[JonnySi]

Take the spark plugs out and do a compression test. Or, use a Snap-on bore scope to look inside and see if its cracked. Mine was done under warranty, and would be again now its under its fully comprehensive warranty.

[E90_320si]

I think all 320si are going to fail in som time because of the poor engine build!

[caliban413]

Hmm. I have none of these tools. Maybe I can get the mechanic to check it out next time it's in for a service. How much compression should I expect a good cylinder to have?

[JonnySi]

Not sure to be honest, just as long as they are similar.

[fstsven]

Reading this, one would become paranoid...
Are there people on here with perfectly running 320si's, and what mileage do they have?

I'll start: alpine white 03/2006 320si, 37000km, running perfectly for now *touches wood*

[E90_320si]

My 320si are working perfectly, but im just waiting for the big breakdown! If someone know why the engine just "explodes"? Bmw most know why this happens to all Si's ?!

[fstsven]

With all respect to the people here who had (multiple) engine failures, can it really be possible that we are all sitting on a ticking time-bomb that will inevitably go off sooner or later. It is evident that there have been catastrophical failures that shouldn't have happened, but they cannot all be bad right? The vast majority of engines should have a more or less "normal" lifespan, no? Or am I now just trying to make myself feel better now? ;-) Opinions please!

[ouch1234]

Hi everyone, I registered after reading this thread.

I purchased an approved used 320si last year, 2006 with 38k miles on the clock.

After advice from this thread I sent it to the dealership for a valve clearance adjustment at 40k miles (and had an oil/filter change). During the inspection they found the rear diff's leaking so the seals were changed as part of the warranty. Also they found a problem with the fuel filter (after I reported a whine in the engine). That is also getting changed under warranty.

Currently I am on 41k miles, going soon on 42 and I must say it runs really well, I can only hope it continues.

cheers

[fstsven]

@ouch1234: The "whine" you are talking about, is that a whine up to about 3500 rpm, especially when the engine isn't yet fully warmed up? I have that too, and was wondering if it was normal... They said it's a problem with the fuel filter?
Grts

[JonnySi]

YEah mine had the whine. Changed the belt tensioner and quietened it right down.

[ouch1234]

Hi -

@fstsvenThe whine was a lot louder before the valve clearance adjustment - it has quitened down a lot now. There is a whine at startup as well so after they change the fuel filter this week I'll tell you more.

@JonnySi -Good tip, thanks, I'll ask them, I wonder how much that will cost.

[fstsven]

Originally Posted by JonnySi

YEah mine had the whine. Changed the belt tensioner and quietened it right down.

Hmm... IIRC, mine has had a recall for that, so that *should* be corrected...
Valve clearances were adjusted some 10000 km's ago.
Do you guys think that the wine is, besides being annoying, harmful?

[ouch1234]

Personally I have given up on worrying about it. It is annoying but as long as the engine goes, I just enjoy the si

[fstsven]

You're probably right, we should stop worrying about engine blow-ups and enjoy the car, which is fantastic fun! (although another 50 bhp wouldn't go amiss )

[Nikos120i]

There was a recall on the belt tensioner. Fortunately mine has done it.

Originally Posted by fstsven

Reading this, one would become paranoid...
Are there people on here with perfectly running 320si's, and what mileage do they have?

I'll start: alpine white 03/2006 320si, 37000km, running perfectly for now *touches wood*

Touch on wood, I’m at 26.000km, build date 04/2006 with no problems. Running absolutely brilliant.

Hasn’t had a valve service yet.

The only problem that I’ve had was an intermittent start problem on a cold, humid morning with my engine cold. Didn’t take it in as it hasn’t done it since.

Do you think I should go check it out? I’m still under warranty.

[ouch1234]

The fuel filter was changed and the tensioner was deemed normal so there we go, I'll live with the whine.

Nikos: If this will bother you, then I suggest you have the car sent to BMW for a health check to have your mind at peace.

I have a hesitant start on mornings when it is very damp (doesn't happen on a very cold dry morning though) so I think it might not be something to worry about.

cheers

[Nikos120i]

Interesting.

Could it be due to the weather, meaning humidity?

[fstsven]

Sometimes when I start mine in the morning, a big blue cloud of smoke is coming out of the exhaust at startup. It doesn't happen a lot, about 1 in 15-20 times, mostly when I washed the car the night before, or the weather is very wet. It starts immediately, however, and idle is ok. Anyone else has this, and is it normal?

Also, what are people's experiences with oil consumption? Mine had a service 2000 miles ago (oil level at max, obviously), and now the oil level is at half point on the digital readout (still says "ok" though). Normal oil consumption? Or something to do with the above?

Fwiw, the car is running perfectly for now. *touch wood*

[ouch1234]

Yep, I sometimes get the big cloud of smoke, very rarely but I do not remember if it happened when it was particularly wet.

The intermittent start, on the other hand, I think has to do with the weather & humidity levels.

I'll watch out for the oil level - this thread will soon be the one repository for all 320si problems, worries and solutions

[Dagern]

Hi all,

Just became a user of this forum! Would like to share with you the start problems I´we had on my 320si.

It started out directly after I bought the car. It was in February 2009 and I live in Norway. Winters get kind of cold here, and in February we usually experience something between -3 to -20 degrees Celsius. When the degrees starts to turn negative, the car sometimes takes a while to start. When it´s getting even more cold, this happens every time. And when it´s very cold, like -20, the cars battery runs empty if I wait for the car to start.

The dealer has changed lots of parts trying to figure out what is wrong with my car:
- Fuel pump
- Engine control unit including some relays
- Some other control unit (controlling other stuff in the car...) including some relays
- Temperature sensor
- Upgraded the SW

The problem is still there. Next week the car is going to the dealer again to change som major engine timing parts.

Just wondering if anyone has found the source for the start problem yet?

[ouch1234]

Hi Dagern,

I am not an expert here but based on what I have read on this thread, it would be worth checking the cylinder linings - how many miles has the car done and was the valve clearance adjusted at some point?

[wtcc]

Hi everyone,
From time to time I also had some problems with starting the engine.
But not anymore after tanking only the gas from OMV 100 okt. and AGIP 98okt.
Looks like other gas stations in my country doesn't have so quality gas.
I realized after few months of tanking on OMW 100 okt.(about 5 full tanks)