Four ground electrode spark plugs

[b.u.ti-ful]

The parts manager at my area BMW dealer mentioned to me that BMW suggests using 4-ground electrode spark plugs and that they are supposed to help with cold starting. The plugs have four tabs leading to the electrode for better spark. The Bosch website lists 4417 Platinum+4 for 318ti 1.9 M44. I'm going to give them a try and see if there is any better cold running performance. My car currently has 2-ground Bosch plugs which I'm pretty sure is stock.

[aceyx]

NGK 2-prongs are stock. There are a few threads on this (try searching "platinum"), not sure how the 4 prongs have worked for people.

IMO it's not worth it.

[L84THSKY]

I use the Platinum+4 plugs. They are only about $5.00 bucks each.

Originally Posted by b.u.ti-ful

The parts manager at my area BMW dealer mentioned to me that BMW suggests using 4-ground electrode spark plugs and that they are supposed to help with cold starting. The plugs have four tabs leading to the electrode for better spark. The Bosch website lists 4417 Platinum+4 for 318ti 1.9 M44. I'm going to give them a try and see if there is any better cold running performance. My car currently has 2-ground Bosch plugs which I'm pretty sure is stock.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by aceyx

NGK 2-prongs are stock. There are a few threads on this (try searching "platinum"), not sure how the 4 prongs have worked for people.

IMO it's not worth it.

NOT WORTH IT. Stick with stock.

[FATHER]

+1

[mischief]

i tryed it dont buy it
the 4-ground electrode only one will get spark at a time

good thing about the 4-ground electrode it last longer then 1-ground electrode

[b.u.ti-ful]

That makes sense. I wonder why BMW would recommend them. But then, I was only told they helped with cold starting - nothing about performance after that.

[aceyx]

If BMW could sell you BMW air to fill your tires, they'd do it.

Not sure how they'd help with cold starts.

[b.u.ti-ful]

I bought the BMW tire air. I was told it came from the St. Pauli Girl's beer breath and would make my car drive smooth, delicious and never flat.

[4WDrift]

Originally Posted by mischief

i tryed it dont buy it
the 4-ground electrode only one will get spark at a time

good thing about the 4-ground electrode it last longer then 1-ground electrode

The ground electrodes don't burn off, the center tip does. Any of the newer plugs that don't have the ground electrode(s) covering over the center tip like traditional might work better because the mixture directly below in the line of piston travel is not blocked.

[b.u.ti-ful]

I put the 4 ground plugs in today and it does run smoother cold. Also idles smoother cold. You could say its just because the plugs are new, but I think they are better than the 2 ground. I'll stick with 4.

[DustenT]

Originally Posted by b.u.ti-ful

I put the 4 ground plugs in today and it does run smoother cold. Also idles smoother cold. You could say its just because the plugs are new, but I think they are better than the 2 ground. I'll stick with 4.

It's because of the new plugs. They don't last long. I'd rather trust BMWs R&D department on this one versus a $6/hr AutoZone employee.

Just because it fits and has more prongs doesn't mean it's better. It reminds me of the 5 blade razors that are out now, are they better or are they using the "more is better" marketing angle? Soon they'll have 6 prong spark plugs and we'll have this same discussion...

[b.u.ti-ful]

I agree. BMW R&D is the one suggesting 4 ground.