So it's time again to replace spark plugs, among other things, on my Sportage. I did a bit of looking into these "new" E3 spark plugs and found their story to be reasonable, so I thought I'd give them a try. I paid 4 cents less for them than I would have for Bosch Platinum +4s. I got home, opened the package, and immidiately noticed that the individual boxes were packed in no particular order (upside down, reversed endways) inside the 4 pack. No big deal, maybe someone eyed them up before me, however, none of the boxes looked to have been opened. I cracked open the first one and was, well...concerned. The first thing I noticed was about a .050 inch burr on the center electrode (nearly 1/16"). I then noticed that the outer electrode also was full of burrs, though not as large, and the welds connecting the outer electrode to the threaded body were unimpressive. Hmm...bothersome, but maybe it was a fluke. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I cracked open the next 2 and saw identical features. The 4th one, however, was different. Not only were the electrodes full of burrs and the welds terrible, but there were black particles of something in the threads, which appeared apparantly after the part was plated. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />
Now, working in manufacturing, I understand that sometimes quiality issues get missed, but in my mind, there were at least 3 opportunites to reject these parts before they were packaged, or there should have been. If my company produced part like this, that got to the consumer, if we weren't put right out of business I suspect our entire quality department would be fired and replaced.
So the next day I traded the E3 plugs plus four pennies for Bosch +4s. I must say, though that I am greatly dissappointed to see a product that seemed to be so well engineered be so poorly manufactured. I really did have high hopes. Live and learn, I guess.

Pretty scarry <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />............makes we want to go to the parst store and ask them to "show" me a set of them.

(By the way, a 440 with a hemi 4spd fits nicley in a 73 Duster if you use fenderwell exit headers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

I can't afford to keep it running with a 318/auto, besides the fact that the Kia is much better in the snow. That's why I'm working on it instead of the Duster.

I read the ad in a couple of magazines and there was no reasonable data which worried me and decided to go with Bosh platinum plus, two electrodes, and they work just fine. I've never ever had a problem with bosh, but being a Kia owner, and I figure we are the type of person that dare take a chance, we took a big one with the Kia, the E3's did not warrant taking a chance for me. I'm glad I took a chance with the Kia, it will have been good to me for 7 years this next February.

Not to sound like the "Sir frugelfreid" but in the area of monetary saving I went with autolite plats and may I say that they kick As# <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> I had a very bad experiance with the BOSCH plat 4's a while back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really?
Everyone that I've talked to have had nothing but good to say about them. The only guys that don't like them around here are the honda guys who worship NGK.
All I know is that they work great in my sportage, my brother's sportage, my 91 vtec civic, and alot of people on this forum like them.
Are you sure it was the plugs?
Just wondering,
Everet
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I'am running E3's and I love them,They were nothing like you described,nice and clean with noticeable power from the start,sometimes S___ happens <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I am from the Mitsu side of The Wire, but I work at Advance Auto Parts (and hate it). But yea, E3, Bosch, Auto lite, Champion, and ACDelco all disappoint. My choice is and always will be the NGK Iridium IX or the V Power plugs, high quality, long life, and never had a customer complain about them. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />


*runs back to the mitsu section* <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Bosch +4's are known problem in our engines.

Stick with the OE spec plugs, there isn't a lot to be gained from anything more exotic (except "ricer" points...)

I love my autolights just fine! By the way, I happened to check out www.ricer.com and all I got was long grain <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />