I wouldn't "mix and match" spark plugs if I were you.

 

Not mixing and matching. I have six NGK BKR6EIX-11, but just don't know if these are ok to use? Please advise.

Thanks,

NicB.

 

All right, I finally got the skinny on the plugs. I have read a lot of posts on this forum about plugs, but ended up calling NGK directly. Here is what I learned:

BKR6EQUP (NGK-3199) a.k.a. Laser Platinum - This is the stock plug for E46s. It has has four ground electrodes, two primary, two secondary. Primary is gapped differently from secondary and why you shouldn't regap. The plug randomly fires to these gaps thereby reducing carbon build up or fouling. Again, this plug is pregapped and should not be adjusted. Yes, you will notice each of the four electrodes has a slightly different gap, this is by design.

BKR6EIX (NGK-6148) a.k.a Iridium IX - This is pregapped at .032 and should be adjusted only with a professional adjusting tool. The circle type gap tools can break the fine point on the iridium tip. This is a single ground electrode plug.

BKR6EIX-11 (NGK-3764) a.k.a Iridium IX-11 - This is pregapped at .044 and should not be used in our cars. Adjusting a gap of this width is not necessary and should not be attempted.

Overall, I think the smartest plug to go with is the Laser Platinum. It is stock in our car, which means it has undergone extensive testing. The rep told me that the Iridium plug does not last any longer than the Laser Platinum in our cars. You might get a somewhat cleaner burn, but there is a greater chance for carbon buildup over time.

To me, it makes sense to go with the stock plug. I would be highly surprised if anyone could tell an increase in performance or mileage by switching to the Iridium plugs. Anything you notice is likely due to just having new plugs in the car. Hope this helps, and please feel free to disagree.

NicB.

P.S. - You can buy all these plugs at Advance Auto Parts for $6.96 each. My stealer quoted $22.95...what a crock of ****!

 

Ok - Sounds like I need these Spark Plugs: BKR6EQUP (NGK-3199) a.k.a. Laser Platinum.

My thing is I replaced my Spark Plugs at 50,000 miles with the Bosch Platinum+4 and for the past 30,000 miles / 2-Years the Bimmer has been running just fine.

But after reading all of these comments about "DON'T use Bosch Platinum+4." I'm going to change the plugs.

I know 30,000 miles on my plugs is not a lot but I rather spend the $35-$40 bucks to change the plugs - It's a simple DIY and I like working on the Bimmer.

What's does everyone else think - should I just leave the Bosch Platinum+4 plugs in there and spend the $40 on a T-Bone and some Beer :thumbsup:

 

great post thanks for the info

 

BKR6EQUP is what I put in when I did my plugs. The plugs I pulled out had the same part number stamped on them. The only difference was that the stock plugs had a BMW logo on it.

 

Nice write up. This is next on my list as my mileage has really gotten bad recently and you saved my some research time. I don't see why not going stock is a bad thing to do. :bow:

 

BKR6EIX-11 best plugs your money can buy just put them in.They are the correct ones for 99-06 3 series etc.

 

Huh? You're contradicting the info the OP got from the manufacturer directly?

 

Subscribing for further research.

 

I have the NGK iridium plugs in my car and my car drives smooth as glass... definately smoother than before. Only problem is that there is a SIGNIFICANT loss of power, she just doesn't have the get up and go she did before. I know you can say its something else but it happened the exact time i installed my plugs, I have reset the computer (pulled battery) and tried other things and she just isn't as peppy as before. That said I'm going to pull these things after less than 300 miles and throw them away and go with the stock plugs. DEFINATELY wasn't worth the extra money I paid for the NGK iridium plugs

 

Just so you are aware, pulling the battery on our E46s doesn't reset everything like it does on the E36.

Also, like mentioned above...did you purchase the correct gap model for your car?

 

yes i did check the gap. The default gap from NGK is fine on the 3 series (according to their website http://www.ngk.com/results_app.asp?AAIA=1358243) the BMW OEM gap is .032 and the default gap on the NGKs is .030. I can't imagine that .002 is enough to cause this problem. As far as reporting back when I get new plugs I will do that. I probably won't change them for another week or so. Its not a major problem, just kind of anoying (Besides I only put 30-40 miles a week on my car). Also check out this thread:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=352589
Guy had tons of problems with his BMW and it ended up being the NGK iridium plugs. I know people swear by them, which is why i got them, but I'm going back to something else.

 

I talked to my indy about iridiums and he said to not bother with them unless you go FI.

 

Any particular reason why?

 

:thumbsup: Sticky ?

 

For whatever reason I couldn't update my previous posts, but I wanted to point out I have the BKR6EIX (NGK-6148) not the BKR6EIX-11 (NGK-3764) as they are both referred to as "iridium plugs"

 

You know, I was just thinking, the Iridiums have really fine tips that are easy to break off. I actually had purchased the iridiums but one of the six plugs had the tip broken off, and I was forced to return them. I wonder if that could be what is causing your problem. I bet when you take the plugs out the Iridium tip is broken off.

 

I would think that the loss of a tip would cause a missfire and throw a code. Like I said the car runs smooth as glass, I just don't feel the same power when I floor it as I used to. When I pull the plugs I'll look at them more closely. I looked at them a bit when I put them in and all looked normal.

 

bringing this back for the newbs like me...i will be purchasing a set of the stock NGK-3199 plugs since they came stock with the car =] thanks for the helpful post! :thumbsup:

 

Just buy them and put them in!!!!!!

 

I was using iridium for the last 3 years.. I replaced for original platinum and started the missfires.. that means iridium sparkplugs have less resistance than originals. Now I just change all the induction coils and thinking to put back the BKR6EIX-11