Difference between NGK BKR7E and BKR7ElX Spark Plugs ?

[RvGrnGTI]

I just recently hit 60k miles on my 2008 VW GTI and already need to put a second set of new spark plugs in my 2.0t. The first ones went somewhere under 40k, which I thought was ridiculous. But to have them go for the second time when the actual scheduled maintenance is 60k, is absurd. Anyways, I understand the BKR7E's have a copper core. Not sure about the BKR7ElX's. I have an old set of NGK BKR7E's from my late 2002 VW GTI 1.8t that have never been used. ECSTuning doesn't list as the 7E's compatible with the 2.0t BPY engine code. Just wondering if someone can provide me with more information, because the search didn't help much. And if the 7E's don't work…. what is the best for the value for a *stock* 08 GTI. Thanks guys

[digitalextremes]

IX = iridium = better performance

[DeepSeaDynamo]

IX = iridium = better performance

better performance is a mater of opinion, the main reason for running platinum or iridium plugs is for longer life. Running copper plugs is fine, but don't expect to get more then 15k out of them, if you only want to change your plugs every 60k go for the iridiums

[RoxanneIsMyFAST]

Stock spark plugs run better than both of these IMO.

[Hecktür]

NGK Iridium, that's all you'll ever need.

[KIDVersion 1]

I was pointed towards the NGK Iridium IX plugs for my GLI by a close friend that has been building Vw motors for a while. OEM plugs are NGK copper plugs so by choosing the IXs, you are sticking with an OEM brand, while stepping down one temperature range. I just put them in my GLI and haven't noticed an outstanding improvement, but I am certain the overall efficiency is better.

[RvGrnGTI]

When I pulled the OEM NGK plugs installed at the dealership only 15,000 miles ago, all were gapped at nearly .038. I decided to give these brand new NGK BKR7E's a try gapped them at .030. Started the car up and CEL was gone instantly. Took it for a drive and is driving very smoothly through all the gears and seems like gas mileage is a bit better. See how they hold but so far, it's working great. Should I have them gapped a little higher? They're at .030 right now.

[RvGrnGTI]

Stock spark plugs run better than both of these IMO.

I don't know what you guys at getting out of your stock plugs that the dealership uses, but mine don't last nearly as long as they should. And I don't beat the piss out of my car either.

[TheHeggz]

Old OEMs are Bosch platinum. I have a hard time believing they would use copper NGK's as an OEM application. NGK iridium I would believe.

I've heard copper NGK's only last about 5-10k mi, so replace them at every oil change. And they give better performance than iridium.

I've got the NGK iridium's and I had to regap them after less than 20k mi becuase I was getting stuttering and eventually a flashing CEL. That was about 10k mi ago and they're fine. I plan to switch to copper soon. The price differences work out to be pretty dead even, it's just a matter of labor...which doesn't take more than 15 minutes anyway.

[RvGrnGTI]

I was pointed towards the NGK Iridium IX plugs for my GLI by a close friend that has been building Vw motors for a while. OEM plugs are NGK copper plugs so by choosing the IXs, you are sticking with an OEM brand, while stepping down one temperature range. I just put them in my GLI and haven't noticed an outstanding improvement, but I am certain the overall efficiency is better.

If this is true that OEM-spec plugs are copper and scheduled maintenance exceeds their life expectancy… then why wouldn't they just make iridium plugs the standard

[TheHeggz]

If this is true that OEM-spec plugs are copper and scheduled maintenance exceeds their life expectancy… then why wouldn't they just make iridium plugs the standard

Yeah pretty much what I just said....you're not running a copper plug for over 60k mi...

[RvGrnGTI]

Old OEMs are Bosch platinum. I have a hard time believing they would use copper NGK's as an OEM application. NGK iridium I would believe.

I've heard copper NGK's only last about 5-10k mi, so replace them at every oil change. And they give better performance than iridium.

I've got the NGK iridium's and I had to regap them after less than 20k mi becuase I was getting stuttering and eventually a flashing CEL. That was about 10k mi ago and they're fine. I plan to switch to copper soon. The price differences work out to be pretty dead even, it's just a matter of labor...which doesn't take more than 15 minutes anyway.

I have no problem replacing plugs after an oil change. I ran denso iridiums on my old chipped 2002 vw gti 1.8t and were terrible. Maybe it was just my experience. Maybe I gapped them wrong, but I have never had any problems with performance when it comes to the copper plugs

[ATrini]

Those are the stock plugs after. I have 43xxx miles. Just replaced with NGK iridiums. I can't tell a huge difference but I did notice the idle is better. I've used the NGK iridiums in my previous cars
And they lasted a very long time.


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