I'm wanting to change the spark plugs in my 99' 528i as I recently got the
car and not sure when it was last done. I pulled one out today and it has
"Bosch Platinum +4"'s in it currently, I'm not sure if these are BMW
installed or after market. Would you guys suggest replacing them with same
said plug? or is there a better plug to buy for that car? or a better
recommended one?
Thank You
-Branden
Ted - 30 Jul 2005 06:11 GMT
> I'm wanting to change the spark plugs in my 99' 528i as I recently got the
> car and not sure when it was last done. I pulled one out today and it has
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thank You
> -Branden
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp?HC1=0&htarget=asgridyearmodel.asp&Hecode=&hdept_
id=25&HCY=1999&HCM=528i
Sharkman540i - 30 Jul 2005 06:14 GMT
do not use platinum in a bmw.... crap!
>> I'm wanting to change the spark plugs in my 99' 528i as I recently got
>> the
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp?HC1=0&htarget=asgridyearmodel.asp&Hecode=&hdept_
id=25&HCY=1999&HCM=528i
anon - 30 Jul 2005 09:21 GMT
BKR6EK up to 99'
BKR6EQUP from 99' onwards.
These are the correct fitment for this model NGK plugs,
Neither are platinum, so dont waste your money fitting an expensive plug
which isnt designed for the car.
Regards.
Steve.
> I'm wanting to change the spark plugs in my 99' 528i as I recently got the
> car and not sure when it was last done. I pulled one out today and it has
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thank You
> -Branden
Malt_Hound - 30 Jul 2005 13:01 GMT
> I'm wanting to change the spark plugs in my 99' 528i as I recently got the
> car and not sure when it was last done. I pulled one out today and it has
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thank You
> -Branden
As others have said, you really don't need (or want) to use platinum
plugs on your car. Folks use Bosch (original equipment) or NGK plugs
with about equal success and they both work fine and cost less than the
+4's.
-Fred W
Blake Dodson - 30 Jul 2005 18:18 GMT
Boy oh boy!
I installed +4 Bosch in my 3.5 and it runs better than ever. I even
have buddies with turbo charged cars and platinum is ALL they will use.
Some people have issues with plugs other than "originals", however I
have not. Some older cars had resistor wires and non resistor plugs.
Then one day the owner switches to resistor plugs and then notices a
drop in top-end performance or poor idle.
Bimmers run lean and switching to a plug with a more intense spark can
cause undesireable running as mentioned above. Why do people buy
Platinum? Usually for performance right? That means that you are going
to drive harder thus increasing combustion temperatures on a
lean-burning, air-leak prone engine.
When going Platinum first make sure you have no air-leaks, install a
better coil, and fer gosh sakes choose a plug that is one heat range
cooler than stock.
On my 85 635 I got a bit more performance and improved my idle by
making a simple adjustment to my ECU. In the ECU is a rotary switch
that adjusts timing and fuel injector pulse width. I increased pulse
width +2% and I have never been happier.
Anyone want my old Silbers?
DieInterim
anon - 01 Aug 2005 10:46 GMT
Why do people buy
> Platinum? Usually for performance right?
Actually platinum plugs are designed to last longer since the platinum tip
is les likely to burn out,
Intervals between replacing platinum plugs are generally twice sometimes 3
times the mileage simply because they will outlast regular plugs.
performance is neglegable since they will both provide a spark strong enough
to do its job as long as they are in good condition.
Steve.
Malt_Hound - 01 Aug 2005 11:50 GMT
> Why do people buy
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> performance is neglegable since they will both provide a spark strong enough
> to do its job as long as they are in good condition.
Yes, that is the "performance" I was alluding to; Spark plug
performance. I certainly did not intend to infer that the engine would
produce more or less power due to the brand or type of spark plug.
But the reality of the Bosch +4's is that they do not provide that kind
of longevity increase when used in cars not specifically designed for
them, at least not in my experience. That's why I use the standard
plugs specified. They are cheaper and when replaced on schedule have
never caused any problems.
-Fred W
Branden Nelsen - 01 Aug 2005 15:08 GMT
Thank you all for the replies. From what im getting here is that these plugs
wont really do much for the engine at all. These are the plugs that were in
there from when I bought the car and last I knew they were changed with the
service 2 over 100,000mi ago. Is there a plug that you all recommend to work
with my 528i? If it makes a difference I have about 173,000mi on the car.
-Branden
> I'm wanting to change the spark plugs in my 99' 528i as I recently got the
> car and not sure when it was last done. I pulled one out today and it has
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thank You
> -Branden
anon - 02 Aug 2005 13:12 GMT
> Thank you all for the replies. From what im getting here is that these plugs
> wont really do much for the engine at all. These are the plugs that were in
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> > Thank You
> > -Branden
As previously posted the "correct" plug for this engine if your going down
the NGK route (which i always use on every engine i service unless
instructed not to) is:
BKR6EK up to 1999
BKR6EQUP from 1999 onwards.
Applogies to Malt-hound for confusion regarding "performance" description.
Steve.
Mark K - 05 Sep 2005 00:19 GMT
DON'T USE THE BOSCH, THEY WILL SCREW UP YOUR CARS PERFORMANCE. I REPLACED MY
BOSCH PLUGS WITH NGK PLUGS AND MY CAR RUNS WAY BETTER. YOU CAN GET THEM FROM
MOST AUTO PARTS STORES LIKE PEPBOYS OR ON EBAY.
> Thank you all for the replies. From what im getting here is that these plugs
> wont really do much for the engine at all. These are the plugs that were in
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> > Thank You
> > -Branden