R1200 GSA Spark Plugs $$$$$

Hello all,

I just completed my 12,000 mile scheduled maintenance and wanted to ask you guys a question...This isnt part of the 12000 mile maintenance but I said what the hell might as well right.....Is it just me or am I crazy.....I tried to purchase the recommended NGK DCPR8EKC spark plugs for my bike and I couldn't find them anywhere except the BMW dealership here in Tampa...and of course they wanted $18.09 a piece!!! Please tell me they are trying to rape me and that this isnt the regular cost of the spark plugs...

I'm glad I only have to change them every 24000miles :)

Is this the norm??? Where are you guys getting your spark plugs???? Are there any other options????

Thanks in advance

Cheers

Alex

First, they are due at 24K, but go fine to 36K in most instances. Second, your dealer is charging you nearly double what mine does.

From Hammersley BMW
<TABLE class=data_table cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>01</TD><TD>SPARK PLUG</TD><TD>DCPR8EKC </TD><TD>4</TD><TD>12-12-7-671-301</TD><TD align=right>$10.96</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.webparts.com/diagram.php?btnr=12_1259&mospid=47824&hg=12&fg=05

My local dealer is about the same.

Jim

You should just relax and open your wallet,let that cash loose! There now, doesnt that feel better? A big part of the whole BMW experience is the cash flow from you to the dealer.Just let him fish around in there and take what he wants,hes gonna get it anyway if you ride the thing enough. I snapped out of it after three years and ran screaming to a Suzuki dealer. V-Strom might not have the cachet but is stone reliable and cheap to own. Just kidding............

I knew someone out there would have a better price...Chicageo BMW has em' for $12.80!!!!

Cheers

Alex

My dealer in SoCal is close to $20 for the oem NGK's too. You can get the Bosch equivilent cheaper from beemerboneyard.com, but I did not like the Bosch's compared to the oem NGK's. I thought the idle was rougher with the Bosch.

I am currently trying out the non-oem single electrode NGK's and like them the best so far(DCPR8EIX).

Are you hating on Ozzie?

I bought YR5LDE's at the Paonia Rally in 07 for $25

Any more than $5.00 for a steel spark plug is ridiculous! Platinum, iridium and other exotics containing hexameta-moondust...well, OK but conventional steel electrode plugs are all that is necessary for these engines of ours...my Autolites at a buck-fifty work fine and I don't change them until the ground electrode shows errosion. I am on the same set I installed in 2002...they work fine. My 1995 Taurus still has the OE plugs...gets 26 MPG and starts regardless of weather. I'm much more fussy about the whiskey I drink than my sparkplugs..........

I agree, on the R1100/1150, but the R1200 doesn't have a reasonable cost replacement, though some have mentioned an alternative, I have not seen it.

Jim

Current MSRP on BMW plug 12127671301 is $16.00 each.

What is it about spark phugs?

They are just hollow bolts with insulated electrodes on the inside.

What is the difference? I know that there is but can someone explain why?

because the sun rises in the east my young padawan...

Ahhhh

Platinum tip version of the stock plug is the NGK DCPR8EKP available most everywhere for about $12, even amazon. NB: I have not tried these yet. As I've a spare set of the DCPR8EKC and less than 6K on the plugs in the bike it may be a long time before I get around to trying them.... if ever.

// marc

do you use synthetic oil.

I use DCPR8EIX "iridium" from rockymountainmc.com for $7.99 each....

Marc - Are the platinum plugs a suitable substitute for the EKC's? Same reach, gap, heat range and so on? I don't find EKC's on the website I usually use, nor on Amazon.

TAUNT ALERT!

is $18 a spark plug really too much of a stretch for guys with $20,000 bikes and $2,000 luggage systems?

See this post on the MOA website:

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showpost.php?p=396405&postcount=21

The poster says that the NGK Tech Line says it is the same. The iridium plug, on the other hand, isn't the same.

// marc