I bought an '03 R53 with 95,000 on it two years ago. At 100,000 I removed the original (I presume) plugs and replaced with Champion 318s. I have used Champion plugs for years in my Olds and Chevy and been satisfied. Now at 150,000 and 3 sets (less than 10 bucks for 4) I'm glad I use them in the Mini. I average around 31 mpg with maybe 34 on highway (usually cruise at 80). Best "range" after refill was last Nov. heading to Charleston, 572 (if you can trust the range calculator).


Anyone else use Champions? Just curious.

 

You can be the OEM ngk's for 7-10$ each if you look around....good for another100,000 on a cooper or a s with no pulley....but I always say, if it works for you, go for it...YFM.

 

My ex used to call me an effin moron, thanks!

 

I've had good luck with Champion plugs in my dad's chevy truck, and 60's bel air, and of course the lawn mower but they didn't work as well in other cars. We've found over the years that the NGK's to be the best and most reliable in the R53. So go with them and you'll be happy.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/r53-sto...gs-by-ngk.html

 

NGK's with their rolled threads are also much kinder on spark plug holes in aluminum heads compared to Champions with their cut threads.

 

Thanks, Will keep that in mind. And the ngk spark is directly centered so no need to index like the Champion.

 

P.S.
YFM = Your Freaking Money
Its your car, your $$, spend it as you want!!

 

PSS
YFM (you freaking money) is meant to imply that there is (IMO) no clear winner $$ wise by making a choice...but MY money is to have a plug that is the OEM speced Product that is intended to have a life of about 100,000 miles (non-pulley, non JCW car)....not 25,000 miles as the op says he is getting...so even if one DIY'S the plug changes, the cost is about the same since the OEM ngk's are $ 7-10 from various places...so 4x the labour/time if the cost was the same.
While it is not the product I picked, folks picking none mainstream products sometime discover a gem of a product or a real $$$ saver....so while in this case, it is a break even $$ wise, the extra time and wear and tear IMO makes it a dubious choice....