Spark Plugs......again???

[Dr. T]

Went to order plugs and found out that even the replacement Bosch FR8LC (7959) are no longer available/discontinued (confirmed by Bosch Tech Support Line) with no Bosch replacement for our cars.

So, on to NGK.... found threads here that the correctly listed ZFR5F (7558) caused the car to run worse that Bosch....others claim they're OK (resistance is 4.5Ohm?).

Also found others using BKR6E (6962) and BKR6EK (2288) with good results. Both are listed for the V-8 (740/840Ci) whereas the 2288 is a double-electrode plug. What are the other differences between the E and EK? What are the resistance values for these?

Which NGK to use???

Also, what is the correct plug gap? The Bosch used to come in at .028" whereas the NGK's are .031" out of the box. Which is correct value?

[BMSman]

I use BKR6EK from this supplier in my 850i. Pre-gapped. Stock ignition coils.
http://www.sixityauto.com/6-pc-6-x-n...SABEgK_YfD_BwE

[clubE31]

F8LCR2, 1 ohm plug ... best choice for the V12 (and almost no difference with the original, no longer available, bosch plugs), i have both installed and identical (original... idle is a bit smoother).
BMW replacement plug: no go... wrong plug it is 4 ohm.

[m6bigdog]

F8LDCR plugs from 1998 740, M62 (dual ground electrode plug)
They have the R1 designation, measured spark plug resistance @ 1.47k ohms.
They are non-adjustable, so there is no need to gap them.

The F8LDCR plugs are identical to the F8LCR with the exception of the Dual Ground electrode.

Installed in 850, M73 @ 43785 mi. now 81900 mi. they work great.

edit, Added BMW OE & Bosch Spark Plug info...

[Dr. T]

F8LCR2, 1 ohm plug ... best choice for the V12 (and almost no difference with the original, no longer available, bosch plugs), i have both installed and identical (original... idle is a bit smoother).
BMW replacement plug: no go... wrong plug it is 4 ohm.

Huub, I thought that both the i/Ci original-spec F8LCR and the CSi-spec F8LCR2 were discontinued long ago with the FR8LCR the replacement. No? Is the F8LCR2 still available?


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[clubE31]

oeps your right... wrong copy/paste:
NGK BKR6EK is the one..... 1 ohm (F8LCR2 is NLA......F8LCR is the replacement but no good, 4 ohm).

[M6csi]

One can still get the F8LCR from BMW dealers, albeit a little on the pricey side at about $10 each or so.

[Dr. T]

Bert, I thought the last update on dealer plugs said that 1/2 the plugs ordered came labelled as FR8LCR and 1/2 were F8LCR....made in Russia.

Does anyone have any further info on the NGK BKR6E (6962) vs. BKR6EK (2288)? As far as I can tell, the 6E is single pole, while the EK is double pole. Are the resistances the same? The 6E's are a great deal at $1.99!

Is the correct gap .028" or .032"? From what I remember, the Bosch used to come gapped at .028", whereas the NGK's come at .028". Which is the correct one to set them to?
Does the gap size have an effect on resistance?

[Mikekugel]

If you look at the bosch spark plug cross reference for the F8LDCR which M6BigDog is using in his M73 V12 powered car you will see that the NGK equivalent is the BKR6EK. I run the NGK's in my 93 M70, and they are just fine. If you were to test the plugs with a good Volt Ohm meter, I use a FLUKE, you will see that the NGK, which says R1 on the insulator has 1000 Ohms resistance. They are both Double ground electrode plugs. The NGK BKR6EK is specified for the V8 840, and is one heat range cooler than the original NLA R1 Bosch plug. If you are concerned about that, perhaps you might wish to get the Bosch F8LDCR plugs. Neither plug requires gapping. Almost all new spark plugs are 5000 Ohm or more resistance. One problem is that the M70 engine computers rely on the doughnut ring sensing coils on the spark plug wires #6, and #12 for cam position. Each original plug wire has a 5000 Ohm resistor in the plug boot end, and when you add 5k more resistance with a modern plug, it chokes the current flow, and thus the signal pickup can become erratic, and put you into limp mode. Also at idle the car can run a bit rough. My car starts up at just a tap of the key hot, and almost as quickly cold. M6BigDogs car runs extremely well.

[M6csi]

Bert, I thought the last update on dealer plugs said that 1/2 the plugs ordered came labelled as FR8LCR and 1/2 were F8LCR....made in Russia.

Hmm, interesting! Bought my last set of 12 from the dealer back in 2014 and they were the genuine articles. Things could have changed over the last few years though. I may have to order another set F8LCR just to see what the present situation is com BMW.

[EUGAN]

If you are interested in plugs that work, are cheap, and easily found, try Champion RC12YCs. Been using them for four years in 93 m70. Stock coils. Smooth idle, no missing to red line and you can use them in your lawn mower if you don't like them.

[JDP530]

Well, I screwed up again! I started ordering parts for my car project before I had even unloaded it into my garage here at home. I didn't catch the thread in regard to spark plug wire sets until recently. I had ordered several items from rockauto including a wire set and sure enough, after looking at them last night, they require plugs with threaded terminals. This set of wires look pretty decent. Leads are copper core instead of 'metallic core'. I started searching for plugs with threaded terminals but I haven't had any luck. Its been too long for me to return them but if I can't find plugs I will call rockauto and see if they will accept a return.

[PabloRock]

Well, I screwed up again! I started ordering parts for my car project before I had even unloaded it into my garage here at home. I didn't catch the thread in regard to spark plug wire sets until recently. I had ordered several items from rockauto including a wire set and sure enough, after looking at them last night, they require plugs with threaded terminals. This set of wires look pretty decent. Leads are copper core instead of 'metallic core'. I started searching for plugs with threaded terminals but I haven't had any luck. Its been too long for me to return them but if I can't find plugs I will call rockauto and see if they will accept a return.

Which wires did you order? I did the same thing, and they took them back at their cost (although I think it was within the return period). But the reason they took them back is because it wasn't as advertised (OEM). The OEM plugs do not have a removable tip, so if the boots don't fit, they are not OEM. It took me a bit to make the argument, but they did finial admit they were not correct (I think the manufacture did), and paid for the return shipping. I believe they were the Standard Motor 29906. I ended up going with a set from Turner Motorsports, which were actually a Bavarian Autosport set. They only issue I had with these is that they didn't come with the protective metal things around the wires, and the driver side coil lead was a little short so it couldn't follow the same path as the original (had to go on the other side of the oil filter). So you may be able to make and argument for a return.

[72tpik5]

Get your wires here.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ghlight=shogun

[JDP530]

Which wires did you order? I did the same thing, and they took them back at their cost (although I think it was within the return period). But the reason they took them back is because it wasn't as advertised (OEM). The OEM plugs do not have a removable tip, so if the boots don't fit, they are not OEM. It took me a bit to make the argument, but they did finial admit they were not correct (I think the manufacture did), and paid for the return shipping. I believe they were the Standard Motor 29906. I ended up going with a set from Turner Motorsports, which were actually a Bavarian Autosport set. They only issue I had with these is that they didn't come with the protective metal things around the wires, and the driver side coil lead was a little short so it couldn't follow the same path as the original (had to go on the other side of the oil filter). So you may be able to make and argument for a return.

I called the mfr two days ago but they were not willing to help. I may give rockauto a call tomorrow. Thanks,

[PabloRock]

It's worth a shot. As I said, the OEM Bosch plugs do not have a removable tip (I bought the car many moons ago with low mileage, so I am assuming the plugs I changed were the originals). The argument I made was how can you say they are OEM boots, if they don't fit the OEM plugs.

[JDP530]

Well, rockauto was kind enough to accept a return of the Standard Auto brand spark plug wire set. You cannot communicate by phone with them. They want any problems to be resolved using their website but I eventually found an email address so I wrote them a note late last night and got a response today. I did mention that the wire set did not meet the OEM requirements.

[TedBobo]

They are non-adjustable, so there is no need to gap them.

The F8LDCR plugs are identical to the F8LCR with the exception of the Dual Ground electrode.

Installed in 850, M73 @ 43785 mi. now 81900 mi. they work great.

Thanks! Good to know.