Lost One Quart of Oil
05-08-2009, 05:25 AM
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Originally Posted by juris335' post='871644' date='May 7 2009, 09:28 PM
New 6,000 miles ago my 535xi now tells me I am one quart of oil low. Could I be using 1 quart of oil every 6,000 miles? I can find no leaks. What is par for this engine? Should I be losing sleep over this?
In fact, my '07 has a quart of BMW Synthetic Oil in the trunk - been there since new and I've not needed to top off between services (now at ~29K miles).
05-08-2009, 05:37 AM
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Originally Posted by juris335' post='872114' date='May 8 2009, 03:56 PM
I've had 9 BMW and am not aware of ever needing to add 1 quart of oil. My 145,000 mile 740i does not use one quart of oil. This is a big surprise.
05-08-2009, 05:42 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535i 6MT
BMW and many manufacturers formally define excessive oil consumption as more than 1 litre in 1000 miles. The OP is consuming 6X LESS as are most BMW drivers with an inline 6. It's normal for the BMW inline 6 to consume oil.
05-08-2009, 05:54 AM
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My Ride: 2005 BMW 530d M-Sport TouringExterior: Titansilber Metallic, M5 mirrors, ACS rear roof spoiler, BMW Carbon Fiber rear diffuser, Adaptive Xenon headlights, AngeliBright v.3 Angel Eyes, F1 Autohaus Euphoria 6000K LED license plate lightsInterior: Black
My 2002 520i (2.2l I6) used about 1 liter for every 2000km. I owned since new, followed the break-in procedure to the letter, and had it serviced as required.
The first time that I mentioned the oil consumption issue to my service department manager, he laughed and then gave me a free liter of oil. No worries.
That said, after 6000km in my 530d, I have not noticed any oil consumption. It will be time for the annual oil change in November, so I will see then how it has gone.
The first time that I mentioned the oil consumption issue to my service department manager, he laughed and then gave me a free liter of oil. No worries.
That said, after 6000km in my 530d, I have not noticed any oil consumption. It will be time for the annual oil change in November, so I will see then how it has gone.
05-08-2009, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Patrick E61' post='872156' date='May 8 2009, 08:37 AM
How often do you change your oil?
I just went to the dealer who told me it is normal to use 1 quart every 5-6K miles. He said the X-5s average about 2 quarts between oil changes. I can't imagine why I am not smoking like a chimney... He added the 5-30 quart at no charge.
05-08-2009, 01:48 PM
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
None of my BMWs has consumed oil between changes, at least not enough to warrant topping off. That said, I have seen various references to oil consumption being normal on the 535 on this forum. The N54 is just a different animal.
05-08-2009, 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by slickE60' post='872767' date='May 8 2009, 06:01 PM
Did your engine burn this oil or did it end up in your coolant as was the case with my car when my head cracked? 
With my previous 9 BMWs they lost a negligible amount of oil. With the 5er it seems it is a Badge of Honor to lose oil...
05-09-2009, 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by juris335' post='872905' date='May 8 2009, 07:48 PM
Rick - I don't know the cause of my loss of 1 quart as I have not ever had the car serviced. I know I am a doubting Thomas but it is so difficult to accept that it is "normal" to drop 1 quart every 5-6K miles.
With my previous 9 BMWs they lost a negligible amount of oil. With the 5er it seems it is a Badge of Honor to lose oil...
With my previous 9 BMWs they lost a negligible amount of oil. With the 5er it seems it is a Badge of Honor to lose oil...
05-09-2009, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by GregBrand' post='873483' date='May 9 2009, 11:05 AM
How can I get a Blackstone analysis of my oil? Would the results be misleading since it is my "brerakin oil"? Wouldn't a Blackstone analysis be more instructive if I ran it on the oil after the breakin oil is removed? Thanks.
not any more. An oil analysis can be done at any time - even a new engine can suffer a failure in its seals, bearings, gaskets, etc.