[Guest]

There are several threads about spark plugs but some get a bit confusing. These are the standard choices for the 9-5, correct?

BCPR6ES-11 (regular - about $2 each)
PFR6H10 (platinum - about $12 each)

I know the platinum plugs are supposed to last longer but do they last 6 times longer than the regular plugs? You can buy 6 regular plugs for he price of 1 platinum.

I want the best for my car but is there really that much of a difference between these two ($8 vs $48 for a set of 4)?

 

[Chris 9-5]

Regular

 

[ivanwakeup]

There are several threads about spark plugs but some get a bit confusing. These are the standard choices for the 9-5, correct?

BCPR6ES-11 (regular - about $2 each)
PFR6H10 (platinum - about $12 each)

I know the platinum plugs are supposed to last longer but do they last 6 times longer than the regular plugs? You can buy 6 regular plugs for he price of 1 platinum.

I want the best for my car but is there really that much of a difference between these two ($8 vs $48 for a set of 4)?

i think the consensus for many is that the regular plugs do their job just fine, particularly in the 9-5 (and newer, GM saabs for that matter).

I've heard of running platinum plugs as well, infact, thats what i have in my 9-5 right now and they work great. I don't really think that the platinum diode makes much of a difference, especially in a car on a stock tune. People will argue otherwise, but i sincerely doubt its worth the 40 dollar difference.

I wouldn't think they really last as long as they say either. You can run reg plugs for 30k miles, would you REALLY want to run the same, albeit platinum, plugs for 180k miles? even if they did supposedly "last" that long, i wouldn't do it.

PS: i sound like a bit of a hypocrite running platinum plugs myself then, although those are the plugs the last owner put in before I bought the car

 

[Guest]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking as well. I once made the mistake of suggesting and using Autolite plugs and wanted to make sure I would use the right plugs this time. :cheesy:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112005&highlight=autolite

 

[ivanwakeup]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking as well. I once made the mistake of suggesting and using Autolite plugs and wanted to make sure I would use the right plugs this time. :cheesy:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112005&highlight=autolite

try running bosch 4 prong plugs in a japanese import car. All i will say is the car DOES NOT like it.

funny i should mention this, as the "professionals" at auto-zone actually reccommened i put german made bosch plugs in my NGK spec'd car. suffice it to say i will NEVER listen to anything someone at a chain parts store says again. Someone at pep boys once tried convincing me gear oil and manual transmission fluid were the same thing

 

[Guest]

NGK recommends the standard plugs for the Arc/B235L and the platinum for the Aero/B235R engine.

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_finder/car_truck_suv/results.asp

 

[ivanwakeup]

i thought starting in 2004 that the arc and aero had the same engine setup and turbo? are there any other differences? I thought the aero just came with stiffer suspension and other interior equipment by that year.

 

[Chris 9-5]

NGK recommends the standard plugs for the Arc/B235L and the platinum for the Aero/B235R engine.

And?

Regular are just fine

 

[Guest]

And?

Well.. the Laser Platinum have a much cooler name and a shinier appearance. They must be better and make my car go faster!

 

[hiros]

Anyway this is my PFR6H-10 supplier for a few years now.

http://cgi.ebay.com.my/NGK-spark-pl...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3a40366c84

Locally the PFR6H-10 are sold for USD30.00 each by the stealer. But now I am paying about USD40.00 for a set of 4 landed. Anyone got better PFR6H-10 prices??

 

[sempire]

With plugs, it all depends what type of owner you are. Some cars now a days are so complicated that you can't do a tuneup yourself. I would go for a plug that will last as long as possible if I have to take it to a dealer. However for cars that I am always working on, and change plugs for fun, I use regular plugs. For the most part, you can spend the extra cash on iridium plugs and leave them in until your car dies and you buy a new one. I just bough 6 iridium plugs because for $60, I will never have to think about them or change them again so why not. I am sure they're probably a bit better as well..

 

[B~P]

here's an interesting thread on spark plugs...

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=777642

dr boost says use the recommended plugs for you car and gives his reasoning. of course it's not the end all be all, but good feedback nonetheless.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll spend the big bucks on the Platinum plugs just to be sure I'll get the best performance.

$41 with free shipping on Amazon is not that bad at all.
http://www.amazon.com/NGK-PFR6H-10-Laser-Platinum-Spark/dp/B000GZGV0C
But I'll probably just order from eEuroparts as i need to get more maintenance stuff.

 

[toxicavenger]

Wulf I think jssaab or mt.aero was talking about using the laser platinum plugs too. I have done some research on them in the past and I think they actually might do a better job. But this is just my opinion. I was going to put some in my 06' but I couldn't find any locally at the time. http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157251&highlight=laser+platinum+plugs

 

[Guest]

I have done some research on them in the past and I think they actually might do a better job. But this is just my opinion.

My theory is they won't degrade over time like the standard plugs and the first spark is as good and strong as the spark after 30K miles. But that's just my theory.

 

[toxicavenger]

Sounds like a good theory so let me know how it goes.

 

[helmetvonthrob]

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll spend the big bucks on the Platinum plugs just to be sure I'll get the best performance.

$41 with free shipping on Amazon is not that bad at all.
http://www.amazon.com/NGK-PFR6H-10-Laser-Platinum-Spark/dp/B000GZGV0C
But I'll probably just order from eEuroparts as i need to get more maintenance stuff.

Or you could pay £11.58 each on Amazon.co.uk

 

[Chris 9-5]

dr boost says use the recommended plugs for you car .

Have you read the Saab "recommendation" on oil change intervals?

I wouldn't trust that either

 

[Guest]

Regular are just fine

Have you read the Saab "recommendation" on oil change intervals?

I wouldn't trust that either

But that's the same as with regular vs premium fuel in the 9-5. Regular will work fine but premium is better. Same with oil. Dino oil will work but synthetic is better.

Do you have any real-word experience with the difference between the standard and platinum plugs? I am just curious why you are so sure the standard plugs are fine.

 

[Chris 9-5]

But that's the same as with regular vs premium fuel in the 9-5. Regular will work fine but premium is better. Same with oil. Dino oil will work but synthetic is better.

Cant agree with that, dino oil causes sludge, it doesnt work......

Even on my tuned car I dont use premum (but I think UK octane ratings are higher)

Yes I have used both plugs, but what I notice, and I mean really notice is how much better the car performs on fresh plugs, so I change them with every oil change...........

The thought of leaving plugs in for 30k miles worries me.....

Both my 9-5's at every state of tune have worked really well on regular plugs - but then I dont have a B235 either.......

Maybe the choice isnt so easy here as well, I pay about $15 for 4 regular but 4 plats would cost nearer $60