I've followed the 40k replacement. Yes, they're expensive, but for efficiency's sake; I think 40k is a reasonable mileage.

 

Get the BKR6Es and change them every other oil change (10k). 1.8T, anyway.

Under $2 a pop.

 

NO it is not overkill to change every 40K, there are a lot of people on here that change a lot more often than that.

 

I've changed mine a few times now, and (judging by previous cars) the removed plugs could easily go another ten or twenty thousand miles. But you know, following the recommended interval you spend less than an eighth of a cent per mile on plugs. I've got bigger things to worry about - just do it.

 

Exactly, the OEM plugs are like what, $2 each or something?

 

Inflation? Wow!

I just checked that I in fact did put NGK PFR6Q double platinum plugs in when I changed them, and I did. What gets me is that back in 2007, I paid $9.99 (not on sale or anything) a piece at my local Schuck's auto supply. Now they are $13.99. 40% inflation in 3 years? Wow!

 

That's why you should get the copper NGK BKR6Es for less than $2 each. They will easily last 10k miles, you 1.8T will run great, and you will be a few dollars ahead of the game had you stuck with the platinums and changed them every 40k.

PFR6Q at 40k interval =$48 ($14/plug)

BKR6E at 10k interval x4 =$32 ($2/plug).

You would have to go 60k to break even on the platinums compared to the coppers.

With no performance/reliablilty benefit--in fact, I'd rather be replacing and inspecting my plugs every 10k miles. How long does it take--half an hour?

 

Thanks Zak!
I don't think there is much difference in price once you add shipping. I do prefer having to change them fewer times, but I see your point. My last ones looked great after 43K miles, so I will probably go to 50K miles or so this time.

 

Those are the $2 plugs I was talking about. :thumbup:

 

You guys need to shop around a bit. I pay $8.18 CAD ea shipped for BKR6EKUB NGK
Bosch Platinum+4 are $8.60 CAD ea shipped ...but some here say not to use these

But you need to look at more than just price per plug vs. longevity.

With no performance/reliablilty benefit

Not true. These plugs give a more powerful spark than copper and therefore give better engine performance, better fuel economy and smoother acceleration. Well worth the extra few dollars in the long run.

 

You guys need to shop around a bit. I pay $8.18 CAD ea shipped for BKR6EKUB NGK
Bosch Platinum+4 are $8.60 CAD ea shipped ...but some here say not to use these

But you need to look at more than just price per plug vs. longevity.



Not true. These plugs give a more powerful spark than copper and therefore give better engine performance, better fuel economy and smoother acceleration. Well worth the extra few dollars in the long run.

Platinum plugs do not make power difference. High powered turbo cars run copper plugs for better performance and heat dissipation.

Check this thread out.

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?p=19749928

 

Interesting thread.

Bosch shouldn't make claims that their Platinum plugs deliver a more powerful spark than copper if it isn't true.

I stand corrected

 

I ran Bosch Platinum+4 for 60k miles and wish I hadn't (V6). The center electrodes were completely receded back into the ceramic, not even visible anymore.

40k intervals on NGK for me! :thumbup:

 

So what's the consensus for using copper vs. BKR6EKUB NGK for naturally aspirated V6?

 

Copper only applies on turbo vehicles. I would stay with the platinum/iridium with NA engines.

 

Has anyone checked with VW to see if there are any warranty issues when they notice you have copper NGK BKR6Es plugs installed rather than their recommended NGK PFR6Q?

 

I changed my original NGK Platinums at about 63k with no noticible difference from old to new. They were very clean with just a slight white powdery coating on them, which was good to see.

 

That's what I would expect from the Platinum plugs. When I replaced mine at 43K miles, they looked pretty much like the ones replacing them .....

 

I've done the past to sets at 30k. I was doing major work two separate times and had em laying around.

For the love of god please don't buy autolites or champion if you considered at all. Going cheap is not an option because they cause problems..

 

Only slightly related, but I purchased a used outboard a few years ago. It started fine and I pulled the plugs and they were clean and not badly rounded so I just stuck them back in and forgot about them. They were "due" this year I figured so when I went to replace them with properly gapped new plugs, the gap on the old ones was about twice what it should have been. Closer inspection showed serious errosion of the center electrode but it was even so I didn't notice it the first time around!

 

I owned a 2011 Toyota Camry and ran it up to 120,000 Miles before I changed the plugs. When they came out, they still appeared to be in pretty good condition. GM has been recommending replacement of their Platinum plugs at 100,000 Miles for more than 2 decades now because of Platinum's durability. There's absolutely zero reason whatsoever to follow VW's recommendations to replace their Platinum plugs at 40,000 Miles. Remember when oil changes were recommended every 3,000 Miles...now we use synthetic additives and run the oil change interval up to 10,000 Miles. I'm a firm believer in the advancement of modern day technologies. I remember when I was a kid in the 70's riding in my dad's station wagon, often when turning left at the intersection the carburetor would flood the engine and it would stall. Thank goodness for fuel injection. I'm often amazed at the recommendations between competing OEM's for the same outsourced components they use during the procurement process.

 

You resurrected a 12 year old thread to insert your opinion.

This is not a GM or Toyota and being a turbo engine, 40k is an appropriate mileage as it is hard on plugs. You cannot simply apply one's experience with other automakers and engines to these. Even my Audi 2.0T's recommend at 40k even now.

It's 4 plugs that can be changed in 15 minutes. Just do it. VWs recommendation was 5k on oil changes with the spec'd oil. Now, they have 10k oci's with newer VWs. I would not ignore the recommended mileages in these cases.