ngk spark plugs- OEM vs. other

lorakew · 06-25-2009, 01:15 AM

Okay,

so my car is approaching the 100,000 mile mark and i went to NAPA to buy some spark plugs and wires.

2000 TOYOTA CAMRY 2.2 L4 5S-FE FI DOHC

there are a few NGK types, but toyota recommends the platinum plugs. NGK has 2 types, the G-Power & Laser Platinum. I know the Laser Platinum is the OEM plug for my toyota camry, but each plug is about $12 whole dollars. WoW that is expensive! I'm used to seeing cheap prices for spark plugs at autozone.

Laser Platinum
$12x4=$48

well the G-power is not OEM but it is also platinum but at a more economical cost- about $3.00 a plug.

G-Power
$3.00x4=$12

so the question is $12 vs $48. is it really necessary to spend 50 bucks on spark plugs?! And am I making a good decision to replace the plug wires, or should i just wait till my wires go bad to replace them with the NGK wire. Wire Set Part No. Stock No. Wire Set TE58 8916

G-Power BKR6EGP 7092 .044

Laser Platinum BKR6EKPB-11 * # 3452 .044

GSS123 · 06-25-2009, 10:16 AM

I would recommend you purchase your wire set from Toyota. And at the same time you can ask their price for plugs. This is not the area to skimp on quality.

Mike Gerber · 06-25-2009, 12:19 PM

I would go with whatever plug is recommended in your owner's manual. The manual usually recommends an NGK plug and a Denso plug. If both brands are listed, try pricing out the Denso plugs. As for the wires, I'm driving a 94 2.2 5SFE engine (90,000 miles) with the original OEM plug wires still on the car with no problems. I think that speaks well for the durability of the OEM wires. As to replacing them now or waiting, that's really up to you. Just don't get a set of cheap aftermarket wires. I have seen them last as little as 20,000 miles or 1 year.

Mike

RIP · 06-25-2009, 08:22 PM

Ditto. I learned my lesson a few years ago on my daughter's 94 2.2. While changing plugs I broke a plug wire. Replaced them with Autozone wires. To keep it short, 8 months later, found one wire had shorted through the plastic extender and was arcing against the plug tube. Used the Autozone warranty and replaced the set again. 6 months later the engine developed a miss. Again - a bad plug wire. Chucked the Autozone wires and forked over the bucks for OEM wires from Toyota. That was over a year ago and all is still well.

javatrooper · 06-25-2009, 10:19 PM

I checked around and got a set of NGK iridium for $8.00 vs double platinum at $12.00 each. Calling different part stores really can make a big difference. Been real happy with the iridium but time will tell. And the extra $30 for good plugs is nothing for the better performance and fuel economy. Plus they last for years....

somick · 06-26-2009, 01:53 PM

I think the answer is in your post: OEM parts lasted you 100,000 miles. Why look for troubles?

And javatrooper gave you a good advice - try to visit different stores and I am sure you will find a bargain.

Good luck,

Sam

lorakew · 06-28-2009, 02:59 AM

thanks for all the advice! i am glad to read the responses, and i went around and priced the ND (denso) plugs 6.99 OEM standard, 8.99 double platinum at advance auto parts.

that's just weird how NGK prices their plugs more expensive for the premium platinum OEM plugs (laser cut)... i will be returning their $50 spark plugs and will be buying the OEM denso plugs for $30.

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