IZFR6H11, Stock No 4294, Plug gap .044” (OE PLUG)

I updated the spreadsheet based on your conversations with NGK which I found interesting as their comments matched Champion's efforts to push for a "TRUCK" SPECIFIC" plug that had a larger center electrode to reduce erosion under continuous hard acceleration pulls such as found in heavy vehicles with little 3.0 engines :) and towing.
***********************************

NGK Plugs and gap settings for X5's (Updated 4/28/2020)

3.0
Laser Platinum Part No. BKR6EQUP Stock Number 3199 Plug Gap .032"*
Iridium IX Part No. BKR6EIX, Stock No 6418, Plug gap .032”
Ruthenium HX Part No. FR6AHX-S, Stock 94279, Plug Gap .032”

4.4
Laser Platinum Part No. BKR6EQUP Stock Number 3199 Plug Gap .032"*
Iridium IX Part No. BKR6EIX, Stock No 6418, Plug gap .032”
Ruthenium HX Part No. FR6AHX-S, Stock 94279, Plug Gap .032”

4.6is
Laser Platinum Part No. BKR6EQUP Stock Number 3199 Plug Gap .032"*
Iridium IX Part No. BKR6EIX, Stock No 6418, Plug gap .032”
Ruthenium HX Part No. FR6AHX-S, Stock 94279 , Plug Gap .032”

4.8is
Iridium IX Part No. ZFR6H11, Stock No 6441 Plug gap .044”
Lazer Iridum part No. IZFR6HFIX-11 stock No. 4294 Plug gap .044” (OE plug) *
Ruthenium HX Part No. FR6AHX-S, Stock 94279, Plug Gap .044”

I added the newest plug the "Ruthenium" that has some added burn enhancements and longevity properties. In the engine world nothing stands still. Technology is always moving forward.

* Actual OE plug

Note corrected info
4/28/20