So I went to the dealer today to get some new OE plugs for my MINI and the dealer wanted $22 for each plug.

REDICULOUS!!!!

Obviously, I did not purchase them. But now I need to find a better source for new spark plugs as no local part stores carry them either. After reading some threads it sounds like the OEs are the safest way to go for our cars. Is this the general consensus. If not, what other plugs would be good and which one's should I be sure to stay away from?

 

Salt Lake Valley as in Utah? If so, the big box parts stores Checker, Autozone, Advance, should carry the NGK Iridium plugs for that puppy. Search the threads for NGK plugs- you'll find the part number.

-skip-

 

southbay bmw quoted me $18 something dollars for each plug for my 93 bmw.

ordered the exact same plugs for 6 bucks online.

 

+1

 

I paid almost $23 per plug here in Holland!! Be glad that you have the option of alternative parts sources!!

Cheers!!

 

i just bought the NGK irridiums at pep boys for 6.50 each. i also just oredered jackson racing wired from moss for $34, i couldnt pass that up...

i will also note that the NGK irridiums for the R50 is the same part number as it is for an 04 honda civic, which i find comical.

 

I wish!!!! I was going to replace the plugs in my JCW..... $60+...... EACH!!!!!

 

Mini and BMW don't manufacture spark plugs, they buy them from others. As you should too! Just cross-reference the plug and shop on line.

I'm just baffled why anyone would buy a generic part from a dealer.

Matt

 

Recently there was a thread on this subject. I believe that a search on sparkplugs.com yielded lots better prices

 

I agree with you, but I also don't want to give MINI any reason to not give my full coverage on the warranty if anything happens. I figured I would get a high quote of something around 15-20.

If I change my plugs, it will be after market, but I will just hold on to the originals and replace them when I go in for a service.

 

that's exactly where I got mine.

 

Me too! sparkplugs.com is a real money saver. JCW plugs are ~$40 each from the dealer, and only ~$8 from sparkplugs.com.

 

Sparkplugs.com has the Denso IK-20 for 11.99 each. I bought 4 of them on eBay with reasonable shipping for 32.99 recently. A search there should yield similar results.

For the record I am using the Denso IK-20s and have had not problem with them loosening. I check them every 5000 miles when I do an oil change. I highly recommend them with the caveat to be safe only install or re-torque them with the engine stone cold.

Rich

 

Thinking back fondly to the days of the BPR6ES NGK's that cost something like $3.50 each when I was buying them for the MGB.

 

Thinking farther back fondly to the days when the Autolites were 29 cents each for the '69 Ford pickup. And a gas fill up was pocket change. Yeah, thinking back...

Skip

 

That would be WAAAAYYYY back!!

Cheers!!

 

Actually, I remember those too. My first car fill-ups cost me all of $6.00 for 12 gallons.

 

Well, I seem to remember that when I was looking for 5-spoke wheels for my first car, I had the choice of oak or ash. I think.

 

NGK Iridium plugs are expensive, but dealers gouge the hell out of the general public. But then again, I've been spoiled by my parts sources. Doing a full service/tune on my MCS costs me about $100.00 total in parts. I'm uber slow though, so what I make up for in parts I lose in my own time.

 

 

That'll never fool the dealer. Plus, putting sparkplugs in it doesn't matter at all, since the dealer doesn't touch the plugs before 100k. All they would ever do (at least according to the dealer here) is put their own plugs in when they next serviced it. And charge you accordingly.

Why do you want aftermarket? NGK *is* the MINI brand. The NGK plugs you buy from sparkplugs.com (or wherever) simply don't come with the MINI/BMW logo.

 

Got my JCWs here:

http://www.ngk.com/results_cross.asp...r7equp&x=0&y=0

 

Maybe . . . but we all know logos can add 5hp each

 

 

Yes, NGK are the stock plugs. That is why I want them. I was asking if I am unable to get the stock plugs what would be a close alternative to stock. Not looking for a performance enhancement out of a plug.

When I went to the dealer I was expecting a couple dollars of a premium but it's close and convenient. But $22 is a joke!