[Monoblock]

I've hooked up an OBD2 bluetooth reader with the Torque app on Android and have started setting up some gauges.

Does anyone know what the normal operating temperature for the N20 is? Similarly, what would be the "out of bounds" temperature, i.e. running too hot.

thanks!

[rich8566]

Why not use the onboard cheat code to read the temps rather than hooking up an external reader?

[Monoblock]

Originally Posted by rich8566

Why not use the onboard cheat code to read the temps rather than hooking up an external reader?

I'm planning on leaving it hooked up all the time, basically it'll be a dedicated display with an older android phone that I don't otherwise use anymore to show coolant and oil temp, as well as boost (i think...still fiddling with Torque).

I'll take a snapshot and post in a bit.

[Monoblock]

Sorry for the delay... here's Torque on an old Google Nexus android phone I was no longer using. I turned off wifi, and pulled the SIM.

Left gauge is oil temp, right is coolant. The small square gauge up top is turbo boost, small square gauge on bottom is GPS bases speed (mph).

You can set an alarm to go off if either temperature goes over a certain amount.

Cost:
Torque: $5
Bluetooth OBD2 adapter: $10 (amazon)



Also, I found the cooling temp range in the N20 Engine Tech Guide:

[W///]

Originally Posted by Monoblock

Sorry for the delay... here's Torque on an old Google Nexus android phone I was no longer using. I turned off wifi, and pulled the SIM.

Left gauge is oil temp, right is coolant. The small square gauge up top is turbo boost, small square gauge on bottom is GPS bases speed (mph).

You can set an alarm to go off if either temperature goes over a certain amount.



Also, I found the cooling temp range in the N20 Engine Tech Guide:

Nice setup. 250F is what I've seen on the gauges of these new turboed cars.

I'm assuming you hide the phone when you park the car? I've got a whole bunch of phones that I mostly use as MP3 players now

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Way cheaper than a P3Cars gauge and displays two parameters......
I got the P3 gauge so it is built into the car, but nice 2nd option

[Monoblock]

Originally Posted by W///

I'm assuming you hide the phone when you park the car? I've got a whole bunch of phones that I mostly use as MP3 players now

yep - i throw it in the armrest compartment (which also permanently houses my old iPod classic :-))

[Monoblock]

Originally Posted by ehagerty

Way cheaper than a P3Cars gauge and displays two parameters......
I got the P3 gauge so it is built into the car, but nice 2nd option

I love the P3 and that it's integrated and not hanging in front the vent like the phone, but alas I'm a bit broke at the moment (might have something to do with buying a new BMW ;-)) so I went the cheap route.

The thing I do really like about the Torque is that you can set it up with dials, and adjust the min/max so that correct operating temp is roughly in the top center of the dial.

[Liquidpaper]

I know the cooling setup is a bit different on the M235i's N55, but I've noticed that the oil temp likes to hang around 247ish during normal driving, but drops to mid 230's at the track (extra air flow, I guess). I have a P3 gauge.

Honestly, the oil temps are way more important than the coolant temps. The oil temp will tell you how hot the engine is, and give you an indication of oil pressure as well (temp goes up, pressure goes up, and vice versa).

That being said, I think around 250 is normal operating temp for an engine running on synthetic. 300 would be bad news.

Also, I've never heard of that torque app. Looks awesome. Great alternative if you don't want to shell out the P3 money (or simply want something different).

[Bimmer86]

Any reason to pay more for this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ZESRDC6QB3XXZB over this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...HRPUALFMCWFSSO ?

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by rich8566

Why not use the onboard cheat code to read the temps rather than hooking up an external reader?

Because the onboard cheat code is inconvenient, especially if you want to view the temps every time you start the engine.

[Monoblock]

Originally Posted by Bimmer86

Any reason to pay more for this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ZESRDC6QB3XXZB over this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...HRPUALFMCWFSSO ?

No clue... BUT: I highly suggest you get the shortest one possible (with good reviews), otherwise it's going to stick out rather far under the dashboard. Both of those look rather big to me.

[Monoblock]

Originally Posted by ehagerty

Way cheaper than a P3Cars gauge and displays two parameters......

I forgot to mention: you can show as many as you want, and even with different themes. You pick and choose the data you want to see, what kind of dial or digital readout you want (even histograms), and can put them anywhere on the screen. Just a guess, but there's got to be over 100 different sensors/data-points that you have access to.

They also have 6 or so screens you can pre-program and flip through. I'm only showing one of mine in the car. My phone also has a pretty tiny screen, something like a newer Galaxy Note could easily show more at once.

You can also have a screen to time laps, 1/4 mile, etc.

Here are some random screenshots of other people's setups:

[augerpro]

Can you use this at the same time your phone is connected via BT to idrive?

[horsepower_and_hounds]

Wow...that is more than I thought you could get out of the OBD/android