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"cbell04" (cbell04)
06/30/2018 at 00:24 • Filed to: Q50

Day 14. Still have the q50, I’ve put over 2000 miles on it. Aside from the extreme loss of power anytime the ambient temperature rises above 90 the car is ok at best. Taking advantage and doing an impromptu trip to the NC Outer Banks in the morning for an overnight with the kids. For those who care the 3.0tt makes tons of power when cool it runs 13 lbs of boost and will light the tires up any chance you give it. Once you hit warmer weather the highest boost you see is 8lbs and it becomes sluggish. Once you get over 95 degrees it makes 4 lbs of boost at most and is slower than a base 20 year old honda civic. I would never in a thousand years put up with it. No check engine lights no warnings just pull out in front of traffic to find out you have no power.

DISCUSSION (15)

wafflesnfalafel > cbell04
06/30/2018 at 00:29

interesting - significantly retard boost to prevent overheating. Sounds like under engineered cooling capacity.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > cbell04
06/30/2018 at 00:41

I’m guessing its a newish q50?

I was concerned when I lost 1 - 1.5 psi in 95F SC heat in my car. Can a person claim the lemon law for the q50?

cbell04 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability
06/30/2018 at 00:58

To be fair it a rental so who knows what terrible things it's been through. That said I'm saying any thing that basicly cuts power in half better give me a warning light at least just for the sake of not Pulling out in traffic in a car capable zero to 60 in 5.0 and ending up with double that because boost has been pulled to save itself.

cbell04 > wafflesnfalafel
06/30/2018 at 01:00

Yes and it’s not just hot car causing it. I t’s more like hot Ambient Air Temperature is the issue. Even on days I put 300+ miles on it in the heat once the sun set is was back in boost and having a blast.

AM3R, lost another burner > cbell04
06/30/2018 at 01:41

Sounds like something is wrong with the car. 335i’s are known to run hot, and even when it’s 95 and humid as hell outside the power loss once the car is all warmed up is slightly noticeable but nothing crazy. I have a stock oil cooler and don’t really have a need to upgrade anything, however I might toss an aftermarket FMIC in if I find myself with some extra cash anytime soon.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > cbell04
06/30/2018 at 03:12

Regular or premium fuel used?

Discerning > cbell04
06/30/2018 at 07:31

There’s something wrong with it. I have a 3.0T with a burger tune running 20 lbs of boost. Sometimes straight 93 and other times e30. My car never pulls timing - even on 45 minute commutes in the Atlanta heat.

Pulled on a 6.4 SRT8 charger recently, so mine seems to be doing fine.

The stock heat exchanger is capable of putting up with high ambient temps. It only starts to pull timing after multiple hard runs like back to back to back 1/4 mile runs.

Junk gas maybe?

Discerning > wafflesnfalafel
06/30/2018 at 07:37

The stock heat exchanger is more than capable of putting up with stock and modified cars for normal use.

Mine has never pulled timing and I'm running 20 lbs of boost

Discerning > AM3R, lost another burner
06/30/2018 at 07:40

This. I have a 3.0t with a JB1 and running 20 lbs.

Burger, AMS, etc. Have reported heat soak and pulling timing on cars like mine - but only after multiple pulls and really beating on the car.

Many owners, myself included, have never reported heat soak or timing issues - and I am not at all babying my car ;)

LOREM IPSUM > cbell04
06/30/2018 at 10:34

Reroute the windshield washer hose to the intake. A little methanol injection should cool things nicely.

AM3R, lost another burner > Discerning
06/30/2018 at 19:40

Haha yup. I've been tempted many many times to go deep into the aftermarket and just make a monster with my car but I've held myself back in the sake of reliability. This is my first turbo car and I have to say I really do love it. The twins really just bring the car to life!

Discerning > AM3R, lost another burner
06/30/2018 at 19:56

I would if I had an N54.

I’ve gotten bored with this chassis so I'm not really considering doing any more mods. The mediocre automatic makes the long term viability of this car unlikely as well

AM3R, lost another burner > Discerning
07/01/2018 at 00:03

It's a shame because it seemed like that chassis had a lot of potential. I pretty much just imagined a turbo G37 that looks very sharp. Do you have any plans to get a different car?

Discerning > AM3R, lost another burner
07/01/2018 at 08:07

Only time will tell.

The chassis isn’t terrible, but the lack of a factory or aftermarket lsd option makes it a dud in my book. T he automatic is the worst limiting factor for me.

AM3R, lost another burner > Discerning
07/01/2018 at 19:23

Yeah not having any options for an LSD would just kill it for me. I'm honestly struggling to figure out what car I want next, the easy choice is another BMW (E9x M3, M2, F8x M3, etc) but part of me wants to experience something else. I would loveee to pick up an S2000 and just go bonkers with it.