[Nikos120i]

My consumption (since cobalt mentioned it) is at 12,3lt/100km with an average speed of 38km/hr.

I have seen significant improvement in terms of fuel consumption after the last firmware update.

Regarding the cylinder liners...I believe that it might be something else to blame. For example, do you warm up your engine in the morning allowing it to idle for a few minutes before driving off? This is very important! If the engine oil is not warm, extensive revving might cause problems such as the above.

[JonnySi]

Originally Posted by cobalt

As we all have or had starting problems (even me with 12.000 KM, small ones but still they exist) i believe that this has NOT to do with engine failure...

it seems more like trouble/problem in the throttle potentiometer or cold start valve or something similar...

Jonny whats your fuel consumption by the way???

I'm not sure in metric figures, but i was getting 24mpg here in the uk which to put in perspective, my dads 325d easilt tops 50mpg.

[Nikos120i]

Spoke with my kart mechanic and told me that the aluminum cylinder liners tend to crack if there's a rapid change in temperature.

Also, if the radiator has plain water inside, instead of paraflu.

[wtcc]

Hi, everyone!
I found out that after every drive more than 20km in my 320si is vaccum in gas tank. After I open tank cap it suck air in.
Anyone found out that too?
I have feeling that te engine is twitching.
Any answear welcome.

[ShereKhan]

It's quite interesting to see others have suffered the same problems I experienced some time ago. I don't think the type of oil could be causing the bore liners to split. I think they are just made very poorly.

[MAD 320si]

Originally Posted by simon1970

Message for Detox Started off with poor starting and lumpyness when idling
I found that the engine aluminum liners are cracked on all cylinders and have broken off in cyl 2, done 47000 milesnow in dispute with BMW to get engine reapired. Beware 320si Owners

Hi, I have just suffered the very same fate!! cylinders 2&3 hole in side of cylinder 3 and cracked liners in 2..... I have just got the good news from my BMW specialist and I don't know what to do, have you any suggestions of how to approach BMW etc.... by the way its done 47,000 miles (ring any bells) and has a FULL BMW dealer service history.... perhaps we should all band together and demand something be done .... its down to their poor workmanship on the engines that have caused this.... I am now waiting for a full report.... I'll keep you all posted

[Detox]

Guys,

Sorry to hear about your problems but we are all sufferings from the aluminum liner problem... Aluminum liners are good for saving weight in race applications where longevity is not a requirement hence unfortunately fail in road use due to temperature fluctuation... Inevitable on these modified N45 engines...
We have managed to fix the problem permenantly and the cars run very well... The fix includes modifying the block and using special cast iron liners, in the process we check all of the engine internals to make sure they are within BMW tolerances, match the rings and rebuilt the engine, all genuine BMW parts.......
Drop we a line if you are stuck for evidence of the issue, you can point them to this thread, or need help with your car....

Check earlier posts for pics

[Detox]

Guys,

Sorry to hear about your problems but we are all sufferings from the aluminum liner problem... Aluminum liners are good for saving weight in race applications where longevity is not a requirement hence unfortunately fail in road use due to temperature fluctuation... Inevitable on these modified N45 engines...
We have managed to fix the problem permenantly and the cars run very well... The fix includes modifying the block and using special cast iron liners, in the process we check all of the engine internals to make sure they are within BMW tolerances, match the rings and rebuilt the engine, all genuine BMW parts.......
Drop us a line if you are stuck for evidence of the issue, you can point them to this thread, or need help with your car....

Check earlier posts for pics

[E90_320si]

[QUOTE=Detox;10069769]Guys,

Sorry to hear about your problems but we are all sufferings from the aluminum liner problem... Aluminum liners are good for saving weight in race applications where longevity is not a requirement hence unfortunately fail in road use due to temperature fluctuation... Inevitable on these modified N45 engines...
We have managed to fix the problem permenantly and the cars run very well... The fix includes modifying the block and using special cast iron liners, in the process we check all of the engine internals to make sure they are within BMW tolerances, match the rings and rebuilt the engine, all genuine BMW parts.......
Drop us a line if you are stuck for evidence of the issue, you can point them to this thread, or need help with your car....

Check earlier posts




Detox: how much does it cost to rebuild the engin with ironliners if i wont you to fix it?

Best regards

[Nikos120i]

Dear Detox,

You mentioned in your post that aluminum liners tend to break due to temperature fluctuation.

What can we do in order to avoid temperature fluctuation? Is warming-up and cooling down the car good enough?

Thank God that in Athens we don’t have extreme temperatures. The lowest it gets is -5.

What is your advice in order to potentially avoid such a failure?

[Detox]

Difficult to say as it is an inherent problem with the engine so I am not sure if there is an easy way to avoid it? Not sure of any of the other guys have ideas?

The cost to rebuilt will depend on the extent of the damage, pistons damaged, head problems, etc... but generally between 2 to 3k as the engine is totally rebuilt with BMW parts and the amount of machining is quite considrrable and pricey..

Mo

[E90_320si]

Thanks for the answer!

So your suggesting to sell all our 320si.. Thats sad but the smartest way to go... (I saw that a new exchange engine cost 4.200 euro , and a new one costs: 6.800 euro )

[fstsven]

42.000 euro?!? That must be a mistake, no? The whole car only cost 35.000 when new... Are you sure it's not 4.200 or so?

[E90_320si]

Originally Posted by Nikos120i

My consumption (since cobalt mentioned it) is at 12,3lt/100km with an average speed of 38km/hr.

I have seen significant improvement in terms of fuel consumption after the last firmware update.

Regarding the cylinder liners...I believe that it might be something else to blame. For example, do you warm up your engine in the morning allowing it to idle for a few minutes before driving off? This is very important! If the engine oil is not warm, extensive revving might cause problems such as the above.

Is this you driving?

Nice drive!

[cobalt]

Nice drive to Penteli Mountain...

i guess that with this kind of drive your consumption must be hell much higher than mine!!!

P.S. You are still missing the BMW Performance steering wheel...

[Nikos120i]

Originally Posted by E90_320si

Is this you driving?

Nice drive!

Yes, it is me!

I'm glad you like it.

Check out my channel, I have a few videos from my kart.

Consumption is at 13lt/100km.

[Jimmer69]

Hi all, I'm new on here having recently purchased a 2006 le mans blue 320si. I absolutely love the car, I think for a four pot it sounds great and the handling is spot on.

My only concern is that it doesn't appear to be as quick as it should be low down. I know that it's not the torquiest car out there but it doesn't seem to get close to the quoted 7.7 sec 50 to 75 mph in fourth. There also seems to be a bit of a step around 4500 rpm and above this it flies.

Fuel economy seems ok, around 26 mpg on my short commute and about 32 mpg on a good run. Car has been fully serviced and I've been to the local dealer, John Clarke in Aberdeen, and they've said that there are no recalls on the car. Current milage is about 57.5k.

Could this be due to incorrect valve clearance or could the VANOS be playing up? Also I've read on this thread about software upgrades, how much is this likely to cost or should it be covered by BMW? I also read about issues with the cam chain, how could I check to ensure my car is ok in this respect?

Also what oil do you guys tend to use, I've seen quite a debate online and on this subject.

And finally are there any mods that these cars benefit from or are they best left well alone?

All advice is much appreciated, I know these are rare cars and that there's not much expertise around.

Cheers

[cobalt]

Hi all,

i just had a second thermostat change in 1 year!

the car was running between 72-85 Degrees oC (depending on weather and driving)

i replaced this time not only the thermostat (part number 11 51 7 552 079) but also the thermostat housing that BMW indicates that has a part number change (new part number 11 51 7 572 859) hoping that this will resolve the low engine temperature problems.

After the change the car is running between 88 - 93 Degrees oC
i think now the problem is sorted.

i do still have idle problems on start up though most of the times...
the car give you the impression that it runs on 3 cylinders and needs 2-3 seconds to run smooth on idle.
im thinking to proceed with the throttle housing change (part number 13 54 1 439 580) but its quite expensive... 265 Euro + labour

[cobalt]

does anybody know what this part number mentioned as actuator is exactly doing?
11 61 7 511 383

item 18 on image

[Dagern]

Originally Posted by JonnySi

It wont have! This is your bore liners beginning to split and loose compression.

Hi,

Actually this fixed my starting problem. Started on first attempt ever since. The dealer told me that the drivechain had become stretched, and replacing this fixed my starting problems

Regards,
Dag Ragnar

[cobalt]

Originally Posted by Dagern

Hi,

Actually this fixed my starting problem. Started on first attempt ever since. The dealer told me that the drivechain had become stretched, and replacing this fixed my starting problems

Regards,
Dag Ragnar

so after changing the drivechain? or the tensioner? the problems are gone?

part 1 or 4?

[Dagern]

Originally Posted by cobalt

so after changing the drivechain? or the tensioner? the problems are gone?

part 1 or 4?

I will check with my dealer what parts they changed, and post the answer

Regards,
Dag Ragnar