NachoLibre

Hello Everyone, My 2011 e550 just reached 60k. I guess its time for the spark plug change. I checked with dealer and its like 18$ a plug. Is there any other brand that I can buy online. I want to stay similar to stock material. What you guys recommend. Thanks

homeofstone

I recommend NGK laser iridium plugs. Its what I have used for the last 8 years. About $13.00 each at Advance auto parts.

Ed99

I just had mines done at MB and paid $349 for parts and install. Not sure if that is reasonable price or not.

aaacsdai

Ed99, not to be a SA, but 350 bucks is only reasonable if you have no tools, on the other hand Iridium NGK's for 13 bucks is pretty reasonable.

aaacsdai

NGK (4288) PLKR7A Laser Platinum Spark Plug, original equipment-MY 11, E-550, Gap .032, this is a laser Platinum plug that has been around for many years, 10.77 each-Amazon.

Bosch YR7MPP33 Original Equipment Fine Wire Platinum Spark Plug, GAP .032, this is also a Laser Platinum plug, 10.07 each-Amazon.

Denso IXUH22 Iridium Power Spark Plug, Gap .032, 8.99 Advance Auto Parts.

Homeofstone may know what the Laser Iridium Spark Plug part number is-I could not find it.

homeofstone

I looked up a 2011 e550 plugs. It may be that NGK only makes Laser platinum plugs for the 2011 E550. Still about $13.00 each.

CarPartsDiscount.com

Here are a few options for your engine. Please let me know if you have any questions or if i can be of any further assistance.

https://www.carpartsdiscount.com/cat...html?3594=2171

Live Oak

I'm sorry --- I guess I'm politically (or economically) incorrect.

Why would the owner of a $70,000 car worry about $144 for spark plugs every 60,000 miles????

aeroconfigs

I don't know, you shouldn't. So how about you send me $144 and I'll send you the plugs?

unr1

homeofstone

I thought the same thing, but I buy my plugs and do the work myself because I enjoy working on and restoring cars as a hobby.

Arrie

I have a 2010 E550 and the manual for the car lists the NGK plugs already mentioned in the other posts in this thread. NGK plugs have proven to be the best for me out there and this is what I always install on any motorized equipment I have if it is available.


I just changed my own plugs and it was like $110 for 8 plugs at Advance Autoparts.

belarus27

how easy was the process? and how long did it take you? and do i need any special tools? i have e550 with 73k miles , and i never done spark plugs....time has come.
thank you in advance

GuestFromTampa

Very easy DIY , take a look here -
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ark-plugs.html

Arrie

The tools you need are the 6" extension spark plug socket, torque wrench and a torx key for removing the coils. I used 25 Nm torque for the plugs.

aaacsdai

History: Both companies NGK and Denso Spark Plugs (SP) are cut from the same cloth (NipponDenso).

Bosch has been manufacturing SP's ever since the 30's for German auto makers-and MB, BMW, Porsche, and VW have had their logos imprinted on Bosch plugs for years-it is a marketing tactic that has proven successful for Bosch.

Go here (http://densoautoparts.com/spark-plug-part-numbering) for the Denso Spark Plug fact sheet that explains Bosch, Denso, NGK, and Champion SP data in depth.

Nacholibre-go here (http://densoautoparts.com/spark-plug-installation) to learn how to install a Spark Plug using a Denso Iridium SP (This is generic and can be used for any SP installation) includes required SP torque specifications for both steel and aluminum heads based on SP size.

Arrie is correct for the Spark Plug Socket-the size is 5/8 inch, the plugs listed for the W212's is a short 5/8 inch resistor mid range heat wise plug, so using NGK heat scale range 1-12, 7 leaning towards the colder side of the range requiring a higher octane fuel as stated in the MB specifications because the higher octane ignites faster and cleaner-so the higher the octane the better-a hotter plug say 6 can burn 87-89 octane efficiently because lower octane requires more heat-dirtier to ignite.

The cleaner burn means less fuel consumption, fuel waste, and less exhaust residue, check out a well tuned auto using high octane and exhaust residue leans towards grayscale-clean burn, while even a well tuned auto using low 87-89 octane will have exhaust residue leaning towards blackscale-hotter-dirtier burn, this is also why fuel with ETHANOL that replaces needed octane shortens engine life and overall increases cost.

iridium7777

anyone know how to do this on the m276 engine? i'm confused about how to take off the top half of the engine cover that hides the sparkplugs. the bottom (for the oil) one comes off pretty easy, but the other one seems like it's screwed in, do you have to remove the 4 screws around the V6 logo -- is that what hold it in?

Arrie

I have not done it on a V6 engine but I believe it is the same way as the V8.


You first take that bottom (front) part off. You disconnect the air intake hose and there probably is another hose under that bottom part that connects the air box to the EGR valve. This needs to be disconnected too.


If you look at the picture you can see the shiny metal wire retainer right in the middle back edge of the air box between the box and the fire wall. You need to push this retainer out towards the fire wall. After this I believe you can just lift the air box out. I do it in mine by just lifting the bottom edge first and then take it of the seal connection to the air intake to the engine. Air intake is right where the steel wire retainer is.


But again, my explanation is for my car with the V8 engine but I really think it is built the same way on V6 engines.

cc16177

I see your point, but for someone like myself who came from nothing and worked his way to get to a Mercedes E class, I don't like to waste money.

If I enjoyed blowing money on stuff I didn't have to, i'd probably still be driving my Jetta.

Just my opinion...

BrianE

+1!!!

NachoLibre

I ordered the Bosch SP from rockauto.com.
Got 8 plugs + Mann oil filter + drain plug gaskets for 90$ shipped. I will do the sparkplug job at next oil change. I guess its time to hunt for a good torque wrench. Thanks everyone

beejAMG

very well said. some people always assume that you should be crapping money if you drive a merc and shouldnt worry about repairs, maintenance, petrol and insurance. same with others, if i can save a buck here and there and ive got the time and skill, why not?

NachoLibre

Changed the plugs last weekend. I nothing a good drop in MPG. The car is also taking its time to warm up. It seem that it is taking for ever to warm up in the morning. With old plugs the worse MPG I saw was 14, but now 12. I did Bosch plug should i switch to NGK.

aeroconfigs

I did mine a couple weeks ago with NGK and it seems to be giving about the same fuel economy. Maybe a little better. I usually drive on city streets and take short trips so it's more dependent on whether I hit a few green lights. I did notice that it seems to run more smoothly at idle.

Arrie

Bosch is a German company and makes lots of electronics for cars also other than German cars. But if MB uses NGK plugs over Bosch there must be a reason for it...if I was you I would get the correct NGK plugs for the car...


Over the years I have learned that NGK makes the best spark plugs for pretty much every possible application there is.