[blackhawkk22]

Hey guys, it seems like every other day there is a new oil thread which claims that using xyz oil helps the car run cooler. If BMW did the research and found that the normal operating temperature with BMW oil is 2xx degrees F, what is with the obsession of running your car cooler? Does it have any real tangible benefits? Or is it more of a peace of mind kind of thing?

Would like to know your take on it.

[theweebabySeamus]

All of the above. Could be peace of mind, but I'd imagine the majority are people trying to buffer their car against limp mode on track days. Also, I wouldn't count on BMW always doing the right thing, if they did then every oil facing gasket wouldn't be allergic to oil or 15k mile oil changes on a turbo engine.

Which plays to my reason for wanting to bring down temps, which is the idea that the high oil temps could be at least partly responsible for the gasket issues that plague this platform.

[Gohan335i7]

☝🏻️ He said it!! Peace of mind, Say F U to Limp Mode & random issues such as gaskets. Upgraded Oil Coolers & Intercoolers 👍🏻👍🏻😎👍🏻👍🏻 Keep that engine Cool!!!

[Prev]

My reasoning is due to as theweebabySeamus said above trackdays. Last week I was on a trackday at Le Mans Bugatti circuit, outside temps were hovering around 33degrees (91F) and after hammering my car round the track for 15-20mins my oil temp had reached 140degree (284F). Knowing that limp mode will only be round the corner, I did a quick cool down lap and then pulled off and let the car cool for 45mins.

So anything to help keep the oil/car cooler is worth a shot. I'm going down the duel cooler setup, but will also be testing different oil's to see if it makes a difference. To most who just cruise around doing highway speed runs etc this will be a waste of time. To others who hammer the car round a track it makes a lot of sense and can be the difference between a great day out and a battle with limp mode etc.

[blackhawkk22]

Originally Posted by Prev

My reasoning is due to as theweebabySeamus said above trackdays...

That's exactly it, I understand the need to keep the car cool for track days. But for daily driving - keeping it 10F lower is negligible, I think. As a matter of fact, my commute is 4 miles from my home. Takes me about 15 minutes due to traffic. With BMW oil, I got up to about ~200 by the time I parked. Since I switched to Motul 8100 as of Monday the temp gauge doesn't even move (cold start to parked at work).

I wonder if stuff like that makes a difference, more importantly if it has an adverse impact.

[Antetokounmpo]

Heat kills things. Down to a certain point obviously. The oil needs to be at least 212F to boil off any moisture.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Upgrading oil coolers and keeping oil temps down will vary in reasons.

With an otherwise stock vehicle the factory ~238F oil temp is hotter then most vehicles but it comes at the benefit of reducing pumping losses and emissions.

Although there is commonly the notiation that "BMW INTENDED for XYZ" the reality is BMW has made plenty of mistakes over the past few decades with their choices. So lets not give them full credibility just yet. For starters, they have gotten rid of their 12K-15K Oil change intervals, after realizing how bad they actually were, especially as the car ages and especially as the car potentially burned oil / sheared oil.

That being said, most super cars aim for about 210-212 Max oil temps. As others suggested, it's to burn off any moisture in the oil.

Now that moisture build up depends on highly on the engine itself, the PCV system and a few other external factors.

For example, my C6Z has never seen oil temps past 190F in it's life time. For me to get it past 190F would require heavy abuse and track times in 90F degree weather. Something I'll probably never do. Even with extended highway runs in "Mexico" sustaining anywhere between 150MPH up to 180 MPH the oil never went a tick over 190F. That being said, I have no moisture issues with this vehicle. Then again, there is nothing similar about an LS7 and N54, so not exactly apples to apples comparison.

The truth is the N54 is notorious in having moisture build up. Those driving short distances should look to get those oil temps past 200. Keeping that in mind, aiming for a 200-212F oil temp would be reasonable.

So the question is does the difference between 212 & factory 238-250F make that much of a difference in any regards?

At first glance, probably not. Although it would depend highly on the oil used, oil change interval and again several other exterior factors.

For example, my xi doesn't have the factory oil cooler option. My RWD E92 did. I see no discernible difference in oil temps from the factory oil cooler option to the non oil cooled option. However, if it's really hot and humid and I'm going through a canyon run for example, the non oil cooled will be stuck right at 250 and I usually start getting a bit worried and ease off of the car. Although I never had it reach past 250, it does worry me that if I start exceeding, it will force me to buy an aftermarket oil cooler LOL.

Hot oil that is fluid is good but there is a point where hot oil shears and hot oil starts affecting other things like seals negatively.

So yea, peace of mind does come into play here. Especially if you are pushing your cars and are modified.

So whats the end result of my rant?

Do whatever you think is best but if you are exceeding 250F its time for an upgrade for sure and the upgraded oil coolers will have more capacity to keep the oil temps down with harder driving habits.

Hope this helps!

[blackhawkk22]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Upgrading oil coolers....Hope this helps!

This is great, thank you!

[JasW]

Interesting that the IS, the last N54 E9x produced by BMW, has an additional radiator and upgraded cooling fan and oil cooler. It's supposedly because of the extra 20 hp it produces stock, but I wonder . . . .

[jippii ensio]

Originally Posted by blackhawkk22

That's exactly it, I understand the need to keep the car cool for track days. But for daily driving - keeping it 10F lower is negligible, I think. As a matter of fact, my commute is 4 miles from my home. Takes me about 15 minutes due to traffic. With BMW oil, I got up to about ~200 by the time I parked. Since I switched to Motul 8100 as of Monday the temp gauge doesn't even move (cold start to parked at work).

I wonder if stuff like that makes a difference, more importantly if it has an adverse impact.

I've been driving some extra miles around the block when the oil temps haven't been high enough for removing the moisture.