M4 not liking the super hot weather

[NashvegasR]

Have had a # of turbocharged cars over the years. All suffer from a bit of heat bitchiness (ie more fun when it's cold outside and get heat soak lose power etc when it's super hot).

Thought the M4 was immune to this. I live in San Francisco and it's never really been above 80 since I've had this car.

However - was 103 yesterday on a journey through central california, and I could definitely tell the car was down on power slightly driving around some twisties.

Just curious -- it surprised me -- the car felt sluggish. Bone stock. Anyone else ? Haven't really read about this / searched around. Wondering if I have a boost leak or something (no codes, no issues, no noises)

[SMGCFP]

Like you, never gets super hot here for any extended periods. The warmer air will affect the turbos. I've never experienced it myself, but I don't think I'm driving the car as hard as some on here.

I'm sure there's some gizmo you can install that will cool the air before it enters the turbo. If there's not, then maybe that's our billion dollar idea.

Not a mod guy, and don't know how these or any cars work. I'd guess though that your car is fine. Hot air and turbos don't mix.

[MrSmartyPants]

What mode were you in?

Sport+ has more active cooling and will likely feel less affected by the heat.

[pikkagtr]

Originally Posted by MrSmartyPants

What mode were you in?

Sport+ has more active cooling and will likely feel less affected by the heat.

yup drove back from Sacramento to San Jose in 99 degree heat yesterday with A/C blasting
in sport+ this thing is a wonder of engineering
never felt the car low on power

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Fun fact: If you check your tire temps the driver front tire will be much hotter because the IC is right there

[THEROK]

Check your charge cooler fluid level

Known leak issue

My M4's never felt sluggish here in Socal

[ByeFelicia]

Somewhat related. I have full exhaust with DP's and cold starts with typical SF weather is obnoxious loud. Over these last 100+ days, it starts up like I have a cold start delete. What gives

[Andrae26]

Originally Posted by BMWModel3

Fun fact: If you check your tire temps the driver front tire will be much hotter because the IC is right there

Makes sense now. I have always wondered why that tire was hotter.

[NashvegasR]

Thanks - I'll check the IC fluid level. Have not, uhhh, ever actually looked in there.

Interesting note about the tire temp btw.

[JayZap16]

Originally Posted by BMWModel3

Fun fact: If you check your tire temps the driver front tire will be much hotter because the IC is right there

Is that why it always runs hotter!!!! I was wondering for a while, thought might have been alignment or something.

[Fast4d]

never an issue. even stuck in traffic at 115F

your ass-dyno is off.

[FriedPiston]

BMW Performance Center West at Thermal, CA gets hotter than hot, and they run those M3s to the ground without any noticeable heat soak. They even leave the cars idling (no cool down) in between sessions.

[SenorFunkyPants]

My take is the car is somewhat sensitive to temps...but more sensitive to fuel octane.

[dallastide]

Never noticed any sluggishness at all in the Texas heat.

[Clark_Kent]

Same as others. It gets hot and very humid in Atlanta and I’ve never had an issue. I’m in Sport+ throttle 100% of the time. I’ve also had the car on the dyno when it was in excess of 113F in the bay and the intercooler was lukewarm to the touch between runs and the power stayed consistent between the 8-10 runs. I know it was over 113F because my iPhone got the too hot to operate message and shut off.

[nicknaz]

My guess is your stock tires were getting inflated to higher pressure than usual or losing grip from the very hot asphalt and dtc was cutting power.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by JayZap16

Is that why it always runs hotter!!!! I was wondering for a while, thought might have been alignment or something.

I though it was my fat ass

[aBMWfan]

Originally Posted by SMGCFP

Like you, never gets super hot here for any extended periods. The warmer air will affect the turbos. I've never experienced it myself, but I don't think I'm driving the car as hard as some on here.

I'm sure there's some gizmo you can install that will cool the air before it enters the turbo. If there's not, then maybe that's our billion dollar idea.

Not a mod guy, and don't know how these or any cars work. I'd guess though that your car is fine. Hot air and turbos don't mix.

It’s called a heat exchanger lol

[Jockey]

Out of all the turbocharged cars I've owned, this M3 has been the least susceptible to heat or altitude.

Coming from sea level in Virginia to 7000' in Utah and I'm still surprised by how hard this car pulls especially now that it's gotten hot in the mountains.

[MFNATIK]

I run a scan gauge and on hot days when the ambient temps go over 100F, the car opens up the thermostat as it does when it's in Sport+, to help cool the engine/intercoolers. Intake air temps never go 25-30D over ambient. This is really amazing bc on my E46 M3, intake air temps can go 50-60F over ambient on hot days. The thermostat opens even if you are in Efficient. I've never experienced heat soak to the degree I notice loss of power. What I do notice is it will start to really burn fuel to maintain the power levels it seems.

[CigarPundit]

Originally Posted by SMGCFP

Like you, never gets super hot here for any extended periods. The warmer air will affect the turbos. I've never experienced it myself, but I don't think I'm driving the car as hard as some on here.

I'm sure there's some gizmo you can install that will cool the air before it enters the turbo. If there's not, then maybe that's our billion dollar idea.

Not a mod guy, and don't know how these or any cars work. I'd guess though that your car is fine. Hot air and turbos don't mix.

It has such a gizmo--the intercooler. I think something is wrong if that is happening. I've never noticed a problem with heat soak/loss of power, even in the desert. Like nars3000 said, there are no problems at Thermal. I agree with THEROK that you should check your fluid level and for a leak.

[hellokitty]

Would it make sense to run water wetter with distilled water during the summer?