BMW Oil Temperature Question

[GJM120]

I'm trying to avoid short tripping my 230i (b46 engine) but sometimes that's not possible.

Thought I'd monitor the oil temps on one of my typical short trips. It only got to 88C. I think that is too low because I've seen 100C on longer rides? What temperature would be ideal to reach? And does time at that temp matter?

 

[oil pan 4]

100c is ideal as it burns off all the water and nearly all the gas.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Oil does not have to be at 100C to evaporate moisture, if that is what you're concerned with, but time certainly matters.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

This isn't something to spend time/energy on. What is the concern?

 

[JavierH19]

I wouldn't ever worry my mind with something like short tripping motor oil. Get ll-01 rated QS euro 5w-40 for $23 a jug shipped to your door free and use those savings to change more frequently. Change every 4k or so to never worry about short tripping or long interval cleanliness issues. Spend an extra 5 bucks if you want m1 or castrol 0w-40 instead though texas is never cold.

 

[GJM120]

On my N52 powered car I had what I thought was a better UOA after avoiding short trips (mostly by going the long way to my destination).

I'm not overly worked up on this, just thought I'd ask.

 

[fantastic]

Well, for the colder climate folks this could be harder on the engine. Not getting up to temp. on a regular basis is not getting to an efficiency level that is required to burn clean & reduce emissions. Some of you southern boys may not have to deal w/that. OP, if this isn't something you can't help then not much else to do but it appears you're in a decent climate so that helps.

 

[edyvw]

On my N52 powered car I had what I thought was a better UOA after avoiding short trips (mostly by going the long way to my destination).

I'm not overly worked up on this, just thought I'd ask.

BMW engines have big sumps, and on top of that, since 2011, the F and G series have had overkill cooling systems.
They get coolant temperature superfast up, but oil takes time.

 

[k1xv]

On my 2022 dry sump Z51 Corvette, oil temp and water temp are usually very close, about 180F

 

[Marcozi]

My car has an oil temp "gauge." It's run by the engine computer (DME in BMWspeak). It typically sits at about 135*C after the engine is warmed up.

 

[mitsuman47]

My car has an oil temp "gauge." It's run by the engine computer (DME in BMWspeak). It typically sits at about 135*C after the engine is warmed up.

135c so 275f. That seems quite high.

 

[edyvw]

135c so 275f. That seems quite high.

That is high.

 

[edyvw]

My car has an oil temp "gauge." It's run by the engine computer (DME in BMWspeak). It typically sits at about 135*C after the engine is warmed up.

That is high. Only time I see 275c is at track.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

That is high. Only time I see 275c is at track.

 

[edyvw]

Lol.

 

[Marcozi]

That is high.

I’ll take him out this afternoon and recheck the temperature reading. The gauge reads the same whether I’m on the highway or the track.

 

[wavinwayne]

My 535d oil temp gauge sits at 210°F after warm up and never moves.

 

[930.engineering]

.
No matter if it's an Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini, Porsche or VW.
I typically see 205 - 220°F during winter and 220 - 230°F during
summer for both coolant and oil.
88°C/190°C?
Common for shorter trips, but quite odd for longer distances.
88°C lead to shorter trips, maybe for 10 min for the drive will
result in higher water and fuel contamination to your motor
oil than it will able to lose during this too short period of time.
.

 

[edyvw]

I’ll take him out this afternoon and recheck the temperature reading. The gauge reads the same whether I’m on the highway or the track.

Yes, it depends on where the track is, mostly altitude; in the F and G series, the cooling system is overkill and will be sufficient to maintain a similar oil temperature.

 

[vavavroom]

My 535d oil temp gauge sits at 210°F after warm up and never moves.

The gauge shows a steady 210°F until it's grossly higher. It's for you our peace of mind.

On my Mini operating oil temperature, once warned up, fluctuates between 100°C and 108°C but can reach over 118°C when I drive the car hard. In Sport Mode the oil temperature drops by at least 10°C mostly because cooling increases.