OZ 318ti Intro (Take 2)

[vontetris]

Hey guys!

My first introduction thread was taken up with issues regarding logging into the forum. I can't find that thread so I'd like to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself and actually post some progress pics of my car. Bought it bog stock 6 months ago with 230,000km (143,000 miles).

So far...
- H&R cup kit installed

- 16X7.5" Style 5's with Pilot Sport 3's 205/50R16 (a little fat but helps me keep my odo accurate and ground clearance as it is a daily) FYI great tire

- Thermostat failed and replaced

- Bought new hoses and water pump (Not OEM, completely metal, read somewhere it's better than the plastic OEM one? Can anyone verify?)

-Spark plugs replaced (unfortunately found oil all over the plug in cylinder one, so time for new gaskets)

-Pioneer avh-x7500bt (Has a flip out DVD and the closest oem bluetooth unit i could find)

- Momo shift knob (OEM one came flying off on the freeway, cheapest wood knob i could find on ebay)

- And hopefully an M52 swap in the future (S52 if I fall ass first into a pile of money)

And the pics......







Pre stero install....


Post stero...

[jca]

Welcome to the group! Nice looking ti you have there. Yes, water pumps with metal impellers are preferred over plastic as the plastic impellers can disintegrate and wind up clogging up your cooling system. Ti's imported to the U.S. never came with the wood trim interior bits; on second thought yours might not be OEM. The cooling system is the achilles heel of ti's and BMW's in general. Couple this with the fact that ti's have aluminum heads and you have a receipt for disaster if you let the motor over heat. Since you're from Down Under suggest that you Google Australian Signals and have a look at their Watchdog engine temp monitor. I installed one on my ti and my wife's
Z-3. Cheers, John

[vontetris]

Thanks heaps for the response. I'll have a look into the temp monitor now. In regards to the wood grain, my car has a small plaque/badge on the back which says limited in small gold writing. Maybe the woodgrain is a part of that. Haven't been able to pick any other differences over the stock/sport ti's except the cloth pattern. It's 2 owner car, owned by a women and passed down to her daughter and spouse which i bought stock.