When I bought my car it had extensive service records many of which dealt with a rough idle and associated issues. I called Pierre. He said first thing to do is get the non resistor correct plugs in your 560SL. The engine has just purred ever since.
Mercedes doesn’t offer the W9DC or W9DCO for order anymore… I’m at a loss at what plugs to use for my 560 SEC AMG. Thank you for all you do! Love this page and your content.
For what its worth: Last year I had major issues with my ignition on my Euro 560 SEL. I only service my car with Mercedes Benz authorised Dealers in Switzerland. To cut a long story short. They changed all 8 spark plugs with original Bosch ( don't know where they have been manufactured) among other things. After returning my car to me, the 560 ran for a week and then died again. Back to the Merc Dealer. 6 out 8 spark plugs were useless. Again, change with new BOSCH plugs. Car dies again. After that, they used Japanese Ones (NGK). The mechanic confessed to me that they have major problems with BOSCH plugs as they are produced all over the world with different quality measures. QED
I've used NGK's in all my vehicles across 26 years without a problem. I use NGK's in my Mercedes-Benz 500 sec and they're fine. I'm surprised they're not mentioned today.
I love your videos Pierre - have learnt more about KE-Jet in the past few weeks than I thougth possible - and solved a nagging hot start / WOT issue with my W124 300CE-24 after an EHA adjustment. Following your tutorials it is running better than it ever has. Thank You. But, I did spend 25 years on the tools, including a number with an Aston Martin classic specialist... where we would use nothing but NGK. and so it remains with all of my personal cars, and my customers when still in the trade. I cannot recall ever having a plug failure with them (even the dodgy Indonesian manufactured ones Nissan used to sell as genuine parts). Cheers, Matt
My dad used ngk in most all his euro cars ,Porsches ,air-cooled and water cooled vws. He used to say Bosch makes good stuff ,but they've got some catching up to do in the spark plug dept.
Great video Pierre .But I have been using non resistor NGK plugs for over 40 years with great success I find the burn better and do not foul as fast as Bosch .Just my opinion for what its worth .NGKs are available everywhere .
I inherited a 1979 450slc. I have spent two years repairing lots of rust. Job done. Now on to the engine. Car starts well from cold, runs for a few minutes then stumbles and stops. Have tested the thermal time switch. Not quite in spec. Will replace. $100.00?? Trying to find Bosch plugs for this car, no "r", no "+", no "p". No luck on e-bay. Will contact Mercedes dealers in Colorado. Thanks for the TH-cam!
Hi Pierre, My 85 380sl calls for Bosch W9DCO as OEM plugs - I found some Bosch W8DC plugs (copper core non resistor) will those work. Will those be the best I can do if there are no W9DCO anywhere to be found? Thanks in advance. And if you do not or cannot respond thanks also... LOL
My 003 159 37 03 plugs (aka Beru Ultra 14 K-9 DUO, made in France) arrived today from Mercedes. $2.52 each, and precisely one of the numbers listed in the back of my owner's manual. This 003 number supersedes at least two others, according to Mercedes. Looking forward to installing them and replacing whatever was put in ? years and ? miles ago.
Incredibly Mercedes no longer sells these plugs. I called MB Manhattan and they said they had none in stock and referred me to MB Classic. Called MB Classic and they said that they also no longer have them. I asked them what do they do in this case. They said they would probably use champion plugs or try to get BERU plugs. This is MB Classic in california. Only option left is NGK non resistor plugs. What to do Pierre!? MB no longer sells them!!
@@NinjaNatalie BP5ES and BP6ES. The numbers go like the WR series from Bosch (in terms of how "hot" they are) but I think in reverse order..? I don't recall at the moment.
I just left my local dealership in Maitland FL, how about 6 months to a year ago they had a bunch in stock I'm kicking myself in the ass for not buying them then! they are completely out and not available. HELP 😢
Additionally I think I made a mistake getting the BP5ES... people on the forums say they like the 6 and the 7. FWIW I ran the Champion NY for a few months and they ran great. $2-3 per plug is a great deal and it's pretty easy to change 1-2x per year if you care that much.
The number represents the plug heat range.. these engines run warm, not hot, they're not "high performance" powertrain, they're endurance machines.. therefore spark plug heat range nominal designation 5 or 6 is just fine for such M113, M116, M117, whathaveyou. NGK'S are obtainable everywhere, great quality at reasonable price - I buy mine off ebay, why go anywhere else?? The OEM's are fully aware of NGK plugs and I'm surprised they're not specified or rebranded for OEM specification rather than adopt silly confusing poor quality supply instead.. it smacks of bean count "mafia" tactics rather than focus on the interest of the OEM brand, customer service, consistent quality & just good old fashioned value for money.
I never buy plugs from mercedes for my 1985 380sl, and after 60,000 miles, still getting 24mpg... using the NGK BP5ES, I'm on the 2nd set after 10yrs and 20,000 miles (got the car 10yrs ago with 40,000 miles on the clock... granted, its a hotter plug vs the BP6es, But I have cut the belt going to aux air, advanced timing 1degree, no cat & plugged the exhaust ports leading into the intake, per Mercedes shop manual procedure, use a tapered 6mm dowel going into hole...
Pierre: You said you cannot endorse any plug other than Bosch. What of NGK, I bought some NOS (Made in Japan) BP5ES plugs for my 89 560SL because I could not find Bosch W9DC or 7,8DC's.
Great info. What would be even more helpful, is a table titled "IT IS NOT THE SAME PLUG", then the p/n list below, shown while you're drilling into people what the difference is, and why. The forums are loaded with BS on copper vs. precious metals and resistor vs. non-resistor, as in, "it doesn't make a difference".
I was sold NGK LFR6AIX-11--6619 for my 1989 300CE Coupe 6 cyl, but they are long thres=aded compaired to the plugs in it, which some numskull use Autolight plugs?? What plug can I use, or better yet which is correct.
I don't have a sparking Merc ,but I came from mk1/2 vws and we always swapped out those trash Bosch plugs for some ngks. Sounds odd to use a Japanese plug in a euro car but they know how to make a good plug,Bosch had a little catching up to do compared to most of the other stuff they made which was great.
When i watch any video of pierre and kent only i can only say that kent bergsma has more educational videos,pierre has different approach to videos,and kent has videos based on real videos of repairing mercedes vehicles and parts as well,anyway i am not from Usa and i am not related with any of them.
Excellent info regarding plugs but what to do about spark plug wires for the M103 since they are NLA from Mercedes or Bosch? Thank you very kindly for any suggestions.
@@alm4132 Awesome but do the BERU wires are the resistor kind? That's the million dollars question. The Mercedes and BOSCH were for sure, that's why I was asking the great Hedary. Thank you anyways
When I bought my car it had extensive service records many of which dealt with a rough idle and associated issues. I called Pierre. He said first thing to do is get the non resistor correct plugs in your 560SL. The engine has just purred ever since.
Mercedes doesn’t offer the W9DC or W9DCO for order anymore… I’m at a loss at what plugs to use for my 560 SEC AMG. Thank you for all you do! Love this page and your content.
For what its worth: Last year I had major issues with my ignition on my Euro 560 SEL. I only service my car with Mercedes Benz authorised Dealers in Switzerland. To cut a long story short. They changed all 8 spark plugs with original Bosch ( don't know where they have been manufactured) among other things. After returning my car to me, the 560 ran for a week and then died again. Back to the Merc Dealer. 6 out 8 spark plugs were useless. Again, change with new BOSCH plugs. Car dies again. After that, they used Japanese Ones (NGK). The mechanic confessed to me that they have major problems with BOSCH plugs as they are produced all over the world with different quality measures. QED
I've used NGK's in all my vehicles across 26 years without a problem. I use NGK's in my Mercedes-Benz 500 sec and they're fine. I'm surprised they're not mentioned today.
Whats the park name/$ for the NGK?
@@NinjaNatalie Sorry don't remember anymore...about the same as the BOSCH I believe..
I love your videos Pierre - have learnt more about KE-Jet in the past few weeks than I thougth possible - and solved a nagging hot start / WOT issue with my W124 300CE-24 after an EHA adjustment. Following your tutorials it is running better than it ever has. Thank You. But, I did spend 25 years on the tools, including a number with an Aston Martin classic specialist... where we would use nothing but NGK. and so it remains with all of my personal cars, and my customers when still in the trade. I cannot recall ever having a plug failure with them (even the dodgy Indonesian manufactured ones Nissan used to sell as genuine parts). Cheers, Matt
I recommend NGK BP6E.
I own 3 W126 2x 560SE and 1x 420SE; German cars since I live in Germany. Never ever any problems with this NGK plug.
My dad used ngk in most all his euro cars ,Porsches ,air-cooled and water cooled vws.
He used to say Bosch makes good stuff ,but they've got some catching up to do in the spark plug dept.
Great video Pierre .But I have been using non resistor NGK plugs for over 40 years with great success I find the burn better and do not foul as fast as Bosch .Just my opinion for what its worth .NGKs are available everywhere .
Where can i find the correct plugs, aftermarket options??? Bosch w9dco not available through the dealership anymore 😢
This information is what sets you apart from the other wannabes on TH-cam and in the specialist trade. Thank you!
NGK 100% High quality at a low price. After 3 services(clean & regap).
I inherited a 1979 450slc. I have spent two years repairing lots of rust. Job done. Now on to the engine. Car starts well from cold, runs for a few minutes then stumbles and stops. Have tested the thermal time switch. Not quite in spec. Will replace. $100.00?? Trying to find Bosch plugs for this car, no "r", no "+", no "p". No luck on e-bay. Will contact Mercedes dealers in Colorado. Thanks for the TH-cam!
Hi Pierre, My 85 380sl calls for Bosch W9DCO as OEM plugs - I found some Bosch W8DC plugs (copper core non resistor) will those work. Will those be the best I can do if there are no W9DCO anywhere to be found? Thanks in advance. And if you do not or cannot respond thanks also... LOL
Keep up the good work bro. Thank you.
Great inside information that we would not normally know!
Great information for Classic mercedes spark plugs
Thanks for your advice
We see a fair number of Lada Niva on the roads here in Ecuador. They have a 'keep on chugging along' style about them.
Yes Lada Niva have a following.
Great info, but can you tell me what spark plug to fit in my MB 200D W124 - 1987? Its my first one so i really dont know.
Main take away: "DON'T BUY THE PLUGS ANYWHERE BUT MERCEDES!!!!" OK, understood.
Good morning thank you so very much for the Good Information !!!!
My 003 159 37 03 plugs (aka Beru Ultra 14 K-9 DUO, made in France) arrived today from Mercedes. $2.52 each, and precisely one of the numbers listed in the back of my owner's manual. This 003 number supersedes at least two others, according to Mercedes. Looking forward to installing them and replacing whatever was put in ? years and ? miles ago.
Incredibly Mercedes no longer sells these plugs. I called MB Manhattan and they said they had none in stock and referred me to MB Classic. Called MB Classic and they said that they also no longer have them. I asked them what do they do in this case. They said they would probably use champion plugs or try to get BERU plugs. This is MB Classic in california. Only option left is NGK non resistor plugs. What to do Pierre!? MB no longer sells them!!
I was just going to comment this. I have Champions in my 560 SEL and they work fine. And I've stocked up on NGK.
@@PJ-qx5yt Whats the NGK part name you guys went with? @moemoney
@@NinjaNatalie BP5ES and BP6ES. The numbers go like the WR series from Bosch (in terms of how "hot" they are) but I think in reverse order..? I don't recall at the moment.
I just left my local dealership in Maitland FL, how about 6 months to a year ago they had a bunch in stock I'm kicking myself in the ass for not buying them then! they are completely out and not available. HELP 😢
Additionally I think I made a mistake getting the BP5ES... people on the forums say they like the 6 and the 7.
FWIW I ran the Champion NY for a few months and they ran great. $2-3 per plug is a great deal and it's pretty easy to change 1-2x per year if you care that much.
How about ngk BP5ES? I always use them in my 250SL w113. What is the difference between these plugs and Mercedes’ plugs ?
Great choice I have been using these for the last 40 Years
The number represents the plug heat range.. these engines run warm, not hot, they're not "high performance" powertrain, they're endurance machines.. therefore spark plug heat range nominal designation 5 or 6 is just fine for such M113, M116, M117, whathaveyou.
NGK'S are obtainable everywhere, great quality at reasonable price - I buy mine off ebay, why go anywhere else??
The OEM's are fully aware of NGK plugs and I'm surprised they're not specified or rebranded for OEM specification rather than adopt silly confusing poor quality supply instead.. it smacks of bean count "mafia" tactics rather than focus on the interest of the OEM brand, customer service, consistent quality & just good old fashioned value for money.
is the BP5ES-11 different than "BP5ES"?
what is your opinion on NGK or Beru plugs, most late models come w/ NGK R's
Whats the best spark plug for a c180 w202 1998? (M111.921 engine)
I never buy plugs from mercedes for my 1985 380sl, and after 60,000 miles, still getting 24mpg... using the NGK BP5ES, I'm on the 2nd set after 10yrs and 20,000 miles (got the car 10yrs ago with 40,000 miles on the clock... granted, its a hotter plug vs the BP6es, But I have cut the belt going to aux air, advanced timing 1degree, no cat & plugged the exhaust ports leading into the intake, per Mercedes shop manual procedure, use a tapered 6mm dowel going into hole...
Pierre: You said you cannot endorse any plug other than Bosch. What of NGK, I bought some NOS (Made in Japan) BP5ES plugs for my 89 560SL because I could not find Bosch W9DC or 7,8DC's.
Great info. What would be even more helpful, is a table titled "IT IS NOT THE SAME PLUG", then the p/n list below, shown while you're drilling into people what the difference is, and why. The forums are loaded with BS on copper vs. precious metals and resistor vs. non-resistor, as in, "it doesn't make a difference".
Thanks!
What about NGK non resistor plugs?
I only use Denso/ NGK Iridium on my 190E 2.3 8v and 16v. They work much better than the Borsch!
Great choice
That was gonna be MY question. I have an '88 230GE (2.3 M102 engine) and was told NOT to run NGK plugs.
I was sold NGK LFR6AIX-11--6619 for my 1989 300CE Coupe 6 cyl, but they are long thres=aded compaired to the plugs in it, which some numskull use Autolight plugs?? What plug can I use, or better yet which is correct.
I don't have a sparking Merc ,but I came from mk1/2 vws and we always swapped out those trash Bosch plugs for some ngks.
Sounds odd to use a Japanese plug in a euro car but they know how to make a good plug,Bosch had a little catching up to do compared to most of the other stuff they made which was great.
Can you please tell me what is the correct plugs for w202 c200 1996, either the car is jerking, or half its power..
Been using Bosch super 4s for years on all 3 of my mercs don’t see any problem with them .?
When i watch any video of pierre and kent only i can only say that kent bergsma has more educational videos,pierre has different approach to videos,and kent has videos based on real videos of repairing mercedes vehicles and parts as well,anyway i am not from Usa and i am not related with any of them.
Bosch has also farmed out to NGK
For the rest of the world, he's saying the gap should be .032 inches, equal to 0.8mm metric. Mercedes uses metric standard.
There is a Niva running around St Augustine. Serious as a heart attack
wonderfull !,!!!
penultimate means 2nd best...
I think the only factory that makes Bosch F8DC4 is the Russian factory. Mercedes has moved on to Beru. According to my research.
Buy your spark plugs @ Mercedes only!!!!
Excellent info regarding plugs but what to do about spark plug wires for the M103 since they are NLA from Mercedes or Bosch? Thank you very kindly for any suggestions.
fcpeuro has them.......
@@alm4132 Awesome but do the BERU wires are the resistor kind? That's the million dollars question. The Mercedes and BOSCH were for sure, that's why I was asking the great Hedary. Thank you anyways
Mercedes plugs every time...
Not all plugs made equally.
My rule of thumb, never buy something made by the people who made Chernobyl. :-)
Russian plugs FTW! I mean spark plugs!! 🤣🤣
Bad advice Pierre. If you want to throw money away buy them from Mercedes-Benz. I'd rather get the same quality or better elsewhere
What’s your experience or knowledge source?
Hr9dc+ w9dco