[wwc310]

The title of this thread pretty much sums it up. I have a new 335i that I bought less than 4 months ago. I periodically check the oil level using I-Drive just for the heck of it and noticed about a month ago that the level was getting low. Today, I fell below the min level for the first time and received a notification to add a quart of oil.

I am wondering if this should raise a bigger concern. The car has 4,000 miles on it. Im a bit shocked that my oil level is already at an unsafe amount especially if the recommended interval is 1yr/15,000 miles. Does anyone know why this could be? I have never tracked the car. I do however sit in 20mph or less traffic mon-fri but always open her up on the weekends (after waiting for optimal oil temp of course)

I will be taking my car in to the dealership to have them add oil this week. While I am there, is there anything I should have them specifically check?

[ctuna]

A quart in the first 5000 miles is typical.(if its new)
The rings have to get seated . After that it shouldn't burn much if any.
Its good that you are monitoring it keep it up.
I had this in my new e46 after the first 5000 it was the tightest
engine I ever had . I used 5k oil change intervals but it would never
be down at all in the 70k miles I owned it.
Did you read the break in guidelines?
If it does this in the next 5k I would start to worry.

[adriang]

shouldnt new cars burn a little bit more oil than usual?

[wwc310]

Originally Posted by ctuna

A quart in the first 5000 miles is typical.(if its new)
The rings have to get seated . After that it shouldn't burn much if any.
Its good that you are monitoring it keep it up.
I had this in my new e46 after the first 5000 it was the tightest
engine I ever had . I used 5k oil change intervals but it would never
be down at all in the 70k miles I owned it.
Did you read the break in guidelines?
If it does this in the next 5k I would start to worry.

Thats kind of what I figured. I appreciate the advice. I followed the break in guidelines to a T and always make sure to let the oil and all parts warm up before going above 3k rpms.

[Snow King]

Especially if you drive your car hard, 335i is known to eat quite a bit of oil. I usually have to throw a quart in half way though a regular 7500 mile change. Can certainly vouch for the N54, might be slightly different for the N55.

Edit: If you plan to keep your car post warranty, I would invest in more regular oil changes than the prescribed 1year/15k...

[wwc310]

Originally Posted by Snow King

Especially if you drive your car hard, 335i is known to eat quite a bit of oil. I usually have to throw a quart in half way though a regular 7500 mile change. Can certainly vouch for the N54, might be slightly different for the N55.

Edit: If you plan to keep your car post warranty, I would invest in more regular oil changes than the prescribed 1year/15k...

definitely. i was planning on going with the 7500 route. glad to hear that this seems pretty normal.

[N54B30A]

Well the way turbos work is they typically have either a journal bearing or ball bearing setup. I'm not sure what it is on the n55 but bearings naturally burn oil so even after the break in you will probably burn oil because bearings operate with a small film of oil on them

[sdawg11]

my 355 just told me I had low oil and needed to add a qt today. I have 1200 miles on the car...

The odd thing was the mesg. went away 1 hr later and the system said oil was normal.

[CombatNinja]

Most cars will consume some oil during initial break-in. N54s and N55s consume a little oil. Mine will use a full quart between changes. I have no issue with adding a quart once a year. Finally, why would you bother going to the dealer to add oil!? Unless the dealer is very close to your home or work that sounds pretty dumb.

[3MM3]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

Most cars will consume some oil during initial break-in. N54s and N55s consume a little oil. Mine will use a full quart between changes. I have no issue with adding a quart once a year. Finally, why would you bother going to the dealer to add oil!? Unless the dealer is very close to your home or work that sounds pretty dumb.

My N54 is the same way. Like clockwork, it asks for a quart every 7500.

My friends always make fun of me for going to the dealer instead of adding it myself. My answer is simple, its free if they add it

[e90post_user]

Oil consumption like gas mileage largely depends on the driving conditions you subject your car to.
My car takes a qt every 4K miles since new - car has close to 15K miles on ODO now.
My driving is 90% NYC driving.

[Blubaron79]

Mine barely drinks oil at all even at 89k miles, but your oil consumption is normal. The V8 Twin turbos use even more.

[wwc310]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

Most cars will consume some oil during initial break-in. N54s and N55s consume a little oil. Mine will use a full quart between changes. I have no issue with adding a quart once a year. Finally, why would you bother going to the dealer to add oil!? Unless the dealer is very close to your home or work that sounds pretty dumb.

its two blocks from work so i figured that'd be the easiest route to pick up a quart. was going to do it myself and just buy the oil from the dealer.

[wwc310]

Originally Posted by 3MM3

My N54 is the same way. Like clockwork, it asks for a quart every 7500.

My friends always make fun of me for going to the dealer instead of adding it myself. My answer is simple, its free if they add it

they actually wont do it for free. i called three dealerships here in LA and they only the oil change is covered under the maintenance plan. They charge you $11 per quart but will pour it in for free hahah.

[Bobble]

Dont buy it they should top you off for free. You paid for that in the price of the car. What dealer BTW.

[CombatNinja]

Dealer should do this free. Usually the SA will just top it off.

[wwc310]

Originally Posted by Bobble

Dont buy it they should top you off for free. You paid for that in the price of the car. What dealer BTW.

I called Santa Monica and Bev Hills. Both stated I had to pay as "topping off oil" is not included in the 4yr/50000 warranty

[shata]

Originally Posted by wchilds310

definitely. i was planning on going with the 7500 route. glad to hear that this seems pretty normal.

I agree 100% dont do the dealer intervals, I change my 330i every 6k. 7500 is fine too though im just anal little.

[grippymonkey]

On turbo cars it's so much more important to watch your oil levels and change more often than recommended especially if you drive sporty or track at all. There is all sorts of reasons for oil coming up short, but if it is a brand new car it often just takes a little break-in time to get things tight inside the motor. I would still keep an eye on things no matter what.

[Dozhdbog]

I've had to have oil added a few times since purchasing the car. My dealership always did it for free, no questions asked.

[witeagle]

Originally Posted by sdawg11

my 355 just told me I had low oil and needed to add a qt today. I have 1200 miles on the car...

The odd thing was the mesg. went away 1 hr later and the system said oil was normal.

This is the reason why engines should have a dipstick so you can still check it manually!

[3MM3]

Originally Posted by wchilds310

they actually wont do it for free. i called three dealerships here in LA and they only the oil change is covered under the maintenance plan. They charge you $11 per quart but will pour it in for free hahah.

That's too bad. The dealer I go to in Boston is always happy to do it, even joke about how these things love oil. They have a little station set up right where you pull your car in for service. I alway thought it was funny because they are poorly rated dealer and have a terrible service department.