[sdiver68]

Observations:

1) No matter how you slice it, the e46 M3 and the e90 335i are almost exact stock-for-stock performance equals given equal drivers. At least on the relatively small, tight road course built into an Oval at Gateway International. This is both my observation AND that of several M3's that tried to run away from or catch me. I was on my stock RFT's.

2) No overheating issues, but I did see constant oil temps of 290 in my Step with the retro-fit oil cooler. Outside temps were in the low 80's during the hottest part of the day.

3) I lapped almost everyone except 1 M3 in my initial group during 20 minute sessions in Intermediate 2, they bumped us up to the advanced group the next day. The funnest vehicles to lap were a 550i, 944 turbo, and e46 M3.

OK now for the pics:

[S4to335]

Ah...if my car were at 290...I would have let her cool down a bit. That is too hot in my opinion...my 6spd only got to 255 when I did a two day track session a few months ago..but it was 39-55 degrees F outside.

[sdiver68]

Originally Posted by S4to335

Ah...if my car were at 290...I would have let her cool down a bit. That is too hot in my opinion...my 6spd only got to 255 when I did a two day track session a few months ago..but it was 39-55 degrees F outside.

BMW told me as long as it does not go into limp mode, run her like you want, so I did Limp mode kicks in long before any damage can be done.

[RMRC]

Originally Posted by sdiver68

2) No overheating issues, but I did see constant oil temps of 290 in my Step with the retro-fit oil cooler. Outside temps were in the low 80's during the hottest part of the day.

You are not alone with those temps. See this link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65095.

I’ll give you one guess who was driving the Step in this case. An engineer friend told me the Step is cooled by a heat exchanger at the bottom of the radiator and that the Step is introducing enough extra heat to the system to max out the cooling capacity of the radiator. Just look at these coolant temps compared to the manual trans. If you plan on taking part in HPDEs you may want to reconsider the Step.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by sdiver68

BMW told me as long as it does not go into limp mode, run her like you want, so I did Limp mode kicks in long before any damage can be done.

I dunno...but I use to track my B5 platform Audi S4 a lot..in very hot weather..up to 105 degrees..and whenever it got to 270 I let it cool down a bit...I would not, if I were you, be complacent with running at or near 290.

[sdiver68]

Originally Posted by reb03

You are not alone with those temps. See this link: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65095.

I’ll give you one guess who was driving the Step in this case. An engineer friend told me the Step is cooled by a heat exchanger at the bottom of the radiator and that the Step is introducing enough extra heat to the system to max out the cooling capacity of the radiator. Just look at these coolant temps compared to the manual trans. If you plan on taking part in HPDEs you may want to reconsider the Step.

Thank you for the warnings! However, yes I know about that thread, you'll find I'm a regular in that forum. In fact, I was the one who initiated (or at least was the 1st one to be approved for) the whole air-to-oil cooler retrofit campaign for those without it, check the archives of this forum. I also talked extensively to BMW corporate about this and they all assured me that limp mode engages significantly below any actual damage causing temps.

The new ZF tranny is fantastic, I'm not giving up on semi-autos. Perhaps BMW will redesign the tranny cooler as well...

[kevbh]

Great pictures! Glad to hear you represented the e90s well.

[RMRC]

Originally Posted by sdiver68

I'm not giving up on semi-autos.

Well at this point I sure have. I can't get more than 15mins of track time at a driving school before it limps like an AMC Pacer. In my opinion this is total BS. I know for certain that Autobahn in IL has 15 335i steps and every one limps on the track when pushed by the harder charging drivers. They all have air-to-oil coolers too. I'm shocked BMW didn't do more homework on this tranny unless they were just completely off the mark as to who would select it. This is my first ever "automatic" and I chose it simply because I drive 23k + miles per year in the LA / Orange County area. Traffic here is miserable at times. Hindsight being 20/20 I would NEVER get this tranny for my type of driving.

I can hear BMW now and it was hinted..."well it wasn't meant to be driven that way." Yeah right, how do you explain testing on the Nurburgring, the Performance Center in SC and the fact that virtually every BMWCCA driving school is sponsored by one or more BMW dealers.

[sdiver68]

Originally Posted by reb03

Well at this point I sure have.

Fair enough, no problem for me, but outside temps were not that high. If mine went to limp mode, I'd be screaming bloody murder.

[Inkidoo]

Sweet!!! I would like to be part of this.

[Park2670]

My car with a factory equipped oil cooler and 6mt was running 285 at the track with 90 degree ambient temperatures. As long as it doesnt go into limp mode im fine with it. As soon as you drive normally or turn it off, the car cools 30 degrees or more in a matter of minutes

[fll335]

What about a colder T stat?.

[Park2670]

Originally Posted by fll335

What about a colder T stat?.

The coolant thermostat is electronically controlled.