Sounds similar, in terms of price savings, to my experience with the XR7LDC plugs.
From BMW: $74.52 for a set of 4
Online: $25.00 for a set of 4
Only difference: green bands vs blue bands. But then, that's not even different, anymore - per Anton, above. Hence my original question...
Many old time owners of K1200RS (like me) and K1200LT having over 100,000 mile have used various sources to buy XR7LDC cheaper than dealer's price. In some cases we got "made in India" - other cases it was "made in Brazil". At the BMW dealers, at a high price, they use to be "made in Germany" for a long time anyway - NOT always the case now.
Many had their K1200 since 1999 (first year of K1200LT) or 1997 (1st year of K1200RS in Europe): those like me who have done all their maintenance did found out that the "made in India" or the "made in Brazil" appear to wear their electrodes a fit faster , so we just change them a bit earlier (non scientific , but clearly some improvement after change). The "made in Germany" could last at least 15,000 miles or more (this is 25% more than recommended Schedule). However by the recommended schedule of 12,000 miles, the other (India, Brazil) were pretty much done.
No big deal really - you save $US 50 on a set and you change them at around 12,000 miles depending on usage (lots of short ride , city -vs- highway....)
Keep in mind BOSCH is a large corporation with various plants and agency all over the world. The market for this specific XR7LDC is quite small and it does not fit any car (or so few that I could not find it). So why would they continue to produce them "in Germany" if the remaining market is mainly for older K1200 "brick-engine" models (last production year of K1200LT was 2009 and was in 2005 for K1200RS/GT).
