Diesel sounding 318i

Hi Guys

ever since i bought my car (black liquorice), people have been asking me if its a diesel, which is highly annoying.
its a late 2004 318i 4cyl

the engine, when idling, sounds like it has rowdy tappets or fuel injectors
i haven't had the chance of hearing other 318i's idling, so im wondering if anyone else has this problem. (if it is a problem)

also, i get around 11L/100km fuel consumption with mixed driving. is this ok for a 318i?

attached is a pic of liquorice

That is exceptionally high fuel consuption for a 318i, my 320i hovers around that mark.

Maybe have it checked out, the last thing you would want is for it to have simply been a worn part, but you end up replacing stuff thats broken because you didnt have it checked

my brothers 318i sounds the same, at idle it sounds like a diesel, once you start going its fine, however his car is a lot quicker than mine... mysterious.

Originally Posted by bimmer051

my brothers 318i sounds the same, at idle it sounds like a diesel, once you start going its fine, however his car is a lot quicker than mine... mysterious.

If its a facelift then ja...its bound to be quicker as it got an upgraded 1.9l motor.

OP: Its pretty normal for the idle to sound like that...my friend's one sounds exactly the same.

Originally Posted by Muney

If its a facelift then ja...its bound to be quicker as it got an upgraded 1.9l motor.

OP: Its pretty normal for the idle to sound like that...my friend's one sounds exactly the same.

Hi chaps (Im new)
I have a 318i sports pack (2004), it has the "M" logo on the steering wheel on panels and on mag wheels. (Well is it from the stable?)

On my car the sound is a bit on the faint side when opening the bonnet, had it checked out by Auto Atlantic, it's normal, but do not take my word for it.

Fuel consumption is a bit on the heavy side, I get about 120km to 140km for the same amount of feul.

I had the same noise on my 2000 328. replaced the waterpump & all noises gone

apparently the 318i diesel sounding noise is completely normal

hi Nish,

I have a 318i Individual ..the sound is totally normal nd when i first purchased it i thought excatly the same as you ..however the sound is really only noticeable at first start in the morning ..there after it is much quieter ... ive notioced that switching on my car everymorning and letting it idle for 5 minutes before i drive eradictaes the prob .. on the fuel economy .. im getting very similar to you

Thanks for responding guys!
I have peace of mind now

Ur consumption is way too high dude! Normal driving combined i get 8.5-8.6. I havnt gne higher than 9.0. And i dnt drive like an old fart

Originally Posted by bimmer051

my brothers 318i sounds the same, at idle it sounds like a diesel, once you start going its fine, however his car is a lot quicker than mine... mysterious.

Urz is a 2001 model which is a 1.8l 8valve. From 2003 onwards the 318s are 2.0l 16valve. Ur bros must b a facelift

Hi there gents.....I have a 2003 318i facelift. Previuosly I had an E30 for 20 years...let's start at the beginning. How does one get the engine covers off?

Originally Posted by juice434

hi Nish,

I have a 318i Individual ..the sound is totally normal nd when i first purchased it i thought excatly the same as you ..however the sound is really only noticeable at first start in the morning ..there after it is much quieter ... ive notioced that switching on my car everymorning and letting it idle for 5 minutes before i drive eradictaes the prob .. on the fuel economy .. im getting very similar to you

Hi I have a 2003 318i A/T with 101000 on it and it does the same. I do not drive much with the car since I ahve a company vehicle but when i go on the road with the family and turn into a fuel station it sounds like a 320d at idle so much so that the attendant nearly put diesel in my tank. I am happy to hear that its normal.

try cleaing you ICV/TP sensor and replace fuel filter may help mines avg 11/9 depends on my mood for week lol get like 500-650 around town depends on grade fuel to i used 95 for town 98 on long distance long travel i can get 750-800 forgot to add i have manual

Thanks for the advise.

Hi Friend
The diesel sound on your 318ti is only due to the vanos x2

Hey suprising how the section for RSA is so lonely...anyway i got a 318i too. the car is great but for that annoying *metal like sound. i have tried to locate the source and it seems to originate from around the belt areas. the sound gets more pronounced when i press the clutch sometimes even the accelerator while idling.