N52 2.5Si oil consumption

Norwegian · Post by **Norwegian** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 4:38 am

I just want to tell you that my engine drank alot when i used the BMW 0W40 LL04, but nearly non when i svitched to Castrol Magnatec 5W40 C3 LL04!

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 8:43 am

That’s cool, but have you considered the possibility that there was a small leak before the oil change? Seems more likely.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 4:48 pm

Why would you ever put the wrong grade oil in to start with though? BMW never specified a 0W oil for the N52.

MrPT · Post by **MrPT** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 7:19 pm

ph001 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 4:48 pm Why would you ever put the wrong grade oil in to start with though? BMW never specified a 0W oil for the N52.

There was definitely a 0W30 option, but I can’t remember if it was on the official spec for the car or something that came later from Castrol etc.

Good point though - why not 5W30, OP?

Norwegian · Post by **Norwegian** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 9:01 pm

MrPT wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 8:43 am That’s cool, but have you considered the possibility that there was a small leak before the oil change? Seems more likely.

No leak.

Norwegian · Post by **Norwegian** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 9:03 pm

ph001 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 4:48 pm Why would you ever put the wrong grade oil in to start with though? BMW never specified a 0W oil for the N52.

https://applications.castrol.com/oilsel ... b4266e54fc

https://www.gsbildeler.no/servicedeler- ... l___590719

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:53 pm

To be fair I've put 0W/30 Castrol Edge in my BMWs too for topping up - it's still LL04 so why would a wider range be an issue?

And going by the OP's user name I suspect he may experience colder winters than we get in the UK, so wouldn't 0W be a good idea? After all he says he used BMW 0W40 LLO4.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Tue Oct 23, 2018 11:02 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:53 pm To be fair I've put 0W/30 Castrol Edge in my BMWs too for topping up - it's still LL04 so why would a wider range be an issue?

...because it can lead to increased oil consumption (and engine wear at start up for that matter). Admittedly the car spends far longer running in the higher heat range viscosity but by an extension of this logic why isn't every car simply specified at a 0W for the winter rating?

OP - thanks for the links. Interesting that Castrol recommend that. None of the Opie oil recommendations include a 0W oil for the N52. Have you ever come across a BMW recommendation for it?

Mike6 · Post by **Mike6** » Wed Oct 24, 2018 5:16 pm

You have moved to a thicker oil so as consumption has decreased it suggest you may have some engine wear. Is it a high mileage car.

Norwegian · Post by **Norwegian** » Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:59 pm

Mike6 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 24, 2018 5:16 pm You have moved to a thicker oil so as consumption has decreased it suggest you may have some engine wear. Is it a high mileage car.

165000km. Seems very ok now. Its around 0.1l/1000km.

Silverzedtom · Post by **Silverzedtom** » Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:20 pm

Bmw do spec 0w30 for the n52, It’s all that’s been in mine from the factory including dealer services.

Although I change it every 6 months I’ve never had to top up, I won’t take the zed if it won’t be warmed through, and don’t go above about 2.2k revs until it’s warm I have thought about changing at 50k miles though as I will be keeping the car for a while yet

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:26 pm

Silverzedtom wrote: ↑Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:20 pm Bmw do spec 0w30 for the n52, It’s all that’s been in mine from the factory including dealer services.

Although I change it every 6 months I’ve never had to top up, I won’t take the zed if it won’t be warmed through, and don’t go above about 2.2k revs until it’s warm I have thought about changing at 50k miles though as I will be keeping the car for a while yet

Hi, 2.2k revs sounds very specific-is there a reason for that exact figure?

Rob

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:15 pm

Probably not, but I never change up below 2,000 rpm in either of my N52 engined cars - it leaves them feeling a bit gutless in the next gear. Which means you need to push the accelerator a bit harder, and that probably stresses a cold engine as much as letting it rev a bit more!

Silverzedtom · Post by **Silverzedtom** » Thu Oct 25, 2018 12:02 am

Smartbear wrote: ↑Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:26 pm
Silverzedtom wrote: ↑Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:20 pm Bmw do spec 0w30 for the n52, It’s all that’s been in mine from the factory including dealer services.

Although I change it every 6 months I’ve never had to top up, I won’t take the zed if it won’t be warmed through, and don’t go above about 2.2k revs until it’s warm I have thought about changing at 50k miles though as I will be keeping the car for a while yet
Hi, 2.2k revs sounds very specific-is there a reason for that exact figure?
Rob

I poked my head in on here after taking the car out and noticed that when it was cold I seemed to be changing at around 2.2... thought it was odd when I read the thread!

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