Bosch +4 Spark plugs worth it?

[Accord Man]

Originally posted by BlackDeuceCoupe
I burned up an OE plug at 19k. I started my car, it was running on 3-cylinders and it instantly tripped a 'check engine' light. I ran it a couple of miles to Pep Boys and bought a new set, installed them and did a EMU reset.

At 40k, I decided to take them out and check 'em. I had been experiencing a few 'no goes' at startup. They were basically fried again. That's when I switched to the Bosch plugs.

I've got about 8k on them. The reason I don't care for them is because I'm getting this weird little thing at startup. Most ppl probably wouldn't even notice it, but when I first start my car it doesn't fire up quite as quickly, and it sounds V rich for a couple of secs. Other than that, they seem to work fine. I dunno, maybe I'm starting to have a problem elsewhere, but I don't think so...

I liked the NGK's, but they do go south in a hurry. I've talked to a couple of ppl that install new plugs at every oil change. That's what I'm thinking about doing. Hell, a set of NGK V-Powers are only 8 bones in this area. I pay almost that much for my oil filter and 4 bones/qt for oil, so it doesn't add that much to the cost of maintenance IMO.

Platinums are V inefficient. Silver-core are the best, but copper are a close second. For most apps, copper-core is your best bet, albeit short lived. Iridiums sound good on paper, but you're talking 10-15 bones EACH; 40-65 bones a set. I don't feel like spending that much on an experiment, but maybe you do.

Anyway, just a few more thoughts for you...

Bosch plugs in general, not only the plat 4's, are designed for cars that have a flatter cylinder head. Thus, when you use this sort of plug in a car that sports a rounder cylinder head, namely hondas, incompatibility issues are prone to arise.

Regarding the oe plug that you burned at 19k, thats quiet strange. Unless the plug was faulty, but that would be very unlikely. Maybe it would be worth for you to take it to an independant certified garage to run a full engine diagnostics. If he finds anything, hopefully you're warranty is still in effect and will take care of it.

I wouldnt be able to tell you how many horses I might have gained by using the Denso Irridums.. However, acceleration had improved. Enough so, that I didnt need to get on the accelerator as much as I usually would during morning and evening traffic hours. In reasonably similar driving conditions, I averaged 50kms more per full tank.

It was worth in my case.

But you can judge for yourself.