Well a New 1200mi Service Issue

So, I finally got my 1200 mi service done today and here is an interesting story.

I picked up my car from my dealership (not naming names as I want to give them a chance to make it right and it could be just a fluke) at about 6:30 this eve and had to run to the office to drop some stuff off. It was about a 10-15 minute drive to the office. No problems... But then I got back into the car to head home, another 10-15 minutes away. Right before I got on the freeway my Low Oil indicator goes off and starts freaking out.

Long story short, I b-line it back to the dealership, stopping once to cycle the system just to see if it was an error. I get there, figuring that service was going to be closed, but ready to just talk to a manager, any manager. Lucky me, the service director and shop foreman were there late finishing up (it was 7:30pm by this time). The shop foreman grabs a quart of oil and puts it in... But wait, my car needs more. Yep, I ended up being 2 Quarts short in my car having just come out of the 1200 mi service.

I can't believe my car was serviced and came up short 2 Quarts and no one noticed. So, there's my little aggravation from my 1200mi service today.

Nothing new, they have issues with the oil sensor when filling it up.

I would hope though that a service tech would be able to count instead of only relying on a sensor. One Quart, Two Quart, Three Quart, ect.........

Its the attention to details that count especially in a almost $70 performance car.

Totally unacceptable ! Not worthy a professional BMW dealership. Probably a bored or uncommitted technician. Here it only risks your engine, for the same it could be omissions which jeopardize your personal security. Would you not consider a letter to BMW NA? "Name and shame" is about the only thing that can shake the tree once and a while.

I would be irate if that happened to me... BMW even states in the manual that "engine damage may occur" if you drive only 1 liter short. You were two short from the "professionals?" That's crap. I'd raise some stink over this... its not hard to put the right amount of oil in the car without the sensor! You just need the slightest bit of due care and attention.

spectrumphoto wrote

I would hope though that a service tech would be able to count instead of only relying on a sensor. One Quart, Two Quart, Three Quart, ect.........

Its the attention to details that count especially in a almost $70 performance car.

Well... some might say that if the tech can count... he will be able to score well on the SAT and not ending up as a tech. But I say that BMW should have a better QC on their service.

Dealerships fill oil by the barrel so it's not as easy as counting quart bottles. I'm not trying to defend the incompetent tech; just stating this for those that don't know. That really does suck. Hopefully there isn't any serious damage since you did a quick stint to and from the office. Maybe you can push them to install an accessory that you don't already have.


Allen

there have been reports of people getting the "add oil" and then a "TOO MUCH OIL" message.

here's one link I found but I think there are others:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154841

Interesting point.... I was a bit concerned of that as well. I drove about 15-20 miles this morning and everything registered as normal. Does anyone know off the top of their heads how many quarts the M3 holds. The shop foreman thought 8 last night when he was fixing my problem but my invoice said only 6 was put in.

The service guys are loath to add too much oil for fear of overfilling. The same thing happened to me after my 1200 mile service. Perform the oil service, then the new oil filter absorbs about a quart over the first several miles you drive, requiring you to top it up. My tech made it up to me by giving me an oil kit that lives in my trunk. It contains a quart of oil, a funnel and some other goodies, all in a handsome BMW-branded zippered pouch. The pouch has velcro on the back so it can be affixed to one of the sidewalls in my trunk.

And -- FYI: Engine Oil capacity with filter is 9.3 quarts; without filter it's 8.9 quarts. Covered extensively here:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129886

Interesting post. I had the similar issue with 14000 mile servic but did not bother posting since I thought its a regular issue. Their excuse was that they fill out of barrel and check onboard sensor which is faulty reading 7 outta 10 times when changing oil. ALways keep castrol ts motorsport in the boot as a safety measure( at least a liter - fits nice on left tray)

Yup, ask the dealer for a quart before you leave. I'm sure your going to need it at some point before the next service visit. Never failed even in my 335i or past 330i.