On June 1 I bought a certified 2001 325xi wagon from a dealer with only 30,000 miles. It's my first BMW and I really love the way it handles. I have put 9,000 miles on it already. The other day the oil light came on. I checked the dip stick and found it just a hair above the low level line. I was amazed. This car is suppose to get serviced every 15000 so the logical conclusion is that the oil level would at least stay within the normal range. I called the dealer and the service mgr told me that it is not uncommon for BMWs to have a high oil consumption, even suggesting that in some cases drivers only get 1500 miles on a quart. I told him that if I had known that I would have kept my old Toyota. Anyway I went and got a quart of Mobil 1 and put some in. Can anyone clarify this for me? Thanks..
Excessive Oil Consumption
- Thread starter rimshnhj
- Start date
Welcome to the board and congrats on the purchase!
Oil consumption on BMWs does vary quite a bit, and yes, some cars get only 1500 miles before a quart is needed. BMW does consider that "normal" according to many reports.
From what I have seen discussed, it's typical that many BMWs go 3K - 10K miles before they use a quart. Your consumption is perfectly normal, probably even very good compared to some others.
It's highly unlikely any car will go 15K miles without needing some oil added. The 15K is BMW's change recommendation, not intended to indicate consumption rate. Many of us here believe that 15K miles is way too long between changes, and do our own changes every 5K or 7.5K miles.
Oil consumption on BMWs does vary quite a bit, and yes, some cars get only 1500 miles before a quart is needed. BMW does consider that "normal" according to many reports.
From what I have seen discussed, it's typical that many BMWs go 3K - 10K miles before they use a quart. Your consumption is perfectly normal, probably even very good compared to some others.
It's highly unlikely any car will go 15K miles without needing some oil added. The 15K is BMW's change recommendation, not intended to indicate consumption rate. Many of us here believe that 15K miles is way too long between changes, and do our own changes every 5K or 7.5K miles.
I just picked up my new 2005 330ci convertible in May. Ordered it from a dealer in Phoenix and imported the car to Canada. I have 11,000 km and I just put a second litre of oil in yesterday. The service advisor told me that they just received a bulletin regarding oila usage and it is normal. I spoke to the shop manager and he told me that most domestic cars don't use oil very well (thus not needing to replace the oil) and after 100,000 km the inside of the cylinders are all warped. BMW uses oil well and ensures proper lubrication. The inside of a BMW cylinder should look brand new even after 250,000 km. Love the ne ride and have some reservations about winter driving. Any advice?
Wow, I heard some BS in my time but your SM wins the prize. Talk about spin. So he turns something negative, your engine loses oil, into something positive, losing oil is good for your engine. All engines will eventually lose oil, and some lose oil when they are new, but I can't think of a reason why losing oil is ever good. Your SM is making it sound like losing oil is a good thing, and that it leads to engine longevity. Total BS.
Every 9000 miles is normal...
My ML needs oil every 8k in the summer, and about every 12k in the winter.
While my land rover needs a full oil change every 4-5k miles.. But thats because it leaks =)
Anyway from the threads I read over the years 9k for a E46 seems very normal to me, so it is nothing to worry about really.
My ML needs oil every 8k in the summer, and about every 12k in the winter.
While my land rover needs a full oil change every 4-5k miles.. But thats because it leaks =)
Anyway from the threads I read over the years 9k for a E46 seems very normal to me, so it is nothing to worry about really.
I think you go a little too far with your statement. Granted that oil consumption is never a good thing ,but it indeed may be a very, very bad thing. Examples: bad seals like the infamous RMS on 996s, bad rings, valves not seated properly, etc. Oil consumption can be the precursor of a blown engine.
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We aren't talking about recalls here, just what oil consumption may mean. As far as your statement that BMWs I6s rarely blow, I don't have any idea how often BMW engines blow. I did suffer a blown engine on my '02 M3 but it was covered under warranty, and I got a new engine with the 100K extended warranty. Do you have any source that supports your statement about BMW engines or is it just a guess on your part?
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Well, I can call BMW and ask for that data if you'd like, but I have never heard of any of the 2.5 or 3.0 engines ever blowing up...which logically makes sense to conclude that they rarely do. (unless you put it in neutral and step on the gas for a few minutes, or drive it in 1st gear and hold 6000rpm) so call it an educated guess, I don't think the oil leaks either, it burns. An oil leak definately would be problem.
I just dont see the point in alarming those who come in here with low mileage cars (practically every other e46 owner) and no problems besides the car using a quart of oil every 10k miles. My 330 needed a quart at 8k, the engine runs fine and there is never any oil under the car.
I just dont see the point in alarming those who come in here with low mileage cars (practically every other e46 owner) and no problems besides the car using a quart of oil every 10k miles. My 330 needed a quart at 8k, the engine runs fine and there is never any oil under the car.
I edited my statement to "oil consumption". Although I've rebuilt two engines, I'm far from an expert on engines. It's my view that well built engines that are broken-in properly should not consume oil. When your car is burning oil, consider what happens. Oil is getting into the combustion chamber. That's not supposed to happen, and anyone who tells you differently is BSing you. If your car consumes a quart of oil every 10K miles, I'll agree that it's no big deal but nevertheless it's not supposed to happen. Go back to an earlier post in this thread where the BMW Manager in Phoenix claimed that burning oil is good for your engine (maybe it lubricates the cylinders?). Total BS.