View Poll Results: Which spark plugs are better
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll
NGK v Bosch
02-17-2010, 10:21 AM
#1
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My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
Ordered NGK spark plugs (because some people have said that they may - or may not - be better than the OEM Bosch's) from Garry over at Newport, UPS came today, buuut 
there's a box of Bosch plugs - no NGK 
Should I send them back for NGK's or it does not really matter? Has anyone tried both?
there's a box of Bosch plugs - no NGK Should I send them back for NGK's or it does not really matter? Has anyone tried both?
02-17-2010, 10:30 AM
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Vlad, realoem.com list 3 plugs for our cars...
Bosch FR7NPP332
NGK ILZRF6D11 - Iridium (installed up to 3/2007)
NGK PLZFR6A11S - Platinum (from 3/2007)
i just replaced my factory spark plugs which were stamped "BMW NGK ILZRF6D11". so that is what i put back in but the dealer only sells the Bosch or NGK platinum as replacments now. if you want the iridium you have to buy online or local parts stores which is what i did. i also contacted NGK directly and the tech support guy said the only 1 difference between the iridium & platinum.......the iridium last approx 10-20k miles longer. they fire exactly the same and are also the same heat range!
i would assume you will be fine with either of the 3 choices. they are both reputable brands for quality.
Bosch FR7NPP332
NGK ILZRF6D11 - Iridium (installed up to 3/2007)
NGK PLZFR6A11S - Platinum (from 3/2007)
i just replaced my factory spark plugs which were stamped "BMW NGK ILZRF6D11". so that is what i put back in but the dealer only sells the Bosch or NGK platinum as replacments now. if you want the iridium you have to buy online or local parts stores which is what i did. i also contacted NGK directly and the tech support guy said the only 1 difference between the iridium & platinum.......the iridium last approx 10-20k miles longer. they fire exactly the same and are also the same heat range!
i would assume you will be fine with either of the 3 choices. they are both reputable brands for quality.
02-17-2010, 10:35 AM
#3
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My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
Vlad, realoem.com list 3 plugs for our cars...
Bosch FR7NPP332
NGK ILZRF6D11 - Iridium (installed up to 3/2007)
NGK PLZFR6A11S - Platinum (from 3/2007)
i just replaced my factory spark plugs which were stamped "BMW NGK ILZRF6D11". so that is what i put back in but the dealer only sells the Bosch or NGK platinum as replacments now. if you want the iridium you have to buy online or local parts stores which is what i did. i also contacted NGK directly and the tech support guy said the only 1 difference between the iridium & platinum.......the iridium last approx 10-20k miles longer. they fire exactly the same and are also the same heat range!
i would assume you will be fine with either of the 3 choices. they are both reputable brands for quality.
Bosch FR7NPP332
NGK ILZRF6D11 - Iridium (installed up to 3/2007)
NGK PLZFR6A11S - Platinum (from 3/2007)
i just replaced my factory spark plugs which were stamped "BMW NGK ILZRF6D11". so that is what i put back in but the dealer only sells the Bosch or NGK platinum as replacments now. if you want the iridium you have to buy online or local parts stores which is what i did. i also contacted NGK directly and the tech support guy said the only 1 difference between the iridium & platinum.......the iridium last approx 10-20k miles longer. they fire exactly the same and are also the same heat range!
i would assume you will be fine with either of the 3 choices. they are both reputable brands for quality.
guess, anything is better than the old ones that are in there now 
02-17-2010, 10:46 AM
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here's a pic of the plugs that came out of my car with 60k miles on them. they were all firing perfectly and idle was smooth. IMO, not too bad shape for 60k miles as i've seen much much worse on other cars.
02-17-2010, 09:42 PM
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My Ride: Alpine White 2006 530Xi (SLD)
02-18-2010, 05:17 AM
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My Ride: 2006 550i | Silver-Grey- A08 | Premium - Sport Package | Adaptive Headlights | Logic 7 w/ CD Changer | Bluetooth | Park Distance Control | Xenon Headlights | Comfort Access [s]Sprint Booster V1[/s] | K&N filter - Stock Box w/ Charcoal Filter Removed | Clear Side LED Markers | Matte Black Grilles | RPI Air Scoop | RPI 550i GT Exhaust | 12" Kicker w/ AMP | Headlight Euro Overlays | ACS Rep Roof\Trunk Spoilers |MTEC V2 Angel Eyes | 6000k HID Fog Lights | 19" VMR v710 Stag Wheels | Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110 Tires | Debadged | LED Courtesy Door Lamps | Sprint Booster V2 | Painted Calipers | M pedals\shift knob | HID License Plate Bulbs | R1 Drilled\Slotted Rotors | Hawk HPS Brakes| ACS replica front lip |
Just placed an order for NGK ILZRF6D11 - Iridium. I've been reading up on plugs and wanted to get them done since I'm around 55k miles. Not sure I'll do them myself, by the way, is there any reason to change the plug gap for the 550 engine? Since I heard the back two plugs are difficult, I'll just pay a local tech to do it for me. First mod I'll actually pay to get done 
02-18-2010, 07:50 AM
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Just placed an order for NGK ILZRF6D11 - Iridium. I've been reading up on plugs and wanted to get them done since I'm around 55k miles. Not sure I'll do them myself, by the way, is there any reason to change the plug gap for the 550 engine? Since I heard the back two plugs are difficult, I'll just pay a local tech to do it for me. First mod I'll actually pay to get done
02-18-2010, 10:07 AM
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NGK
part number for the Pre 10/2004 M54 I6 motor is #3199 OE or the 6418 Iridium
10/2004 -Current N52N I6 motor are #1208
04-06 545i(all 4.4L) are #3199 or the 6418
06-Current 550i (all 4.8L) #4294
**10/2004 is the date they went from M54 to the N52 ( Your build date will be located somewhere on the drivers door jam)
part number for the Pre 10/2004 M54 I6 motor is #3199 OE or the 6418 Iridium
10/2004 -Current N52N I6 motor are #1208
04-06 545i(all 4.4L) are #3199 or the 6418
06-Current 550i (all 4.8L) #4294
**10/2004 is the date they went from M54 to the N52 ( Your build date will be located somewhere on the drivers door jam)