We've posted about the M3's variable redline before. Start the car cold and the BMW's tach shows a lesser redline (How much less depends on temperature.) and then the redline adjusts as the car warms, eventually reaching the engine's true redline which is 8,300 rpm.
Thing is we've only shown you photos and this is the kind of thing that demands video. So I shot some. Yesterday morning. But I warn you now, it's very, very, very, very, very boring. It takes 8 minutes before the BMW says it's free to be revved to 8,300 rpm.
But don't fret. For those with ADHD I've posted a much faster version of the video on the next page. Enjoy.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
sgude says:
05:19 AM, 09/24/09
On one hand, the variable redline is good in that it allows owners a window into how quickly their vehicle's engine warms.
On the other hand, idiots won't care anyway.
texases says:
06:45 AM, 09/24/09
sgude, I imagine it's more than for looks - doesn't the rev limiter cut in at the lower rpms when it's cold?
sofaonasock says:
09:04 AM, 09/24/09
I think your M3 is low on fuel...
worthyofed says:
09:04 AM, 09/24/09
I'm sure it warms up and reaches the 8,300 RPM limit a LOT faster if you actually drive it, instead of just sit there, revving it like a high school tuner in his pimped out Civic.
turbobrick says:
09:13 AM, 09/24/09
my 2009 rx-8 has a similar feature, except it does it in blocks. The first is at 5k when the engine is dead cold, then 7k when it's beginning to warm up, then the full 9.5k (although there's no limiter at it) once the engine is cooking.
To me it's really an on/off though. If the engine isn't totally warm its not getting throttle. Still, it's nice to have
joefrompa says:
09:39 AM, 09/24/09
Texases -
No, it's not just for looks. The fuel cut is always at the same RPM AFAIK; the variable redline just lets you know that you are looking to incur engine damage if you go into that zone at that time.
I'm blown away by the amount of people who think it's fine to hit 75-80-90% of redline on a cold engine, or even on an engine that's warmed up a bit.
In my experience, I see this alot with young kids and Honda Civic SIs (because I own one). The second cam switchover is enabled when there are "4 bars" on the engine temp readout. So they think it's ok to rev to redline.
As a wise person once pointed out to me, engine temp readout is a buffered thermometer on the coolant and does not correlate well with the engine oil sump reachign operating temperature.
Joe
epbrown says:
09:55 AM, 09/24/09
The really annoying thing is at the true redline, the lights never go out, so newbies are always asking if they're broke.
musicman87 says:
10:42 AM, 09/24/09
What's curious to me is the huge difference between the sound of the engine between the two videos. Did that strike anybody else as odd?
cx7lover says:
12:18 PM, 09/24/09
speeding up the video changes the pitch
hybris says:
12:28 PM, 09/24/09
^ Sounded like a power drill from the other side of the wall.
the_big_al says:
01:37 PM, 09/24/09
boring?? Indeed. But I like the sound it makes so I could actually just turn this on and listen to this instead of iTunes... :D
the_big_al says:
01:38 PM, 09/24/09
"the first video.... the second one drove me up thewall --- sounded like a buzz fly that I couldn't find.
roadburner says:
03:12 PM, 09/24/09
"As a wise person once pointed out to me, engine temp readout is a buffered thermometer on the coolant and does not correlate well with the engine oil sump reaching operating temperature."
On the ///M cars and N54s I've driven I've found that the oil temperature doesn't reach 200F until I've traveled 10 or more miles, minimum.
alex4515 says:
07:12 PM, 09/24/09
That took forever and you didn't even bounce it off the rev limiter for us at the end! Jeez.
911cs2 says:
08:12 AM, 10/ 2/09
I really like this feature in my 09 E92 M3. Just wish the instruments had been rendered in the fashion of the new 7er / 5er GT.
I suspect BMW's LCI of the E9x M3 will include an instrument refresh.