Small issues with 328i

[MattH_M3]

Hi guys, Firstly i've just bought my first BMW. A 328i with full M3 spec..vader seats etc..

I absolutely love it! its not even in the same league as my old car!

I was just wondering, what could be wrong with it though...

Basically, it feels very fast but only above 4-5k (i have to keep the revs high to use its power) is this normal with the 328? - It just feels a bit rough, the way theres not much power...bit more....then Bang! it peaks?

The other thing is i'm not too sure whats the best oil for it. I live in the Uk, and my local dealer told me 0w / 30 does that seem right?

Thanks in advance :thumbup:

[Pirate_copy]

Sounds about right mate, but the power should kick in around 3k.

You need a K&N CAI to really open the power up though.

Change the spark plugs for Iridium NGK's and check the intake boot for holes or cracks as it maybe suffering from un-metered air (mine was when i got it).

Use Shell Optimax or V power too as it makes a BIG difference. might also be worth putting some STP complete fuel system cleaner though it as the previous owners may have let it run down a bit too much and clogged the injectors (unlikley but worth the 12 pounds it cost). it is the one in the silver bottle.

Got a great car there....trust me. just needs a few tweeks to unlock the power that was built in but toned down for the German market!!

[Crcrzy12]

Because of the restrictive intake manifold the car doesn't make a ton of power over 5k rpm. The engine was made to have more tourque. If you do a m50 manifold coverstion it'll open up the top end but you'll lose some low end torque. Pirate's suggestions will help a little but it's just the way the engine was designed...

[Andycapps]

These cars dont have much low end power, but lots of mid-high end torque is what i like. About 3500-4200 is when the VANOS variable valve timing kicks in which is when the power really kicks in.

[Pirate_copy]

Totally agree with the above, i have done quite a bit to mine to unlock some more power lower down and higher up. is amazing now but was not easy or cheap unfortunately.

if you are in 2nd gear doing 3k revs, you should be able to put your foot down and she should take off. if she doesn't then you need to give her a good service and look for air leaks etc (as i said above).

As for your oil question, i changed mine today funnily enough (well my mechanic did). i bought 10-40 Magnitec and it is smoother then before

totally disagree with 0w-30, seems like a dangerously thin oil to me.

go with 10w-40, i asked the guys on here for the best and this was the general consensus.

Here in Blighty, it is the best option!

[AW328i]

Your engine makes peak torque at 3950 rpm, and peak hp at 5300 rpm. You should feel the power surge at 3k like pirate said. That is where I fell mine and it pulls me into the back of the seat. There are many mods you can do to your car to get better power but if you saved up all your money instead of buying a mod here or there and got a supercharger kit, you would see quite a bit more power all over the power band. Nothing is cheap for these cars though! Welcome to the 'Fest!

[Pirate_copy]

Dont be afraid to give her some wellie, as long as you are not red-lining in every gear you will be fine!

[ronpapworth]

Mine was hesitating really bad to about 3000 RPMS. I changed the fuel filter and spark plugs and it runs perfect now. Do a search and you will find details on how to do each. The fuel filter is under the car about where the driver's seat is and you have to remove 3-4 fasteners to get a shield off that is covering it.

[Pirate_copy]

http://www.bimmerdiy.com/e36

:)

[MattH_M3]

Thats excellent! cheers for all your replies :)

When I get some spare time i'll give the car a good servicing. I really need to do the oil though, as its black :(!!

I'm so pleased with the car though, its got 1 years warranty with it, but fingers crossed i don't have to use it..

There is, however, a whining noise coming from the power steering..? its when its idling and also when i turn the steering wheel. Could this be the power steering pump? and if it is, i wonder if its covered under warranty.

The other thing is the engine sounds quite 'tappety' when its warm/hot. something i only notice when i open the windows and i'm going along a street which echo's it. anything to worry about?

Cheers :)

[Pirate_copy]

There is, however, a whining noise coming from the power steering..? its when its idling and also when i turn the steering wheel. Could this be the power steering pump? and if it is, i wonder if its covered under warranty.

Sounds like the pump mate, mine does it when i put it on full lock but that is normal. doubt it will be covered under that warranty but is worth asking them. "If you dont ask, you dont get" as my mum would say :)

The other thing is the engine sounds quite 'tappety' when its warm/hot. something i only notice when i open the windows and i'm going along a street which echo's it. anything to worry about?


Mine does this too, it is just the hydrolic lifters tapping. I changed my oil at the weekend and it is much much better. if your oil is black like you said, then it is probaly old and losing its viscosity. Is nothing to worry about as such. is not doing any harm really...if at all. Is very expensive to fix and the only difference will be that you wont get the tapping. They often do it when you first start the car from cold as it takes some time for the oil to get to the top of the engine.

My advice is to get the oil changed (10-40 Magnatiec) and remember to flush it first with flushing oil and see it it helps. then do your spark plugs (NGK Iridiums) and check your air filter (change to a K&N if you can).

Should see big differences after all this as the engine sounds like it is just in need of a bit of TLC

Good luck

[MattH_M3]

Sounds like the pump mate, mine does it when i put it on full lock but that is normal. doubt it will be covered under that warranty but is worth asking them. "If you dont ask, you dont get" as my mum would say :)



Mine does this too, it is just the hydrolic lifters tapping. I changed my oil at the weekend and it is much much better. if your oil is black like you said, then it is probaly old and losing its viscosity. Is nothing to worry about as such. is not doing any harm really...if at all. Is very expensive to fix and the only difference will be that you wont get the tapping. They often do it when you first start the car from cold as it takes some time for the oil to get to the top of the engine.

My advice is to get the oil changed (10-40 Magnatiec) and remember to flush it first with flushing oil and see it it helps. then do your spark plugs (NGK Iridiums) and check your air filter (change to a K&N if you can).

Should see big differences after all this as the engine sounds like it is just in need of a bit of TLC

Good luck



Thats good then! was hoping it wasn't anything too bad.

I'm not trying to be smart here, but i looked on the castrol website earlier and it recommended 0w 30 aswell..

Application Recommendation Capacity (ltr) Links
Engine (P) EDGE 0W-30 6.5


so i'm a little confused.. its atleast double the price of 10w aswell!

[Pirate_copy]

REALLY????

i am really shocked at that as 0-30 is very thin.

i guess they know best but i would be a bit hesitant to put that in my 328i. When your baby is hot it will be very thin indeed.

What do the rest of you think?

we had a discussion on this a few weeks back, here is the link matey - http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165029

[ronpapworth]

Maybe in a colder climate... I think that thin of oil is going to look for weak spots in seals...

On a side note, an old 300zx I owned had bad lifter tap at start up. The oil passages going up through the head would get clogged and not provide lube up to the lifters. The suggestion was to run 5w in it for about 100 hard/hot miles and then drain it and replace with the standard 10w. I did it and it solved the lifter tap, so maybe run the 0w for a short while and see if it does the same for the Bimmer. Awful expensive experiment though...

[mvallido]

Mine got the same problem, I have to let go of the gas to keep it from hauling ass... hmm I think I posted this somewhere before. LOL!