Why are spark plug wires so expensive these days?

[Kestas]

It would be easy if all we needed was a thick copper wire with insulation. The problem is that the wires need to be designed for radio suppression and not interfere with onboard computers. For more info: http://www.magnecor.com/magnecor1/main.htm

 

[insomnia]

It's not that bad with AAP 40% off discount code. I remember a set of NGK wires for my camry is about $40 ($24 with discount). If I get the OEM Denso wires it's about $60 ($36 with discount).

 

[sciphi]

$30 for a premium set for the Buick. No complaints here.

COP on the Fit.

 

[GMBoy]

I don't see the prices as that high. Today's wires are better quality than years past. I, personally, buy MSD wires and the last set I bought was about $100 - but the quality and durability as well as more spark juice is better than buying 2 $50 sets of store brand wires since they don't last. I've never had to replace an MSD wire set. The oldest set been on my Buick GN turbo for at least 15 years.

 

[Jim 5]

Originally Posted By: Jeffs2006EvoIX
Well my guess on this is that most newer cars don't use spark plug wires. Most newer cars have an individual coil pack for each cylinder now. So like the above post, just not a demand for them.

My car has 2 wires only and new Denso Wire Set runs $30. They are generally good for about 100K miles. Cheap sets need to be changed more often.

NGK makes great wire sets too for a great price. Denso and NGK are OEM for many makes and models. So check out their websites and see if you can pick them up cheaper than the Dealer.



That's mostly true, especially on OHC engines where the environment is sustainable for coil packs. However, in some pushrod V8s like the current LS based chevys, the coil packs are mounted on the valve-covers and theres a ~6" spark plug wire to connect each of 8 individual coils to the spark plug. Even if you could fit the coil packs in between the exhaust manifold runners, the heat would probably kill them.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
They should be more expensive - forces people to walk and use public transportation.

why do we need to force people to walk and use public transportation?

 

[jcwit]

This made me wonder, so I went to RockAuto and checked for my 2 cars. Low end for either one ran about $15/16 bucks, high end ran around $30 dollars. Moral of this story, Shop Around!

 

[spasm3]

I think you are right, more and more engines are going coil on plug. Much more efficent

 

[subiedriver]

I paid 68 bucks for the NGK wires, '04 Subaru Legacy 2.5. That's a little steep, but I wanted a quality set.

 

[Merkava_4]

You can same bundle of money by buying your more common auto parts online through Amazon and RockAuto. I saved $30 between Amazon's price and the local auto parts store price for the exact same part number of ignition wires.

 

[lairdwd]

ebay and rock auto. Dirt cheap.

 

[moto94536]

You can check out sparkplugs.com they sell spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filter, oil filters and more... OEM stuff too.

 

[willix]

Mexican labor is not cheap.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

The $15 or so set of Auto Extra wires I bought for my Explorer on Rock Auto worked like gangbusters till the day I got rid of it.

 

[Trvlr500]

I use MSD 8.5 mm wires on my old Caddy. The first set I bought about 8 years ago cost $105 and lasted until now. They may not have needed replacing but I just replaced them again with a cut to fit set that doesn't have a bunch of extra wire hanging about. This new set cost $90. They are the best of the best and I don't mind paying for quality.