Interesting Observation on Engine Operating Temp. in Sport vs. Sport+

[redfox]

When in Efficiency or Sports mode for the throttle response, the engine coolant operating temp is maintained between 105 and 110C. However, if you switch over to sports plus mode, the engine coolant temp is dropped down to between 80 and 85C!

Great way to test it. When parked and idling after the car is warmed up, switch over the sports plus mode. The radiator fan will turn on immediately and lower the temp of the coolant. And if you switch back to efficiency or sports mode again, the fan will turn off immediately.

Hmm... Should we run at Sports Plus all the time then to keep the engine nice and cool?

[JoeFromPA]

Good info.

Running an engine too cool is not good for it. You will get more carbon build-up, for example, on a cold engine and it will run richer than desired. There is an optimum operating temp.

HOWEVER, coolant temps are a poor proxy for engine temps. For that, oil temps are a much better indicator. If oil temps drop 20 degrees celcius, I'd be more concerned. You want your oil sticking at a certain minimum operating temp.

[brianhn1]

So I've noticed that the E9x cars had oil temperature indicator while the F8x have coolant temperature indicator.

On my E90 335i N54, I have the BMW performance steering wheel so I could see both oil and coolant temperatures.
- I would see coolant temps sit at 210F when I was just cruising but when I was pushing it hard, it would automatically drop to 190-200F.
- Oil temperature was maintained at 230-240F.

This might be the same cooling logic in the F8x and is no different than at least my N54 though it is quite nice to be able to kick the cooling system in higher efficiency with sports plus instead of it doing it automatically.

[lugnutm4]

Engines are more efficient (to a degree) at higher operating temperatures. So the higher temps will get you better gas mileage at cruising speed without hurting the engine. When in stop and go traffic the system is supposed to lower the coolant temperatures and keep the engine cooler. This is one of the benefits of electric fans and water pumps. The ECU can monitor a bunch of parameters and adjust accordingly.

[A418t81]

Originally Posted by lugnutm3

Engines are more efficient (to a degree) at higher operating temperatures. So the higher temps will get you better gas mileage at cruising speed without hurting the engine. When in stop and go traffic the system is supposed to lower the coolant temperatures and keep the engine cooler. This is one of the benefits of electric fans and water pumps. The ECU can monitor a bunch of parameters and adjust accordingly.

Yep, came to say this. Running them hotter to a certain degree improves thermodynamic efficiency.

[gsrbri]

The temp indicator in your gauge cluster is oil temperature - just as in the E90.

I'll have to check this out. I'm wondering if the sport plus mode is designed to offer additional cooling when on-track or driving hard. Also, as mentioned, cars are more efficient when hot...but I'd imagine in every mode the car ends up at the same operating temp once fully up to temperature.

I hadn't even noticed! Nice pick-up.
-Brian S.

[redfox]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

The temp indicator in your gauge cluster is oil temperature - just as in the E90.

I'll have to check this out. I'm wondering if the sport plus mode is designed to offer additional cooling when on-track or driving hard. Also, as mentioned, cars are more efficient when hot...but I'd imagine in every mode the car ends up at the same operating temp once fully up to temperature.

I hadn't even noticed! Nice pick-up.
-Brian S.

I thought the gauge cluster showed water temp only?

I was using the coolant temp reading from my P3Car gauge. So the temp I am referencing is definitely coolant temp.

[CanAutM3]

Oil temp is displayed in the cluster. See pic below

[Oakleyguy]

Originally Posted by redfox

I thought the gauge cluster showed water temp only?

I was using the coolant temp reading from my P3Car gauge. So the temp I am referencing is definitely coolant temp.

The dash cluster is an oil temp gauge.

[CanAutM3]

Interesting find OP. I will definitely check this out the next time I take the car out.

My understanding is that a hotter engine run more efficiently from a fuel burn perspective, hence better fuel economy.

However, a cooler engine is able to produce more power.

The BMW logic makes perfect sense in this respect.

Could this also be another reason the S55 shows more power on dynos that what is expected from the official rating?

[pkimM3r]

we need track temps ppl. nobody cares how its doing on the street. it wont ever affect anything.

canaut please let us know when you get back from an event!

[robbo mcs]

Sounds like the car has a dual phase ecu controlled thermostat, as do many other current BMW / minis.

The higher temperature is optimal for emissions and economy, the lower temperature is more optimised for performance.

If it works like other models, then regardless of what mode you are in if you drive aggressively, eg multiple full throttle accelerations, then the lower temp 85c mode will activate anyway.

[redfox]

Originally Posted by SlowSaloonM3

we need track temps ppl. nobody cares how its doing on the street. it wont ever affect anything.

canaut please let us know when you get back from an event!

Spent 1 hour on the track yesterday. Basically, I got off because I ran out of gas. In sport plus mode, coolant temp never exceeded 85C. This was a short track too. So I was in 2nd or 3rd gear all the time, redlining constantly.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by redfox

Spent 1 hour on the track yesterday. Basically, I got off because I ran out of gas. In sport plus mode, coolant temp never exceeded 85C. This was a short track too. So I was in 2nd or 3rd gear all the time, redlining constantly.

good news...what about loss of power, there was a prior post that there was a loss of power, but then it was 100F!

oh, and, VIDEOS!!

[sh55]

Originally Posted by redfox

Spent 1 hour on the track yesterday. Basically, I got off because I ran out of gas. In sport plus mode, coolant temp never exceeded 85C. This was a short track too. So I was in 2nd or 3rd gear all the time, redlining constantly.

I agree that this is great news and it makes total sense to me. Thank you for the information.

[Jimjamz]

I made a discovery today that i hadn't previously realized. I normally drive in Sport throttle and Sport Plus Steering. Well I decided to spend some time in Sport Plus throttle. The thing is I have a MPE Steering Wheel II with race display and normally leave the engine temp display on while the car warms up. The only thing is I noticed on normal application the engine was quite some amount lower than normal. It was clear the cooling systems were firing away in Sport Plus mode. I normally find in sport mode the engine water/oil temps reached and then maintains about 106-109c (223-228F). Today they stayed around the 84C/93C (183F/199F) in Sport Plus. To test this further I switched to Sport Plus from Sport and the water temp dropped fast from about 228F to 200F in about 45 seconds.

Impressed!

[E90Fleet]

Yes, the car runs higher temperatures for economy and lower temperatures for power

[castilla]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Yes, the car runs higher temperatures for economy and lower temperatures for power

Is there a power difference between sport and sport plus mod?

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Yes, the car runs higher temperatures for economy and lower temperatures for power

I'll have to compare and take some temps down. Only prob is I don't like driving in economy as it's too quiet. I'll have to do it for science...

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

I'll have to compare and take some temps down. Only prob is I don't like driving in economy as it's too quiet. I'll have to do it for science...

Is there any benefit to engine health and longevity to keeping the overall water and oil temps on average higher or lower?

[MKParris]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

Is there any benefit to engine health and longevity to keeping the overall water and oil temps on average higher or lower?

as long as it is within the safe range (all the temps listed are), you will probably not have the car long enough to notice any change in reliability/longevity.

[babyboss]

Interesting numbers !

How u find the sport steering 11 compared to oem steering ?