Where does the oil go?

[Mthrice]

Every five thousand or so miles I add a quart of oil to my M3. I don't notice black smoke billowing from the exhaust, so where is this oil going? I know M3s are known for burning oil, but this is ridiculous!

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Every five thousand or so miles I add a quart of oil to my M3. I don't notice black smoke billowing from the exhaust, so where is this oil going? I know M3s are known for burning oil, but this is ridiculous!

I assume you rev to red line often?
That's the only time I notice a drop in oil
When I rev to red line a lot in one trip
Although to be fair, my 2012 has used a lot less than my 08

[Stealth ///M]

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Every five thousand or so miles I add a quart of oil to my M3. I don't notice black smoke billowing from the exhaust, so where is this oil going? I know M3s are known for burning oil, but this is ridiculous!

The oil doesn't burn black..unless its lit directly on fire. You would see white smoke, but at high rpms, you wouldn't see it, but possibly smell it.

[Singletrack]

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Every five thousand or so miles I add a quart of oil to my M3. I don't notice black smoke billowing from the exhaust, so where is this oil going? I know M3s are known for burning oil, but this is ridiculous!

Into the combustion chambers.

You aren't going to see such a tiny amount of oil being burnt off. You need to reset your expectations. A qt every 5k miles is totally fine.

[Mthrice]

Originally Posted by Singletrack

Into the combustion chambers.

You aren't going to see such a tiny amount of oil being burnt off. You need to reset your expectations. A qt every 5k miles is totally fine.

Thanks. Just needed some reassurance that the missing oil is not caked somewhere in my engine

[Mthrice]

Originally Posted by kmarei

I assume you rev to red line often?
That's the only time I notice a drop in oil
When I rev to red line a lot in one trip
Although to be fair, my 2012 has used a lot less than my 08

Yes, its more noticeable when I track...and i have heard the newer models burn less

[blackbeast535]

Consider yourself lucky, I consume a qt every 1500mi with my 2008.

[tibra1]

Do you guys attribute the greater consumption in older cars to wear on the engine?

I have gone with no oil consumption so far..

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by tibra1

Do you guys attribute the greater consumption in older cars to wear on the engine?

I have gone with no oil consumption so far..

My 08 was a regular drinker from the first month I got it till I sold I with 40k miles
But I did visit the red line more often than I do on my 2012

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by kmarei

My 08 was a regular drinker from the first month I got it till I sold I with 40k miles
But I did visit the red line more often than I do on my 2012

Good to know..Want to see what Im in for down the road

[Captain45]

add a quart every 5k miles? dont you get your oil changed?

[amirz1000]

Originally Posted by Captain45

add a quart every 5k miles? dont you get your oil changed?

What does an oil change have to do with having to add a qt every 5k?

[robb7979]

I think he meant you should be getting an oil change every 5000 miles or so.

[Mike Benvo]

Burnt oil is usually bluish in color when coming out of the tail pipe. You can usually smell it if it's bad.

White smoke is usually steam, and black/grey is usually fuel.

1 quart every 5K is not too far out of the ordinary. Mine takes one every 7 or 8K just before I change the oil.

[serranot]

Originally Posted by Singletrack

Into the combustion chambers.

You aren't going to see such a tiny amount of oil being burnt off. You need to reset your expectations. A qt every 5k miles is totally fine.

+1. I hear this on the Audi boards too. Come on, people, relax. So what if you have to add a quart every 5K.

[Edjay]

Never had to add a quart, so far. But I do notice it gets low. Although I also never wait for 5k to change the oil. Usually change it before a track day and after, or whenever I have it up in the air just for inspection. I love to drive the car hard, but I also l love to look over it I do have a spare quart in the trunk. Always have a set of oil and filter at the shop so whenever I feel like changing the oil I just do.

[Raptor251]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Burnt oil is usually bluish in color when coming out of the tail pipe. You can usually smell it if it's bad.

White smoke is usually steam, and black/grey is usually fuel.

1 quart every 5K is not too far out of the ordinary. Mine takes one every 7 or 8K just before I change the oil.

LOL I thought the s65 hardly burned any oil. My old s85 on the other hand would burn a quart at least every 1k miles

[Mike Benvo]

Originally Posted by Raptor251

LOL I thought the s65 hardly burned any oil. My old s85 on the other hand would burn a quart at least every 1k miles

1 quart every 1k miles is way too much!!

That means if you followed the factory intervals (15k), you would have had your oil changed 1.5 times just from replacing oil That's even more oil than the early 2000 e39 m5's ate!

Mine seems to burn less than all of my friends that have M3's here.. They all followed the break in, I followed my own break-in procedure. Not sure if it makes a difference but I have an inclination it does.

[Sean05]

I change my oil every 7k and never had to top it off

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by Mthrice

Thanks. Just needed some reassurance that the missing oil is not caked somewhere in my engine

As others said it is quite normal. As for concern regarding oil leaking thru a crack or none tight drain plug, just check the garage floor good (or wherever you park your car overnight) for oil spots.

[01'325rip]

yea man 5k is ok I'm burning a quart every 2k and i drive very conservative.

Looking into whats going on...

[Canuckles]

Well I better go get mine checked out, she's consumed 2 qt's in the last 3000km. She's only at 12500 KM's. Sidenote, anyone with an after-market x-pipe notice an increase in oil consumption? Shouldn't have an effect but that's the only thing that's different in the last few thousand KM's.