How do YOU warm up your M20?

[bmwm3n528]

They're pretty strong powertrains that don't demand to be babied. Regardless, i'd like to find out what methods you guys use in these up.

[kylebes1]

I remember the book on my 318i said drive it right away... no need to warm up.

I agree with this, just don't go WOT to the rev limiter right away I guess.

[nando]

I used to just start up, let idle for a few seconds and drive away. but when I did the cam swap, it didn't really like that, especially on cold winter mornings. I usually idle until the RPMS drop below 1k, or until the temp gauge moves into the blue, and then I don't take it above 3k until it's fully warm.

[DaN]

I give it about 30 seconds or more depending on if there's snow that needs to be cleared off.
Keep rpms low until up to temp.

[PeaveyBassist]

My engine has bad compression in 3 cylinders and I am switching to another engine in a month or 2. My engine right now is shit. I start it bone cold and go to 6k. Thats right. Flame be bitches. This engine is leaving ASAP.

Will

EDIT: that method is not recommended on any engine except for ones that you want to blow up.

[bimmer8604]

usually i let it start up, let it idle for a a min or two, then just take it easy till it warms up. it doesnt like cold starts with the cam...

kyle

[Mastrcruse]

My engine has bad compression in 3 cylinders and I am switching to another engine in a month or 2. My engine right now is shit. I start it bone cold and go to 6k. Thats right. Flame be bitches. This engine is leaving ASAP.

Will

EDIT: that method is not recommended on any engine except for ones that you want to blow up.

I really like this method! Only on my brothers car that had something wrong with it during last summer and we would have to do this just to keep it started.

[Jand3rson]

usually i let it start up, let it idle for a a min or two, then just take it easy till it warms up.

I do this method, along with nando's of waiting until the idle drops, then I just leave slowly, usually staying in first gear until the end of the street.

[808BMW]

I live in probably the warmest place out of everyone, and I let my car idle for 5-10 minutes every morning.

[MrK]

Due to my ridiculous cam profile, the car is pretty much undriveable until my needle is out of the blue region completely. So I'm with 808BMW, I idle it for 5-10 before I leave in the morning.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

if the engine is cold, then the idle supposed to be somewhere in 1.5k right? then it drops to normal idle once it's warm (700-850 auto) right? mine doesn't go that high, it just idles at 600 when cold, then once warm idles at 800 STEADY! (knock on wood) is that normal, or my ICV is bad?

[mspiegle]

I start the car WITHOUT any gas (very important), then allow it to idle for 10 seconds. Right after that, I begin driving while keeping the RPMs under 2500 and use less than 1/2 throttle. As soon as the coolant temp reaches the first mark, I'll allow the car to go up to 3000. Once the coolant is fully warmed up, I keep it under 4000 for another 5-7 mins (oil isn't fully heated up yet).

[Low Level E30]

I start the car WITHOUT any gas (very important), then allow it to idle for 10 seconds. Right after that, I begin driving while keeping the RPMs under 2500 and use less than 1/2 throttle. As soon as the coolant temp reaches the first mark, I'll allow the car to go up to 3000. Once the coolant is fully warmed up, I keep it under 4000 for another 5-7 mins (oil isn't fully heated up yet).

I have used basically this exact method on every car I have ever owned. Definitely the right way to go. Good water temperature is key, but allowing the oil to warm is also important.

M20s are VERY susceptible to warping their cylinder heads, as a result of an improperly warmed (and cooled) engine.

[///M42 sport]

I usually let it idle for a minute or two.

When I'm making a quick stop somewhere, I usually leave the car on. I don't like turning the car on and off too many times.

[gstuning]

According to BMW , the S50 engines should be at 60°c before you start pushing them , so I would assume somthing similar on the M20,