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re: 325i takes "forever" to start, but isn't that GOOD?

> Anyway, I'm asking all you 325i owners out there...
> how much cranking does it take to get YOUR car to fire up?
> Jim TenCate, '87 325iC,  summa@domain.elided

Jim,

This is a subject over which I have spent many minutes of 
contemplation. My 87 325i (149K miles and going strong) will 
take up to 4 seconds to start if all of these conditions are met:

1) Air temp greater than about 40 degF (otherwise cold-start 
   mechanism provides more fuel).
2) Hasn't run for over one-half hour.
3) Altitude greater than 3000 feet.
4) No additives like Techron in gas.

These conditions are met most times that I start the car here
in Denver (the 5280 foot high city) in the non-winter months.
I took a trip to Montana, altitude 3000 ft. on the eastern
plains, a few years ago (when they still had a speed limit)
and the car started quickly every time there.

I have recently come up with a new way of approaching this issue.
Maybe long start times are *good*. Gives time for the oil pressure
to build before it starts running. We all hear about how
most of the engine wear takes place in the first few seconds after
an engine starts, so if the start is delayed a few seconds, then
you have less wear, right? My car has never failed to start, by the
way. I might be wearing out the starter prematurely, but so what
as the long as the engine runs forever.

If I could just lengthen the start time in the winter, I'd have 
it made. The engine starts quickly but makes an ugly grinding noise 
for a few seconds after starting when the air temp is less than 0 degF. 
I used 10W30 in previous winters, will try 5W30 this winter.

Am I on to something here, or is this just creative denial?

Matt Graham
mattg@domain.elided