Any of you bright sparks know about spark plugs ?

[pubrunner]

Hi All,

I've a Diahatsu Sirion with the 1KR-FE engine (1 litre), which is also fitted used in the Aygo, Yaris, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107.

I thought I'd give the car a service before winter and in view of this, decided to get some new spark plugs - but which ?

There seems to be quite a range from which to choose;

do I go for copper, platinum or iridium ?

Some have one electrode, some have three, the Bosch Super 4 has . . . four .

The prices vary quite a bit - some are £7 or £8 for a set of three, others are £7 each. Are the ones for £7 each worth it ? Would I notice any difference, or is it just another case of snake oil salesmanship ?

Which spark plugs would you recommend and why ?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I'd recommend the cheapest. Why? Because I know knack all about cars.

 

[tyred]

Just use whatever Daihatsu recommend.

 

[pubrunner]

I see that for my car, Halfords offer a single Bosch spark plug for £4.82 and a single Denso spark plug for £18.96 !

This ^^^ represents a significant difference in price - on what basis ?

 

[Brandane]

another case of snake oil salesmanship ?

Yes it is, especially for a 1 litre car. I am no expert, all I know is that I have tried the iridium plugs in a Golf 1800 GTi and it made sod all difference to either performance or mpg.. I would stick with the basic plug from a decent brand, e.g. Bosch, Denso, or NGK..

 

[Smokin Joe]

I see that for my car, Halfords offer a single Bosch spark plug for £4.82 and a single Denso spark plug for £18.96 !

This ^^^ represents a significant difference in price - on what basis ?

On the basis that some fool will pay it and swear blind his car is 10mph faster and is using less petrol.

 

[keithmac]

I woud recomend NGK, the copper will be fine for your engine.

The NGK Iridium are actually a decent plug, the electrode is finer tipped and being Iridium they are specced to last longer.

I run Iridium's in my car, (500hp V6 Turbo).

 

[Drago]

The Sirion is a good motor - nippy, spacious, economical, well built with no unnecessary fripperies. Go for standard issue NGK's on these motors. They're cheap, and perform perfectly reliably for their 30,000 mile replacement intervals.

 

[Profpointy]

I believe it is really important that they are the right grade for the engine - apparently to do with how hot they run - and wrong is wrong even if they are a superior model so to speak. Thus read the book of words and buy some with the right numbers on - and if there's a choice get a recognised brand name - with the right numbers

 

[keithmac]

The heat numbers on NGK get higher for a COLDER plug (BR8es is colder than a BR7es for example), most other plug manufacturers go the other way.

You can get the fitment from Sparkplugs.co.uk.

I personally think NGK or Denso are the best quality plugs, I've fitted a fair few over 20 years working on motorcycles.

 

[fossyant]

Another recommendation for NGK. They are Nissan's recommended plugs. I've tried Iridium once, as they are supposed to last longer, but didn't notice any difference, so went back to standard.

 

[gavroche]

I don't have spark plugs in my car........it is diesel.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

If the car is running well look at what plugs are fitted and simply buy another set of those.

 

[PaulSecteur]

The cheapest from a reputable brand. NGK was my choice when I wer a fast and furious spanner monkey with a Vauxhall Chevette.

 

[Nibor]

Go to a proper motor factors and give them your reg and they will tell you which spark plugs are for your car. They will probably give you a choice of a few prices buy whichever you are comfortale with.