Hybridtheory

Hi guys,

Went to the local to quote out the plugs, and boy i was hit hard, lol.

Around $35 for iridiums, and $42 for the platinums.

Nothings wrong with my car, I'm just looking at changing them in the next few months, as I haven't since I bought it.

https://www.sparkplugs.com/product.aspx?zpid=9908

hows that???

Is there a copper equivalent you guys use on your i30's?

I prefer coppers, as they're cheaper, and I don't mind changing them every 6 months or so.

JvG

I'm usually on the 4th gen forum. You will find most of the answers you need there. most mechanical parts are the same. look around for online places like rock auto and Amazon.com.

Platinum plugs will last 60000 miles. Copper, half that. Changing plugs every six months was during the days of carbureted, oil burning engines. Not required for your car, unless you want to run the risk of stripped spark plug holes every six months.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

unless youre driving like 12,000 miles a month, youre not replacing plugs every 6 months. nowadays, spark plugs are good until 120,000-140,000km on platinums, just go with them.

Hybridtheory

Im not too keen on around $250 on plugs. I didnt know it used platinum's.

I did a search before posting this new thread but I wasnt able to find any alternatives to the platinum?

I was used to changing them every few months in my old car, esp if I tracked it in the month.. Yes, overkill I know.

If there are no alternatives then I seriously wont bother with it at all.

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

$1 U.S. equals $1.29 Austrailian so it isn't that much of a difference. They really rape you on the prices.

But there are no real alternatives that you don't all ready know about. Do you know anyone that has to come here to the U.S.?

Hybridtheory

Bugger.. btw.. I'm in NZ, different rates.

I think I'll see if I can shop online. I hate platinums!

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

$250? last time i bought 6 NGK platinums from Canadian Tire it was wasnt even $100. thats nuts

only thing i can maybe suggest is www.partsouq.com, theyre a warehouse located in Saudi Arabia and ship parts for almost every Japanese manufacturer worldwide. ive used them for years and my friends started using them for their cars, the parts are cheap and theyre awesome to deal with. they might be able to get you spark plugs for cheaper and ship them over

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

I'm sorry. I saw the A of Auckland and somehow assumed Australia. I apologize.

today, $1 U.S. equals:
$1.46 New Zealand
$1.29 Australia
$1.23 Canada

I don't know what your objections to platinum plugs are, but whatever they are, I guess you would dislike iridium plugs even more.

You have copper, platinum and iridium spark plugs to choose from. Copper will give you best spark, but the plug wears out quickly. Platinum plugs will last longer, but will give less of a spark for the voltage. Iridium Plugs will last the longest and give the least spark of the three.

In order to utilize platinum and iridium spark plugs, the auto manufacturers have installed ignition systems that provide a higher voltage to the spark plug so that you will get good performance from these plugs.

Hybridtheory

Thank you Chrome/Dennis.. Trust me, NZ is ridiculously expensive.. I pay $120~ to fill up. Anywhoo..

Yes, I understand the differences and benefits/tradeoffs between copper, plat/iri.. I was just a little annoyed at the prices I pay for in NZ here

The reason why I was looking for a copper alternative was that I am mechanically minded, and copper plugs are around $30/set here.

I'll check that website out and see if its any cheaper. Thanks a tonne guys!!

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

I don't know if this is helpful, but I looked on an internet store here in the U.S. that ships to New Zealand. www.rockauto.com

They show prices in different currencies, such as Australian dollars, but not New Zealand dollars. Maybe that means you would have to somehow send Australian dollars.

A NGK 6953 BKR5E11 V-Power copper plug is AU $2.06, a set of 6 is $12.24
A NGK 5464 BKR5EIX11 Iridium IX plug is AU $8.27, a set of 6 is $49.62
A NGK 2647 PFR5G11 Laser Platinum plug is AU $11.51, a set of 6 is $69.06

The shipping charge for 6 spark plugs to the Auckland Town Hall (Queen St, Auckland 1010, New Zealand) is AU $10.68.

It would cost you more since $1 Australian equals $1.12086 New Zealand or an additional .12 for every Australian dollar. If you pay with a credit card, the credit card company will charge you a currency conversion fee, but I don't know what the amount would be.

chrome91

iTrader: (1)

yeah ive used PartSouq for years and my buddies recently started using them because they stock parts for JDM vehicles, theyve saved me many times sourcing parts and theyre cheap. even just bought a set of 4 OEM brake pads for $150 shipped and it took 4 days to come from Saudi Arabia

Hybridtheory

Dennis - Dude, thanks heaps. Are you saying that the copper plug BKR5E11 an alternative to the platinums?

I just checked out Rockauto - Bookmarked!!

I just realised the other day, that I'm going to san fran/LA/Vegas end of July so I might just pick up a few sets while im there.

Is Rockauto online only? Could some please point me to which store I could pick them up for? I dont think Costco would stock em?

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

I went to NGK's website and they give you models of all the different types of sparks plugs that will fit your car. Just about all spark plug manufacturers do that on their websites.

It appears that I posted the wrong number for the NGK copper plug. It should be
NGK 2382 BKR5ES11 copper plug, AU $2.05 each

Rock auto is strictly internet as far as I know. On their website under "about us", they say "It is not possible to pick up parts in person."

If you are coming to the United States and go to a local auto parts store, they will cost more money than the Rock Auto internet site charges. Here are comparison prices for the BKR5ES11 copper plug with Rock Auto and 2 large auto parts stores (prices in US Dollars):
$1.58 at Rock Auto internet
$2.49 at O'Reilly Auto Parts
$2.49 at Autozone Auto Parts

Plus you will have to pay sales tax at a store, between 8 and 10%, depending on the city you are in.

If you are going to be in one location long enough, like a week, you could order from Rock Auto.

Hybridtheory

Thank you once again Dennis.

I have family over there, so I'll buy a few sets and ship it over there.

BTW, are these plugs geniune??

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

Yes. The rockauto.com internet site sells the actual brand that they are saying it is.

One thing I thought about and wonder if it is true and I think it is true, is that if you order the spark plugs for delivery in the United States and use your credit card to pay for them, your credit card will charge you a currency conversion fee because it is issued to you as a person in New Zealand. The currency conversion fees charged by a credit card company are a lot higher than a bank charges.

Hybridtheory

Thank you

Its just that they are starting make alot of fake knockoffs, eg FPR's, injectors, etc

Yeah, the currency conversion is going to sting me a bit! Im trying to get a job over in the USA, so hopefully something opens up for me! Fingers crossed.

I might order some this week.

BronxSleeperMax187

E3 plugs...cheap and good too....8 years no problems, just changed them again with same ones....car gained 5 hp IMO.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

It would probably be easier, and much less complicated, if you have one of your family members buy what you need. Then when you meet them to pick up, pay them back. Credit card companies can get a bit finicky when the shipping address is not the same as the owner's address.

rhonster

the preferred plug for the 4th generation Maxima is NGK 2647 previously referred to as PFR5G11. They are available in Ottawa Canada at CAPS for $12CN, so with the exchange, just get someone to ship them for you. (613) 746-4303