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Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:59 am

I have a brand new set of Bosch wires that have only been on the motor a few weeks and wanted to check the plugs and when I went to pull the plug wires one came apart meaning the little part that goes over the plug top threads came apart and stayed on the plug and the spring behind it popped out.

What’s a good quality set available today? I thought these were good but I guess not.

Thu Sep 26, 2019 4:11 am

I like the 7mm Pertronix set with the hard plastic insulator I just bought.

Thu Sep 26, 2019 7:10 am

I bought a set of Taylor plug wires from CBPeformance, they work fine and seem nicer than my previous Bosch set.
https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/ttvwires.htm

...plus they come in red

Thu Sep 26, 2019 8:56 am

Recent, Good discussion on available plug wires.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=697663&highlight=

Basically a summary of that discussion:
AlmostHeavenWV_VW wrote: AlmostHeavenWV_VW wrote:
I've ordered those wires as part of my general experiment/evaluation of the available brands and vendors.
I ordered:
1) Bosch from Amazon [$26] (pictured with red ends, but as Heimlich said- reviews are not favorable, but I'm willing to try)
2) PVL brand from RockAuto [$20]
3) IAP brand from RockAuto [$10]
4) Duralast brand from Autozone [$20] (not the duralast Gold- just regular)

Alright folks, I got all the plugs the other day:

1) "Red end Bosch" from Amazon
They came as the one piece- Mexican style ends that don't seat well
Grade: C

2) PVL
Excellent reproduction of the OG Bosch wires
Grade: A+

3) IAP Brand
Have "Mexican style" ends and the wires are 8mm, so they will likely have trouble sitting in stock wire holders. The materials also seemed 'flimsier' than the others
Grade: F-

4)Duralast (Autozone)
Well made and faithful reproduction of the OG Bosch wires
Grade: A+

5) Driveworks (Advance Auto)
Didn't buy these but the guy at advance auto let me look them over. They appear comparable to the Duralast wires.

If I had to give a ranking:
#1 PVL
#2 Duralast(AutoZone)/Driveworks (AdvanceAuto)
#3 EMPI Premium "red end"
#4 Mexico Bosch
#5 IAP Brand

Additionally, I've heard and seen many people who use EMPI's "Premium" reproduction "Red end" plug wires with good success.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L413T8X/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_9?smid=A13RL2UI19PGT1&psc=1
https://www.jbugs.com/product/98-9925-B.html

Thu Sep 26, 2019 12:29 pm

I use the EMPI. Just got em a few weeks ago. They are working well, so far. I'm waiting a few weeks to give my thumbs up.

Thu Sep 26, 2019 12:41 pm

I use Beru wires for the Porsche 912.

Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:16 pm

I build them myself from single components (Bosch/Beru, VW) and cable sold by meter (Beru).
So they are like factory and have the orange watertight boot at the spark plug connector.

Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:38 pm

Me, I stopped using Bosch wires a long time ago, mostly because I don't like silicone jacket wires. I'd rather have them covered in... whatever plastic PVL uses. PVL is a German company and I'm not even sure if you can still get their plug wires... but since I've talked about this in the past, I dug up an old thread with links and looks like all three links are still active.

glutamodo wrote: I've never been a fan of Bosch wires myself... entirely because of the silicone covering on them - it rips way too easily when trying to snap them into the spark plug holders on the fan shroud (and they swell up if they get oil on them for a while) That's why I've always used German PVL plug wires. I had heard that these were getting harder to get but it looks like they are still available and reasonably priced-

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111998031

http://bughaus.com/spark_plug_wires_-_German.htm

http://www.busdepot.com/111998031a

glutamodo wrote:
There was one small criticism I forgot to mention about the PVL wires, which is pretty minor really... I like them but I do find the rubber boots at the cap, don't fit as tight around the plug wires as I'd like - at least for my Baja Bug where the engine sits out in the elements all the time. So for that car I went and slid those boots off, and put on some heat shrink tubing to thicken up the area the boots fit against, and put the boots back on as seen here:

Thu Sep 26, 2019 2:44 pm

My BERU cable is also not with silicone insulation. It's totaly identical to what was used from factory (apart from the imprint).
It is easily available from spare part suppliers.

I think I have the same spark plug connectors like in the picture above.

Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:09 pm

Really, Beru with PVL brand connectors? Okay, I'm sure that's possible. I have a set of new Bosch wires from a few years back that have PVL-made bakelite end connectors on them.

Thu Sep 26, 2019 3:25 pm

I bought cable and connectors individually.

Thu Sep 26, 2019 11:59 pm

TK-CS wrote: I bought cable and connectors individually.

I guess that helps explain it. It also makes me wonder if PVL is the only remaining source for stock style bakelite plug connectors!

Fri Sep 27, 2019 2:17 am

The aluminum connector molded into the bakelite came right out on my Bosch. The motor has 350 miles on it.
glutamodo wrote:

Fri Sep 27, 2019 8:49 am

Just ordered a set of PVLs

Fri Sep 27, 2019 9:26 am

Quote: I've never been a fan of Bosch wires myself... That's why I've always used German PVL plug wires. I had heard that these were getting harder to get but it looks like they are still available and reasonably priced-

http://www.busdepot.com/111998031a
Yes we've still got the German PVL, via the above link. As another alernative, we sell a set from the former OEM supplier to Volkswagen of America, which is at least as good quality and really inexpensive...it's actually our best seller...
http://www.busdepot.com/111998031AOE

Fri Sep 27, 2019 9:37 am

I just want ones without the stupid grommet style tin seals.

Fri Sep 27, 2019 10:19 am

Bosch still makes the connectors. They come in an orange color. NOS ones here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2112412

Supposedly autozone wires have lifetime warranty. When they get brittle and break you just take them back for an exchange.

Fri Sep 27, 2019 10:46 am

Taylor 409 race wires, Bosch would arc from the jacket to any metal when wet.

Sat Oct 05, 2019 5:30 pm

Installed a set of PVL wires today and they fit much more solid and seem better made than the us made Bosch set they’re replacing.

Sun Oct 06, 2019 5:16 am

I said it before, I think PVL are very good wire sets. Nice to hear you agree.