Oil usage 3.0si
- Thread starter PCBung
- Start date
thattallchap
Member
Yeah, both my 3.0i Z used to drink Oil, i think its something to do with the hydraulic cylinders or something!!
Mine never used to use much, but I wouldn't say yours is using an amount to be concerned with. I think between four and one line is only 1 litre, so your car has used about half a litre in 5000 miles. If I remember correctly I once had to use a litre of oil in mine after about 12000-13000 miles or so (think it was about 4000 before next service), and that was with quite low milage on the car (around 20k). With higher miles I would expect an engine to use a little more oil, especially if driven hard often.
So I think your car is just fine, if the pattern changes, like it starts needing more and more oil over less miles, then you may have a problem
So I think your car is just fine, if the pattern changes, like it starts needing more and more oil over less miles, then you may have a problem
Key your reg in here:
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/iframe.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7044829
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/iframe.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7044829
I did extensive research into oils some months back and albeit a prefacelift, I now run both my M54's on 0w 40 Mobil 1 Longliffe fully synth. Big advantage is it's £19 per 4l at Costco. Also on the approved list from direct email to a member here from BMW 
Once I understand oil (and I'm not for one instant saying you don't, but I didn't really ) then it opens up a lot of different options based around your use, temperature operating range, type of driving, etc.
Once I understand oil (and I'm not for one instant saying you don't, but I didn't really
) then it opens up a lot of different options based around your use, temperature operating range, type of driving, etc.Smokin said:
+1
Mine seems to sip more than swill it.
Speaking to my local BMW specialist today he said it will use oil if you tend to take the revs higher; I maybe guity of a few times (daily) taking it to over 6k rpm - coming from my S2K its a bad habit i have picked up 
My car only has 12k miles on it now - I am very tempted by 0w-40 Costco oil - however as the recommended operating grade is 30 thats a fair step up, so maybe i will get some 0w-30 from opie oils.
I'll prob give it an other oil change in the next few weeks - I tend to do oil changes every 6 months anyway.
My car only has 12k miles on it now - I am very tempted by 0w-40 Costco oil - however as the recommended operating grade is 30 thats a fair step up, so maybe i will get some 0w-30 from opie oils.I'll prob give it an other oil change in the next few weeks - I tend to do oil changes every 6 months anyway.
A lot can depend on the brand of oil as well, had a similar problem with my ducati. Changed brands one year and used over a ltr in 500 miles, changed back to Shell oil the following year and all was fine again. Maybe just maybe that could be the issue, did you supply the oil yourself for the last service ?
aquazi said:Speaking to my local BMW specialist today he said it will use oil if you tend to take the revs higher; I maybe guity of a few times (daily) taking it to over 6k rpm - coming from my S2K its a bad habit i have picked up
I'll prob give it an other oil change in the next few weeks - I tend to do oil changes every 6 months anyway.
As I said though mine is running a differenet engine so you need to do the research.
Its probably not recommened but I'd imagine as long as your adding under a litre its not a massive problem as long as you dont mix the grades too much... so say 0w40 and 0w30 isnt too bad, same viscosity when cold... It would be better adding different oil - then none if you are going short.
It's more important for a top up that you use fully synthetic (which should already be in there) than the exact viscosity rating