Oil useage

[2alpsade]

I'm a little worried about mine. I haven't put any oil in at all! Coming up to 1 years ownership in April. Done around 7k miles now.

I do fairly frequent checks of the level using the dash and it always says OK. What kind of capacity do the engines have for oil?

I wouldnt worry if it hasn't used oil. If the oil level is ok, no problem.

Oil capacity depends on your engine. Adamski is right - don't worry if it's used none. Just learn your engine's habits, and all will be fine.

[Newbers]

The downside of this is excessive oil consumption, the plus is an engine with less friction and thus more power

I think there is another downside in that I'm sure it doesn't do the cat or the O2 sensors any good and probably leads to deposits around the head.

I had a 2000 325Ci from new and that always burned a lot of oil. I was told it would settle once run in which didn't make a lot of sense - and it didn't. I did 111k miles in it and used 2 - 3 litres of oil between services. A notable expense when you're buying Mobil 1.

In the Z4 you have the electronic oil level check - get in to the habit of doing it once a month when you are stuck in traffic.

[Norwegian]

Hi!
Im just in to say that a switch from BMW 0W40 Twin Turbo to Castrol Magnatec 5W40 C3, both LL04, made a big difference in oil consumption on my 2.5SI!
On 1800km it have not use anything.
Before, with the BMW with is Shell, it would have used close to a litre.

[Chris_D]

my m54 3.0 was practically drinking and decanting oil like i drink and p!ss peroni on the weekends until i swapped in a new ccv system and plugged the cam cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket leaks.
Now i top it up with 1/2 liter approx every 2000 miles

an oil light on when the oil is low is pretty serious and means ur not keeping a close enough eye on level.

[kis]

Here we go again... bringing threads back from the dead!

On a thread related note I use about 500ml every 2000 miles or so as well. M54 3.0i and no issues with engine at all. The e46 was the same, I’ve heard lots of people have “consumption issues” while other people don’t experience them at all. Just one of those mysteries that will never be solved

[Ewazix]

Worth a read if you are concerned about oil consumption
http://workshop-manuals.com/bmw/z_serie ... _bmw_mini/
(next page available far bottom right of each page)

[kis]

I wasn't over concerned with the oil consumption but had a read anyway.

The main two things I note are:

• For BMW spark-ignition and diesel engines, the maximum permissible engine oil consumption is 0.7 l/1000
  km. (Because of their increased power output and torque, M engines have a maximum permissible oil
  consumption of 1.5 l/1000 km).

• (Reading the dipstick) the difference between the two marks corresponds to about 1.0 - 1.5 litres.

For reference 1000km is about 620miles.

Every car is different and will have to be monitored so you know how frequently you need to top up. Also dependant on driving styles and ratios. i.e. short journey v. long journeys. So it's good to know it's "normal" to have some extent of oil consumption.

[Roberltd2]

Just did a 1L top up tonight on my 57 plate 2.5si, now at 62k milage. It has done 3306 miles since the last one. Previous 1L top ups without being interrupted by oil changes were March 2018 (4039 miles) and November 2016 (4947 miles) so oil usage is increasing so it would seem as the routine manner of my life remains the same............
Hope this helps,
Robert.

[Martin Knud]

Just did a 1L top up tonight on my 57 plate 2.5si, now at 62k milage. It has done 3306 miles since the last one. Previous 1L top ups without being interrupted by oil changes were March 2018 (4039 miles) and November 2016 (4947 miles) so oil usage is increasing so it would seem as the routine manner of my life remains the same............
Hope this helps,
Robert.

Which oil?

[skelters]

When I bought this Z4 it required a service as it had been a while since the last one although still within the time interval the car was showing.

About 1 month before it was serviced it wanted 1L of oil as it said it was running low.

As I change the oil every year no matter the mileage / time / recommended time I've not had any further issues with the car needing more oil.

I only put Millers Nanodrive in mine with either Mann or Mahle filter usually from Opie Oils.

Which oil? Which filter? How much oil is being put in the car?

[kis]

Forgot all about this thread. Some oil consumption is normal... wouldn’t worry too much about quantity, so long as you’re keeping on top of it.

[biojo]

mine doesnt drop a single bar in 4k miles, then it has a oil change

[Roberltd2]

Hi Martin,
The oil I use is Petronas Syntium 5000 XS
Robert.

[Martin Knud]

Hi Martin,
The oil I use is Petronas Syntium 5000 XS
Robert.

Thanks. It must be 5W30 ?
I had Shell/BMW twin power turbo 5W30 in my 2,5si, and it used 0,5-0,75 liter per 1000km.
Now i use Castrol Magnatec 5W40, and after 1000km i cannot see any consumption.
Both C3 LL4.
I will stick with Castrol.
/Martin

[Ewazix]

If your engine isn't using oil or as some have found the level fluctuates or even rises above max, this piece by Total explains why fuel dilution in to oil could be the explanation and is on the rise. This presumably is why levels can drop dramatically after a 'hot' run as fuel and moisture evaporate out from the oil. For me it hammers home the importance of regular oil changes and good fuel.
https://www.lubricants.total.com/fuel-d ... nd-effects