OK, was looking at plugs to buy to replace rear bank (and also front bank at the same time) and was gonna go the NGK Iridium IX's. But stumbled onto some new-release Bosch ones called SUPERplus (cheesy name :P )

Now, they claim to have some new metal yttrium, which is supposed to "offer precious metal performance at non-premium prices". So I would assume they would mean similar performance to platinum or iridiums? But nowhere do they list the service life of them (ie: 90,000km, 100,000km etc). They were only launched in Australia in October 2005, but does anyone here with knowledge in this area know of them and whether they really are a substitute for platinums etc? Any idea of service life?



(p.s: I'm not looking for random opinions, just experience-based views on them)

Yttrium is probably just 'Yak Spit' in German - sitck with the Iridiums I say.

Yttrium is probably just 'Yak Spit' in German - sitck with the Iridiums I say.

Yes, but what I was asking for was details on performance and life-span etc. Not dodgy translations :roll:

this table is straight from ngks web site ( I have posted this before sorry if you have seen it)



Type Service Life Benefits
Nickel Alloy 20,000 - 40,000 kms Standard style of spark Plug.

Nickel Alloy (V-Groove) 20,000 - 40,000 kms Improved ignitability due to sparking at periphery of the electrode.

Platinum 0.8 mm dia. 100,000 kms Long service life and even better ignitability due to a small diameter centre electrode

Iridium 0.8 mm dia. 160,000 kms Extremely long service life. Same level of ignitability 0.8 mm dia. Platinum

hope this helps

Iridium IX 0.6 mm dia. 60,000 kms Long service life. Same as 0.8 mm dia. of Platinum and extremely good ignitability characteristics.( Better than 0.8 mm dia. platinum or 0.8 mm dia. iridium)

The use of Iridium spark plugs is only just starting with Japanese car manufacturers who are finding them ideal for very low emission engines.

this table is straight from ngks web site ( I have posted this before sorry if you have seen it)



Type Service Life Benefits
Nickel Alloy 20,000 - 40,000 kms Standard style of spark Plug.

Nickel Alloy (V-Groove) 20,000 - 40,000 kms Improved ignitability due to sparking at periphery of the electrode.

Platinum 0.8 mm dia. 100,000 kms Long service life and even better ignitability due to a small diameter centre electrode

Iridium 0.8 mm dia. 160,000 kms Extremely long service life. Same level of ignitability 0.8 mm dia. Platinum

hope this helps

Iridium IX 0.6 mm dia. 60,000 kms Long service life. Same as 0.8 mm dia. of Platinum and extremely good ignitability characteristics.( Better than 0.8 mm dia. platinum or 0.8 mm dia. iridium)

The use of Iridium spark plugs is only just starting with Japanese car manufacturers who are finding them ideal for very low emission engines.


Yeah, I've seen this chart, but it reminded me I meant Iridium 0.8mm, not Iridium IX's. Thanks.

I'm more looking for the performance or life-span or even experiences with the new Bosch plugs as a comparison to the NGK Iridiums or Platinums.

Yeah you're right! The I just had a quick look and couldn't find the life expectancy either. However I did come across an American website with a description of the plugs, notice the vehicle they mention?! http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi/?html=learnmore.html&productID=5419

Just to note however that there are claims that the spark plug froms a protective oxide coating leading to a long service life without a loss of performance over its service life, which they claim is long. If the service life was like that of platinum 0.8, 100,000km, then they would boast claims that they last that long. Just going by the way they go about making the claim, probably about the same lifespan as platinum 0.6, (except less expensive). This would mean 60,000, which is long compared to normal plugs.

So if you don't mind changing your rear plugs at 60,000 instead of 100,000 they're probably worth a try :)

i wouldnt use anything other than ngk
there the only plug ive never had problems with

i wouldnt use anything other than ngk
there the only plug ive never had problems with

Normally I would just straight out agree. But this is a relatively new product, from a very reputable company with a lot of know-how in this field.
If the lifespan is lower, then I probably will go with NGK, I would just like to know how different these are from NGK's.
Because if they are only marginally different, but cheaper in price, then I will probably give the Bosch ones a try.
The local Repco store can't give me any firm figures, cos they're new and Bosch just sent the standard flyer with them, which doesn't give actual figures.

ask repco to ring them if ya realy wana know

ask repco to ring them if ya realy wana know

Yeah, I'll probably ring Bosch myself or get Repco to ring em or something. Was just hoping for any information from someone in the know who ISN'T paid by Bosch to say certain things.

Right, I've written an email to Bosch asking for any actual numbers they can give me on performance.
If they bother to respond, I'll post the details up here for anyone else who wants to know them.

Well, response came in.

The so-called "premium metal life-span" is a bit of a stretch of marketing terminology.

Here's the response email:

We would like to advise:
Plug life varies with engine type and application.
Yittrium fitted to Magna 1997 recommended change period is 40,000Kms.

For TF Magna plugs are FR8DCX+


Please do not hesitate to contact us again if we can be of further
assistance.

Regards

Bob Tait
Automotive Service
Customer Service Representative
Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd
Visit our Website at http://www.bosch.com.au


So off to buy Platinums or Iridiums I go!

Only 40,000km? I'd hardly call that long life! I've got Super4's in mine, they are supposed to last at least 30,000km which you'd expect and hope for a set of plugs that cost $50 or so for 4.

So I take it you're going for the 0.8 platinums at 100,000 rather than the 0.6 at 60,000km?! lol

Only 40,000km? I'd hardly call that long life! I've got Super4's in mine, they are supposed to last at least 30,000km which you'd expect and hope for a set of plugs that cost $50 or so for 4.

So I take it you're going for the 0.8 platinums at 100,000 rather than the 0.6 at 60,000km?! lol


Told ya - Yak Spit!