[bmedude]

So I just hit 3150 miles and I've owned the car for exactly one month. I just got a little alert saying that the oil level is at the minimum amount and that I need to add one quart.

Is this normal? The only thing I can remotely think of is that the car was stuck in the snow several times the past few days and I had to gun it around in order to set it free.

Should I take this up with the dealer or should I just buy a quart of oil and throw it in there? Should I just tell the dealer to perform an oil change on it?

[kyheang12]

Originally Posted by bmedude

So I just hit 3150 miles and I've owned the car for exactly one month. I just got a little alert saying that the oil level is at the minimum amount and that I need to add one quart.

Is this normal? The only thing I can remotely think of is that the car was stuck in the snow several times the past few days and I had to gun it around in order to set it free.

Should I take this up with the dealer or should I just buy a quart of oil and throw it in there? Should I just tell the dealer to perform an oil change on it?

The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago so I went to the dealer. They just told me to buy a quart of oil of the dealership which is about 10 bucks and add it in. They said that it's a performance car and we need to add oil from time to time.

[jensputzier]

I currently have the F10 530d which uses no oil (currently 20.000 km on the clock). Before that I had a E61 550i manual transmission. That car used 1l (about one quart) of oil every 2.000 miles from new. I talked to the dealer who gave me a similar reply, that this was normal. At 12.500 miles the cylinder heads were replaced and at 25.000 miles the engine was dead again (defect end bearings).

[Mr. Magic]

Originally Posted by bmedude

So I just hit 3150 miles and I've owned the car for exactly one month. I just got a little alert saying that the oil level is at the minimum amount and that I need to add one quart.

Is this normal? The only thing I can remotely think of is that the car was stuck in the snow several times the past few days and I had to gun it around in order to set it free.

Should I take this up with the dealer or should I just buy a quart of oil and throw it in there? Should I just tell the dealer to perform an oil change on it?

No, it's not normal to go through a quart in 1 month. I have 9130 miles (changed at 1k) on mine. I'd follow the instructions in I-drive and perform an oil check. If it still comes up low, I'd add a quart and check the reading. If it goes up, then monitor for the next month or so.

You put 3150 miles in a month? Are you the only owner of it?

[ibimmer954]

I added 1/2 quart at about 5000 miles on mine. It said to add a quart, but I added half and the level went into the normal zone. Make sure to use quality Castrol Syntec LL01 oil.

[SANguru]

not a big deal...

[bmedude]

Btw I am the only owner of the car and I drive about 100 miles a day on average. I bought the car because I know leasing will not be practical for me.

[delvek]

Had to add oil to mine as well couple of months in. Wasn't surprised at how fast I run the car, I don't perceive this as a concern but normal.

[Grizzles]

Originally Posted by delvek

Had to add oil to mine as well couple of months in. Wasn't surprised at how fast I run the car, I don't perceive this as a concern but normal.

I bought a large value sized castrol oil and fill quarts and keep them in my car

[nyranger74]

It's normal for the 50i. I have a X5 50i and I had to add 2 quarts. However the dealer should not charge you for it and do it as a courtesy.

[raleedy]

Added oil should be provided by dealer as a part of free maintenance. It's not at all unusual for a new BMW engine to use a quart or so of oil in the first few thousand miles. But more than that or at higher mileage would be unusual.

[delvek]

Be mindful that not everyone benefits from the BMWNA maintenance program.

[bmedude]

I bought a case of bmw oil for 60 bucks(12 quarts)...hopefully I won't need to use it all anytime soon! haha

[SchlauCow]

Originally Posted by delvek

Be mindful that not everyone benefits from the BMWNA maintenance program.

Indeed. Germans have to pay for all of their regular maintenance services, unless it's a recall-related service.

[kenhamm]

Well there is one positive to living in the US, free topping off of the oil by the dealer.

[kenhamm]

I actually have a really great SA, he is from Germany and has been more than willing to add oil to my car, he has really been a great advocate for me. I have to say, the consumption of oil by this 550 is a bit annoying vs the other two 5 liter 5 series I have owned.

[delvek]

Kinda like free soda refills until the bladder bursts! Not sure if thats a good thing, but its free and endless.

But yea, I am noticing a lot of oil consumption but the SA here pretty much say that is normal and even more pronounced at the higher sustained speeds. Unless its 1970's or older I am dangerous under the hood so, I top it off when needed and rock on. I also did get the break in oil change which really irritated my local dealership. Germans are very practical people who think doing the unnecessary is well, unnecessary. Despite living in Germany, I am still an American, and the "extra oil change just to be safe" still is programmed in me.

[bmedude]

Originally Posted by delvek

Kinda like free soda refills until the bladder bursts! Not sure if thats a good thing, but its free and endless.

But yea, I am noticing a lot of oil consumption but the SA here pretty much say that is normal and even more pronounced at the higher sustained speeds. Unless its 1970's or older I am dangerous under the hood so, I top it off when needed and rock on. I also did get the break in oil change which really irritated my local dealership. Germans are very practical people who think doing the unnecessary is well, unnecessary. Despite living in Germany, I am still an American, and the "extra oil change just to be safe" still is programmed in me.

I just wish there was a way for me to see what the oil looked like! Not having a dipstick is both a blessing and an annoyance at the sametime. I must say though.........the oil feed is very well designed! No funnel needed.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by delvek

Be mindful that not everyone benefits from the BMWNA maintenance program.

But the OP says he is in New York so I think we can assume he does, unless the car is stolen.

[bmedude]

Originally Posted by raleedy

But the OP says he is in New York so I think we can assume he does, unless the car is stolen.

That is correct! Surprisingly the insurance on this car is dirt cheap in NYC!

On a side note... is the "free oil" a given or does it depend on your SA? Was I foolish for buying a case of oil?

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by bmedude

That is correct! Surprisingly the insurance on this car is dirt cheap in NYC!

On a side note... is the "free oil" a given or does it depend on your SA? Was I foolish for buying a case of oil?

Two things: one, the oil should be covered by the maintenance program, but you can easily check that. Two, I would not assume your car will continue to need added oil. But you can always use what you bought for an interim oil change, since BMW will only spring for one every 15k miles or once a year (at least that's what I think the current plan is.)