[Scorpio_usn]

My car goes through 1 liter of oil about every 5K, and my dealer charges me to top it if.

[Jonmartin]

I buy the qt when I need it I pay like 12 bucks I don't care its a BMW its to be expected. I also get about 4-5k between the qt's

[m3madmaxm3]

Originally Posted by Cleveland

I've had one or more BMW's in my garage since 1994, so I don't need to be reminded that they burn oil from time to time.

What I do know is...a brand new M3 should not be burning a liter (a little more than a quart) of motor oil under normal use after only 2,000 miles.

Don't even get me started with BMW's bogus 1 quart per 1000 mile rule as a 'perfectly normal' oil consumption rate. All automobile manufacturers have those kind of LEGAL statements in their owners manuals. (to cover their asses in case a customer complains about a excessive oil consumption)

Does anyone here think that's 'perfectly normal' for a brand new car? I suspect not.

I'm calling BS on that, since I (nor anyone else I have actually met) has complained of their new BMW burns that much oil in after only 2,000 miles of driving. We're not talking about a 1986 5-series with 102,000 miles here folks.

I'm not saying it's not possible...I'm saying it's the exception rather than the rule.

Does anyone actually believe that 50% of E9x M3's are burning a quart of oil that quickly? I mean seriously. Come on, let's be realistic here.

That is NOT 'NORMAL'.

Burning that much oil right off the bat, is not a good sign for that engines' long-term prognosis. And since it's a lease car, the OP is going to be held directly responsible for it's condition once the lease ends. He should be very concerned about that IMO. Even more than who is paying to top off the oil level. He could be accused of ABUSING the car among other things. Especially if this oil consumption problem gets worse. (which is almost impossible to avoid once it starts)

I would suggest that he contact Blackstone Labs, and get an oil analysis done asap. I would also advise him to follow that test up every six months or so. He may or may not need that later, but it would be a smart move on his part. It's better than having to explain how a 20k motor was damaged while in his possession. (with nothing to back him up)

Here's a bit of logic for you - Would you rather have an engine that uses 1 litre every 6000 miles(6 months) so therefore 2 litres between oil change or an engine that uses lets say 1 litre every 2000 miles so thefore 6 litres between oil change? Surely using more is going to keep the oil in the engine cleaner and i've been told this is the logic the manufacturers use in deciding such long spaces between oil changes. Cars with smaller oil capacities will actually have there oil changed at least once through the consumption

[Cleveland]

Originally Posted by Scorpio_usn

My car goes through 1 liter of oil about every 5K, and my dealer charges me to top it if.

Originally Posted by Jonmartin

I buy the qt when I need it I pay like 12 bucks I don't care its a BMW its to be expected. I also get about 4-5k between the qt's

These two estimates are very close to my 'add a quart' mileage observations as well. I usuaslly have to add a quart of 10w-60 in the 5,000-6,500 mile range. (with 4 different M3's over the years)

Note: I religiously adhere to the engine warm-up rule (every time), and I babied all my BMW cars when they were in the crucial 1200 mile break-in period. It's not going to guarantee you anything, but I believe this is the best way to minimize oil consumption in our cars.

Having to add 1qt. of oil after only 2k of driving on a new car is a bad omen...

[Cleveland]

Originally Posted by m3madmaxm3

Here's a bit of logic for you - Would you rather have an engine that uses 1 litre every 6000 miles(6 months) so therefore 2 litres between oil change or an engine that uses lets say 1 litre every 2000 miles so thefore 6 litres between oil change? Surely using more is going to keep the oil in the engine cleaner and i've been told this is the logic the manufacturers use in deciding such long spaces between oil changes. Cars with smaller oil capacities will actually have there oil changed at least once through the consumption

Please tell me you're joking...

[cut2qr]

I dont drive very abusively but I drive very fast, on highway 90 to 100 for 2 hours at a time. I find this is when the oil gets burned, I think it is because the revs are around 4200 for hours.

[RONIN009]

Originally Posted by Cleveland

Please tell me you're joking...

I hope so too.

[RONIN009]

Originally Posted by m3madmaxm3

Here's a bit of logic for you - Would you rather have an engine that uses 1 litre every 6000 miles(6 months) so therefore 2 litres between oil change or an engine that uses lets say 1 litre every 2000 miles so thefore 6 litres between oil change? Surely using more is going to keep the oil in the engine cleaner and i've been told this is the logic the manufacturers use in deciding such long spaces between oil changes. Cars with smaller oil capacities will actually have there oil changed at least once through the consumption

I dont know what your dealer has convinced you of, but your oil consumption should not be nearly that high.

[cut2qr]

the manual states upto 1l per 1000 miles

[Cleveland]

Originally Posted by cut2qr

the manual states upto 1l per 1000 miles