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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / TSBs and Service Bulletin > Engine oil at minimum!
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      08-20-2012, 01:18 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
you should be able to get more mileage as well. Do you have 6MT or 8AT? Last week I wanted to see whats the most miles I could get per tank and it was boring as hell eco pro mode and I did not exceed 85mph. I got 380miles and I could have probably stretched it further.
I have the 8AT but because I make mostly shorter in-town hops, my mileage suffers.

Got off the phone with the service guy just now and he confirmed that it's nothing to be alarmed at. He suggested that I bring it in next time for a top-up.
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      11-19-2012, 08:50 AM   #24
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I just had a similar experience yesterday with my F30 335. I have 5700 miles on it and had to add 1 qt of oil. I was a bit surprised / concerned at first, but after reading this thread, I guess this is normal.
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      11-19-2012, 09:23 AM   #25
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i've heard the N55 burns a lot more than the N20 especially when new.

that said, my POS audi does this same thing every 1500 miles or so and it is 3 years old. so if it keeps happening have them fix it (audi is actually replacing cylinders / pistons for many cars). seems all the oil consumption reports i've heard of about the F30 are on the N55 models (and e90s did this too so i dont think its new)
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      11-19-2012, 09:29 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hans007 View Post
i've heard the N55 burns a lot more than the N20 especially when new.

that said, my POS audi does this same thing every 1500 miles or so and it is 3 years old. so if it keeps happening have them fix it (audi is actually replacing cylinders / pistons for many cars). seems all the oil consumption reports i've heard of about the F30 are on the N55 models (and e90s did this too so i dont think its new)
All turbo cars burn oil no way out of that. Im actually impressed that after 10,000 miles it only needed a quart.
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      11-19-2012, 03:59 PM   #27
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Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
All turbo cars burn oil no way out of that. Im actually impressed that after 10,000 miles it only needed a quart.
Just checked mine for the first time ever, at 11k miles, oil level was at max.
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      11-19-2012, 04:07 PM   #28
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Originally Posted by sr5959 View Post
Just checked mine for the first time ever, at 11k miles, oil level was at max.
I'm sure driving style has something to do with it as well. I am a hard driver plus been on the track a few times already.
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      11-19-2012, 04:25 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
I'm sure driving style has something to do with it as well. I am a hard driver plus been on the track a few times already.
i think theres an acceptable level of oil burn on a turbo car.

and i'm talking like .5 L / 10000 miles.

not 1 L in 1000-2000 miles like some more problematic cars.
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      11-19-2012, 04:30 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hans007 View Post
i think theres an acceptable level of oil burn on a turbo car.

and i'm talking like .5 L / 10000 miles.

not 1 L in 1000-2000 miles like some more problematic cars.
1L in 1000 miles would be really bad! My Gti needed around 1-2 quarts every 10,000 miles
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      11-19-2012, 06:25 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
I'm sure driving style has something to do with it as well. I am a hard driver plus been on the track a few times already.
Definitely, I don't drive it very hard.
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      11-19-2012, 07:18 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
1L in 1000 miles would be really bad! My Gti needed around 1-2 quarts every 10,000 miles
my A4 , its been about 1100-2500 miles a quart of late

i've heard of some people it getting as bad as 600 miles.
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      01-03-2013, 07:20 PM   #33
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I really don't get this!

My 328i is at ~13,500mls and is still showing MAX from when I picked it up with 6 miles on the clock! Why does the OP's 328i burn so much whilst mine hasn't used a drop (or seemingly so from the iDrive)?

My E90 330d burned 1L off in the first 1200mls and then barely needed a top-up during its 80,000mls life time.

And it's still going somewhere in the UK - it went to auction and I know someone (or some company) bought it - would love to find it again one day!! Anyway, thats off-topic!

What you've said on this thread is that it probably depends on your driving style. And yes, I don't beat on my car much, but that said, I don't hang about either. Most acceleration is firm, especially onto motorways (because that's fun!) and the needle has visited 7k countless times. I've also been to 150mph in it once, 140 a few times, etc. It's not worked hard in comparison to many of you guys anyway from what I hear but it ain't grannied!

So, perhaps the answer I'm after is; what changes to make it consume 1L in 3000mls compared to 0L in 13000mls? How does the car decide? What is it using it for? A litre burnt so soon just to lubricate is mad, especially when identical cars are using nothing.

But with my 330d exhibiting the same behavior, I'm sure it's not a problem
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      01-03-2013, 10:58 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123 View Post
I really don't get this!

My 328i is at ~13,500mls and is still showing MAX from when I picked it up with 6 miles on the clock! Why does the OP's 328i burn so much whilst mine hasn't used a drop (or seemingly so from the iDrive)?

My E90 330d burned 1L off in the first 1200mls and then barely needed a top-up during its 80,000mls life time.

And it's still going somewhere in the UK - it went to auction and I know someone (or some company) bought it - would love to find it again one day!! Anyway, thats off-topic!

What you've said on this thread is that it probably depends on your driving style. And yes, I don't beat on my car much, but that said, I don't hang about either. Most acceleration is firm, especially onto motorways (because that's fun!) and the needle has visited 7k countless times. I've also been to 150mph in it once, 140 a few times, etc. It's not worked hard in comparison to many of you guys anyway from what I hear but it ain't grannied!

So, perhaps the answer I'm after is; what changes to make it consume 1L in 3000mls compared to 0L in 13000mls? How does the car decide? What is it using it for? A litre burnt so soon just to lubricate is mad, especially when identical cars are using nothing.

But with my 330d exhibiting the same behavior, I'm sure it's not a problem

I think the OP's car is a 335i. I've seen posts where the N55 is burning through a quart every 3,000 miles or so.

My 328i N20 also has about 13,500 miles on it and the oil is still at MAX and I have not put any oil in it.
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      01-04-2013, 09:10 AM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogman View Post
I think the OP's car is a 335i. I've seen posts where the N55 is burning through a quart every 3,000 miles or so.

My 328i N20 also has about 13,500 miles on it and the oil is still at MAX and I have not put any oil in it.
Ahh you're right so it is. Both engines are quite similar though as BMW have standardised the N55, N20 and N13 so it's essentially just plus 2 cylinders on the 28i - wonder why it get's through so much when there is only 2 more cylinders...
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      01-14-2013, 06:27 PM   #36
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Hi,

I just got my 328i last Fri. Only discovered that the engine oil is very high yesterday. Is it ok during run-in period ?

Tks
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      01-15-2013, 07:34 AM   #37
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Originally Posted by KITT View Post
Hi,

I just got my 328i last Fri. Only discovered that the engine oil is very high yesterday. Is it ok during run-in period ?

Tks
Huh? Is it at max u mean? In that case, thatīs where it should be. Run it in as the manual states. Dont nanny it, thats just bad for it. I drove dynamically when running it in, always AFTER it had reached working temp. Revved it often but NEVER above 4500 (maybe 3-4 times accidentally when missing to shift but were talking 5500 at max).

I changed the oil at 1000 miles, will do the next change at 2400 and then according to the comp at 4800. Had it changed at a BMW workshop, and they did NOT reset the comp since it would mess up the change interval for other things. And thats the way to go if you are gonna do extra oil changes inbetween. I will have the oil changed every 2400 miles so thats one extra change within the standard intervalls.

Why am I doing this? Im not leasing and I will keep the car for at least 6-7 years if not more depending on how it holds up.
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      01-17-2013, 10:38 AM   #38
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I changed after break in at 1500 miles...i'm at 6700 miles, measured this morning (N55/335i), and it's a hair UNDER the max value (so a total of 5000 miles of driving).

I would imagine by April, which is when the dealer said I can come in for a free change, I'll be at just above minimum.

I've never experienced oil consumption in my Evo VIII, i broke it in well though. My wife's 2.0T jetta used to burn oil like crazy.
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      01-17-2013, 05:20 PM   #39
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7500km, oil still at 100%
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      01-17-2013, 11:08 PM   #40
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7500km, oil still at 100%
328i or 335i?

I'll bet it's a 328i.
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      01-18-2013, 08:35 AM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspartan View Post
I was startled by a warning gong driving home yesterday evening, indicating that the engine was at the minimum oil level. Very strange considering I've only had the car four months and have only driven about 3100 km (1900 miles).

After consulting the manual I added 1L synthetic 5w30 this morning and rechecked the oil level a few minutes later. Much to my surprise it read maximum level, so it would seem the difference between minimum acceptable and maximum capacity is only 1L.

I don't seem to be leaking any oil. I checked last night and this morning and the only dripping is the AC condensation drip (rubbed my fingers in it to make sure).

Could this be an indication of some kind of issue? It happened Saturday night so I couldn't take the car in to the dealership today, but I intend to on Monday afternoon.
how did u run in your car?
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      01-18-2013, 10:19 AM   #42
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Originally Posted by topcat87 View Post
how did u run in your car?
I think I was pretty mild. Might have exceeded the RPM recommendation one or two times, but nothing crazy. I'm a fairly laid back driver.

The car is nine months now and I haven't received the warning again.
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      01-18-2013, 10:46 AM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogman View Post
328i or 335i?

I'll bet it's a 328i.
yeah 328i, How come the 335i eats so much oil? didnt the n55 get similar treatment to the n20 ?
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      01-18-2013, 08:18 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Micleg View Post
As you have noticed, the difference between MAX and (acceptable) MIN level is one litre. One should not fill up the oil unless the car says so.
It says 1 quart, not liter. I was a quart low at about 800 miles. Put in 1 qt Mobile One and am at 2500 miles and still full. Keep 2 of the BMW Castrol on hand now in case I can't get to the dealer for top off.
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