oil coolers needed with modern oil ??

[exup]

Are oil coolers still required with modern oils??

i m doing a 2.7 conversation , and wondered about fitting a 325 one ?
is the 325 one fitted with a thermostat to only open once oil up tp temp ??

[Turbo-Brown]

Sure is

[stappin]

Anyone know where to get new oil coolers for the 325i or is there an off the shelf replacement?

[Demlotcrew]

BMW dealers/ECP/GSF will sell them, i would use them only if you drive the car really hard.

Andrew

[Steviec]

Or you can get aftermarket ones here: http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/catalog/ad ... =2a&page=1

They seem quite a good price too.

[oilman]

It depends on the oil temps measured in the sump.

Cheers
Simon

[Templ8e30]

I too have 2.7 conversion and have fitted the oil cooler from a 325i.

Before I fitted the oil cooler during an oil change I scalded my hand with the oil. I do drive it pretty hard but this oil was so hot that my cheapo drain pan went a bit floppy and that's with Silkolene Pro-S synthetic oil.

Since fitting the oil cooler I have noticed a drop in running temperature as well as a drop in oil consumption. I was using a litre per 4000 miles, whereas I now use about 1/4 litre in 4000.

After a hard run I can feel the temperature difference from one side of the cooler to the other. Very effective.

I also noticed a difference when I swivelled the oil cooler take-off plate round 180 degrees. Normally the oil filter sits close to the exhaust manifold/downpipes so turning the plate through 180 sits the oil filter towards the front of the engine keeping it cooler and also making it easier to get to.

I have a habit of fitting a neodymium magnet on the end of my filters to contain any metal fragments inside the filter so I can be sure they are removed when the filter is changed.

Cheers,

Iain T