1997 BMW 318ti (auto)

[318tiGuam]

ive been reading some of the threads and i can see u guys really help out alot in this forum. and i hope u can help me out as well. i just bought a 97ti with both windows not working and its obvious that oil has leaked out of the engine (a little) not really sure what wrong with the windows but are parts for a 97ti still expensive considering they are older models? i live in Guam and im not too sure if our prices for servicing is similar but in US dollars how much would i expect to spend for just regular oil change (what kind of oil do u guys use? gas?). and for major tune-ups whats the least i shud expect to spend? my car is stock and i dont know much about cars but will this 97ti be affordable to maintain? i have alot more questions but i'll leave off with just this for now. i hope to read ur replies and hopefully u guys can help me out. thanks

[Micaoct]

Welcome! The windows are a issue, and routinely break as well as the coolant system. Depending on how many miles you have you might want to get that checked out. You most likely need new regulators or maybe the sliders simply popped out. There are a ton of articles in the knowledge base for stuff like this. See this thread for the windows: http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20666

The oil leak might just be a leak around the oil filter housing. Did you pinpoint the source of the leak yet? Is it coming from the engine area, oil pan, etc? If it is around the oil filter housing see this thread: http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20854

Parts aren't really that expensive [might be different in Guam] from my experience and if you do the maintenance yourself it is a really fun and economical car! Taking it to mechanics is a whole different story. Look up for a DIY and do the oil changes yourself, it is a great way to get into it and makes you even more connected to your car. I personally use 5W-30 Castrol in the winter and 10W-30 in the warmer months. Here's an article on choosing oil: http://www.tuninglinx.com/html/oil-change.html

[318tiGuam]

wow thanks for the sites u've included. with the oil leak i was mentioning with mine, it is along the left side of the engine. u know how the engine is tilted on its left side? well along that left side where it is tilted down, theres traces of oil on it. would it be the head gasket? if so would that be an easy fix? also about the oil, since the temperature here in Guam is basically the same (79 at night- 90 during the day) year round. which oil weight is better for my car. i called the bmw dealer here and they said they use 5w-40, but according to the chart u've provided am i still able to use other kinds? 5w-40 is hard to find outside the dealership, can u give me advise of which oil i can use with the type of weather im in? and how many quarts would i need? is "royal purple", "mobile 1", "Castrol" a good brand for our cars? which is most prefered? does the gasoline we use have to be unleaded 91 octane and above or would a regular 87 octane be ok? lastly with the windows mine does not roll up or down. i press the switch and all i hear is just a "click". am i supposed to hear a motor running even tho the windows are not working? the previous owner mentioned something about trying not to burn out the window motor so the connection to the windows were pulled apart (disabled). does that sound logical? i will take down the door panels and post pictures and hopefully u guys have the eyes to see what might be the problem. thanks

[Micaoct]

If it is the head gasket you most likely will have traces of coolant in your oil as well, so when you change your oil check to see if there is any trace of coolant in it. If you do have a bad head gasket depending on how severe it is your engine is susceptible to overheating so I would check that out sooner rather than later. Parts for changing a head gasket are cheap but labor is expensive. Get that looked at, although it might just be a valve cover gasket, pull out the spark plugs and see if the holes are filed with oil. If they are, that is a pretty simple fix.

As for the oil, 10W-40 would work good at those temperatures since it doesn't get cold, but if that's hard to find 10W-30 should be fine as well. I run 10W-30 in the summer and temperatures average at about 65 at night and up to like 95 in the day. Castrol is what I prefer and what BMW recommends. You can run other stuff, it all boils down to personal preference. Not sure exactly what the oil capacity is on the Ti but mine eats up about ~6 quarts.

The fuel really depends on quality and how it is in Guam. It is safe to use lower octane fuel in the Ti because the anti-knock sensors will retard the timing and prevent detonation. Higher altitudes and high quality gasoline it is okay to use lower octane, personally I go with 90 octane because it is only a dollar or two more [don't know about Guam tho] and it is cleaner and you get better gas mileage. It should be okay with 87 though, although depending on price I would just spring for the 90.

The window issue, if you do hear a click , like it is about to move but then nothing happens it might be possible that the regulator is bent out of shape to the point where it blocks the window from moving at all. Take the door panel off and have a look, only way to be sure of what exactly the problem is. The windows are a cheap and easy fix.

[318tiGuam]

ok i guess the best i can do is take some pics and actually show u. the next time i log in i will have pics of the car that are concerning me. and thank u so much for the recommendations.

[keoniti]

hafa dai -
oil leak could be from the valve cover and to repair you get one these

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...2Fis%2FiC%2Fti

not to difficult diy project.

would also check your front lower arm and bushing - know roads on Guam can be bumpy - Marine drive in Hatagna

Use Mobil 1 15-50 in the 5 qt pail from Walmart ($27). Heard when going to synthetic oil go with heavier oil as light ones may cause seals to leak...