First oil change... advice required

bluemax · 02-22-2008, 03:28 PM

Hi all

got the classic 'bing 'this evening parking on the drive, for more oil.

Before I rush out and stock up on the nearest brand on the shelf. does anyone have any recommendations?

thanks
Bren

Z4 Beemer · 02-22-2008, 03:39 PM

I had a bit of a misunderstanding with my oil sensor recently. The car told me on a few occasions over a weekend to add 1 litre of oil. I bought a litre from the dealers on the Monday, added it, and it still said it wanted a litre. I booked it into the dealers, they drained the oil, checked the amount and put it back in, and it still said it needed a litre. The dealer was convinced the sensor wasn't faulty, but contacted BMW UK. They got back a week later and said to change the sensor. However, the day after it had been in at the dealers, the sensor started reading ok again and it was back at the max mark. I think the sensors can be prone to condensation and give false readings. I told the dealer I was happy to not have the sensor replaced as it appeared to be reading ok again, but will keep an eye on it.

It was Castrol SLX LL-04 that I bought - £14.51

bluemax · 02-22-2008, 03:47 PM

This is the first time it's lit up, and i've done just over 12k in it. I'm not too sure what kind of intervals i would expect to top it up. I sure don't want to discover that I too have a faulty sensor...

ChrisMWard · 02-22-2008, 05:47 PM

We had to put a litre in the 335d after about 2000 miles. It's settled down now and doesn't seem to be using any more. We also topped up with SLX LL-04. My boss had a faulty sensor on his X5 3.0d, quite a common problem by all accounts.

Regards

Chris

bluemax · 02-23-2008, 02:31 PM

Just a quick update. I spoke with the stealers this morning and they told me that all models (with the exception of the M3) now only need Castrol Edge 0W-30 oil (previously SLX 0w-30).

I have been assured that my 2.0 litre Massey-Ferguson petrol engine will thank me for it...

... we will see

02-22-2008, 03:28 PM	#1
bluemax Private First Class 9 Rep 134 Posts Drives: Sparkling Graphite 320i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	First oil change... advice required Hi all got the classic 'bing 'this evening parking on the drive, for more oil. Before I rush out and stock up on the nearest brand on the shelf. does anyone have any recommendations? thanks Bren
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02-22-2008, 03:39 PM	#2
Z4 Beemer Colonel 85 Rep 2,353 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 sDrive 23i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E92 [0.00] 2004 Z4 2.2i [8.00]	I had a bit of a misunderstanding with my oil sensor recently. The car told me on a few occasions over a weekend to add 1 litre of oil. I bought a litre from the dealers on the Monday, added it, and it still said it wanted a litre. I booked it into the dealers, they drained the oil, checked the amount and put it back in, and it still said it needed a litre. The dealer was convinced the sensor wasn't faulty, but contacted BMW UK. They got back a week later and said to change the sensor. However, the day after it had been in at the dealers, the sensor started reading ok again and it was back at the max mark. I think the sensors can be prone to condensation and give false readings. I told the dealer I was happy to not have the sensor replaced as it appeared to be reading ok again, but will keep an eye on it. It was Castrol SLX LL-04 that I bought - £14.51 __________________ E89 Z4 sDrive 23i... for the more discerning driver
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02-22-2008, 03:47 PM	#3
bluemax Private First Class 9 Rep 134 Posts Drives: Sparkling Graphite 320i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	This is the first time it's lit up, and i've done just over 12k in it. I'm not too sure what kind of intervals i would expect to top it up. I sure don't want to discover that I too have a faulty sensor...
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02-22-2008, 05:47 PM	#4
ChrisMWard Captain 14 Rep 686 Posts Drives: E93 320d M Sport, E81 116d SE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Epsom UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 120d SE [0.00] 2007 335d A M Sport [0.00] 1998 M3 Evo [0.00] 2002 330d Sport [0.00] 2004 330d Sport [0.00]	We had to put a litre in the 335d after about 2000 miles. It's settled down now and doesn't seem to be using any more. We also topped up with SLX LL-04. My boss had a faulty sensor on his X5 3.0d, quite a common problem by all accounts. Regards Chris __________________ Previously: 2007 335D MSport E90 Le Mans Blue, 2004 330D A Sport Silver Grey, 2002 330D A Sport Saphire Black, 2001 320D SE Touring Titanium Silver, 1998 M3 Evo Techno Violet, 1996 328i Sport Montreal Blue, 1994 325i Coupe Red, 1989 325i Sport 2 door Dolphin Grey,1986 325i SE 4 door Lachs
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02-23-2008, 02:31 PM	#5
bluemax Private First Class 9 Rep 134 Posts Drives: Sparkling Graphite 320i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Just a quick update. I spoke with the stealers this morning and they told me that all models (with the exception of the M3) now only need Castrol Edge 0W-30 oil (previously SLX 0w-30). I have been assured that my 2.0 litre Massey-Ferguson petrol engine will thank me for it... ... we will see
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