No temp gauge - so how to tell when I can rev it??

[sam303]

I am currently running-in my new M135i. (I know, worst "I'm currently running in my new M135i" thread ever) It has no temperature gauge. So as well as having to notch up 1200 miles (according to the handbook) before I can take it past 4500rpm, I have to effectively guess when the car is warmed up?

Thinking about it, my barge (E65 745i - I know, worst "I also have a 745i" thread ever) also has no temperature gauge, but it's not really an issue there as it's more of a waft-mobile anyway (though that engine does sound lovely being revved as well).

SO - how on earth do I tell, on my little orange pocket rocket M135i, when it's safe to put the foot down? It's an auto by the way.

BTW I am aware that the temp gauge on modern cars is a damped kind of 'idiot needle' that doesn't show the actual temperature of the engine. Nevertheless some indication of when it's warmed up would be good. Or can I just rag it from cold??

[kambites]

Doesn't it have one of these newfangled moving red-lines?

[TobyLaRohne]

Will you own the car after the warrenty expires? If not who cares!? Cane it from cold If you will own it after it expires, I'd suggest at least a good 10 miles first before hoofing it. that being said it depends how gentle you drive and the ambient temperature asto how long it takes to warm up so thats really just a guide.

[kambites]

TobyLaRohne said:

Will you own the car after the warrenty expires? If not who cares!? Cane it from cold

Note to self: do not buy a second-hand car from this person.

[750turbo]

kambites said:

Doesn't it have one of these newfangled moving red-lines?

Nope - What are these by the way?

[sam303]

kambites said:

Doesn't it have one of these newfangled moving red-lines?

No, I don't think it does, but come to think about it, the ol' 745i does. Quite cool actually. But no the lil' M doesn't have that.

[Ari]

The temperature gauge doesn't accurately show you the temperature of the engine, only of the coolant. I drove a car with an oil temperature gauge once and you'd be amazed at the difference. The engine is properly warm (lubricants and all) a long time after the water temp gauge is up to normal.

[KTF]

750turbo said:

Nope - What are these by the way?

Some BMW M cars have a 'digital' red line that runs round the edge of the dial. As the engine temp increases the red line gets smaller to show that you can use more revs.

Example of someone who may not be paying too much attention to it (or its a test pattern)

[kambites]

750turbo said:

kambites said:

Doesn't it have one of these newfangled moving red-lines?

Nope - What are these by the way?

Instead of painting the orange/red lines on the rev-counter, some modern cars use LEDs behind the dashboard and the red-line (and the rev limiter) start off low when the engine is cold and rise as it comes up to temperature so you can't over-rev it when cold.

[D4MJT]

750turbo said:

Nope - What are these by the way?

I think he's referring to the digital illuminated RPM redline as seen in the likes of the E46 M3 and E39 M5. As the car warms up the redline recedes higher up the rev scale, when the car is colder it's shown as much lower.

[kambites]

Ari said:

The temperature gauge doesn't accurately show you the temperature of the engine, only of the coolant. I drove a car with an oil temperature gauge once and you'd be amazed at the difference. The engine is properly warm (lubricants and all) a long time after the water temp gauge is up to normal.

This is very true, although how long after depends very much on the oil capacity. In the Lotus, it typically takes around two miles for the coolant to hit normal operating temperature and five for the oil to stabilise; I'd guess the BMW will be longer, since it's got quite a long sump?

[TobyLaRohne]

kambites said:

Note to self: do not buy a second-hand car from this person.

You're ok I dont buy new cars with warrenty so I always baby them until they are warmed up...when I use a rental though..yeah they get a pasting from cold

The good thing with living in the desert is the ambient temps of 50C in summer often mean the oil is upto temperature before you get out of the multi story car park!

[TheAngryDog]

sam303 said:

kambites said:

Doesn't it have one of these newfangled moving red-lines?

No, I don't think it does, but come to think about it, the ol' 745i does. Quite cool actually. But no the lil' M doesn't have that.

Not a proper M then

[bicycleshorts]

Temperature of the air coming from the heater vents?

Or does this only work on old sheds like mine where the coolant runs through the heater matrix

[750turbo]

bicycleshorts said:

Temperature of the air coming from the heater vents?

Or does this only work on old sheds like mine where the coolant runs through the heater matrix

Doesn't let you know the Oil Temp, and that is what really matters.

OP - 10 Miles!

[andrewrob]

You can use the hidden menu to display the engine temp and a load of other things, however if its anything like mine you'll have to do this each time you start the car which could get a bit annoying.

Video guide here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oSdk8WGTKw

ETA I think one of them does give you oil temp too. On the F20 function 8 shows outside temp, coolant temp, and oil temp

Edited by andrewrob on Friday 21st March 11:07

[TooMany2cvs]

sam303 said:

I am currently running-in my new M135i. (I know, worst "I'm currently running in my new M135i" thread ever) It has no temperature gauge.

<blink> You are kidding me... How do-as-you-likey-spec is that?

[bicycleshorts]

750turbo said:

bicycleshorts said:

Temperature of the air coming from the heater vents?

Or does this only work on old sheds like mine where the coolant runs through the heater matrix

Doesn't let you know the Oil Temp, and that is what really matters.

OP - 10 Miles!

Isn't that all the temp gauge does though?

[john2443]

bicycleshorts said:

Temperature of the air coming from the heater vents?

Or does this only work on old sheds like mine where the coolant runs through the heater matrix

What's the alternative? Has technology moved on and left me behind?

[Liquid Tuna]

bicycleshorts said:

Isn't that all the temp gauge does though?

No, that's water temp, not a good indicator of oil temp, which is the important temp. Temp. Temp. Temp.