amateur use of e46 on a racetrack

opposer · 12-03-2019, 10:56 AM

Hi guys.

I bought a 80k miles e46 320ci with MT, M-suspension.
Did a couple of mods - low-temp thermostat (triggers at 92celsius, coolant temp doesn't exceed 92c with it), front brakes from bmw330 (front brake rotor diameter is 325mm).
I want to take the car for a occasional spin on a race track.

The car doesn't have an oil cooler (this mod for non-M e46 is pretty pricey).
Can it be used on a track in an easy manner (I'm not too fast of a driver and don't like to put a car in danger of hitting it into a wall)? Maybe 2 aggressive laps, then one slow lap for cooling down? Or the absence of an oil cooler will soon kill the engine? Does the e46 enter limp mode when oil overheats or it just keeps running until engine failure?
I'll use hi-temp brake fluid and performance brake pads.

Emilime75 · 12-03-2019, 11:08 AM

Find a way to monitor oil temps. Something as simple as an OBD2 BT adapter and the Torque Pro app on a phone. Might be best to use an old, unused phone and mount it in a way that it can NOT fall off while on track.

This can also be used to monitor other parameters, as well, like confirming your coolant temps, RPM...it also has some logging capabilities that might prove useful.

Otherwise, go at it. Start off easy, monitor temps, and increase speed and aggressivness as you and the car are comfortable with.

PS - This is assuming the ECU in your car does, in fact, monitor oil temps and your car has an oil temp sensor. I'm assuming it does, but I'm not familiar with E46 320s.

opposer · 12-04-2019, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Find a way to monitor oil temps. Something as simple as an OBD2 BT adapter and the Torque Pro app on a phone. Might be best to use an old, unused phone and mount it in a way that it can NOT fall off while on track.

PS - This is assuming the ECU in your car does, in fact, monitor oil temps and your car has an oil temp sensor. I'm assuming it does, but I'm not familiar with E46 320s.

there is no way you can check oil temp via OBD on 320 e46

tcphoto · 12-07-2019, 03:59 PM

I’ve never heard of a low temp thermostat, it sounds like snake oil to me. The car should be fine as long as the engine and suspension are checked regularly. I would check for any oil leaks, add an electric fan and maybe check the guibo to ensure it doesn’t leave you stranded at the track. Otherwise, fill the tank and enjoy.

Emilime75 · 12-08-2019, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opposer

there is no way you can check oil temp via OBD on 320 e46

I know you can with other e46s, using INPA or Rheingold...I believe Carly can, too. Have you checked Carly, maybe Bimmergeek's ProTool?

feuer · 12-25-2019, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I’ve never heard of a low temp thermostat, it sounds like snake oil to me. The car should be fine as long as the engine and suspension are checked regularly. I would check for any oil leaks, add an electric fan and maybe check the guibo to ensure it doesn’t leave you stranded at the track. Otherwise, fill the tank and enjoy.

I guess you don't have much experience with older vehicles 😉 Anyhow even on newer vehicles that have electronically controlled thermostat via ECU can be forced to open earlier via coding or tuning.

feuer · 12-26-2019, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emilime75

I know you can with other e46s, using INPA or Rheingold...I believe Carly can, too. Have you checked Carly, maybe Bimmergeek's ProTool?

If there isn't oil temperature sensor you can't monitor the oil temperature. Most E46 have the sensor on the OFH, not the oil pan like newer models, so is easy to tap into it and install an old fashion gauge.

tcphoto · 12-26-2019, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

I guess you don't have much experience with older vehicles 😉 Anyhow even on newer vehicles that have electronically controlled thermostat via ECU can be forced to open earlier via coding or tuning.

I owned an E46 for nearly seven years and replaced the thermostat twice because it was stuck open. I’ve owned my E92 for three years and only replaced the thermostat because the water pump died and it’s recommended to do both while you’re at it.

feuer · 12-26-2019, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I owned an E46 for nearly seven years and replaced the thermostat twice because it was stuck open. I’ve owned my E92 for three years and only replaced the thermostat because the water pump died and it’s recommended to do both while you’re at it.

There are coolant thermostats that open to allow circulation and also coolant temperature sensors that trigger the fan at lower temperatures. Like this: https://www.bimmerworld.com/Cooling/...6-Euro-M3.html

Brian86 · 12-19-2020, 12:04 PM

No need to worry about oil coolers and bigger radiators until your getting 90%+ out of the car.

Not to say gentle track time won't expose existing maintenance problems, but you could spend years and $1,000s of dollars fixing 'everything'. "just to get ready"

The car will be oK. Register and go.

Brake fluid, reasonably good brake pads, and good synthetic oil are all I recommend for getting your feet wet.

12-03-2019, 10:56 AM	#1
opposer New Member 15 Rep 26 Posts Drives: Subaru STI EDM 2005 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Moscow, Russia iTrader: (0)	amateur use of e46 on a racetrack Hi guys. I bought a 80k miles e46 320ci with MT, M-suspension. Did a couple of mods - low-temp thermostat (triggers at 92celsius, coolant temp doesn't exceed 92c with it), front brakes from bmw330 (front brake rotor diameter is 325mm). I want to take the car for a occasional spin on a race track. The car doesn't have an oil cooler (this mod for non-M e46 is pretty pricey). Can it be used on a track in an easy manner (I'm not too fast of a driver and don't like to put a car in danger of hitting it into a wall)? Maybe 2 aggressive laps, then one slow lap for cooling down? Or the absence of an oil cooler will soon kill the engine? Does the e46 enter limp mode when oil overheats or it just keeps running until engine failure? I'll use hi-temp brake fluid and performance brake pads.
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12-03-2019, 11:08 AM	#2
Emilime75 Colonel 1225 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	Find a way to monitor oil temps. Something as simple as an OBD2 BT adapter and the Torque Pro app on a phone. Might be best to use an old, unused phone and mount it in a way that it can NOT fall off while on track. This can also be used to monitor other parameters, as well, like confirming your coolant temps, RPM...it also has some logging capabilities that might prove useful. Otherwise, go at it. Start off easy, monitor temps, and increase speed and aggressivness as you and the car are comfortable with. PS - This is assuming the ECU in your car does, in fact, monitor oil temps and your car has an oil temp sensor. I'm assuming it does, but I'm not familiar with E46 320s.
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12-07-2019, 03:59 PM	#4
tcphoto Brigadier General 4143 Rep 3,240 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	I’ve never heard of a low temp thermostat, it sounds like snake oil to me. The car should be fine as long as the engine and suspension are checked regularly. I would check for any oil leaks, add an electric fan and maybe check the guibo to ensure it doesn’t leave you stranded at the track. Otherwise, fill the tank and enjoy. __________________
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12-19-2020, 12:04 PM	#10
Brian86 Captain 662 Rep 786 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e91 325xi, N50 Xterra Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	No need to worry about oil coolers and bigger radiators until your getting 90%+ out of the car. Not to say gentle track time won't expose existing maintenance problems, but you could spend years and $1,000s of dollars fixing 'everything'. "just to get ready" The car will be oK. Register and go. Brake fluid, reasonably good brake pads, and good synthetic oil are all I recommend for getting your feet wet.
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