Spark plugs.

[Sykesy]

Ive just done an oil and filters change on my 2000 Z3 2.8. Apparently for my model there's a choice of 2 engines, a 193bhp and a 194bhp. After a bit of searching (and a trip to the stealers) I found out its the 193 variant, which lists the spark plugs for my model as NGK BKR 6 EK or for performace ones NGK BKR6EQUP. Has anyone got any experience as to whether you actually gain in performance (speed or mpg) by having performance type plugs. Im planning a 3000 mile trip so mpg would be good.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Going by the year, your car should have the M52TUB28 engine, twin vanos. The older M52B28 single vanos engine is 193bhp. Depending where you look both engines sometimes quote the same output numbers but I have seen the twin vanos engine quoted as 194bhp.

 

[Sykesy]

Thanks Jack, mine is the twin vanos, do you have any opinions on the plugs, performance or standard?

 

[Jack Ratt]

Both my zeds are 2.8 single vanos and I have used standard plugs from Euro Car Parts

 

[Nodzed]

Thanks Jack, mine is the twin vanos, do you have any opinions on the plugs, performance or standard?

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-3759-spark-plugs.aspx

Opie Oils are your friend, if you ring them they are always ready to help and advise, Zroadster get 10% discount Type ROAD in the coupon box on the way to paying.

Or you can PM them on here @oilman

 

[Pingu]

Put your chassis number into realoem, find the spark plugs and you should find the answer.

 

[NZ00Z3]

I found out its the 193 variant, which lists the spark plugs for my model as NGK BKR 6 EK or for performace ones NGK BKR6EQUP. Has anyone got any experience as to whether you actually gain in performance (speed or mpg) by having performance type plugs. Im planning a 3000 mile trip so mpg would be good.

The NGK BKR 6 EK has one negative electrode where as the NGK BKR 6 EQUP has 4. There is not much if any difference in performance or fuel economy between the two. The main advantage of the the NGK BKR 6 EQUP is that it will last around 100,000 miles before needing to be changed.

 

[Sykesy]

Thanks for both sites, I didnt know about either!

 

[Sykesy]

Murray, thanks for that, I think I'll go for the BKR6EK. At my age I dont think I'll get my moneys-worth out of the others..... 100000 miles, I'll probably only do 10- 15 if my back will let me. Lol.

 

[StephenM]

I have just bought and installed 6 of the DENSO Iridium TT Spark Plugs and I don't know if it's my imagination (as I have not measured it in any way) but it does feel as though the engine has a bit more power.

 

[Sykesy]

Stephen, sorry about the delay in replying, I read read your reply then had a senior moment! (Forgot to reply). I would be interested to know if you have any more feedback with the plugs. Its always good to keep my options open for the future. Thankyou.

 

[StephenM]

Hi Sykesy
I have not been out in my car for a couple of weeks (holidays) but this coming weekend I am taking it to the ZEDfest so will report back after that - should be a nice decent run since it’s about 140 miles for me

 

[Sykesy]

Thankyou.

 

[StephenM]

I had a good drive up to the ZEDfest recently and this was the first time I have done a reasonable mileage (240 miles in one day) since changing the plugs and I was very impressed at the smoothness and power the new plugs provided- so it’s a definite thumbs up from me !

 

[Sykesy]

Sounds good news Steven. I like it when you service or change something and you can feel an improvement. With engine management systems now, you rarely feel that you've improved something. I'll get on with changing my plugs for the iridium ones now. Cheers Pete.

 

[StephenM]

You must let me know what you think of them too, I will be interested to see what improvements you notice

 

[Sykesy]

Will do!

 

[Sykesy]

You must let me know what you think of them too, I will be interested to see what improvements you notice

Steven , i changed to the Denso plugs and have just returned from an 1800 mile trip to northern Spain. The old Zed aquited itself admirably over a range of different roads, moutain passes, motorways, etc., (all of superior quality to ours, by the way, and not nearly as busy). I did notice a slight difference in performance at 1st, but the main one was mpg. The overall mpg was 34 which I was really pleased with.

 

[StephenM]

Wow that sounds like a great trip! Glad to hear you like the Denso plugs too

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Thanks for both sites, I didnt know about either!

I know it's a bit late, but if you didn't know about them you may not have come across https://www.mdecoder.com/ either, worth looking at if you don't know much about your car.