Sparkplugs---yea, again.

[JEFFDU]

I've got a R1100RT :wave and hear that we could use Autolite 3923 sparkplugs instead of the oem ones. Is this true? and if so how do you rate them as to how good they perform. Has anyone did damage to the head or piston due to the size of the plug. Thanks!

[RiverRat280]

I have them in my 1150 without any problems. It's actually a different heat range then the NGK's that come stock but mine are self cleaning so I wouldn't want a hotter plug. They won't damage your bike at all.

[charleshickman]

I've had them in my '02 r1150r for about 7,000 miles and no problems.

[manicmechanic]

35K in the GS. I really like them. $3.50 for a pair of double-platinums at Wally-world. What's not to like?

[breyfogle]

...we could use Autolite 3923 sparkplugs instead of the oem ones. Is this true? and if so how do you rate them ....Thanks!

I've used nothin' else since buyiny my R1100RS, hard to beat better AND cheaper than OEM BMW parts. IMO, the OEM multi-electrode surface fire stye plugs seem to contribute to the lean burn misfire a.k.a. surging. The "conventional" axial single electrode AP's fire the leam mixture more consistently and therefore reduce surging to some degree. Worked for me, YMMV.

[bmwmick]

I've got a R1100RT :wave and hear that we could use Autolite 3923 sparkplugs instead of the oem ones. Is this true? and if so how do you rate them as to how good they perform. Has anyone did damage to the head or piston due to the size of the plug. Thanks!

Jeff,
I tried the 3923's in my '96 R1100RT but they didn't last well and were hard to remove. I went back to a Bosch plug FR7DCX is a very close match to the stock plugs but they are copper core single electrode. Same plugs my wife's Z3 uses so I always have a few spares when I buy an 8 pack or a 10 pack. :)
Bosch 7556 is the new Bosch number.

[JEFFDU]

Thanks for everyones reply, this help a lot in making a choice. :dance

[gtrfzr]

I work at a parts store any I would never put bosch plugs in anything that I owned I've heard so many horror stories about bosch plugs being threaded wrong from the factory and crossthreading when people go to put them and the porclen tips will break for no reason, autolite's are decent plugs never heard anything bad about them exeecpt you will have to replace them more often than NGK, IMO if you are putting plugs in a bike other a harley or a buell stick with NGK much better plug with longer life and seem to make the bike run a little better autolites.

[PHMarvin]

I DON'T work in a parts store and I DIDN'T stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I've heard the same story, except the plug was Champion instead of Bosch. My Nortons and Dunstall-Norton ran fine with Champions. My airheads ran well with Bosch and Beru. My K-bikes ran well with Bosch and NGK and are currently running well with Autolites. They say the cheapest thing on a BMW is the owner. This may be true, in my case. I do know that the Bosch plugs for my K1100LT are about $7 (maybe more) EACH from the dealer. The Autolites I have cost me $1 each at Checker and, if they only last 12k miles, so what? For $1 each, I can afford to change them frequently although, in my experience, it isn't necessary. They work just fine in my bikes. I have no problem with Bosch plugs. I have a problem thay I can't buy the plugs I want at the usual outlets. They say they can't get the plugs to fit my bikes. And, when you add the BMW tax for Bosch, I'll take the Autolites!

[soffiler]

I work at a parts store any I would never put bosch plugs in anything that I owned I've heard so many horror stories about bosch plugs being threaded wrong from the factory and crossthreading when people go to put them and the porclen tips will break for no reason, autolite's are decent plugs never heard anything bad about them exeecpt you will have to replace them more often than NGK, IMO if you are putting plugs in a bike other a harley or a buell stick with NGK much better plug with longer life and seem to make the bike run a little better autolites.


Because I work in the automotive tool & shop equipment industry, I tend to spend some time at an online forum for professional technicians (aka mechanics), the users of our tools. I must say that gtrfzr's comments above are right on the money. That tech forum is a very large and popular site (www.iatn.net, requires registration) with something like 40,000 members. Whenever the subject of Bosch plugs comes up, there will be no shortage of Bosch-bashing. It tends mostly toward the multi-electrode Platinum +4's actually. The common theme from the tech's is "first thing I look for is Bosch plugs and I swap them out for OEM's before I do anything else to an engine." I don't know about threading issues or broken porcelain, but personally I feel the whole multi-electrode thing is a marketing gimmic that can, potentially, negatively impact the way the engine runs. And it amazes me because I have a lot of respect for Bosch automotive systems otherwise.

[jrwayne]

Hi,

I put in Denso IK22 Iridium plugs. A bit pricey, but cold starts are immediate. No surging at all, but I haven't had a problem with that. Rheinwest chip and Remus exhaust. All is well on the 02 R1150RS. (purchased them mail order from sparkplugs.com. much better than anywhere else)

jrwayne

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

To the folks using Autolites, do you switch out all 4 plugs in the R motor to the same part number? Thanks,
Andy

[JEFFDU]

OK, for several thousand miles I've used the Autolites and have found that they are great,surging is all but gone :clap and starting is faster with great pickup :bolt also changed the oil to 10w40 which I think will be changed to 15w50 syn. and replaced tranny oil with redline shockwave lite 75w140 gearoil. Shifting is much improved. :brad . Thanks for all the input. :dance