Ok. So I bought my MINI about 4 months ago, and it is now time for new plugs. I really want to get some Copper plugs, but which ones do I get? Which plugs will be cold enough? All my mini has at the moment is an Alta CAI and an Alta OCC. Also, I don't plan on getting a SC Pulley.

I have looked all over NAM for a copper plug reccomendation and have not been able to find one

Thanks!

-Mike

 

You need to stick with iridiums.

 

Hi I have a question which is similar and can't find a diffinitive answer

I have a 2006 MCS, what are the stock spark plugs for this car. The dealer is telling me it is a BMW Bosch plug, but I am almost certain that they are the NGK BKR6EQUP, as it says here on RealOEM.

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...97&hg=12&fg=05


Any thoughts..

 

To the OP, why not use OEM plugs? They work fine and last a long, long time......

 

MINIdave,
I'm kinda just curious as to why not? Copper is a far better conductor than iridium or platnum, and if they are only used for their longevity than why not get copper instead, to get the better spark and just replace more often. Would it damage anything, or be too hot of a plug?

To get a better spark, I personally wouldn't mind at all to replace the spark plugs more frequently as long as copper plugs don't harm anything.

 

I dont know about copper plugs, but an happy so far with my Brisk Silver's. The iridium and platinum last much longer but give up conductivity.

here is lots of spark plug info https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ark-plugs.html

 

What do you mean by "better spark"?

What is your goal here, more power, better fuel economy.....???

Will there be a measurable difference to warrant the change?

Copper may be a better conductor, but there must be a reason they're not used OEM. I just figure the amount of money BMW spends to engineer these things there must be a reason they don't use them, and I doubt it has anything to do with power or fuel economy. The last consideration is that some people have had problems with blowing plugs out of the head, a different thread on the plugs is often blamed.....

 

Ooo yeah I definitely don't wanna turn a plug into a rocket. Thanks for the advice MINIdave. You're right. It does make sense that BMW puts that plug in for a reason. I'm gonna play it safe and stick with the OEM

Thanks Everybody!

 

That's the correct part number. They are the NGK plug, and that is the exact part number my dealership gave me when I called them up. They wanted $29 dollars for them at the "stealership". . . A peice. I went to Advance auto parts and they were $7 bucks each. I don't know where the dealership gets the nerve to mark up that much.

Another thing you can do to be positive about your plugs, is just pull one of them out. There is a part number stamped right on the plug.

Hope this helps you out!

And by the way, the stock plugs are not Iridium tipped, they are Platinum. I'm 100% sure of it. NGK Iridium plugs had a different part number than the one stamped on the plugs I pulled out, which were stamped with BKR6EQUP. And that's the part number from the dealership and also RealOEM.com

 

World wide, thread standard amongst all spark plug manufacturers are in this case M14 X 1.25

The most common fault for a spark plug to come loose and then possibly become a projectile is misfitting!

i see so many workshops and individuals fit spark plugs into a HOT engine, this tends to happen mostly in dealerships, where the so called mechanic, is working to a set time limit, this is wrong in so many ways, always fit spark plugs into a cold/cool engine, just think about the basics of metal expansion and contraction!*

Oh and always use a torque wrench, and never ever use any anti-seize compound, as this dramatically changes the torque applied resistance!*

I think I need to update my spark plug thread to include why a spark plug can become loose and possibly become a projectile, there are a few reasons as mentioned above, that said, it's generally just one cylinder that creates this issue, and when you have any of the above symptoms, and you have a lean running cylinder!*

Then heat harmonic vibrations, play a very dramatic role on loosening the spark plug to the point where the cylinder pressure, works away at trying to eject the spark plug, and this in turn damages the threads, to where they are no longer able to sustain a grip, and hence a spark plug is blown out of it's seat. *