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There is nothing wrong with spark plugs made out of some
fancy material. In modern cars with sensors for everything,
cars are able to run the combustion chamber in a way that is
ideal under all but the most extreme conditions (like -40
cold starts). In an environment like this, a plug made of
normal stuff would last 20,000 to 30,000 miles and a platinum
plug will last 60,000 to 80,000 and one of those crazy iridium
or whatever plugs may last longer than that still. Of course,
I think it is a really bad idea to leave a plug in there since
after 100,000 miles it will be stuck in there good and may
pull the threads out with it, but that's what modern lazy
people seem to prefer.
The best a plug can do is throw a spark and stay the
correct temperature. When new, they all do that equally well.
If the plug soots up, it doesn't matter what it's made of;
ditto for an overheated melty plug.
That's not to say that you should buy the cheapest, crappiest
plugs around -- there is a lot of engineering that goes into
plugs to make them last a while, not screw up the threads in
your head, and not fail right off the bat. You want something
with at least a little quality control. For me that means
bosch coppers. The last set have been in my car for the last
I don't remember how long; I sand them with a fingernail file
every once in a while when I don't like the way they look but
otherwise I ignore them. I've got a spare set in a box at
home but I'm not sure where it is; that's how worried I am
about it.
Points, on the otherhand, are another story. Buy bosch rotors,
caps, and points or you'll be sorry.
chris
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