$13 Spark Plug I'm not goint to take it any

[Allred]

(I orginally posted this rant on BMWLT.com, but it was an R1150RT that I am working on and buying parts for, that set me off.)


I have faithfully supported my local BMW shops, both authorized and independant, through ownership of 8 or 9 Beemers over past 10 years or so. I recognize the value of local expertise and the convenience of on-hand parts.

But today after paying more than $13 a piece for a couple of BMW sourced NGK (made in Japan) spark plugs, I think I passed a watershed. This after paying more than $21 for an oil filter, and more than $25 for an air filter in the last few days as part of a 6,000 mile maintenance.

I have more years of mechanical involvement in motorsports than I like to admit. I have a well equipped, enclosed, heated, well lit, comfortable workshop and a multitude of tools. I have lots of experience maintaining and repairing all sorts of motorabilia, some of them quite sophisticated. And I hesitate to estimate how many dollars I've spent on parts over the years. Marketing hype aside, I think I know the value of a spark plug or oil filter.

I've worked hard all my life, and have been fortunate to arrive at the station in life where I can afford my hobbies. However, I have not become so comfortable that I can overcome the resentment at paying through the nose.



So....I've ordered my own motorcycle lift, and hence forth, will once again be doing most of my own work, and OK with buying maintenance supplies sans the BMW label, and parts from a more reasonably price supply chain when possible.

If this becomes problematic, I suppose my run of Beemers may come to an end in favor of some other brand more reasonably priced.

$13+ for a BMW labeled japanese spark plug, indeed!

Rant mode off now....

[nhmaf]

Well, the problem is more amplified with BMWs than Hondas or Kawasakis - but those dealerships also have similar issues.  The "Bring More Wallet" brand is often
closer to the truth than many of care for, and the reason why many of us work on our own bikes, and especially love airheads - that are more simple to maintain
in many respects.

I only wish that I had a heated garage - I do have an electric heater in the garage, but running it during our winters would quickly make my electric bill look more like a mortgage payment...

 

[donbmw]

Some of the new plugs that are being used are close to $20.00  a plug. Last year both my Chevy van and Suburban reached 100,000 miles went and got $100.00 just in plugs for them. Some aviation plug are $100.00 a plug and you may need 12 each.

Don

[not-so-fast-ed]

Allred. I feel your pain...  my first "HOW MUCH?  ARE YOU KIDDING?" at the dealer was the simple rubber hose connections to the cylinders from the carbs ---  $10 EACH!!

Now I do a good bit with Chicago BMW & any other source that can provide reasonable replacements at at reasonable cost.

 

Ed

[MrRiden]

For the most part I've found parts for the R65 within reason from the plethora of on line outlets either new or used. Some stuff, as we all know, is a bit pricey tho. There have been stern words, over on another clubs list, about supporting the dealers or all your parts availability will go away. When I hear of a dealer charging an outlandish price for something as mundane as a spark plug well, It makes me feel as though the dealer is just asking to have his customers go away. I realize that one rule of living is 'convenience will cost you more' but at $13 I'd expect the dealer to put 'em in too. BTW here is a short list of non-resistor plugs for our R65s
Bosh W5D
Champion N7YC / N8YC
Autolite 4252 / AR52 (racing)
NGK BP7ES
rich

[Altritter]

from donbmw: << Some of the new plugs that are being used are close to $20.00  a plug. Last year both my Chevy van and Suburban reached 100,000 miles went and got $100.00 just in plugs for them. Some aviation plug are $100.00 a plug and you may need 12 each. >>

I can almost see that kind of $$ for late-model cage plugs, and definitely for aviation plugs. The way it was explained to me, electronic ignitions require much higher voltages through the plug wires than the old distributor-based ignitions. (Priced a set of late-model automotive plug wires recently?) That causes two problems: More rapid deterioration of the wires themselves, and an RFI problem for the microprocessors that seem to run damn near everything on the cars manufactured today (new Beemer bikes, too, from what I hear). Therefore, the wires have to be shielded, and the plugs have to be hardened to last a full replacement cycle under the high voltages. (One compensating factor — the plug interval on some newer cars is 30-50k miles.) But for an R65 plug??? (Especially for the earlier R65s that had distributors and points.)

What's the number of that NGK plug? Think that plug number is available for < $10 at a Pep Boys or similar auto parts store in your neighborhood?

[montmil]

...I only wish that I had a heated garage - I do have an electric heater in the garage, but running it during our winters would quickly make my electric bill look more like a mortgage payment...

This is off-topic as far as sparkle plugs and pricey Beemer parts but it may help keep you warm as you service your bike...

I absolutely love my Kero-Sun heater. Available at most any big box home supply store, these units when used properly are an economical and safe way to warm up a large workshop.

Don't play with spray paint, wood dust, flammables or combustibles with the stove in use. Provide for a small amount of ventilation and think safety.

I keep a copper tea kettle and water on the stove top so I can have a cuppa whatever while I work.

Monte

[not-so-fast-ed]

Earl Grey, Monte?

[Semper Gumby]

Hey if you are going spend some money then get the best.  

NGK BPR7EIX Iridium.  Stock number 4055.

OooOOooOOOooooooo....... 8-)

(Hey this sounds suspiciously like another ADOT!)

[MrRiden]

Unfortunately those are resistor plugs http://ngk.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=2211

[not-so-fast-ed]

Gee, Bill.

NGK says "The combination of fine wire center electrode and tapered cut ground will increase performance, improve acceleration, and fuel efficiency."

I'm not sure I can take too much more performance and acceleration, although fuel efficiency's OK...

 

Ed

[Semper Gumby]

Unfortunately those are resistor plugs http://ngk.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=2211

Yesh they are!!!  I wonder how many miles I've got on the set in my bike now.  Let me see.....

Holy GoogelyMoogely  20,000 miles!  Gaped them again today and they look just fine.  The outside is a bit rusted though.  Perhaps a beed blaster...

Put a little anti-sieze on the threads and stuck them back in.

[drewboid]

Yes - resistor plugs which I am not supposed to use in a /2 with magneto ignition. However I do and find that the small tip provides a hotter spark despite the resistor. The result is easier kicking and usually a one-kick start. Based upon the result with the /2 I am also using them in the /6 nad R65. Personal opinion is that they are worth the additional cost and the resistor is not a problem. YMMV (nomex flame proof suit ON)

[MrRiden]

No need for a suit. I'm just running with what I've read. You won't get a "guru" lecture out of me. If they werk that's good 'nuf.
rich

[Justin B.]

Allred, as a famous (or infamous) prez once said, "I feel your pain..."  I came to the same conclusion as you about 5 years ago when I discovered the local dealer adding 100% - 200% to the retail price of small items.  Stuff like this is so much easier to keep track of now that we have the internet.  The last thing I bought from our local dealer was an oil filter a couple of years ago.  I thought it mighty strange that the filter was priced to the penny so that when tax was added it came up to $20 on the nose!

I don't believe, for the most part, that the new "boutique" dealers much like Airhead owners anyway as they know we are more liable to hang on to our current machines than buy into the hype and glitz of newer models.  It's too bad they don't realize the value of having prospective customers noticing well maintained/running 30 year old examples of the marque running the streets.  That fact, to me, has always impressed me as extremely effective advertising...

As far as spark plugs, I get the Bosch from FCP Groton for less than $2/ea and the ones in my '95 R100 have been in there for 4 years...