biker349

hi,i've been researching this for over a week. posters on here recommend the ngk 1fr6q iridium plug. mercedes lists plug # 0041591403. i called bosch. they said the bosch fr7kpp33u was oem and it crossed referenced to the mercedes #. they also said that the bosch was extremely similar to the ngk iridium in performance and longevity. mercedes lists the plug for $17.30. i called 4 dealers and no one could verify the mfg. the only clue i got from one was that it listed the mfg. in germany. both plugs list on line for about $21.00, but in reality the bosch is about $5.60 and ngk about $10.00. the majority of online places list bosch as oem, but there are a few exceptions that list ngk. so, does anyone know definitively if bosch, or ngk is oem? am i splitting hairs and spinning my wheels? is there really much difference? i already ordered the bosch based on my somewhat inconclusive research, but am having second thoughts. so can anyone give me some advice and peace of mind?
thanks and sorry for rambling.

kjb55

Have peace of mind... both companies supply plugs OEM and the Bosch / MB relationship on plugs dates back well over a hundred years. The FR7KPP33U number is definitely an OE developed plug as supplied by Bosch. You're good.

awiner

See my reply here: https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...004-cl600.html

biker349

hey guys, thanks. you helped clear my mind. got the bosch in today and guess what, they say platinum-iridium electrode on the box. this is i believe the same description ngk uses. bosch didn't say this in any of the literature i read, they just said platinum. they should, it made a world of difference to me! i guess ngk is better at promoting their plugs and bosch's advertising is inaccurate.
thanks again for your replies.

Vander

I went to the dealer a couple of months ago to buy oem plugs for a w210, and they are using CHAMPION now!! Has the Mercedes logo printed on it and everything. I was like "are you serious?!" haha

biker349

vander, what year and model do you have? what was the part # of the plugs? what area is your dealer in? champion that's odd.

Vander

02 E430. Columbus, OH. I will look up the part # on my receipts