NGK and Bosch are both well-known and popular glow plug brands. But which brand should you choose among the two? To determine the answer, read this comprehensive NGK VS Bosch glow plugs contrast, comparison, and guide.
Thereafter, you’ll understand better all the differences and similarities between the glow plugs from the two brands and also what to choose. With that said, let’s get into it by starting with the similarities;
Contents
Some Similarities
- NGK and Bosch glow plugs are both fuel economical.
- NGK and Bosch glow plugs both offer better performance than many glow plugs from other brands.
- NGK and Bosch glow plugs are both costlier than glow plugs from other brands.
- NGK and Bosch glow plugs both offer excellent performance even in unfavorable weather(i.e colder weather).
Some Differences
First, NGK glow plugs generally have a shorter life span compared to Bosch glow plugs. This is because a good number of these plugs are made from corrosion-prone and wear-susceptible metal material(i.e platinum alloy).
This makes them more susceptible to corrosion and wear, giving them a shorter life span. Bosch glow plugs, on the other hand, are made from durable materials(i.e corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant nickel alloy or chromium-nickel alloy).
This makes them less prone to corrosion as well as wear and tear than their NGK counterparts, which means they have a longer life span.
Second, NGK glow plugs are manufactured by a Japanese company(the NGK company). Bosch glow plugs, on the other hand, are made by a big German multinational group of companies known as “the Bosch Group.”
Third, NGK glow plugs have a V-groove cut in the central electrode. This ensures more optimized fuel combustion and engine performance. Bosch glow plugs, on the other hand, don’t have this innovative cut in the central electrode. This ensures less optimized fuel combustion and engine performance.
What to Choose?
To select suitable glow plugs from two sets of glow plugs; one from NGK and the other from Bosch, here’s what you need to do;
Consider the Glow Plugs’ Adaptability to Any Weather
A quality glow plug should be able to ignite the fuel at the right moment and generate sufficient power through combustion. Such a product should not only be able to work well under ideal conditions(warmer weather), but also under any other type of weather whether it be a colder one or so.
So, you should consider the product’s adaptability to any weather when shopping. The good news is that the NGK and Bosch glow plugs both offer excellent performance even in unfavorable weather.
Consider Your Car
One of the biggest disadvantages of Bosch glow plugs is that they are not adaptable to all kinds of cars, especially older ones manufactured many years ago.
So, if your car is older, you would be better off choosing an NGK glow plug as opposed to a Bosch one.
Materials Used for the Electrodes
Glow plugs can be made out of different materials including iridium, platinum, and copper. Copper glow plugs have a short lifespan of around 20,000 miles.
Platinum glow plugs have a long lifespan of more than 100,000 miles whereas iridium glow plugs have a slightly longer lifespan of up to 125,000 miles.
Both Bosch and NGK glow plugs are made out of iridium, platinum, or copper. When choosing the right plugs, go with plugs made out of at least platinum if not iridium regardless of the brand.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that both NGK and Bosch are the top brands in the glow plugs industry. Similarly, there’s no getting away from the fact that these glow plugs are reliable and they offer value for money.
Interestingly, there are a few similarities and differences between both products. The similarities are that both of them offer better performance, help conserve gas, cost more, and work well even under unfavorable weather conditions.
As far as the differences go, firstly, NGK glow plugs generally die quicker than their Bosch counterparts. Secondly, NGK glow plugs are made in Japan whilst Bosch glow plugs are manufactured in Germany.
Thirdly, NGK glow plugs have a V-groove cut in the central electrode that ensures a more optimized performance. Bosch glow plugs, on the other hand, don’t.
Last but not least, NGK and Bosch glow plugs are designed to suit customers with different needs. If you want to choose the right glow plugs between the two, we recommend paying attention to some things.
For example, you should consider the glow plugs’ adaptability to any weather, your car, and the materials used for the electrodes as explained above.
