I do. I let the car idle in the morning for 30 seconds before driving off in the summer, and in the winter, the time extends to around 2 minutes. It's just a reassurance that the oil in the oilpan recirculates to the engine parts lessening metal to metal friction.

Some car manuals recommend to keep the revs low. I do that too. If its standard procedure in the E46 M3 engine, it can't be bad.

But in some manuals they recommend driving off right away, but some retards interpret that as reaching the higher revs. Some even give the car gas at idle in winter after a night so it warms up faster. How many people these days don't understand simple physics?

But when the engine is at operating temperature, I'm not afraid of going to redline often.

 

i normally start it in 1st and when its about a half crank i just pop the clutch and go

 

i always let it warm it because its just a habit after winter. when i wake up i

take a shower -> start car -> eat (8-12 mins) -> drive to work

 

This issue has been reviewed before and I am often troubled by people who choose to follow a course of such wasteful action.

Warming up your car for excessive periods of time is a wasteful, gluttonous practice that needn't be adhered to. Thereabouts of 30 seconds is plenty of time to get oil flowing through your engine, and as long as you keep the revs low until you’re up to operating temperature you won't realize any benefits from warming up any longer-- In fact it might even be worse for your engine. You’re far better off using a bit of practical sense and easily driving off after that 30 seconds than foolishly letting your car sit around longer than that without even moving.

Evidence 1: Refer to number 18

Evidence 2: A foregin source, just for variety

Evidence 3: This site is among the finest examples showing the egregious fallacy behind the myth of excessive engine warm up benefit

The point of the matter is this: Sitting around with your engine warming up at idle for periods of time longer than 30-40 seconds is, frankly, irresponsible to the environment and health of other people (as well as your own), demonstrated HARMFUL to your engine, and wasteful of one’s money.

I don’t know how it is that we’re living in the 21st Century and there are still people out there who think they need to treat their cars like they were made in 1932.

 

I agree. But I tend to keep the revs low for the first kilometer or so.

 

I used to... but meh... what's the point anymroe? I dont take it past 4k anymore anyways.

(redline is at 8k, stock).

 

Mine's in a heated garage, so...no. But when I'm leaving work on a cold day I let it sit for a few seconds until all the warning lights go out. I figure that's long enough to make sure everything's up & running.

One thing I've noticed is that if you sit and wait, the temp gauge doesn't move for a long time, while if you go right away and take it easy, the temp comes right up. I'm not so sure you're really "letting it warm up" by idling...

 

im pretty sure that now in toronto, they issue fines for people who let there cars idle while they do errands, and yes i notice the temop gauge rises faster while moving the car, while the engine has load on it, i for one am against idle its a waste for sure

 

I usually just get in, start the car and take off. The only time I let it idle is in the winter when there is snow or ice. (which isnt very often around here.)

 

i ALWAYS warm up my car. I try and wait for about two minutes because my car runs better that way. I wait till it gets to the medium betwwen cold and hot and i heard its a good habit.