Oil Temperature Survey - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

ivory1 · 21st February 2001, 04:09

How about an engine oil temperature survey?

After reading that some members have seen a sudden change in their engine oil temperature setpoint after a dealer servicing, I decided it would be a good idea to log a few readings for historical purposes. I don't know how accurate this survey will be given the difficulty in reading a coarse gauge scale, but here goes...

This is an artist rendering of a US M5 oil temperature gauge reticle (assuming they all look like mine):

120--------o--------210--------o--------300

Each "hyphen" above is a place holder for a 5F scale increment step. The "o" marker to the left of "210" corresponds to 165F (74C) and the "o" to the right corresponds to 255F (124C.)

On page 70 of the Owner's Manual, it states that the NORMAL operating range is 176F (80C) to 248F (120C) and one should never exceed 302F (150C.) This would suggest that the "210" centered label is very close to the mid-range of the BMW defined NORMAL operating zone.

Please allow me to start the survey by reporting the following data from my first officially logged observation. I've listed the parameters that I think may prove relevant later when trying to understand and summarize reported variations:

1. Nominal Oil Temperature (after warm-up): 180F (82C)
2. Peak Oil Temperature Observed: 185F
3. Oil Type: BMW 5W-30 Synthetic
4. Build Date: 11/00
5. Mileage: 1,600 miles (2,575 KM)
6. Weather: ~65F (~18C)
7. Conditions: Mild 0-80 MPH City Driving
8. Other: Factory Stock

bobafett · 21st February 2001, 07:23

I have NEVER exceeded the 165 mark, and my car is always just below it. Even in hard driving. I don't go over 120 on a daily basis, and it's the 10w-60 weight. Factory stock car.

--Dan

MarcK · 21st February 2001, 17:22

I don't push the engine beyond 5000 RPM until oil temperature is at 165, which usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. Normal range is between 165 and 210. Only for very hard driving (Sears Point) have I seen the temperature go higher than 210 (max was around 230).

ivory1 · 22nd February 2001, 04:11

bobafett--

I suggest asking the dealer to investigate why the oil temperature never makes it to the bottom end of the normal range, perhaps the temperature sender unit or thermostat is malfunctioning...?

Quote:

Originally posted by bobafett:
I have NEVER exceeded the 165 mark, and my car is always just below it.
--Dan

MEnthusiast · 22nd February 2001, 14:02

Ok heres my data:

1. Nominal Oil Temperature (after warm-up): ~180-190F
2. Peak Oil Temperature Observed: ~210F
3. Oil Type: BMW 10W-60 Synthetic
4. Build Date: 05/00
5. Mileage: 7,800 miles (2,575 KM)
6. Weather: Doesnt matter, everything from 10F-100F
7. Conditions: Both city/suburbs and long highway. Sometimes I drive aggressively with higher revs, and sometimes I drive more docile. When I get aggressive the temp might move from like 190 to maybe 205-210F but thats it.
8. Other: Factory Stock

ME

[This message has been edited by MEnthusiast (edited 22 February 2001).]

KKelly · 22nd February 2001, 16:52

One thing about //M cars is their ability to be run hard and stay at normal temps. I have rarely seen oil temps over 210 on my E34--even after 20 minutes in the 5000-7000rpm range on the track. The water temp also stays at normal. Amazing really. Even Corvettes have all sorts of overheating problems under track use.

Dan, 165 is real low. It should be 180-200 under normal driving.

rtorre · 28th February 2001, 03:01

1. Nominal oil Temp: 160F
2. Peak oil temp. observed: 210F
3. Oil type: Castrol 10W-60
4. Built date: 6/00
5. Mileage: 3,310 miles
6. Weather: 113F max (august)
7. Conditions: hard to 120mph
8. Other: K&N filters, no silencer.

bobafett · 28th February 2001, 03:03

Kevin: I thought the same thing, but I don't think that I'm the only one. I doubt that I'm missing out on anything (at this point, I'm going thorough withdrawal. Waiting until tomorrow is proving to be KILLER!)

--Dan