Getting the oil level correct after oil change

[E90M3_Guy]

I apologise if this topic has been covered many times before. I’ve done two oil & filter changes now and both have not been as successful as I hoped. The first time I kept adding a bit more oil in several stages until I’d added 9.5 litres! However when warm this indicated exactly where I wanted it in the middle between min and max. However after a longer drive, it came up to max.

I should say that I drained for a full hour and took all the oil out of the filter housing.

For the recent oil change, I started with 8.2 litres but when warm the car indicated at min and another litre was required. I added 0.5 litres and went for a long drive but the level still indicated at min. In a couple more stages I got up to 9.1 litres but, after several very long drives, the car would not measure the level at all.

I suspected a faulty level sensor and did a Carly scan for codes. Nothing. Finally, several days later I got a reading of at the max.

Obviously I’m still learning the strange ways of this car. One thing I’ve just noted for next time is the owner’s handbook says when the oil is at the minimum “add at least 0.5 litres as otherwise the oil check level is unable to display the new value reliably”.

The current reading is at the max, not over, but I’d still prefer to take a bit out. I’ve read that the best way to take a little oil out is to remove the oil filter and take oil out of the housing. That might deliver 100 ml at best? What about the front (smaller) sump? Is this an option? It would be messy unless done cold.

[akkando]

you want it at max

[msan]

Best thing to do is drain oil from both sumps, replace filter, add 9 bottles of oil. And done .

I personally complicate things and suck out the little oil in the oil filter housing and add back about 0.3L of oil in there. I also pour a little oil on the new filter before it goes in. Then pour in the rest into the normal fill hole. Total is always 9 bottles.

[E90M3_Guy]

Originally Posted by akkando

you want it at max

I was aiming for the midpoint. My engine burns no oil at all, but I suppose if it's not overfilled then max is OK. I guess it doesn't take that much longer to warm up 9 litres vs 8.

[E90M3_Guy]

Originally Posted by msan

I personally complicate things and suck out the little oil in the oil filter housing and add back about 0.3L of oil in there. I also pour a little oil on the new filter before it goes in.

I also remove all the oil in the filter housing. I'm amazed you can put 0.3L back in there. Good idea to prime it. Thanks for the idea.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by E90M3_Guy

I was aiming for the midpoint. My engine burns no oil at all, but I suppose if it's not overfilled then max is OK. I guess it doesn't take that much longer to warm up 9 litres vs 8.

I suppose that's an interesting point, that you have reduced warm up time with less oil which would be nice. Sadly mine burns oil.

[Helmsman]

Yeah that sensor keep bugging us... prefer Max myself which been 9.5l after complete drain (rb replacement) and 9l after normal oil change (not sucking the filtet cup).

As you have Carly, you may fwiw get some further oil level data: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1185534

[E90M3_Guy]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Yeah that sensor keep bugging us... prefer Max myself which been 9.5l after complete drain (rb replacement) and 9l after normal oil change (not sucking the filtet cup).

As you have Carly, you may fwiw get some further oil level data: https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1185534

A dipstick would be so useful - not just for the level but seeing the oil quality as well. No wonder someone makes a dipstick conversion kit. I read somewhere to drain for a full hour or even overnight. I drain for an hour. Maybe this long drains some of the oil in the oil cooler as well?

Thank you for this link. It's a fantastic thread. I'll check with Carly cold and hot soon.

[randrews15]

I alway suction the oil filter housing out when doing an oil change. In addition I drain for at least an hour as recommended after warming the car up. It's always 9 liters of oil at full. I always pour some oil in the oil filter housing as well to help circulate oil quicker after a change.