YES !
THAT'S IT !
I think that's exactly what sid was tring to say. Thanks for making it so much clearer...

 

I don't find this analogy particularly relavent unless the bartender had slipped me a mickey.

I just wish he had been more up front about what the application for this product was ie hot climates . all I had to go on was his statement about retaining that "just started up feeling in you MINI all day long". Johan, there has been much discussion about the syntec needing to get up to temp to do its job properly .I would suggest that 140 deg is not enough to get the job done.

 

Does anyone know why MiniUSA does not condone modifying their product? Who decided to modify their product? Does MiniUSA endorse any aftermarket vendors products? Do you know why?

 

FYI: This is NOT an isolated incident with this mod:

M7 never said the thermostat was for "warm weather climate only" or for "race conditions"

I spent more than a few days, 3 visits to the dealer, after SES lights were a blaring ... All due to a fault code from the Thermostat and cooling system

Amazingly, all is better now, after replacing it with a stock thermstat

I informed Peter-Randy, they said yep, that happens in cold weather

Are there ANY notes or warnings of this on their web-site? NO

http://m7tuning.com/main.m7/store/10009

 

In my experience the only good to come from a t-stat with a lower temp was either for:

A. Continued high speed operation (e.g. racing)
B. Rockcrawling (VERY low speed operation, heavy loads, 4WD)

Both in hot climates... Otherwise, the t-stat is meant to open at a temp specified by the manufacturer for a specific reason.

Just my $.02.

 

Relax!! It's all in good fun

 

this from the racing coordinator ? this was a really helpfull comment, thanks Greg.

 

OK, OK, I take it back. Geeezzzzz....

 

When I first installed my M7 thermostat, I experienced a couple of tripped error code..."temp below threshold". This was due to my impatience and going WOT before temperature were stablized. Since then, I've been careful to wait until temperature reached it's peak before getting aggressive with the pedal and have not experienced any further error codes

 

sid, what part of the country are you located in? Jock

 

Crappiest part Detroit area...and it's cold

 

YIPES....so I guess the thermostat is just fine below zero! lol.

 

Any time you ask an engine to run cooler, you must consider geographic consequences. Oil coolers can do the same thing; they get all guey, the oil turns white and so on and so forth.

At one point in my life I removed and reinstalled these every fall and spring. I was nuts back then

 

I'm having the same problem with my thermostat.

My biggest issue was that there weren't any warnings or disclaimers from the reputable mini tuner.

I don't enjoy driving around with my SES light on, because I won't know if something is really wrong. And the light has been on since install in December... Twice I've got it reset, and twice it's come back on within a day.

Also, it was recommended to have the dealer install it, because a gasket is not provided, and the only way to get a gasket is to buy a stock thermostat. $40 part, dealer charged $160 to install it. If I'd have known they were going to charge that much, I'd prolly have just bought the stock thermostat... About $30.

 

I have just found out that some bmw's use electronically controlled t-stats to increase power under load and performance driving. They'er performance temp is also 180*. I was told that the concern for lower oil temp is lower gas mileage as hotter oil has less friction so better mpg.

The goal of the colder t-stat is lower cylinder head temps (less detonation so more timing) and better fuel control (leaner mixture). Both mean more power. After learning more about this subject I am goin to give it a try.

 

What codes did you get? There is a mini bulletin about air in the cooling system causing codes.

 

Originally Posted by Wagnbat


"Also, it was recommended to have the dealer install it, because a gasket is not provided, and the only way to get a gasket is to buy a stock thermostat. $40 part, dealer charged $160 to install it. If I'd have known they were going to charge that much, I'd prolly have just bought the stock thermostat... About $30. "

Let me guess the dealer recommended switching the gasket? When I purchased my unit I asked M7 about installation procedures. I was assured that it was a job that the average enthusiast with minimal tools could accomplish at home. I also asked about the gasket and was assured that the original could be re used and has in 100's of cases. You just have to take care when removing the stock thermostat. The install took 40 min and i had to replace less that a cup of antifreeze. Did you call M7 and perhaps inquire as to any of these points or did you just blindly let a dealer take you to the cleaners?

John

 

The M7 thermostat just caught my eye and after reading a couple of the threads. I have a couple of questions.

1) At what temps does the car start having error codes? I'm in Houston and we rarely see below 0 Celsius, but if it happens even then, I'm not too sure I'd want to mess with it.
2) Is it worth it?