08-01-2021, 12:37 PM | #1 |
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M550i Twin Turbo V8 - is it undercooled ?
Does anyone else feel that the engine in the M550i (4.4 Liter Twin Turbo V8 with 523 HP and 553 Ft/pound of torque) is undercooled ?
It's my experience that the engine produces way too much heat (or it's not cooled well). I mean just standing anywhere near or around the car, one can feel the tremendous heat coming from the engine and from underside of the car. It feels as if it's an oven there. I have not had this experience with other V8's. I think the BMW engineers just did not build enough cooling capacity. That's why people say that the ac does not cool enough and inside it feels hot. The culprit is not the ac but the engine that runs way too hot and not cooled enough. The underside/floor of the car is suppressing lot of heat and ac struggles to keep temp low. Does anyone think this ? It's just over-engineered with the active shutters in the grill and the fan that runs like crazy trying to cool the engine. But, they forgot the basics… just did not build enough cooling capacity for this high performing engine. |
08-01-2021, 01:42 PM | #2 |
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I think the reason you have that perception is due to the fact this engine is a hot V turbo. In past versions the turbos have boiled the oil right after the car is shut off. The fans going full blast when you are rolling slowly or pull up to a stop is to take heat out of the centre of the engine bay and stop the oil consumption issues a class action highlighted in the earlier generations. Under fast driving conditions the oil and coolant temps are pretty under control for a sub M model. It's the heat extraction measures that you are noticing.
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08-01-2021, 04:47 PM | #3 |
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On this topic does anyone understand the temperature gauge? It starts “cold” and then settles in the middle. Sometimes the indicator line is white, other times red, I’ve no idea what that means, and once warmed up never moves (that cooling referred to above is working).
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08-03-2021, 07:20 AM | #4 | |
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My experience with BMW Twin Turbo Inline 4's and 6's were also much better. I just think they need to find a better way to cool these turbos and engines without the occupants noticing them. I don't know if anyone likes these loud fans going full blast and running after the engine shuts down. |
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08-03-2021, 09:49 AM | #5 |
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Two thoughts:
- If they could line the engine bay with something that would help dissipate heat - seems the newer 2021 models seem to be more susceptible to the fans running after shutdown (which makes me wonder if it's a software sensor/threshold thing) |
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08-03-2021, 02:14 PM | #6 |
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Do you have a LCI or Pre LCI model? The LCI has improved air flow to keep the engine cooler.
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08-03-2021, 03:36 PM | #7 |
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Frankly, I notice much more how hot the performance is of this phenomenal vehicle. It doesn't bother me at all that the shutters open and close, or that the cooling fans run for a minute or two after I have enjoyed the fantastic experience the M550 offers. I am usually walking away at that point, anyway. Are you for real, or just trolling?
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08-03-2021, 04:24 PM | #9 |
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Hmm… then that's odd.
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08-03-2021, 04:31 PM | #10 | |
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M550i is a high end , 4 door, executive level, high performance, stealth car. Its also a family car. It's not Ok, if just the driver feels good. |
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08-03-2021, 07:05 PM | #11 | |
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08-03-2021, 08:42 PM | #12 | ||
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08-04-2021, 12:27 PM | #14 | |
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Not being a smart ass but maybe you should drive a hybrid or EV if you don't want to hear fans? I have had a G30 since 2017 and I don't recall cooling issues being mentioned in this forum and I haven't had any personally. This tells me the system is designed to do what it is supposed to and that is keep the engine at an optimum operating temperature. I also have a 718 Cayman and there are members on that forum that have real cooling issues during track time that puts the car in limp mode. I am sure they would be fine with some extra fan noise! |
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08-04-2021, 02:13 PM | #15 | |
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08-05-2021, 02:32 AM | #16 | ||
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3 kids in the back, i take this opportunity to show the open/closed vents, explain what's a V8 engine, what and where the turbos are, why it's important to cool them down when stopping… It's actually interesting from an engineering point of view. And the needle never deviates from the target temperature so i'm happy with the way cooling works. Also note that the cooling target is more aggressive in sport mode, comfort mode will trigger fans less often.
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08-05-2021, 03:16 AM | #17 |
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As I see it, there is more conflict of function these days, when you want fast heat up, high temperatures for efficiency and then plenty of cooling when necessary.
Takes a more complex thermal/cooling management system to fulfil all requirements. Extra time to dissipate excess heat is likely part of the management strategy. |
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08-05-2021, 05:43 AM | #18 |
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I'd see this as something notable if the needle ever moved from dead center on the temp gauge even when pushed hard for a long duration.
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03-23-2023, 09:05 PM | #19 |
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Ideally speaking - cooling should be a bit better. I would be conservative if run it on track.
For most situations - it is not bad at all - you need matching airflow to keep it cool - either drive it at a speed, of, after it stop - the ventilization run will auto few minutes. Check your oil level once a while and keep it topped. Keep any eye on coolant as well.( |
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03-23-2023, 09:07 PM | #20 | |
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Consider the engine bay size you can fit - radiators, pump, etc, you will see it is rather decent. The m5 has more radiators at bottom - that’s a lot extra cost in such sized engine bay. |
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03-24-2023, 08:24 AM | #21 | |
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As someone else mentioned, the TU3 update (not just LCI, but also MY20 pre-LCI onwards) has made further improvements to cooling and I have not heard of widespread issues with the TU2 either, so I trust that BMW has devised and implemented a good heat management system with whatever it is doing.
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