When getting information from the BMW community, I regularly learn something new. This blog entry is not an exception.
The owner of a BMW with an N53 series engine approached me. Yes, as if it’s a standard story – Stratified charge needs to be restored, nothing unique. The information regarding the ignition coils installed was more interesting. The car has OEM ignition coils with the code C626GE installed.
I’ve never heard of such ignition coils, so I asked Google.
Interestingly, Google indicates only 6 (!) images and only 6 (!) results, where this code of the ignition coils is mentioned. What kind of unique and so rare product is this?
Let’s check the results a bit closer.
Actually, there is not a lot to check because all results point out to a single Australian web resource (it uses several domain names).
I chose the most “reputable” version of this “brand” because “super cheap auto” did not inspire confidence that something of extremely high quality could be found here.
As we see, these ignition coils are not cheap; their price is above EUR 60. Unfortunately, I did not get any compatibility information. The resource claims that these ignition coils are valid for BMW. What model? What engine? Zero information!
Let’s zoom in on the image – the “webshop” offers such an option.
Hmm. Interesting. OEM ignition coil is the product of Bosch?
Wait, what’s that?
471? These are “standard” Bosch ignition coils! The price of these coils is around EUR 25!
The full code: 0 221 504 471. Yes, these ignition coils are popular! Millions of results and images!
What are my conclusions?
When shopping in such “solid” webshops, you will – in the best scenario – overpay some 2 – 3 times. In the worst scenario – you will get an inappropriate product or even a Chinese fake.
These ignition coils are “better” than the “regular” Bosch ones, so the mechanic has claimed. Well, I would recommend that the mechanic read this blog entry. And do not participate in the fraud scheme.
