I must be lucky. I've had 3 continentals (1997 w/232K, 2002 w/82K, and now 2001 w/40K miles) and never have I experienced the start up rattles, even when I was doing Quick Lube Co. oil changes on my 1997 for $19 (ie cheap filters).
I currently use the synthetic media Fram Ultra Guard XG2's -...