When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Don't know what MB recommends but running high quality non-leaded gas and regular oil changes, plugs should easily last 50k miles. My wife's RX just turned over 100k miles with the original plugs. Runs like new.
I may change my SL plugs at 50k miles.
Don't know what MB recommends but running high quality non-leaded gas and regular oil changes, plugs should easily last 50k miles. My wife's RX just turned over 100k miles with the original plugs. Runs like new.
I may change my SL plugs at 50k miles.
According to the 2013 service booklet (the one I posted above) the SL plugs are changed at 100,000KM or 4 Yrs.
Interesting. Don't know why time is a factor. Plugs unused shouldn't deteriorate. I'll agree on mileage.
I just found a booklet for a 2017 SL. It's still @ 100,000KM, but 6 yrs instead of 4.
Just a SWAG... but depending on the material used, perhaps leaving them in too long makes them harder to get out because of corrosion???
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by hornethandler
I just found a booklet for a 2017 SL. It's still @ 100,000KM, but 6 yrs instead of 4.
Just a SWAG... but depending on the material used, perhaps leaving them in too long makes them harder to get out because of corrosion???
Hmmm, that's an interesting theory. The plugs are iridium and should easily last 100,000 miles, but the 2015 Maintenance Booklet says 46,500, so that's what I do. MOST importantly is to get the right plug and install it correctly, indexed to the fuel injector (torqued to 23 Nm using genuine plugs). Honestly, I agree with @rmorin49 that the time thing is perplexing.
I'm led to believe that the 4 years is because the plugs can gall and get stuck, so I suppose you could just take them out at 4 years and put them back in again. My take though is that if you've gone to the trouble of taking them out then why not put new plugs in? A set of genuine plugs from mercedes is not much more than a full tank of fuel (UK prices), so why wouldn't you?
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by MB2timer
What, if any downside is there to not changing plugs per recommended maintenance interval?
I don't understand the short time and distance interval for iridium plugs, either. With the 2014 Maintenance Booklet, the change interval was 60,000 miles (~100,00km), but instead at 6 years. There is also no discernment between models or engines (except for the exceptions). So, it doesn't seem to matter if the car is turbocharged or not.
I've used iridium plugs for decades and generally they are good for 100,000 miles. The steel ground strap will erode long before the iridium electrode. When I have replaced my plugs on my C350 (M276 NA) at 60,000 and 124,000 miles, they looked virtually new with no noticeable change in gap. (Changing the plugs on the M276 NA 3.5 liter engine is a pain-in-the-*** since you have to remove the intake manifold.) If I had to choose between replacing the spark plugs (assuming the engine is running fine) and doing a transmission service, I would opt for the transmission service.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by streborx
Can anyone who has already changed out their OE sparkplugs confirm that MB installs iridium plugs?
Here are plugs from both my cars, the 2014 C350 (M276.9XX) and the 2015 SL400 (M276.8XX). Both plugs are marked with the Mercedes logo and both have the telltale skinny electrode. The part numbers stamped on the plugs are V6S113328 and Z6S113320. Both are made by Bosch.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I know the C350 plug looks shorter, but they are actually the same length (close). I had removed the crush washer from the SL400 plug, but the washer is the same thickness as the C350 plug.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by streborx
Can anyone who has already changed out their OE sparkplugs confirm that MB installs iridium plugs?
As you see above, genuine Mercedes plugs are iridium. But that is not the point. It is far more important and critical that you use the right plug since the threads are placed so that at 23 Nm, the plug is properly indexed to the fuel injector. (This applies to direct injection GDI engines. Non-GDI engines still use iridium plugs, I think, but indexing is not applicable.)
I recommend using genuine Mercedes plugs, however I use NGK 96427 plugs, which are also OE specific to Mercedes GDI engines.
Spent some time watching videos and researching plugs. Seems NGK is or was the supplier of the Mercedes branded OEM plug. Is this correct? Is the Bosch plug equivalent so that it will index correctly?
After watching several videos. I don't think I want to tackle this job especially if the removal of the intake manifold is required. Getting some estimates from reputable shops now.
Jetta, do you have an Indy to recommend? I found one in Martinsburg, WV. I really don't want to head down 270. Will check the dealer in Hagerstown and Sun Motors up 81. They serviced my tranny and did a great job.
Added:
Sun just got back to me. Plug replacement would be $500. They don't recommend replacing the coil packs unless there is a problem.
Last edited by rmorin49; Sep 19, 2024 at 05:34 PM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by rmorin49
Spent some time watching videos and researching plugs. Seems NGK is or was the supplier of the Mercedes branded OEM plug. Is this correct? Is the Bosch plug equivalent so that it will index correctly?
After watching several videos. I don't think I want to tackle this job especially if the removal of the intake manifold is required. Getting some estimates from reputable shops now.
Jetta, do you have an Indy to recommend? I found one in Martinsburg, WV. I really don't want to head down 270. Will check the dealer in Hagerstown and Sun Motors up 81. They serviced my tranny and did a great job.
Added:
Sun just got back to me. Plug replacement would be $500. They don't recommend replacing the coil packs unless there is a problem.
Changing plugs on your car is relatively easy. No need to remove the intake manifold, just the air intake and filters, which come off very easily. (Changing the plugs on the 3.5 liter M276 is a different story!) Have you tried the dealership? They may let you provide your own plugs. Remember, the parts department and service department are separate entities. I have not used any independent shops since I do just about all of my own work.
I installed the NGK plugs because they are identified as OE parts by FCP. I actually got mine from RockAuto. I had also tried Bosch plugs from FCP and they would not index correctly, so I returned them. The NGK plugs indexed nicely within the +/- 45° range. They actually were probably within +/- 25° to 30° to the fuel injectors.
It looks like Genuine Mercedes plugs are made in Japan, as well. If you are uncertain about the NGKs, the Genuine plugs are only a few dollars more than the NGKs.
Last edited by JettaRed; Sep 19, 2024 at 06:23 PM.
Changing plugs on your car is relatively easy. No need to remove the intake manifold, just the air intake and filters, which come off very easily. (Changing the plugs on the 3.5 liter M276 is a different story!) Have you tried the dealership? They may let you provide your own plugs. Remember, the parts department and service department are separate entities. I have not used any independent shops since I do just about all of my own work.
I installed the NGK plugs because they are identified as OE parts by FCP. I actually got mine from RockAuto. I had also tried Bosch plugs from FCP and they would not index correctly, so I returned them. The NGK plugs indexed nicely within the +/- 45° range. They actually were probably within +/- 25° to 30° to the fuel injectors.
It looks like Genuine Mercedes plugs are made in Japan, as well. If you are uncertain about the NGKs, the Genuine plugs are only a few dollars more than the NGKs.
Well, I may give it a try after all. I recently replaced both engine air filters and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.
Is this the correct NGK plug, same as the MB branded one?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mercedes-spark-plug-kit-ngk-0041597203
Last edited by rmorin49; Sep 19, 2024 at 08:17 PM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Removing the ignition coils can be hard, but there is a part (arrow) that helps you grab onto the boot and pull it out. The coil may separate from the boot when you try to remove it, but that is ok.
Removing the ignition coils can be hard, but there is a part (arrow) that helps you grab onto the boot and pull it out. The coil may separate from the boot when you try to remove it, but that is ok.
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.
