Hey guys, Newbie here.

Just pulled one out and it is a Bosch Super F8DC4, but NAPA and no one else in town has or has ever had this plug it appears.

McParts has Bosch Platinums +4 and +2's, NGK-BKR5EGP, Champion Coppers and Autolites.

I used the "search " feature and there is a lot of info about not using resistor plugs on a MB, not to use Platinum +4's or +2's because of poor idling and hard cold starts, Also read the Bosch has quit making non-resistor plugs. So where does that leave me?

So now I am really confused. What are you guys using in your S500's?

F8DC4! Run don't walk and remove those +4s asap!

My tech's shop has them in stock, so not sure why you can get them??

They are available here in the Parts Shop; click the "Buy Parts" icon. Here's the direct link:
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/quote.jsp?header=header.jsp&footer=&product=F8DC4&partner=mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&cookieid=1X60RZ5EM1X60RZDD2

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1WO126AB91X60RGWH9&year=1998&make=MB&model=S-500-003&category=All&part=Spark+Plug

Is this the new plug Bosch spec's? Anyway give Phil a call maybe he can get his hands on some old stock.

Also try your local MB dealer, they sell plugs for cheap! I think I paid $2 each for the last set.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'll call Phil. I have never owned a MB before so all of this is a new learning curve for me. Someone here mentioned before that you cant shop for MB parts at Auto Zone. I found out real quick how true that statement is.

I'm sure I will have plenty-o-questions in the future and I greatly appreciate the patience and wealth of information from everyone here.

Thank you!

Mark

Since your new let me give you a very helpfull fyi.

You can't get many MB parts from any of the chain stores Autozone, Pep Boys, Car Quest, Napa, ect, ect. Most of your local ar parts stores are also excluded unless they deal with Euro cars.

The handfull of parts you can get from the above mentioned stores are of poor quality and high price.

You can get parts from online sites like this one, and the dealer.

Now that you are a MB owner chain stores are good for three things cleaners, rags, and oil.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

FastLane shows a 98 S500 takes F8DPER plugs. R usually means resistor plug. I believe the F8DC4 plugs go into early M119s with distributors and plug wires. I suspect in the coil over plug arrangement there is no wire to serve as a resistor.

FWIW when I got my now sold 95 S420 with 125K miles, it had MB logo Beru 14FGH-8DTURXO plugs (I keep one beside my PC). I don't know if R means resistor plug in Beru-speak. It bogged when accelerating hard over 4000rpm. Switching to F8DC4 plugs didn't help. What helped was a set of new cap$, rotor$ and wire$. In fact I didn't notice any difference in performance between the Beru and Bosch plugs.

To H-guy's point, don't get exterior bulbs at an auto parts store unless you want to confound the illumination warning system.

Sixto
93 300SD

Very good information on the bulbs. Thank you.

I have not spoken with Phil yet but his parts list by application for a 98 S500 brings up one plug, the F8DPER at $8.89 each.

Now I'm still puzzled. Use the F8DC4 at less than $2.00 a plug or go to the F8DPER at $8.89ea? What am I gaining with the F8DPER?

Here's what the owners manual calls for:
Bosch F9DCO
Beru 14 F-9 DUO
Champion C 12 YCV

"DP" is a platinum plug, while " DC " is a copper core plug.
Hence the difference in price.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

Not trying to be the devil's advocate, just trying to understand...So the F8DPER is a Platinum Core resistor plug. Why would the F8DPER work but the Bosch +4 or +2 is to be avoided like bagged spinach?

Is there any reason I would NOT want to use the F8DC4, cuz thats what I'm leaning toward. Platinum is just for longer life, right?

If you're 98 Owners Manual says "F9DCO", then the replacement is "F8DC4". Do not use a "DP" plug!

My OM calls for a F9DCO and when I used them they were great; now the F8DC4s are just as good. Pat @ Exclusive Motors uses the same plug for the late models with 100% success. In fact, he REMOVES any/all platinums if he finds them in a M119 motor.

'98_S500, you're thinking is correct!

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

F8DC4's it is! And that's my final answer. You guys are the best!