Every NGK plug on Amazon and EBay I've purchased have been fake

[BMWSauberF1]

So after purchasing a set of the 97506 NGK’s at advanced auto parts yesterday and comparing them to the last two sets of plugs as well as another set I had purchased a couple days ago but needed to get plugs asap to try and fix my misfire which is why I went to advanced auto. But all the ones I’ve bought online the “P” in Japan doesn’t have a line on the bottom of it. However the ones from advanced do have the line. I read online someone else pointing that out that’s what made me curious to look at the difference between the ones purchased online vs the ones I bought in store. And I’m almost certain the ones I just bought from Amazon were shipped and sold through Amazon as well which is even more surprising to me that they’d be fake. Anyways just thought I’d let you guys know to make sure not to buy your plugs from eBay or Amazon. Here’s a pic so you can see what I’m talking about.

[M5Rick]

Well spotted, the last thing we want is fake spark plugs.

[fstm5]

Interesting, I also had suspicions from buying on Amazon, only reason I did was the speedy delivery.

I also thought mine were fake but they checked off all the marks to be real, the Japan writing, the shape of the ground etc.

It just depends.

[sgsdownhill]

Annoyingly this is super common. Several videos on youtube detailing ways to spot them.

[Justiinee]

That's helpful to know. Not BMW related but I saw that some other products are fake on Amazon too like shampoos, soaps, etc.

[BMWSauberF1]

Originally Posted by Justiinee

That's helpful to know. Not BMW related but I saw that some other products are fake on Amazon too like shampoos, soaps, etc.

Yeah I figured there was other fake stuff on Amazon but these plugs were definitely not as good as the real NGK’s I mean they did alright with stage 2 for a little while I had them gapped to .020 but the car definitely felt like it wasn’t as quick after I had changed from my old NGK’s that were real to those fake ones on my last spark plug change. But I thought maybe It was just in my head it makes sense now why it felt like that.

[M5Rick]

Best to go to BMW dealer to have the plugs changed if your car is stock, the BMW boxed Bosch ones are your guarantee that they are genuine with the 'M' stamp on them, different from the normal ones, plus you have the BMW 2 year parts and labour guarantee.

[fstm5]

Originally Posted by BMWSauberF1

Yeah I figured there was other fake stuff on Amazon but these plugs were definitely not as good as the real NGK’s I mean they did alright with stage 2 for a little while I had them gapped to .020 but the car definitely felt like it wasn’t as quick after I had changed from my old NGK’s that were real to those fake ones on my last spark plug change. But I thought maybe It was just in my head it makes sense now why it felt like that.

Damn that’s crazy, I’ve been having odd idles here and there, I’m curious if it’s from the spark plugs cause mine were from Amazon as well

[BMWSauberF1]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Best to go to BMW dealer to have the plugs changed if your car is stock, the BMW boxed Bosch ones are your guarantee that they are genuine with the 'M' stamp on them, different from the normal ones, plus you have the BMW 2 year parts and labour guarantee.

I’m stage 2 so I can’t run the Bosch but the ones I got from advanced auto were legit with the line under the P they’re $29 a piece though. I’m getting ready to replace my cylinder 3 injector since it’s leaking so once I get all the legit plugs in there I’ll let you guys know if it’s drives better than it did on the fake ones.

[SpeedProtocol]

fcp euro

[texsn95]

Originally Posted by Droner

fcp euro

After reading about these counterfeits, I just ordered the 97506s from FCP and a plug gapper / gauge, got a 5% coupon for signing up and free shipping, not a bad deal.

[TinCanSailor]

Originally Posted by texsn95

After reading about these counterfeits, I just ordered the 97506s from FCP and a plug gapper / gauge, got a 5% coupon for signing up and free shipping, not a bad deal.

Not sure if you have done the plugs on the M5 before but grab yourself a good thin wall socket, IIRC it is a 14mm, as the sit in a rather narrow location.

[M5Rick]

If your M starts going into 'limp mode' not long after changing plugs then they're probably fake make spark plugs. I changed the originals out on mine at 40k when it started happening.

[M5_Brandoe]

Wow ! Good catch.

[texsn95]

Originally Posted by TinCanSailor

Not sure if you have done the plugs on the M5 before but grab yourself a good thin wall socket, IIRC it is a 14mm, as the sit in a rather narrow location.

Thanks, got that awhile back, just waiting on the heat to abate so I'm not cooking in the garage. BPM recommended changing plugs prior to a Stage 1 even though I only have 23k on the original plugs.

[TinCanSailor]

Originally Posted by texsn95

Thanks, got that awhile back, just waiting on the heat to abate so I'm not cooking in the garage. BPM recommended changing plugs prior to a Stage 1 even though I only have 23k on the original plugs.

Living in SW Florida I deal with that heat and humidity all too often, as small price to pay for year round driving weather.

Make sure you disconnect the battery and leave the trunk open. Watch the DME connectors when putting everything back in. It took us an attempt or two to get the connectors to seat back solidly.

[SpeedProtocol]

Originally Posted by texsn95

Thanks, got that awhile back, just waiting on the heat to abate so I'm not cooking in the garage. BPM recommended changing plugs prior to a Stage 1 even though I only have 23k on the original plugs.

I had less than 10k on my plugs and started misfire shortly after stage 1. been going strong after the fcp euro NGKs. .024 gap

[texsn95]

97506 right? Do you think the BPM S1 was worth it? That's what I was looking at and Mike recommended new plugs. Only other mods are filters.

[SpeedProtocol]

Correct. Yeah its worth it if you just want a solid tune and dont want to mess with anymore tuning after that(As long as its his 93 tune).

Instead of no first or second gear its no first, second, and third gear. I almost never floor the car now. Spins tires at 80mph. Have to ease into the throttle. Its seen redline by running out 4th gear only a handful of times since ive tuned it. It goes to like 150mph before shifting to 5th.

As for stage 2 or anything beyond, Theres not much point in going any faster with this car. At least not for the street.

I sometimes wish it was a bootmod3 tune so I was able to learn how to tune it myself/see whats going on.

[texsn95]

Cool thanks. Yeah that'd probably be the end of the mods. I may be trading my Cobra for my old E60 M5 so that would be my 3rd car tinker toy.