Spark plugs - NGK vs. Denso

TiSiBeast · 9th March 2006, 21:04

NGK is OEM as I understand. Is the correct #3199 - BRK6QUP? I am getting ready to swap plugs and I think they are correct. Price vs. the denso's seems HUGE! Found the NGK's for $6.78 each vs. the first place I found the Denso Iridiums - $24.00 each! Can their really be that much desparity?

aaronmiles · 9th March 2006, 22:57

NGK BKR6EQUP is what you are after (you missed an 'E'). It's personal preference I guess, but I figure that BMW used them for a reason and if they are good enough for BMW they are good enough for me. If I were cynical I could say that the only reason they used them is because they were cheap and they have agreements with NGK to use their plugs, but if we thought like that we'd never buy anything

The Iridiums are probably a fantastic plug, but the net increase in performance or efficiency is probably rather negligible.

At least if something goes wrong and you want to take it to a dealer to diagnose, you wont have to change the plugs incase they realise they are different and stop looking for the 'real' fault.

Beamer_usa · 9th March 2006, 23:00

IMO I would stay OE NGK. Like the previous post says if you go to the $tealer with a problem they will blame the non OE plugs. No matter if they are to blame or not. DON'T GIVE THEM ANY EXCUSES! THEY HAVE ENOUGH!

TiSiBeast · 9th March 2006, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beamer_usa

IMO I would stay OE NGK. Like the previous post says if you go to the $tealer with a problem they will blame the non OE plugs. No matter if they are to blame or not. DON'T GIVE THEM ANY EXCUSES! THEY HAVE ENOUGH!

Im there with you Beamer - I ordered the NGK's. Just for S&G's I called the stealership for their price. $14.99 each. I bought them online for $6.78. And I didn't have to pay tax. I got the whole set of 8 shipped for less than half of what I would have paid the stealer for 4...

mottati · 9th March 2006, 23:09

I have the irridum densos in my car. Honestly, i can't say that they are 3x better than the factory plug. i put fresh bmw ngk's in the car (cost around $8-9 iirc, but i have a good source) and about 6k miles later i put a set of the denso irridums in. Left them in for another 6-7k miles. MPG actually went up according to the obc by around 0.5mpg, car didn't feel any different honestly. I read the potential internet horror stories about the irridums and put the oe ngks back in, mpg did drop slightly again, but no noticable difference in performance. After a little more research, i think the internet horror stories about plugs breaking up did not actually apply to the currently available denso's, so what the heck, i put them back in.

The only thing of interest in all of this rambling is this.... The denso's came out looking much 'cleaner' after 6-7k of use than the bmw/ngks for a similar amount of milage. Not sure if that means better or more complete combustion or what with the irridiums...
Mike

E55AMG2 · 10th March 2006, 03:52

The intended use for iridium plugs was for high boost applications. (thin electrode doesnt cause as much turbulence, and the small gap doesnt let the spark blow out). So, if there is any real difference in an NA car...it will be minute

SC'dKellenersM5 · 10th March 2006, 05:06

NGK is better than denso....

I have seen it both in the M5 and now with my 4runner. Toyota uses both plugs (and more times than not, mixes them in engines) with poor performance. The NGK's have been shown to really be the better plug.

KirklandM5 · 10th March 2006, 05:35

why not try a NGK IRidium...check out what's avaialbe at KRagen..

BTW , i you like changing plugs oftent copper plugs work fine

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...or=Spark+Plugs

6spd · 10th March 2006, 06:13

Mottati, changing that soon was for a test?

I have NGK Iridiums in the BMW and NGK in everything I own.

I have seen first hand Toyota putting Denso in one side and NGK in the other. Falls into the JUST IN TIME parts theory.

I have not seen in recent months any of the old type of Denso's with the pad that comes off. Now if I can just figure out what oil wieght the NGK's like best.

SC'dKellenersM5 · 10th March 2006, 06:15

Kirkland.

I am swapped from NGK Laser Iridium (an OEM plug for toyota) to the IX's and they made a significant difference in performance. Throttle response, mid range torque and upper band power all increase while smoothing out and already smooth idle.

I too would suggest those that want to swap over to an iridium plug to go with the NGKs