Spark Plug Choices, Platnum or Iridium?

Subscribe
Apr 26, 2005 | 02:48 PM
  #1  
Alright, I've searched and still haven't had a straight answer as to what we need.

Here are my findings:

Stock is Beru. They are too expensive or I can't find them.

Aftermarket options:
NGK: Laser Platnum PFR5G-11 NGK $9.50-$28.00 per plug
NGK: Iridum IV BKR5EIVX-11 $6.00-$16.00 per plug


Anybody have any experience with these plugs? Different plugs? I've heard that iridium are better, so why are they lower priced?
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2005 | 02:56 PM
  #2  
If you don't mind changing them more frequently and are actually interested in performance, sometimes expensive isn't always the best. Copper plugs tend to be the best performing, and they're about $1 a plug.
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2005 | 03:01 PM
  #3  
Quote: If you don't mind changing them more frequently and are actually interested in performance, sometimes expensive isn't always the best. Copper plugs tend to be the best performing, and they're about $1 a plug.
I don't mind doing work myself, so how many miles should I expect to get out of copper plugs? And please do tell where I can get copper plugs for $1 a piece. Is that what you use?
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2005 | 03:13 PM
  #4  
Quote: I don't mind doing work myself, so how many miles should I expect to get out of copper plugs? And please do tell where I can get copper plugs for $1 a piece. Is that what you use?
Pep boys! Remember, your car has two for each cylinder, so it's a PITA but it's kind of fun if you like doing the work yourself.

Send a message to Josh R and he'll give you the plug info.
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2005 | 03:14 PM
  #5  
Quote: Pep boys! Remember, your car has two for each cylinder, so it's a PITA but it's kind of fun if you like doing the work yourself.

Send a message to Josh R and he'll give you the plug info.

Cool, will do. Thanks man!
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2005 | 04:26 PM
  #6  
I have the Iridium IX's. I didnt feel any difference in performance (I also have the evosport wires). I dont know, maybe I just didnt notice the difference or something. It was a pain in the a** changing the plugs and wires (I dont have many tools). The easiest way I found to do is take off the coil packs and you might need to remove the windshield washer jar (gives you alot more room to work).
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2005 | 04:30 PM
  #7  
Quote: I have the Iridium IX's. I didnt feel any difference in performance (I also have the evosport wires). I dont know, maybe I just didnt notice the difference or something. It was a pain in the a** changing the plugs and wires (I dont have many tools). The easiest way I found to do is take off the coil packs and you might need to remove the windshield washer jar (gives you alot more room to work).

Are iriduims supposed to be better conductors than platnums or copper? I guess, as long as you didn't feel a lack of power, that's a good thing.

Way to conquor the damn placebo effect!
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2005 | 04:59 PM
  #8  
Quote: Are iriduims supposed to be better conductors than platnums or copper? I guess, as long as you didn't feel a lack of power, that's a good thing.

Way to conquor the damn placebo effect!
You don't really need the iridiums unless you're running highly modified and need to run a tiiiiiiiiny gap setting due to high compression. Iridiums were developed to be able to produce spark in those conditions. At normal gap settings and anything short of a highly modified/high compression race motor, you're just throwing your money away.
Reply 0

MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

Explore
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Apr 26, 2005 | 08:00 PM
  #9  
Iridium is supposed to last a long time isnt it? (trying to justify the money I spent on it ). Evosport claimed an increase in power with these plugs and their wires so thats why I got them.
Reply 0
Apr 26, 2005 | 08:36 PM
  #10  
Quote: Iridium is supposed to last a long time isnt it? (trying to justify the money I spent on it ). Evosport claimed an increase in power with these plugs and their wires so thats why I got them.
Think about it - if you use copper plugs and they last for about 30k miles, assuming you don't drive like me you probably put about 15k miles on your car a year - you're worried about spark plugs lasting longer than 2 years? Even if they did last longer, does that make them worth the extra 5-15 bucks per plug? If you have a 430, that's anywhere between 80 and 240 bucks you'll be saving if you change them out every 2 years.
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE