Nasty experiences with the twin-turbo...

[Jack in Jax]

In case it has been overlooked, here are two interesting letters on the current BMW CCA website (2/19/08) discussing overheating on a 2007 335i.

http://www.bmwcca.org/node/11130

You'll notice that BMW NA's position is that an oil cooler is not needed...which suggests that the NA 135i had better come with an oil cooler AND that it be capable for all 135i intended use (mountains, track et al.) as apparently BMW NA won't be sympathetic if there's disappointment.

Jack

[adc]

Originally Posted by Jack in St. Pete

You'll notice that BMW NA's position is that an oil cooler is not needed...which suggests that the NA 135i had better come with an oil cooler AND that it be capable for all 135i intended use (mountains, track et al.) as apparently BMW NA won't be sympathetic if there's disappointment.

The Sport Package option - at least - should guarantee the fitment of that wheel well cooler. It does on the 335i...

When I drove my 335 in Europe all over its intended usage range (mountains, high speed Autobahn runs, Nurburgring) it never overheated. The highest temp I saw was aroun 260 degrees on the Ring. So maybe from BMW's point of view it's truly performing as designed.

That said, I am inclined to believe that on shorter tracks in the US, my 335 will overheat to some degree. :iono:


If I get a 135i, I'll sure install a bigger oil cooler...

[imported_Bimmer]

so DOES ANYONE REALLY KNOW....DOES IT HAVE THE OIL COOLER(S)???????:iono:

[mikeo]

Yes, I used my Mk 1 eyeball to determine the US spec 135i has the oil cooler. Picture taken i Santa Fe, New Mexico, Sunday, February 17th.

[imported_Bimmer]

There you go everyone who's doubtful! thanks MIKE! Hows the clutch feel????

[R32]

that's a pretty big oil cooler!

[TwinturboBMW07]

Originally Posted by zba857

Very true! Many people try to brush this off as a fix all end all. Or say that it is fine w/ synthetic. Some say its because of cylinders 2 and 6 (or whatever). Regardless of what it is, the fact of the matter is that they have had ample time to rectify the problem and they haven't yet. This is their first turbocharged motor in a long time... I figured it would take them a few tries to iron it out, but there are not that many issues that can cause a motor to overheat.

Now it seems to be more prevalent with auto cars and the oil cooler(normally std on turbo platforms and im suprized it didn't come w/ one to begin with) obviously lowers temps. But there are cars w/ the retrofit that still limp home.

There are ways of 'fixing' an overheating motor.

1. Lower the T-stat operating temp
2. Increase coolant flow/pressure
3. Use more water than coolant
4. Larger radiator
5. re-torque the heads
6. Increase airflow
7. Introduce a wetting agent to the coolant, ie: "water wetter" (Imo the greatest benefit of these products is that they raise the boiling temp of the water, reducing the possibility of hot spots)
8. etc.

However this should not be necessary for a properly designed motor. I think it is worth mentioning that not all n54's 'overheat'(to me this says 'quality control') and the ecu doesn't let it actually overheat.

.02
Zak

So will the warranty cover getting your overheating n54 fixed so that it doesnt overheat because if I buy this car I plan on driving it like it was ment to drive

[sambonator]

Here are a few links to limps experienced on track due to heat, even with the factory oil cooler.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp


http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65095

[BMW Dreamer]

Originally Posted by Garrett

Listen,

All turbocharged engines run hot without the use of an oil cooler. How many turbo charged engines don't have an oil cooler..?

Secondly, a lead engineer from BMW has said the N54 runs hotter than most engines, he stressed this was somehow related to BMWefficiencydynamics.

Thirdly, I have not heard of a 335i/535i WITH an oil cooler overheating. Have you..?


Suggesting that the oil cooler is covering up the fact that the engine runs hot, is like saying that a radiator hides the same fact. BMW is so confident in it's engine building they decided to sell certain biturbocharged cars without an Oil Cooler. Why..?

Nobody knows, but the simple fact of the matter is that there ARE 335i's with no oil cooler that don't overheat. To me, thats remarkable.

"The Problem" is that BMW is still selling cars without an oil cooler. The good news is that the car itself won't be harmed because it will protect itself and go into limp mode if it reaches 302 degree. In which you can then take it to the dealer and get your free oil cooler installed!

This seems to be a concern of many people and I don't blame them. But when reality sets in, many have watched their oil read 280 all day long but never hit 290. Alot higher than normal and what we are use to, but then again, this isn't a normal engine and 280 degrees is normal for this engine. It's just scary because we are use to low 200's.

Either way, even at it's severest level it is not our problem, but BMWs.





-Garrett

Until the warranty is up and it blows or warps

[Yearofthe1]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgerMitFries

However...the 128i does lack direct injection which is a concern. And I'm still concerned about long term galvanic corrosion issues in the 128i because of the unconventional aluminum/magnesuim engine block. anybody hear anything about that?

The 128i is direct injected. The magnesium is completely isolated from the coolant. Only the aluminum is exposed to the coolant. I believe you can see this process in a video on the BMW website. I watched it in a National Geographic Amazing factories show about the BMW plant. BMW was well aware of the corrosive properties of coolant on magnesium, so created an alumnium sleeve, if you will, around the magnesium block.

[MZWIE]

This reminds me a lot of the overheating problem with the 3.0l MT E46's.

The temp switch was made by Siemens at the time and they simply would not work correctly. In the first six months of my 2k1 330ci it was replaced 3 times (meaning it had 4 temp switches).

Once BMW changed over to Bosch all the problems went away.

I am not concerned about the 135 having issues. I would be concerned if BMW merely ignored them.

My point is that in my experience BMW has, at least in the past, found a way to fix the problems.

[Numb3rs]

I think the moral of the story is; if you plan on tracking your car, don't buy an step!

It seems the radiator w/integrated gearbox oil cooler cannot handle the heat dissipation. With or without an engine oil cooler.

[sambonator]

Even manual tranny cars are susceptible to overheat-limp, but not as easily as automatics, which BTW go into limp because of water temps, not oil.

I think the automatics need a separate transmission cooler to reduce load on the radiator.

[Numb3rs]

Originally Posted by Sambonator

Even manual tranny cars are susceptible to overheat-limp, but not as easily as automatics, which BTW go into limp because of water temps, not oil.

I think the automatics need a separate transmission cooler to reduce load on the radiator.

I don't think you read through all of those threads it seems only the auto were having issues.

Which was (for those who didn't read it all) the 335i with a step were overheating because a separate gearbox oil cooler is integrated into the bottom half of the water radiator. As the hot gearbox oil is cooled it also heat soaks the water coolant, thus increasing the overall temperature of the engine. All BMWs have a gearbox oil cooler, not just the steps.

Manual gear boxes do not generate as much heat, therefore they do not effect the water coolant as much!

That was my take on that lengthy thread.


As a side not I would also like to suggest the 135i has a more agressive front end, that looks to deal with more air flow. :iono:

[sambonator]

Manual gearbox 335i's are also still going limp. See SG335's post (he runs a 6MT tranny)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=limp

The transmission fluid to water cooler (radiator) only exist on the automatics. The automatics generate a lot more heat which warrant the need for this. And this puts additional load on the coolant, causing the coolant temp related limp modes.

I stilll say the automatics need an additional transmission cooler (air to tranny fluid cooler). On top of that, the engine needs a bigger than factory air to oil cooler (ala Dinan) or an additional oil cooler.

[BMW Dreamer]

Maybe they need Viagra. NO more limp mode.

Sorry. If the automatics are having more heat problems, thats BAD. I did more research and found MANY MAD BMW owners having auto trans problems.

This makes me GLAD I HAVE to wait until next Jan 09 to (MAYBE?) order a 135i(BMW)

I really don't mind having problems, cars do have problems, but TOO many problems is a major problem. AND having to wait 2-8 weeks for parts SUCKS.

I would never consider the 128i. NOT enough power for myself.