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Oil consumption

"M" Specific discussion
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MrPT
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Oil consumption

Post by MrPT » Sat Apr 29, 2017 12:01 am

TomK wrote: Thu Apr 27, 2017 10:43 pm
MrPT wrote: Thu Apr 27, 2017 9:06 pm
MrPT wrote: Wed Apr 26, 2017 8:11 pm I did 2100 miles over the Easter break (including extended periods of "pressing on") and if anything I gained oil. Perhaps from my mate's 997.1, which used over 2 litres. :o
Don't usually quote myself, but I just found out that it actually sweated out over 4 litres, and that this the upper end of "normal" for these engines when driven hard. :cry:
4 litres! The thing only takes 5.5.. :o Why the discrepancy in consumption figures?
I mean it drank 4 1L bottles of 0w40 - one per day. :?

The oil usage has been investigated a couple of times under warranty and the engine has been given a clean bill of health. Current theory is that the level check might be under reading (it's a funky electronic thing like the N52), which means you're always topping up and accidentally over-filling. The engine burns off excess oil quite aggressively and the oil check prompts you to add oil again. Consumption does actually settle down once the level has dropped, so maybe there's some truth in that. Doesn't sound particularly good for the engine, but TBH I don't know how low my mate's been letting the level drop before topping up.

Certainly runs fine... drove it myself for a while and that six is sweeeet, albeit a lot less exciting than an S54. Dynamically it is magnificent though. So much easier to drive fast than our Zeds and the steering and brake feel are perfect!
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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Jembo
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Oil consumption

Post by Jembo » Thu Aug 22, 2019 3:59 pm

Slightly resurrecting an old thread as this is mainly all I could find, as interested in the S54’s oil consumption.

My olde 3.0 used to ask for a 1 litre tipple every 1,500 miles, though after 2.5k can’t find my S54 has drunk any... are people with M’s still finding this to be true?
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Oil consumption

Post by mmm-five » Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:38 pm

Mine never used a drop between oil services (6,000 miles) in 155,000 miles.
Trigger’s Z4MC
Some bits now over 163,000 miles, some less than 1,000 miles.
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MrPT
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Oil consumption

Post by MrPT » Thu Aug 22, 2019 5:56 pm

mmm-five wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 4:38 pm Mine never used a drop between oil services (6,000 miles) in 155,000 miles.
Likewise. Doesn’t even seem to fall out of the higher bit of the dipstick (when warm).
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone

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abar121
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Oil consumption

Post by abar121 » Thu Aug 22, 2019 6:46 pm

I've never needed to top mine up.
'07 Z4M Interlagos Blue. All options except extended leather.

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road warrior
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Oil consumption

Post by road warrior » Thu Aug 22, 2019 7:09 pm

i think there is more than a coincidence that the folk who change every 12 months or 5k don't use any oil, clean oil is happy oil and engines with clean oil are happy engines, like others i don't top up, i change my oil. :D
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BMWZ4MC
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Oil consumption

Post by BMWZ4MC » Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:02 pm

I’ve never needed to top up mine despite regular track use.
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Z4MC - heavily fettled for track use
Lotus Exige - sensible daily driver on the mods slippery slope
Westfield SEiW - in hibernation
Modified RS4 Avant - back in Blighty
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Oil consumption

Post by R60BBA » Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:50 pm

Early into my S54 ownership I had leaks from both the CPV and the oil filler cap.

However since resolving them, I haven’t had any issues with oil consumption.

Nevertheless, I always keep a litre of 10w60 in the boot just in case.
Current: 2002 E46 M3
Current: 2004 R53 Cooper S
Current: 2005 997 Carrera S
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Oil consumption

Post by john-e89 » Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:59 pm

Yep never needed to top mine up either between oil services, maybe I need to rag it..... :evil:
M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
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srhutch
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Oil consumption

Post by srhutch » Thu Aug 22, 2019 11:57 pm

Never topped mine up either Jem.
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BMWZ4MC
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Oil consumption

Post by BMWZ4MC » Fri Aug 23, 2019 3:14 am

john-e89 wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:59 pm Yep never needed to top mine up either between oil services, maybe I need to rag it..... :evil:
I presume you mean wiping the dipstick with a rag so as to avoid a falsely high reading? :P
Image
Z4MC - heavily fettled for track use
Lotus Exige - sensible daily driver on the mods slippery slope
Westfield SEiW - in hibernation
Modified RS4 Avant - back in Blighty
S2000 GT - gone

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Oil consumption

Post by john-e89 » Fri Aug 23, 2019 9:12 am

BMWZ4MC wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2019 3:14 am
john-e89 wrote: Thu Aug 22, 2019 9:59 pm Yep never needed to top mine up either between oil services, maybe I need to rag it..... :evil:
I presume you mean wiping the dipstick with a rag so as to avoid a falsely high reading? :P
Tbh Richard I think given the often almost hysterical paranoia with these “Fine bone China” engines you often see on here, unless the oil is dipped and changed here or similar the car is worthless.... :wink:
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M roady...OEM CSL’s, strut brace, Remus back boxes, ZHP
MR2 MK 2
E89 35i project car...mapped 365bhp, M4 stoppers & wheels, KWV3’s, H&R front ARB, M3 front arms, strut brace Eisenmann cat back race exhaust, VRSF downpipes inbound
E89 35is
G29

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BMWZ4MC
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Oil consumption

Post by BMWZ4MC » Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:18 am

How did you get that photograph of my garage?! :o
Image
Z4MC - heavily fettled for track use
Lotus Exige - sensible daily driver on the mods slippery slope
Westfield SEiW - in hibernation
Modified RS4 Avant - back in Blighty
S2000 GT - gone

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Oil consumption

Post by tomscott » Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:23 am

Never need to top mine up in the 25k i did in my coupe. Had 3 oil changes within that time but the marker never moved.

I also carry a 1l bottle :thumbsup:

E46 M3 never did either 30k in that and not a drop between services.

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Oil consumption

Post by AldridgeZ4 » Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:31 am

I've never had to top mine up either. But I only do 3k between services.
Now gone.......Z4MR. 2007. Boring silver.
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