[wutangclan]

I wanna know when my car has warmed up properly so I can start thrashing it. Forget rules of thumb like "wait ten mins".

What's the least expensive device that will let me see the coolant temp? Scangauge is overkill for me, perhaps a wireless OBD dongle paired with an iPhone app would be ideal, but there's so many out there that I dunno where to start looking.

Any ideas?

[BlueBill]

The cheapest I found is the BMWhat app. The Android app shows you so many engine parameters you do net get from any other tool in the same price range. But make sure your engine is supported yet - and if not send the developer an email. Mine was added in one of the recent updates

Here is a demo video showing the values

For the values check around 1:50

[roundle]

Is that connected via BlueTooth?

[PichaDis11]

Or unlock the function in the cluster menu. Have to unlock it everytime the car starts tho.. Maybe a temp thing.. Carry on

[See5]

Oil temp is way more important than coolant temp. These cars heat up very quickly but the oil temp lags some. Over 160F and most will say you're good but thrashing a car after 2 minutes of driving just because the coolant is at 200F seems foolish to me.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by roundle

Is that connected via BlueTooth?

Yes. There is also the Torque android app that also connects via a dongle on the OBD II.

[wutangclan]

Originally Posted by See5

Oil temp is way more important than coolant temp.

So I hear...how can I read it cheaply? I have an N52 engined E91 LCI (328i Touring).

[Saintor]

Scangauge II.

http://www.scangauge.com/products/scangaugeii/

[DASHOCKER]

buy an ultraguage for 60 bucks. Ultra Guage. com. Works great!

[Bmr3sn]

I second ultra gauge. Its a really nice unit for a decent price.

[Denny347]

I'm half tempted to add oil temp and coolant temp gauges to my car, in the ashtray area, just so I get an accurate/instant reading for each and not wait for the damn idiot light to activate.

[bhmax16]

Coolant temp means nothing, oil temp is where it's at as it is a much better indicator of head temperature. My instrument cluster already has an oil temp gauge, but I don't remember if it's standard or if it only comes with certain packages (premium/sport), etc...

[sy2767]

Originally Posted by bhmax16

Coolant temp means nothing, oil temp is where it's at as it is a much better indicator of head temperature. My instrument cluster already has an oil temp gauge, but I don't remember if it's standard or if it only comes with certain packages (premium/sport), etc...

Not an option, standard equipment on a 335 regardless of "packages".

[Mardio]

Originally Posted by Bmr3sn

I second ultra gauge. Its a really nice unit for a decent price.

Third the ultra gauge.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by bhmax16

Coolant temp means nothing, oil temp is where it's at as it is a much better indicator of head temperature. My instrument cluster already has an oil temp gauge, but I don't remember if it's standard or if it only comes with certain packages (premium/sport), etc...

The E92 coupe is the only E9X 328i with the oil temp gauge. In my E91 wagon, I simply check the oil level and when a reading appears, I know the oil is sufficiently warm.

Tom

[wutangclan]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

In my E91 wagon, I simply check the oil level and when a reading appears, I know the oil is sufficiently warm.

How do you do that?

[calicolorado]

Originally Posted by wutangclan

I wanna know when my car has warmed up properly so I can start thrashing it. Forget rules of thumb like "wait ten mins".

What's the least expensive device that will let me see the coolant temp? Scangauge is overkill for me, perhaps a wireless OBD dongle paired with an iPhone app would be ideal, but there's so many out there that I dunno where to start looking.

Any ideas?

It's at full operating temperature when you've driven it approximately 6mi/10km. This info can be found in the owners manual on multiple BMWs if you need the more official figure.