I think I got the short end!

H2887 · 12-25-2011, 08:34 AM

Went to the track and at the end of the day my oil level indicator read over maximum.took it to the dealer and they said I must have added oil,which I never have.they said I would have to authorize a paid oil change( my car has 12 k miles and not entitled to a free one). I had them measure the oil and they said 10 qts came out,which is what they put in at the 1200 mi service.then they said they have never seen a m3 go that many miles without burning at least a qt and I must have added too much.no faults were tripped so they couldn't cover it under warranty,they did compromise and wrote off the labor,but it still cost me 160.00 ,at least I have new oil but there's no reason it should have read high.anyone have similar problems after the track?they did ask if I tracked the car .

luis_m3 · 12-27-2011, 01:28 AM

I never had that problem. It sounds like they were just looking for an excuse not to blame the stupid oil sensor indicator. Yeah, I hate it!

Dave2 · 12-27-2011, 05:58 AM

I did get an erroneous reading on one occasion after running the car hard. The oil level had been reading at mid level prior to this hard run. I was confidant this was an accurate reading because I observed the level drop from near max to the mid level over the course of several months. After completing the run the oil level indicator was reading at the max level. I knew this was incorrect. It took two days for the oil indicator to return an accurate reading, which was at mid level.

H2887 · 12-27-2011, 07:05 AM

I probably should have waited a bit,but the dealer said they had never seen this problem,maybe if they watched the forum they would have.

Michaeljh2000 · 12-27-2011, 07:07 AM

I'm sure your dealer is aware that the oil sensor on the M3 is prone to mis-readings. When I last had my oil changed, I got about a mile away and the low oil light came on. I returned and the mechanic said the M3 can take 8 - 10 quarts of oil and that they never know how much, only to stop once the sensor sees the oil level as full. The M5 does not have such issues. He complained that the problem with reading the oil level made them appear as idiots. Anyway, he added a quart to mine which brought it up to 9.
It sucks that they blamed you. I would definately complain to their service manager and maybe seek out another dealer to take your car to.

THE TECH · 12-27-2011, 08:21 AM

Sounds like you need to find a new dealer. If someone there told me that, I would tell them thanks but no thanks.

MKE_M3 · 12-27-2011, 08:23 AM

$160 for oil and a filter!!!

MKE_M3 · 12-27-2011, 08:24 AM

plus, they could have just drained a small amount, no need to do an oil change due to a small overfill ?!?!?!

von_zoom · 12-27-2011, 09:35 AM

With only 12k miles I would complain big time with the dealer, particularly if that is where you purchased the car. Given the info you have provided, IMO, no way this should be put on your sholders. I have tracked my M3 very hard, and for 20 laps during an open lap day, and no indication anywhere that anything was amiss. The only low reading was GAS - duh.

I hope that you will have some success with your follow up with the dealer.
vz

Ateam · 12-27-2011, 09:36 AM

If your oil reader gives you a overfill reading way after you had oil change and it otherwise was showing normal, it is not the oil itself but clearly a sensor.

Either way no need to pay for an oil change. You can drain oil from the front sump without jacking car up or anything. One hex bolt (make sure the car is cooled down-hot oil drains!) and it drains half quart. That is enough to drop oil to safe levels. If still high you can repeat as many times as necessary and will always give out 1/2 quart as long as you start the car and put the hex bolt back. Then remove again and the front sump will again be full of 1/2 quart of oil

chmura · 12-27-2011, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdemetry

$160 for oil and a filter!!!

$160 for oil and filter is not that bad IMO.

I just bought 10 liters of oil and filter came out to $140 something. This was wholesale pricing too with no tax.

rdollie · 12-28-2011, 10:27 PM

Yes, 10W60 synthetic is an odd ball and VERY expensive to boot. I ran all over town to find a spare quart or two and had to settle on buying from the BMW dealer at about $14/quart!

12-25-2011, 08:34 AM	#1
H2887 Private 32 Rep 95 Posts Drives: M235I/ 01 z3mrdstr Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Coral springs fl iTrader: (0)	I think I got the short end! Went to the track and at the end of the day my oil level indicator read over maximum.took it to the dealer and they said I must have added oil,which I never have.they said I would have to authorize a paid oil change( my car has 12 k miles and not entitled to a free one). I had them measure the oil and they said 10 qts came out,which is what they put in at the 1200 mi service.then they said they have never seen a m3 go that many miles without burning at least a qt and I must have added too much.no faults were tripped so they couldn't cover it under warranty,they did compromise and wrote off the labor,but it still cost me 160.00 ,at least I have new oil but there's no reason it should have read high.anyone have similar problems after the track?they did ask if I tracked the car .
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12-27-2011, 01:28 AM	#2
luis_m3 Low Pro... 35 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Denver iTrader: (0)	I never had that problem. It sounds like they were just looking for an excuse not to blame the stupid oil sensor indicator. Yeah, I hate it!
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12-27-2011, 05:58 AM	#3
Dave2 First Lieutenant 124 Rep 371 Posts Drives: '11 M3 Convertible Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I did get an erroneous reading on one occasion after running the car hard. The oil level had been reading at mid level prior to this hard run. I was confidant this was an accurate reading because I observed the level drop from near max to the mid level over the course of several months. After completing the run the oil level indicator was reading at the max level. I knew this was incorrect. It took two days for the oil indicator to return an accurate reading, which was at mid level. __________________ '11 M3 Convertible \| Dinan Stage 2 suspension
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12-27-2011, 07:05 AM	#4
H2887 Private 32 Rep 95 Posts Drives: M235I/ 01 z3mrdstr Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Coral springs fl iTrader: (0)	I probably should have waited a bit,but the dealer said they had never seen this problem,maybe if they watched the forum they would have.
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12-27-2011, 07:07 AM	#5
Michaeljh2000 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 211 Posts Drives: 2009 M3, 69 Vette, GSXR 1000 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NoVA iTrader: (0)	I'm sure your dealer is aware that the oil sensor on the M3 is prone to mis-readings. When I last had my oil changed, I got about a mile away and the low oil light came on. I returned and the mechanic said the M3 can take 8 - 10 quarts of oil and that they never know how much, only to stop once the sensor sees the oil level as full. The M5 does not have such issues. He complained that the problem with reading the oil level made them appear as idiots. Anyway, he added a quart to mine which brought it up to 9. It sucks that they blamed you. I would definately complain to their service manager and maybe seek out another dealer to take your car to.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-27-2011, 08:21 AM	#6
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Sounds like you need to find a new dealer. If someone there told me that, I would tell them thanks but no thanks.
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12-27-2011, 08:23 AM	#7
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	$160 for oil and a filter!!! __________________
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12-27-2011, 08:24 AM	#8
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	plus, they could have just drained a small amount, no need to do an oil change due to a small overfill ?!?!?! __________________
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12-27-2011, 09:35 AM	#9
von_zoom Captain 30 Rep 915 Posts Drives: 2010 Z06 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	With only 12k miles I would complain big time with the dealer, particularly if that is where you purchased the car. Given the info you have provided, IMO, no way this should be put on your sholders. I have tracked my M3 very hard, and for 20 laps during an open lap day, and no indication anywhere that anything was amiss. The only low reading was GAS - duh. I hope that you will have some success with your follow up with the dealer. vz __________________ Previous Track Toy
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12-27-2011, 09:36 AM	#10
Ateam Banned 88 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	If your oil reader gives you a overfill reading way after you had oil change and it otherwise was showing normal, it is not the oil itself but clearly a sensor. Either way no need to pay for an oil change. You can drain oil from the front sump without jacking car up or anything. One hex bolt (make sure the car is cooled down-hot oil drains!) and it drains half quart. That is enough to drop oil to safe levels. If still high you can repeat as many times as necessary and will always give out 1/2 quart as long as you start the car and put the hex bolt back. Then remove again and the front sump will again be full of 1/2 quart of oil
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12-28-2011, 10:27 PM	#12
rdollie Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 264 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 DCT Sedan Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Seattle area iTrader: (0)	Yes, 10W60 synthetic is an odd ball and VERY expensive to boot. I ran all over town to find a spare quart or two and had to settle on buying from the BMW dealer at about $14/quart!
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