If you are a gear head, then you must surely know NGK.  What do they do you ask?  Really?  You really ask that? :)  Spark plugs of course!  We all know that.  Yes, there are other brands out there, but NGK is such a recognizable name in the world it almost needs no introduction.

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I am so thrilled that they were willing and able to support this trip.  I have been using NGK for years in all my cars.  Every BMW I have ever owned has had NGK spark plugs in them.

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As I've previously mentioned elsewhere, all the sponsors and partners on this project are ones that I have had personal experience with.  NGK plugs have actually saved cars for me.  When I had my 2000 Avus Blue M5.  It had a knocking sound from the engine that I could not figure out.  I was new to the M5's so this was all new territory for me.  Anytime I would try to go full throttle, the car would bog down, start mis-firing and loose power.  When I finally got around to checking the spark plugs, I found they were another brand AND not only had they back out, one was missing it's electrode prongs - which I was later able to dig out - UGH!

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I immediately replaced them with NGK BKR6EQUP-3199 plugs.  Ask most BMW owners, especially M5 owners and they will tell you this is their plug of choice.  Once replaced, I got full power back in the car, things were once again running smoothly.

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Soon after this incident.  A friend who bought a car from me experienced something similar.  I went over to help him and discovered the same "other" brand spark plugs had done the same thing in his car - a 2003 BMW 540i M-Sport.  We immediately replaced the plugs with the NGK's.  In my car, 10K miles later, I pulled the plugs and they were still like new. 

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When I contacted NGK, I spoke with Lela Martin.  They loved the idea of the trip and where thrilled that my choice of plugs was NGKs.  I've actually never told them the whole story of why I use their plugs.  Even though they were well into the budget to support anything, they still offered their support with this and I am very grateful for that.  My car is now running the NGK plugs and I have no doubt it is getting the right amount of spark for the beastly S62 motor!  Thanks Lela and thanks NGK!  Hopefully see you guys on this trip.