Operating Temperature

[spielnicht]

Still new to my recently acquired 2011 35is having only put 200 miles over the past 2 months. One thing I've noticed that's bugging me but could very well be normal is how long it takes for the car to reach operating temperature. Compared to my F10 550i, the Z4 takes at least 3x as long to just move past 160F, where my 550i is already at operating temp. I literally drove for 10 mins (4miles) the other day when it was 75 degrees outside and it barely moved past 160. It's not until I drive for 30 mins does it actually get to operating temp.

Obviously a lot of differences between the two cars. The 550i is a V8 and sardined in the engine bay, where as the Z4 engine has more space than my home office.

So is this normal?

[SpectreMech]

Well, if a sample size of two is to be trusted, yes it's normal. I have the same model, same year and it takes anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes for the needle to swing up to the 240/250F range I'm used to seeing.
Congrats on the Z...the 35is is a monster as roadsters go.

[Drummer$Dude]

Originally Posted by spielnicht

Still new to my recently acquired 2011 35is having only put 200 miles over the past 2 months. One thing I've noticed that's bugging me but could very well be normal is how long it takes for the car to reach operating temperature. Compared to my F10 550i, the Z4 takes at least 3x as long to just move past 160F, where my 550i is already at operating temp. I literally drove for 10 mins (4miles) the other day when it was 75 degrees outside and it barely moved past 160. It's not until I drive for 30 mins does it actually get to operating temp.

Obviously a lot of differences between the two cars. The 550i is a V8 and sardined in the engine bay, where as the Z4 engine has more space than my home office.

So is this normal?

My 2009 35i is very cold blooded and takes at least 30 minutes to get up to its normal oil temp range. My Z4 doesn’t have an oil cooler either.

[paris1]

Same experience here on my '13 35i..

[Tangent]

One more example of that being normal here with my '11 35i. (with oil cooler) 10+ minutes of driving for the oil temp gauge to even come alive at ~160F and on my commute it can easily take another 20 minutes after that for it to reach it's normal operating temp. My M4 hits 160F in about 5 minutes and reaches normal temps in another 5-10.

[B21]

Later engines actually have insulation around the block etc to allow the core to warm up faster.

The N54 is a big lump of metal.

Fortunately for me I only use my Zed on mostly long runs so I’ve gone the other way and added a Mosselman oil thermostat to lower peak temperatures.

[spielnicht]

Thanks for all the input and feels better knowing this is normal.