Oil '06 3.0 Si

[Greeno]

we previously had an '03 2.5 IIRC that had a dip stick.

The 3.0 Si we've now recently got doesn't have a dip stick and I can't find any electronic indicator in the cabin.

The oil warning light came on so I topped up 1l.

We didn't get a handbook with it, I've looked through various threads (first challenge was what oil) and can't figure it out.

Anyone?

Thanks.

[Armscarf]

I have a 3.0Si, here are the relevant manual pages. Enjoy.

[oldgitdave]

Also this link might help for other info https://ownersmanuals2.com/bmw-auto/z4- ... nual-52202

[Greeno]

Lovely, thanks, exactly what I needed.

[Armscarf]

Lovely, thanks, exactly what I needed.

You are most welcome

[Ilogik]

I thought every rectangle was a a litre of oil or am I getting confused.

[Mr Tidy]

I think so!

Each block is 250ml, so it's 1 litre from the bottom to the top.

It's probably also worth mentioning that the engine needs to be warmed up before the display will work.

And once you top it up it doesn't register the oil you have added for quite a while. I could top my last one up and the level wouldn't reflect that for up to 50 miles. So if it doesn't show up straight away don't just chuck more oil in!

[Tommo61]

Do you have to check to see if it's on "Lo" or do you get a message/warning light when it drops to that level? - I noticed mine's "OK" at the weekend, but on 2 bars.

[Jfgoldfish]

do you get a message/warning light

It will beep at you and light up the oil light in orange when you are 1 litre low.
It warns you when you turn the ignition off after a drive.

[Vijay]

I think so!

Each block is 250ml, so it's 1 litre from the bottom to the top.

It's probably also worth mentioning that the engine needs to be warmed up before the display will work.

And once you top it up it doesn't register the oil you have added for quite a while. I could top my last one up and the level wouldn't reflect that for up to 50 miles. So if it doesn't show up straight away don't just chuck more oil in!

Hi Mr Tidy,
Given your experience could you provide a steer? Compared to the daily (3 series) I still find the oil measurement somewhat confusing.

This was taken yesterday:

3A67C5C2-8C76-4285-86C0-44AE1ECE1637.jpeg (113.94 KiB) Viewed 431 times

Does this show I have 500ml in?
I had an Inspection II a few weeks back, so surely it will be To the top?
Unless, as you pointed out, it takes quite a while to ‘register’...?

[Mr Tidy]

Yes, that is telling you it could take another 500ml although it won't do any harm leaving it where it is.

Given the "delayed reaction" I've experienced in the past how many miles have you done since the Inspection II? If not many I'd check it again in another 50 miles time and see what result you get. If despite what it is telling you it got a full 6.5 litres you really don't want to put any more in!

[Jfgoldfish]

Does this show I have 500ml in?

Your picture there shows that you are between 250-500ml from full.
If you have put hundreds/thousands of miles on it over those few weeks, that could be reasonable consumption.
If it has done only minimal milage it might have not registered yet or they didn't fill it to the brim.

Better slightly under-full than over; I wouldn't be upset at a garage for not getting it right on the mark, especially considering how slow the electronic dipstick can be.

[Jfgoldfish]

Ah, Mr Tidy, you are too fast for me.

[Mr Tidy]

Ah, Mr Tidy, you are too fast for me.

Well to be fair I did get a notification as Vijay quoted my post from the beginning of the month.

At least we gave similar advice!

[Vijay]

Thanks for the response gents!
My Inspection II was done on 7th Sept, since then I've done 166 miles. Checking my bottle, I have exactly half a litre left over, so, seems 6.5 litres was indeed put in. I don't have any leaks neither. Seems very unreliable to me!