M42 O2 sensor

[Mark D.]

Why are these so friggin expensive? Cheapest is Pelican at $118.50 US, then BMA for $122.00 US. Seems like everything for the 91 318is is more than other models. Has anyone used an aftermarket NGK or equivalent to the Bosch OEM unit? I have to solve my pathetic gas mileage before continuing on with any other upgrades.

end of rant...... :mad:

[kowalski]

i used a generic o2 sensor from lordco, i think it was NGK or Bosch, it was about 60-70$ canadian, and i just had to use 4 connectors, and cut the connector off the old one.

[fastbmw]

The generic one from lordco is NGK. It's the same one as I'm running in my 325i (same brand I mean). Works fine in my books.

[kowalski]

yeah, i'v been running mine for 2 years with no problems

[Al Canuck]

Mark et al,

I can get an OEM, correct fitting one from Bosch for $145 Canadian.

Al

[Mike 91 318ic]

I suspect mine is starting to go as well, how much for the sensor with installation?

tks
M

Mark et al,

I can get an OEM, correct fitting one from Bosch for $145 Canadian.

Al

[Eugene]

Mark,
How many km's are you getting per tank of 60L? Mine seems to be a little thirsty for the type of car it is.
Eugene

[Mark D.]

Mark,
How many km's are you getting per tank of 60L? Mine seems to be a little thirsty for the type of car it is.
Eugene
Well my last 318is got 10 litres per 100km no matter if I drove like a maniac or not. This new car is 14-16 litres per 100km.
Im changing the wires and plugs this weekend, and the O2 sensor in a week or so. Hopefully that will sort it out.

[kowalski]

Well my last 318is got 10 litres per 100km no matter if I drove like a maniac or not. This new car is 14-16 litres per 100km.
Im changing the wires and plugs this weekend, and the O2 sensor in a week or so. Hopefully that will sort it out.

thats what i get 10/100 i wonder why... i think i might try changing coils soon and after that im gona leave everything as im building a new motor anyways.

[MikesJo]

8-9 I think is normal. That's what I get as well. So seems like mark's is sucking up too much gas.

[Mark D.]

Lets make sure my methodology is correct here for basing my mileage stats.

1. Fill the car up to the filler neck.
2. Set odometer to 0 and drive 100km over a few days as I normally do.
3. Fill up again and record litres up to the filler neck again.
Sound logical?
Running Chevron 92 or 94 at roughly $1.20/litre, 2000 km since I bought the car a month ago, 15 litres per 100km, thats 300 litres X $1.20 $360!!! Ouch

At 10 litres per 100km it would have been $240.00. definately time for an O2 sensor....... :mad:

[arthurmchan]

This new car is 14-16 litres per 100km.Ouch, that's bad! Here's what I've been getting on my car since I bought it:

Date Fuel (Litres) Cost Odometer (km) Litres/100km Miles per Gallon $/Litre Range (km)
2005/08/31 50.235 $54.96 417.0 12.0 19.5 $1.094 513
2005/10/27 36.934 $39.08 368.0 10.0 23.4 $1.058 616
2005/11/29 42.933 $43.10 377.0 11.4 20.7 $1.004 543
2005/12/17 34.727 $35.21 289.3 12.0 19.6 $1.014 515
2006/01/10 42.767 $42.08 401.5 10.7 22.1 $0.984 580
2006/01/31 36.979 $36.02 353.9 10.4 22.5 $0.974 591
2006/02/21 46.540 $45.24 367.6 12.7 18.6 $0.972 488
2006/03/08 43.755 $43.05 365.0 12.0 19.6 $0.984 516
2006/03/22 42.759 $46.78 382.3 11.2 21.0 $1.094 553
2006/04/13 49.500 $59.25 408.3 12.1 19.4 $1.197 510

My driving is pretty well 100% city driving. I've changed O2, plugs, and thermostat (was running cold) this year.

[MikesJo]

I drive probably 40% highway, 60% city.

[Chris]

Mark D, it's logical if you think that 100kms is representative of your driving all the time. It's probably not.

The most comprehensive would be...
1. get a notebook and pen in the car
2. At the gas station, note your odometer. Fill tank. Do not need to note volume of gas purchased this first time.
3. Drive
4. Next time at gas station, note your odometer. Fill tank and this time note volume of gas purchased.
5. Repeat #4, repeat #4, repeat #4. More times the better, and ideally forever!

So then you will have a bunch of odometer readings (you want distance between each of course) and a bunch of gas volumes.

Average and you're set.

I think that method tends to make people more conscientious about their driving too, so it may have a side benefit of saving a bit of gas.

And yeah 8-9 makes a lot more sense than 10+ L/100kms. My 91 318is was like 8.3 in the summer, and driving on a relatively flat geography.

[Mike 91 318ic]

I drive 95% city, I avg 350kms per tank. I can sqeeze 400 out of it if I drive it mildly and drive it until the light comes on. Once the needle touches the E I always fill it up right away I try to never drive it until the light comes on. My car just rolled over 160 kms and I'm sure the o2 is original so I'm going to replace it soon and see if the milage gets better.

M