Spark Plugs E3? - BMW Forum

cjh1080 · 07-15-2008, 01:32 PM

i have a 1986 325es. im looking to replace spark plugs. maybe something alittle more than the stock plugs. does anyone have any experience with the new E3 plugs in an E30? any input is appreciated. what plugs do you use?

darkhorse737 · 07-15-2008, 02:59 PM

bimmers run best with stock plugs... the copper core kind, believe it or not.

Nihilator · 07-15-2008, 06:22 PM

I just replaced my stock plugs today with...new stock plugs. Unless you've done some serious engine work, you're best off with the plugs BMW recommends for your car. I got mine for $1.95 each at BavAuto.

Yours will be different; I think yours (WR9LS) are $5 each, but there's still no sense in "upgrading" your plugs to something that either will work just as well as the recommended plug, or won't work as well as the recommended plug.

--Chris

anotherhead · 02-01-2009, 07:09 PM

I'm using these in my `91. They are better than stock by a bunch (10-15%) especcially w/ a k&n fiter.

silversled · 02-03-2009, 08:21 PM

I agree, go with the plugs recommended for the car. I have goofed around with various BMWs over the years and have, every time, gone back to the original plugs. I had a 533 and 633i that required silvertips, $10 each back in the day....tried to go around that, no good...car didn't run right. Tried the Bosch Platinums, junk unless the car calls for them. I know see that the old Bosch Coppers as is required for both a 1988 325iC and a MB 1990 300TE have been superceeded by Bosch Copper Plus plugs. These are the goods. They work the best, no question. I was standing at a car parts counter years ago getting tune up stuff for my 76 2002 and there was an NGK sales rep there, he offered me free plugs to try. I took them and installed them and they sucked, it was apparent after about 500 miles that these things were absolutely not matched for the application. And this rep had the book with cross applications and assured me that these were the plugs for the 2002 and would noticably exceed the performance of the Bosch plugs. WAY WRONG.....

Nick_318is · 02-03-2009, 08:38 PM

NGK is what BMW uses if I remember correctly from the last time I had to buy spark plugs from the dealer or pelican parts I don't remember where but they are all I have ever pulled out of my 318.

silversled · 02-03-2009, 08:53 PM

No, NGK is not what BMW uses.....NGK offers a replacement plug but it's not right...NGK is Japanese, why would BMW use Japanese spark plugs? Hell, AC Delco offers a replacement plug as well.....

Celsdogg · 02-05-2009, 01:08 AM

+1, i thought they stuck with bosch, which is what i like. i say stick with the copper cores too

silversled · 02-05-2009, 08:54 PM

i am sitting here reading the factory owners manual for my 88 325iC, which i believe applies to an 86 325e. there are some interesting differences between the e and the i engines in fact, for instance...the e engine is 164.3 ci and the i engine is 152 ci, the 325e is actually a 327e. the e engine maxes at 127 hp at 4800 rpm and the i at 167hp at 5800 rpm. here's the killer...the e maxes at 170 ft/lb at 3200 rpm and the i at 164 fl/lb at 4300. the compression on the e is 8.5:1 with a bore/stroke of 3.19/3.31 while the i compression is 8.8:1 with a 2.95/3.31. interesting eh? i would much rather have an e for everyday driving...anyway, in either case the manual cites the following plugs for replacement (and i know for sure the bosch have been updated but your local agent be able to translate, i think they went from coppertips to copper plus or something like that) Bosch WR 9 LS or Beru 14 R/9 LS the e engine and, for the i engine, only Bosch W8LCR. my point being is there is a fairly substantial difference in engines even though the bodies look similar..good luck

Nick_318is · 02-05-2009, 09:16 PM

Good seeing you cels! Seeing that my car is currently in storage I can't go pull one to check but I swear that I have the NGK in there, car operates fine. Maybe the m20 hates them but the m42 is okay unless i have gone completely nuts.