Spark Plug wires

[Chip]

Okay, suppose I'm interested in spark plug wires for a '96 RT1100.

 

I checked out BobsBMW and see listings for: Spark Plug wire w/cap; Spark Plug wire w/cap (lower); spark plug wire w/coil (upper) and several other variations of stuff and, of course, pricing.

 

Upper? Lower? What???

 

I was also pointed to Nology.com for wires. Is there anything to gain and/or loose by going non-OEM?

 

Is there someplace that provides some basic information regarding spark plug wires?

Specifically, what to get for *my* scooter

[DavidEBSmith]

You're probably looking at plug wires for twin spark bikes. Go to http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/fiche.asp or http://www.webparts.com/cycles/parts.htm or http://www.ascycles.com/illustrated_parts_catalog_main.aspx and look up R1100RT, Engine Electrics. You want part 12 12 1 342 641 (BMW curiously calls it "ignition tubing") unless you want the noise-suppressed wire for the police bike (12 12 1 342 179).

[smiller]

Man, that is expensive ignition tubing.

[steveknapp]

Do you get a meat capade with that?

[Chip]

Yea...very expensive. Maybe I don't need new spark plug wires, er, ah "tubing."

 

On the other hand...anyone out there who can loan me some known good ones to test?

 

Seriously though...would 10 year old wires wear out slowly or would there be obvious symptoms?

[DEF]

Yea...very expensive. Maybe I don't need new spark plug wires, er, ah "tubing."

 

On the other hand...anyone out there who can loan me some known good ones to test?

 

Seriously though...would 10 year old wires wear out slowly or would there be obvious symptoms?

 

Obvious symptoms. But, put a portable AM radio next to your wires with the engine running. If you hear a lot of noise, your wires are likely in need of replacement soon. I put a small handheld CB radio nest to mine with the squelch fully opened (no squelch) and listen for ignition noise. I have zero so, I know the wires are still serviceable.

[SWB]

I had one bad wire (based on a resistance test). Unfortunately, I have the RTP version (i.e. noise suppressed AND "official"), which was incompatible with the civilian versions. More unfortunately, the mounting components of the RTP coil fell apart in my hand while trying to remove the retaining nut (probably, some good-fairy-BMW service guy secured them with locktite red), so I had to replace both my coil and wires. The price tag for an OEM (RTP) replacement was something like $300 for the coil and $100 per wire.

 

Beemerboneyard.com frequently has used replacements for both, by the way. But since I didn't know that at the time, I opted for the Nology wires. I didn't "dyno" the motor, and any good wire may have improved performance of an engine with bad wires, but the difference was certainly noticeable. The bike ran smooth and seemed to have substantially more power and low-end throttle response. I installed both the Nology coil and wires, but I had to make a metal plate so that the Nology coil would fit. Since the Nology wires would work with either stock coils (civilian noise suppression or civ. standard), and either Beemerboneyard.com or Chicago BMW have the coils at about the same price as Nology's ($60.00, if I recall correctly, and $30 for the used one at the boneyard), I'd go with the OEM coil and the Nology wires, if I were to do it again.

 

True, your 10 year old wires may be OK, but replacing 10 year old spark plug wires certainly couldn't hurt, IMHO. Nology wires are guaranteed for the life of the vehicle.

[psyctrance]

SWB, do you have any purchase info on the Nology wires? I found their web site, http://www.nology.com/hot.html, but they only show wires for HD.

 

Thanks,

David

[smiller]

This page lists the full line of motorcycle applications, scroll down to 'Motorcycles - BMW'

 

But these wire sets are even more expensive than the BMW OEM, and for what I consider to be a very questionable benefit.

[steveknapp]

Nology wires are guaranteed for the life of the vehicle.

 

I can't speak for Nology wires, but I had tried some aftermarket wires for other apps. Also warrantied for life. All this meant was ever spark plug change I had to put the stockers back in for a short time while they replaced a wire or two.

 

Nology's claims are a bit questionable IMHO too, the capacitor in the wire will store energy, but the energy was previously stored in the coil itself as a magnetic field. I don't see the benefit of it being stored as an electrical charge instead.

[DavidEBSmith]

FWIW, I replaced my stock BMW ignition tubing with new stock BMW ignition tubing a while back and it did appear to make a slight improvement in gas mileage. So the improvement might be just replacing old wires with new wires, not the kind of new wires.

 

Also FWIW, on our old Plymouth van the wires got so bad that if you looked under the hood in the dark, you could see sparks. And it ran better with new wires. So they can go bad over time. Think about it - they work because the rubber insulation keeps the high-pressure electricity inside the tubing, and rubber deteriorates and cracks as it ages, so you would expect the insulation quality to decline and the spark to look for better paths to ground than through the spark plug gap.

[SWB]

SWB, do you have any purchase info on the Nology wires? I found their web site, http://www.nology.com/hot.html, but they only show wires for HD.

 

Thanks,

David

 

Call them directly. They are very responsive. Also, buy direct from Nology; it should be cheaper than a dealer.

[SWB]

This page lists the full line of motorcycle applications, scroll down to 'Motorcycles - BMW'

 

But these wire sets are even more expensive than the BMW OEM ..

 

I guess you're buying from the wrong dealer. I believe that I paid $69.00 for a SET OF TWO. Chicago BMW has PN# 12121342641 "on sale" for $53.60US per wire, or $67.00US EACH at other BMW dealers. So, yeah, I guess you could say that a set of Nology wires are more expensive. It just wouldn't be accurate.

 

and for what I consider to be a very questionable benefit.

 

I understand. Opinions differ.

 

I've read reviews and arguments from both perspectives. The one thing I noticed was that the majority of folks supporting Nology's hotwires (a) actually used them on the track, (b) and actually dyno'd to get test results. I also noticed after reading a half dozen threads, that one of the most recurrent, vocal opponents was also involved in sales at a competitor (who I also contacted).

 

All I can say is that I went ahead and tried them immediately AFTER my last 6K dealer tune up, and I noticed improved performance and my surging disappeared.

 

Also, since I had problems with the fit (i.e. because the OEM "Official" coil was falling apart, and they use nuts rather than caps to connect the wires to the BMW coil), I took everything over to Nology and put it on the sales manager's desk. He repaired wires I'd messed up when I tried to fit it to the BMW RTP coil on the spot, and then identifed a replacement coil from the BMW specs. He later followed up with a phone call to me to ensure everything worked out ok.

 

To me, Nology produced a good product, fairly priced, and provided great customer service.

[smiller]

So, yeah, I guess you could say that a set of Nology wires are more expensive. It just wouldn't be accurate.

Actually, it would, or at least at any other dealer than yours. Who is that by the way? I'd like to give them a call tomorrow and order two wires for $69.

[SWB]

So, yeah, I guess you could say that a set of Nology wires are more expensive. It just wouldn't be accurate.

Actually, it would, or at least at any other dealer than yours. Who is that by the way? I'd like to give them a call tomorrow and order two wires for $69.

 

I'm sorry, the price might have gone up a bit. Looks like they're $76.24 now. (The "boxer" is advertised at $69.35; maybe they gave me the RT wires at that price.) Still, that price is for a set, not a single wire.

 

Buy them here.

 

This link indicates 1995-1999, but I believe they also work fine on the 2000-2003. I doubt they'll work on the twin spark, but I bet if you take a twinspark wire to Nology, they'll make a custom wire for you.

 

Heck, I've spent so much time on this, I feel that I should charge you consulting fees.

[smiller]

I guess you're buying from the wrong dealer. I believe that I paid $69.00 for a SET OF TWO. Chicago BMW has PN# 12121342641 "on sale" for $53.60US per wire, or $67.00US EACH at other BMW dealers.

Sorry, the way your comment was phrased I thought you were saying that you had found BMW OEM wires for this price, but I guess you were referring to the Nology. My mistake.

[Chip]

Heck, I've spent so much time on this, I feel that I should charge you consulting fees.

 

The check is in the mail

 

Many thanks to all for the spark plug wire information. I went ahead and ordered wires from Nology...but I still think it's crazy to pay so much money for freaking wire!

 

Yea, I know folks will try to provide some sort of electrical auto-magic but to me it's just wire.

 

Of course, I still don't understand why electricity doesn't just flow out of a wall socket