What do you recommend?

[mikester328]

Howdy, I was just needing to know some advice on what to do for my 318i 5 spd. I like to rev is a little more than the average driver, mainly the first and second gears to get the stinkin' thing to move. I mainly like to rev up to 3500 or sometimes 4000 rpm. Should I be using a special type of oil or put nothing but premium gas (93 grade) compared to 89 or so? So far my car is driving nice but sometimes the engine (not the sound coming from the exhaust) is kinda airy or clickity for my 4 cyl. Any products I could use to help my engine to withstand some aggressive use and keep it running good? (it has 103,000 miles and runs really well still).

Thanks, Mike

[d3ity]

A cold air intake couldnt hurt you.

[BlantonG13]

Mobil 1 synthetic oil is awesome. Helps out a lot, lasts longer and protects well, but also costs a little more. I also have a 318i which I like to have fun with myself. The owners manual for my car suggested shifting around 3500 anyway, so you aren't that far off. As for the gas, BMW recommends that you use 91 or higher octane gas for all their cars. I usually use that, but with the consistently higher prices of gas these days, I have been using 89 which I am sure doesn't hurt it. As for the clickity sound you hear, its just a normal 4 cyl. engine sound. Its the OHC part that you are hearing. Its not bad at all. Most 4 cyl. cars that are a little bit older make that sound.

I also agree, an intake can never hurt=better gas mileage. Change the plugs and get NGKs or Splitfires. They can also improve your car's performance a tad. Goodluck!

[El Presidente]

good plugs wont hurt, higher octane, FI cleaner, and an intake or debaffled box will help.

[dutchbmw]

Originally posted by BlantonG13@May 17 2004, 10:04 PM
Change the plugs and get NGKs or Splitfires. They can also improve your car's performance a tad.

Don't get some NGK plugs. I had used them in my e30 320i were one was broke while I was driving. That cylinder was totally damaged. Get the Bosch plugs!

[mikester328]

Thanks for all the replies. Just wondering...
What is the OHC part of my 4 cyl engine? And also ,what's a FI cleaner? Is that a filter Intake cleaner or something?
Thanks

[Kevin325i]

OHC = over head cam. It's most likely just vavles clicking.

Kevin

[El Presidente]

fuel injector