My Baby is Burning Oil

SS32 · 10-08-2008, 01:32 PM

My oil gauge has been steadily decreasing over the past few months, but for the past month or so it's been holding steady right above the lower OK mark. I checked it earlier today, just after I hit 9000 miles, and it tells me to add a quart. I picked up a few quarts and I'm about to go put one in, but why would the engine be burning any oil at all? I drive it a little harder than average, but nothing unreal. Even so, that shouldn't make a difference.

murellus · 10-08-2008, 01:54 PM

Standard on all BMW's. My e46 m3 burned oil like none other.

valeram · 10-08-2008, 01:59 PM

It is normal.

kbk_75 · 10-08-2008, 01:59 PM

I just asked my service manager this question when I took my car in for the 2nd service. I had noticed that my oil level had dropped two notches from the top in about a month. He explained to me that if the gauge shows that it has dropped all the way to the bottom, the car has consumed approx. 1 litre of oil, so there was no need to panic. The gauge is not graduated from 0 - 100%.

As I understand it, this is quite normal with most M3s. I drive my car hard and coupled with our crappy traffic stop-go conditions, I'm actually surprised that the car hasn't used more oil.

skierman64 · 10-08-2008, 02:01 PM

The only thing I can think of that might effect oil burning is how you broke in the car. Did you follow the BMW recommended procedure? As for me I have 7800 miles which includes 4 track days (with 4000 miles on the clock), and my oil level hasn't budged since the 1200 mile service.

I've found that some BMWs burn more oil than others, I'm not sure if there's a reason for it.

Did you get the oil for free?

SS32 · 10-08-2008, 02:06 PM

I followed the break in procedure, and have 2 track days and 1 autox on the car. My E46 never burned oil like this, but it wasn't an M, so that might have something to do with it. I didn't get the oil for free, but I didn't go to the dealer to get it. Do you think they would give it to me for free? It's not part of the "scheduled service"....

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbk_75

He explained to me that if the gauge shows that it has dropped all the way to the bottom, the car has consumed approx. 1 litre of oil, so there was no need to panic. The gauge is not graduated from 0 - 100%.

Yeah, I checked it after I put the quart in and the gauge is back up to the top. I was thinking it was from 0-100%; good it know it's not.

skierman64 · 10-08-2008, 02:21 PM

All fluids are included in the scheduled service, including windshield washer fluid (not that I'm going to drive to the dealer to get it). I beleive the only item not included is tires.

The oil should be free. Perhaps that's only if the put it in for you.

I'm going to need new front brake pads at 9500 miles. That will be free too.

kbk_75 · 10-08-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skierman64

The only thing I can think of that might effect oil burning is how you broke in the car. Did you follow the BMW recommended procedure? As for me I have 7800 miles which includes 4 track days (with 4000 miles on the clock), and my oil level hasn't budged since the 1200 mile service.

I've found that some BMWs burn more oil than others, I'm not sure if there's a reason for it.

Did you get the oil for free?

My oil level didn't budge forever as well, but then it went down two notches in around a month.

Radiation Joe · 10-08-2008, 02:45 PM

In four years I never added any oil to the s54 in my e46. I had the oil changed every 7500 miles. So I used less than 1 quart per 7500 miles.

m3larson · 10-08-2008, 02:48 PM

They are thirsty cars.. My X5 is worse then the M3

ase2dais · 10-08-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

My oil gauge has been steadily decreasing over the past few months, but for the past month or so it's been holding steady right above the lower OK mark. I checked it earlier today, just after I hit 9000 miles, and it tells me to add a quart. I picked up a few quarts and I'm about to go put one in, but why would the engine be burning any oil at all? I drive it a little harder than average, but nothing unreal. Even so, that shouldn't make a difference.

just curious cowmoo, Did you baby and follow the Break-In Rules?

SS32 · 10-08-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ase2dais

just curious cowmoo, Did you baby and follow the Break-In Rules?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

I followed the break in procedure

ase2dais · 10-08-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

you little DEVIL you!

... and at least you've been a respectfull M3 driver

BMWguy206 · 10-08-2008, 03:02 PM

My old E46 M3 went through 1 liter every 3,000 miles. I only have about 500 miles on the E90 M3 but even if I followed the break-in procedures my guess is that I will still go through one liter every 3000 miles or less than that. I always have an extra liter of TWS in the trunk.

BTW, on BMW Service Bulletin 00 12 07 it says the following:
"Because of their increased power output and torque, M Engines have a maximum permissible oil consumption of 1.5 liter per 1000 kilometers (621 miles)"

aggie57 · 10-08-2008, 03:07 PM

traditionally the best break in practice has been to vary the revs as much as possible and make sure the engine gets regular periods of load. By load I dont mean revs - rather good amounts of throttle at moderate revs. The idea is to work the compression rings into the cylinder liner before the bore gets any sort of glaze.

At the same time the oil control rings should also bed in well. This is an extremely simplistic description of the process (and others may well want to give a more technical version) but does align with BMW's recommended break in procedure.

SS32 · 10-08-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWguy206

BTW, on BMW Service Bulletin 00 12 07 it says the following:
"Because of their increased power output and torque, M Engines have a maximum permissible oil consumption of 1.5 liter per 1000 kilometers (621 miles)"

Damn, that seems like quite a bit.

Dascamel · 10-08-2008, 09:50 PM

1 quart over what, 7800 miles? If it stays consistant, wouldn't worry at all....

V1.47fan · 10-19-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggie57

traditionally the best break in practice has been to vary the revs as much as possible and make sure the engine gets regular periods of load. By load I dont mean revs - rather good amounts of throttle at moderate revs. The idea is to work the compression rings into the cylinder liner before the bore gets any sort of glaze.

At the same time the oil control rings should also bed in well. This is an extremely simplistic description of the process (and others may well want to give a more technical version) but does align with BMW's recommended break in procedure.

+1

BCMPOWER · 10-19-2008, 11:10 AM

I've had to add oil for the first time at 8,000 miles. I do mostly stop and go city driving, but I notice that my oil level drops after long periods on the highway cruising around 80 app. 3,200 RPM. I am not worried this is normal for M cars. Do cars driven on the highway experience more oil burning?

V1.47fan · 10-19-2008, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCMPOWER

I've had to add oil for the first time at 8,000 miles. I do mostly stop and go city driving, but I notice that my oil level drops after long periods on the highway cruising around 80 app. 3,200 RPM. I am not worried this is normal for M cars. Do cars driven on the highway experience more oil burning?

Same here after my 1,200 m service.

Comped Ego · 01-27-2009, 06:17 AM

Who has the worst oil consumption issue?
I have documented the mileage each time i put a qt for last few thousand miles.
My e92 M3 burn 1qt/600 mile and the dealer said that is normal.
But i never experience this kind of issue with any other vehicle.
Also, when I down shift and punch the gas, I see a puff of black smoke from tail pipe, and dealer said that is normal too.
Please suggest a course of action.

NewM3driver · 01-27-2009, 08:53 AM

I was told by a porsche service manager years ago that german engines have relaxed or larger tolerances so they run with less friction. May burn a little oil, but they last longer because the parts don't wear out.

I am not the least bit mechanically inclined, so I don't know if that is true or just bull shit to get me to go away. I'm not even sure I just explained it properly. Does anyone that knows about engines have any thoughts on the theory?

10-08-2008, 01:32 PM	#1
SS32 Major 156 Rep 1,429 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (0)	My Baby is Burning Oil My oil gauge has been steadily decreasing over the past few months, but for the past month or so it's been holding steady right above the lower OK mark. I checked it earlier today, just after I hit 9000 miles, and it tells me to add a quart. I picked up a few quarts and I'm about to go put one in, but why would the engine be burning any oil at all? I drive it a little harder than average, but nothing unreal. Even so, that shouldn't make a difference. __________________ V1 DIY - Blinder M45 DIY - Exhaust Cutouts - Removed Clutch Pedal Spring DIY - Fiamm Air Horns
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10-08-2008, 01:54 PM	#2
murellus Lieutenant 12 Rep 523 Posts Drives: 22 x3m40i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: nj/nyc iTrader: (0)	Standard on all BMW's. My e46 m3 burned oil like none other.
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10-08-2008, 01:59 PM	#3
valeram Major 37 Rep 1,413 Posts Drives: 992 TTS, 991.2 GT3 T, F80 M3 C Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dublin, OH iTrader: (0)	It is normal.
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10-08-2008, 01:59 PM	#4
kbk_75 Lieutenant 24 Rep 404 Posts Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bombay, India iTrader: (0)	I just asked my service manager this question when I took my car in for the 2nd service. I had noticed that my oil level had dropped two notches from the top in about a month. He explained to me that if the gauge shows that it has dropped all the way to the bottom, the car has consumed approx. 1 litre of oil, so there was no need to panic. The gauge is not graduated from 0 - 100%. As I understand it, this is quite normal with most M3s. I drive my car hard and coupled with our crappy traffic stop-go conditions, I'm actually surprised that the car hasn't used more oil.
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10-08-2008, 02:01 PM	#5
skierman64 Brigadier General 127 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	The only thing I can think of that might effect oil burning is how you broke in the car. Did you follow the BMW recommended procedure? As for me I have 7800 miles which includes 4 track days (with 4000 miles on the clock), and my oil level hasn't budged since the 1200 mile service. I've found that some BMWs burn more oil than others, I'm not sure if there's a reason for it. Did you get the oil for free? __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT]
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10-08-2008, 02:21 PM	#7
skierman64 Brigadier General 127 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	All fluids are included in the scheduled service, including windshield washer fluid (not that I'm going to drive to the dealer to get it). I beleive the only item not included is tires. The oil should be free. Perhaps that's only if the put it in for you. I'm going to need new front brake pads at 9500 miles. That will be free too. __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT]
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10-08-2008, 02:45 PM	#9
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	In four years I never added any oil to the s54 in my e46. I had the oil changed every 7500 miles. So I used less than 1 quart per 7500 miles. __________________ Dinan compliment of stuff plus PF rotors and RG63s. Enough for now. Why, yes. I am an abrasive bastard.
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10-08-2008, 02:48 PM	#10
m3larson First Lieutenant 28 Rep 309 Posts Drives: 2014 M6 Gran C 1997 M3 Track C Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	They are thirsty cars.. My X5 is worse then the M3 __________________ The Verdict: Every other manufacturer should give up on building their own cars and just make M3s instead. -Car and Driver June 2008
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10-08-2008, 03:02 PM	#14
BMWguy206 Private First Class 11 Rep 140 Posts Drives: '93 400E Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	My old E46 M3 went through 1 liter every 3,000 miles. I only have about 500 miles on the E90 M3 but even if I followed the break-in procedures my guess is that I will still go through one liter every 3000 miles or less than that. I always have an extra liter of TWS in the trunk. BTW, on BMW Service Bulletin 00 12 07 it says the following: "Because of their increased power output and torque, M Engines have a maximum permissible oil consumption of 1.5 liter per 1000 kilometers (621 miles)"
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10-08-2008, 03:07 PM	#15
aggie57 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 354 Posts Drives: 2.0d X3, 2009 997 Carrera S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	traditionally the best break in practice has been to vary the revs as much as possible and make sure the engine gets regular periods of load. By load I dont mean revs - rather good amounts of throttle at moderate revs. The idea is to work the compression rings into the cylinder liner before the bore gets any sort of glaze. At the same time the oil control rings should also bed in well. This is an extremely simplistic description of the process (and others may well want to give a more technical version) but does align with BMW's recommended break in procedure.
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10-08-2008, 09:50 PM	#17
Dascamel Lieutenant Colonel 48 Rep 1,664 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3, 2010 e91 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA iTrader: (0)	1 quart over what, 7800 miles? If it stays consistant, wouldn't worry at all.... __________________ 2008 E92 M3 Jerez Black,DCT,Fox Red ext,Prem,Tech,19", ipod/usb, CF roof and trim 2010 E91 328i Space Gray,Black int, M sport, most options 2007 Montego Blue 335i (retired)
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10-19-2008, 11:10 AM	#19
BCMPOWER Captain 29 Rep 626 Posts Drives: 08 Silverstone II M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Silver Spring MD iTrader: (0)	I've had to add oil for the first time at 8,000 miles. I do mostly stop and go city driving, but I notice that my oil level drops after long periods on the highway cruising around 80 app. 3,200 RPM. I am not worried this is normal for M cars. Do cars driven on the highway experience more oil burning? __________________
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01-27-2009, 06:17 AM	#21
Comped Ego Goes around, Comes around 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Who has the worst oil consumption issue? I have documented the mileage each time i put a qt for last few thousand miles. My e92 M3 burn 1qt/600 mile and the dealer said that is normal. But i never experience this kind of issue with any other vehicle. Also, when I down shift and punch the gas, I see a puff of black smoke from tail pipe, and dealer said that is normal too. Please suggest a course of action.
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01-27-2009, 08:53 AM	#22
NewM3driver Colonel 1110 Rep 2,007 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	I was told by a porsche service manager years ago that german engines have relaxed or larger tolerances so they run with less friction. May burn a little oil, but they last longer because the parts don't wear out. I am not the least bit mechanically inclined, so I don't know if that is true or just bull shit to get me to go away. I'm not even sure I just explained it properly. Does anyone that knows about engines have any thoughts on the theory?
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