E92 M3 Oil Consumption

[BayBayBay]

I'm not sure if this comment fits in here but here's my experience.
I had about 2200 miles before I took a 7-9hr drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles. My oil level was at the Max line coming back from the dealer during the 1200mile service.

After driving the car hard to and from, the car now has 3000 miles. I noticed the oil level had dropped maybe a liter I'm guessing. I'm going to talk to my SA and find out if I need to refill.

[Templar]

Crazy...

I haven't added anything to my car and it's at 4k miles... I hit about 3500 in Germany too before I shipped it to the States, so that includes Autobahn driving (fast driving), and hard accelerations etc. Since I've been in the US, the speed limits have kept me restrained...

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by aznduece

My oil level was at the Max line coming back from the dealer during the 1200mile service.

To monitor oil consumption, you can't rely on the oil reading the system throws man. You need to measure oil level CONSISTENTLY, which means doing a reset on the same level surface (you garage is perfect), with engine fully warmed up and idling. And you need to start from the FULL mark. Do a search and read how the sensor works and where it's located.

[MaxL]

I change oil every 8K-9K miles (13K-15K kilometers) and never had to add oil between changes yet. The oil level sensor drops from top to middle, which is less than half quart burned. I do some track days.

[Grail05]

700-900 WTF is that.

I usually put a qt after 10-12k miles... but just recently i just added a qt after 6-7k miles of driving... not sure but i know its not 700-900

[Grail05]

Originally Posted by 09E92M34ME

I have 24k on the odometer and never had to add oil between changes.

you dont drive it hard enough....

[end]

I add about a quart every 6k miles. But I have a 4.10 diff, so it revs higher than stock m3's at the same speed.

[rd4LLe92m3]

I've put 5k miles on my car since it's last oil change and I have had to add a quart twice.

[donovan]

And more if you track or drive LIKE A CHAMP.

[ersin]

Mine seems to burn through a liter about every 5K miles. I was told by an SA that every 800 - 900 miles is what BMW says. So 900 miles from the master tech seems to be straight from BMW. But I haven't heard of anyone adding oil that often.


Cheers.

[JCtx]

So far I have 3,400 miles since the last ol change (the most I've put), and level still full. I'm a happy camper .

[tailgate1234]

My 2008 E90 M3 needs a liter every 4000 miles or so. The harder I drive, the more quickly it needs oil.

[e92Mjunky]

1 quart every 8,000 miles or so for me..I do a filter change at that point too, making it 2 quarts usually..

[whyw8]

i think i have a serious problem - oil at max 1800kms - then at 2000 (car tells me to add a litre)

off to bmw i go tomorrow

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by Dakar92

After getting my 1200 mile service last week, I had a chance to speak with the Master Tech who works on my cars, and I asked him how much oil can I expect my M3 to burn through. He said “you can expect to add a quart every 700 to 900 miles.” Are you finding this to be true?

luckily NOT maybe every 6000 miles. i change the oil every 7500

[MRSSIIM3]

I'm at 3200 miles and I've only burned a little oil since the 1200 mile service..still well above the minimum level

[cole328]

speaking of oil, what oil is recommended for these cars? I have 9Kmiles on the odometer, and have added none yet, but am getting close to the "minimum" mark

[Epacy2]

I do burn through a little bit of oil myself. In a year, the stick will drop to half-way between the "ok" gauge.

[Nelrock]

I get the impression they have "no clue".

My car was fine.
I took it in for 1200 mile. It came back with the computer saying it had "too much oil", take it back.
So I did.
Hour an a half later they gave it back saying that the car sure is "touchy". They had to drain and add and drain and add to get it where they were trying to.
Drive home...the level showed right in the middle.

The following weekend, put about 550 miles on it on a road trip, and now it's reading 1 tick above "low".

[NeoE46]

32k miles on my 2009. Change oil every 7500. I have never seen the oil level indicator move. Asked the SA to check it out last time in for service. Said all was good. This means 0 oil burned.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by NeoE46

This means 0 oil burned.

Not exactly. The sensor resolution is 1/2L on my '08, but I understand newer cars have 1/4L resolution. In other words, if your oil level shows full, it takes 1/2L to drop to the next level, which is half in my '08 (and 1/4 on newer ones). I suppose the higher resolution came with the new iDrive (updated electronics), but could be wrong. Even if it's just 1/4L, that's pretty good. And remember to get accurate readings (and therefore monitor consumption), you need to do a manual reset at the same spot every time. Good day.

[MRSSIIM3]

update: at 3200 miles i had said that i wasnt burning any oil...then at 4500 needed a quart