[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by B.a.f

Same here in France.
I drive a 228i M Sport edition and got no auxiliary radiator at all. Fog lights are standard in my country on this model

Yes: Cars that are not North American-spec (i.e., USA & Canada) appear to be not as well equipped regarding the radiators -- and this also extends throughout the 3- and 4-series. I can't speculate as to why, though I suspect part of the reason is because of the effect that past overheating problems (alluded to by Zooks527) have had in the U.S. That's pure speculation, though.

With respect to our international 2-series enthusiast brothers (and, I'm sure, sisters): this specific issue (the second aux radiator) plainly applies to NA-spec cars only. I simply don't have time to make this a larger investigation other than to use non-NA-spec cars as a baseline -- something that BMW AG has plainly done.

[3.0L]

Many thanks for your good work, Mike!

Now a question: what does the extra radiator cool, exactly? My car has them all, so just curious. Thanks.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Grayhair

I have a 2014 M235 with high speed tires yet only have one radiator that's on passenger side. My car was ordered before being built for shipment to Tennessee.

///MCFC: this is interesting. OP, care to speculate?

I'd need to see Grayhair's VIN decode for his M235i. Grayhair: if you're willing, could you send it to me per the instructions on the OP of this thread?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Many thanks for your good work, Mike!

Now a question: what does the extra radiator cool, exactly? My car has them all, so just curious. Thanks.

I'm 90 percent sure that the second aux radiator is coolant, just like the one on the passenger side. The hose type and routing seem to indicate that.

There's speculation that it could be for oil, but the radiator would look like a thick piece of laminated wood, not corrugated cardboard. It could also be transmission fluid, but the hose routing doesn't make sense for that.

[threepac3]

It's coolant radiator not an oil cooler. You are right.

[dtcoff]

It's very strange that we don't get the hot climate versions in Australia anymore and get just the standard EU specification. We certainly used to, I even saw it fitted on the line during a factory tour in Munich a few years ago. I wonder if this is for all models too?

As a side note that may be related, I've heard reports here of coolant fans going crazy where they run for extended periods after engine is off and it making very loud noises, so that it's even audible whilst driving. I'm guessing that it's trying too hard to cool. We are just coming out of a hot summer down under. And, without a temperature gauge, we don't know what's going on either. Sounds like potential issues in the future.

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by dtcoff

It's very strange that we don't get the hot climate versions in Australia anymore and get just the standard EU specification. We certainly used to, I even saw it fitted on the line during a factory tour in Munich a few years ago. I wonder if this is for all models too?

As a side note that may be related, I've heard reports here of coolant fans going crazy where they run for extended periods after engine is off and it making very loud noises, so that it's even audible whilst driving. I'm guessing that it's trying too hard to cool. We are just coming out of a hot summer down under. And, without a temperature gauge, we don't know what's going on either. Sounds like potential issues in the future.

The exclusion of a temp gauge is the only real issue I have with my M235i. A very strange silly omission. They certainly had the space for it in the gauge cluster.

[rwalker]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Many thanks for your good work, Mike!

Now a question: what does the extra radiator cool, exactly? My car has them all, so just curious. Thanks.

Passenger side on my car is oil. Driver's side is water. It's basically the same setup as the PPK for the E series cars. My car (manual M235i) even has the telltale relay.

[shark715]

Anyone care to speculate why convertibles don't get the extra radiator?

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by shark715

Anyone care to speculate why convertibles don't get the extra radiator?

They are limited to a 130MPH top speed.

[shark715]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

They are limited to a 130MPH top speed.

So a 235 convertible with staggered PSS tires is limited to 130? I thought it was 155, although admittedly the Dealer Ordering Guide could be a bit more clear. Thanks.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by shark715

So a 235 convertible with staggered PSS tires is limited to 130? I thought it was 155, although admittedly the Dealer Ordering Guide could be a bit more clear. Thanks.

It's my understanding that all 2-series convertibles, regardless of other options, have the lower speed limit. The two M235 'verts I have in my database both have the U.S.-standard 436 wheels and staggered PSS (I'll double check that tonight) and no limit hike.

Yes, this likely contradicts what's in the ordering guide says (and it contradicts the "Features & Specs" section on bmwusa.com), but my data verifies that there is no speed limit hike -- and there's definitely no second radiator.

[shark715]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

It's my understanding that all 2-series convertibles, regardless of other options, have the lower speed limit. The two M235 'verts I have in my database both have the U.S.-standard 436 wheels and staggered PSS (I'll double check that tonight) and no limit hike.

Yes, this likely contradicts what's in the ordering guide says (and it contradicts the "Features & Specs" section on bmwusa.com), but my data verifies that there is no speed limit hike -- and there's definitely no second radiator.

I just looked at the Ordering Guide again. It says that equipment code 840 (the increased speed limiter) is standard on the 235 vert, and that 2PG (the staggered wheels) will add 840 to the order (interesting that it says that despite that it indicates elsewhere 840 is standard) and delete 258 (run flat tires). Then again, many of us have seemed to learn that the factory order guides are not always mistake free, and the order guide posted here on the forum is now more than 6 months old, so there may be revisions we are not aware of.

[CaliforniaDrew]

Mike,

My M235 'vert (one of the two in your database) has the square Pirelli setup, with the top speed removed.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDrew

Mike,

My M235 'vert (one of the two in your database) has the square Pirelli setup, with the top speed removed.

Hmmm. I'll double check late tonight, gentlemen. All I'm sure of is that no 'vert I've ever seen, in pics or via VIN decode, has the second aux radiator.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by DSTR

The exclusion of a temp gauge is the only real issue I have with my M235i. A very strange silly omission. They certainly had the space for it in the gauge cluster.

I fail to understand why BMW didn't send coolant temperature to the center LCD display. I bet they could do it with a firmware upgrade... If they wanted to.

[shark715]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaDrew

Mike,

My M235 'vert (one of the two in your database) has the square Pirelli setup, with the top speed removed.

Drew, when you say "removed" do you mean "increased"? And your car does not have the radiator in question?

[CaliforniaDrew]

shark,

I have the runflat tires which gives the following in the option list:

"Remove Increased Top Speed 840"

And I do not have the radiator - but that would make sense in my case, since I am limited to 130mph by both the tires and the above option.

[moldcad]

I appreciate your research, but please tell me: is my new M235i (coupe, EU Spec) limited in top speed? I don't have the 0840 item in my VIN (and of course no driver's side radiator, but staggered Michelin PSSs).

[uberspeed]

Having followed all of the pertinent threads with marked interest, is the summation that we should order the THP?

TIA

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by uberspeed

Having followed all of the pertinent threads with marked interest, is the summation that we should order the THP?

TIA

The THP is a good value I would say if you plan on driving the car hard or tracking it. But as shown from the previous thread about the 228i track prepped car it does not have the track handling package or the radiator and has seen track time with no issues. Not to say there couldn't be a problem in the dead of summer, but for day to day driving I would never be worried about it.

IMO the adaptive dampers and brakes are worth it even in daily usage, but everything comes at a cost.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

The THP is a good value I would say if you plan on driving the car hard or tracking it. But as shown from the previous thread about the 228i track prepped car it does not have the track handling package or the radiator and has seen track time with no issues. Not to say there couldn't be a problem in the dead of summer, but for day to day driving I would never be worried about it.

IMO the adaptive dampers and brakes are worth it even in daily usage, but everything comes at a cost.

True, all. The THP is a great value with M Sport, and I regret not ordering it on my car. For 2015, the extra radiator and ducting only make it an even better value.