What is the best spark plug to use on a 2001 XKR

 

NGK laser iridium IFR5N-10

Amazon has them:

this is a 4 pack, so you’d need to order 2 packs.
they have them as an 8 pack, but as more than double the price of the 4 pack ???

https://a.co/d/fFlRkTO


Z

 

Be wary of Amazon/Ebay spark plugs. I have had two experiences with imposter NGK plugs. One where my brother in law replaced the plugs in his wife's Honda Accord before her trip here, Minnesota to Tennessee. The car was severely misfiring when she arrived. Two out of the six plugs had electrodes completely burnt away. Second experience was when I replaced the plugs in my Honda 1300 CTX motorcycle. The radius was missing from the area of the plug where the thread transitions to the barrel. The plug fractured upon tightening! Luckily, most of the plug came out with the socket. The threaded part remained and I was able to remove it with an easy-out. I now buy plugs at a dealer or parts store. I know they are crazy expensive but better to be safe....

 

I’ve been fortunate, all of my Amazon products have been legitimate.

I believe it helps to investigate who the Amazon seller is beforehand. If the product is directly from Amazon you are safer.. but Amazon facilitates many orders from 3rd parties. Those can be problematic.

eBay is a different story. The transmission control valve panel I purchased there for my XKR had all the correct Mercedes logos and part numbers stamped on it. And came in a Mercedes box. But it was counterfeit all the way.

Z

 

The last time I ordered OEM Denso spark plugs, they came from rockauto.com. They were reasonably priced and more importantly, they were genuine....

 

Funny you mention RockAuto.com

on another forum I frequent there have
been posts complaining about counterfeit parts bought from them.

RockAuto.com also is a clearing house for many different vendors, just like Amazon and eBay, etc.

whether one is lucky or not lucky with their order seems to be a matter of chance.

i buy from RockAuto also, for a variety of cars . So far I’ve been fortunate.

Z

 

certainly nothing wrong with the original Denso’s.

The NGK laser iridium IFR5N-10 are just the next generation, and give a longer life, among other significant improvements.

And I read here on the forum that the “Ruthium” ** plugs are another step up. I’ll try those when my car passes the 225,000 mile mark. Someone here is already using them, Can't remember who that is

**NGK 96457 FR5BHX Ruthenium HX Plug

SKU #FR5BHX

ITEM #NGK96457
Per NGK: “…NGK Ruthenium HX is designed for newer engines which demand high ignitability. Projected Square Platinum Electrode (PSPE) design promotes spark energy concentration and ignites a wider range of air-fuel ratios, offering improved performance in rich or lean engine conditions. 0.4mm Ruthenium alloy fine wire center electrode and 0.8mm platinum fine wire ground electrode. Trivalent metal platinum provides superior anti-corrosion and anti-seizing properties. Corrugated ribs prevent flashover. Pure alumina silicate ceramic insulator provides superior strength and better heat transfer. Copper core aids in heat removal.…”

 

I'm using the Ruthenium plugs, from RockAuto. I paid about $9 each for them. Amazingly, I did notice a bit of a difference on my 95k mile 2003 XK8.

I get a chuckle when I see when a dealer charges $29 EACH for the NGX plugs that you can buy all day at your local parts store for $6. On top of that, they charge hundreds to install them. It took me 20 minutes, and I work slowly. I think those guys taking their cars into the dealer just want to be pampered by someone.

 

The how many miles were on your old plugs ? …and what type were they ?


thanks ,

Z

 

NGK FR5BHX Ruthenium HX High Ignitability #96457 RockAuto $8.55 each 0.040" gap

88,689 miles