4th oil top up...seriously!!!!

[nwills]

I've had my 650GC for a short time and put 5000 miles on it.

As it stands...this is the 4th time I get the low oil warning light....requiring a top up.

My car seems to be burning through an unusual amount of oil..the dealer has suggested they would only cover the first few times but there's no way I'm going to top up my oil every 4 to 5 weeks on a regular basis...this is ridiculous!!!

Anyone else?

[Jon D]

Other posts on the forum indicate that the V8 is considerably oil thirsty.
I suggest that you accurately log the frequency and quantity of your top-ups; then, if there's any warranty issues later, you'll have a record to refer to.

[roadsta]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Other posts on the forum indicate that the V8 is considerably oil thirsty.
I suggest that you accurately log the frequency and quantity of your top-ups; then, if there's any warranty issues later, you'll have a record to refer to.

No, not all. Only a a few cars seem to have higher oil consumption - most 650 drivers replied that they get 4000 - 5000 miles for each quart / litre added. I am one of them. My car has 18000km, say 11,000 miles, on it and I have put oil in on two occasions.

R.

[M6-4KIX]

The add oil warning just came up on our 650i last week at 6200 miles!!!

Just wish this thing was louder!!!! I'll be working on it!!

[neversummer78]

I added 1 qt after 1300 miles. I just moved it another 500 miles since, so I cannot confirm the frequency since 1st qt could be a fluke.

[xDrive35i]

It's actually best to get your oil changed every 3000-5000 miles. Any Jiffy Lube will do it for you. Fill it as needed. Changing your oil often is a cheap way to prevent problems down the road when your warranty expires.

[BMWMilan]

It'll vary depending on your driving style.

If you think there's unusual oil consumption, the dealer can run what they call the "Engine Oil Consumption Test" ... whatever that is.

[mo7ammed-87]

my car now have 1550 km ..

and i see the oil less on the screen !!!

[andreo]

I had to repeatedly top up engine oil 3 times in the first month after taking delivery of my 650i. According to my mechanic, it is commonly observed in new V8 engines and will stabilize over time. It is nearly 2 months now and I have not seen the low engine oil indicator so far. Fingers crossed.

[M6-4KIX]

Originally Posted by andreo

I had to repeatedly top up engine oil 3 times in the first month after taking delivery of my 650i. According to my mechanic, it is commonly observed in new V8 engines and will stabilize over time. It is nearly 2 months now and I have not seen the low engine oil indicator so far. Fingers crossed.

what about the instability of the rear end without the deck spoiler?? Mine is much more manageable now!! 125mph ++++ is good !!

[78mao]

so far at 9000 miles, i had the car for 10 months now only topped it off once!

[andreo]

Originally Posted by M6-4KIX

what about the instability of the rear end without the deck spoiler?? Mine is much more manageable now!! 125mph ++++ is good !!

I am sure the instability is there if I were to push her past 130mph. Fortunately, I have yet to find the roads or guts to get there. For now, lip spoiler is on order for "front downforce" when people stare at her at extreme low speed.

[Bönz]

I'm at nearly 9k having only added 1 qt at about 4500. Based on the level meter I'll need another soon. That's reasonable to me. But every 1k-1.3k is excessive. All on these forums who have had high oil consumption always seem to be in this same range. The dealer should top you off for free regardless of amount, but I wouldn't stand for the excessive consumption. Something is wrong and it should be addressed.

Judd: Anyone who takes one of these cars to Jiffylube should have their head examined. But I would love to be a fly on the wall when these idiots look for the dipstick. In fear of starting another oil change thread I'll leave it at this: 3-5k oil changes is an ancient requirement of old tech oil supported by places like Jiffylube to keep you paranoid and coming back for more up-sells. Modern cars with modern oil do not need changes so frequently. Stick with the manufacturers recommendation and you'll be fine.

Some studies indicate that changing oil too frequently is actually bad for your engine, especially newer DI engines. Fresh oil has higher volatility, until it stabilizes with use, allowing more gases into the intake system generally mucking up the works. I'll stop here - this is off topic - but I strongly urge anyone interested to do their own research. There is a ton of it out there. The OEs have nothing to gain by under changing your oil. In fact the dealer networks would gain by increased intervals.

I've hit 145 - stable as hell, but that was in a straight line.

[coldfusion1998]

I am in the same boat 5000 miles and have topped up 4 times, took to dealer and they said everything looked fine.
Go figure

[m6pwr]

Originally Posted by Bönz

In fear of starting another oil change thread I'll leave it at this: 3-5k oil changes is an ancient requirement of old tech oil supported by places like Jiffylube to keep you paranoid and coming back for more up-sells. Modern cars with modern oil do not need changes so frequently. Stick with the manufacturers recommendation and you'll be fine.

+1

Many credible industry studies have shown oil takes time to set up (about 3k mi as a matter of fact), particularly zddp anti-wear additive - - anti-wear performance actually improves substantially with age/miles. By the time the oil hits 7500 mi, it's rockin. Nevertheless, impossible to convince folks of this.

[neversummer78]

Originally Posted by Bönz

I'm at nearly 9k having only added 1 qt at about 4500. Based on the level meter I'll need another soon. That's reasonable to me. But every 1k-1.3k is excessive. All on these forums who have had high oil consumption always seem to be in this same range. The dealer should top you off for free regardless of amount, but I wouldn't stand for the excessive consumption. Something is wrong and it should be addressed.

Judd: Anyone who takes one of these cars to Jiffylube should have their head examined. But I would love to be a fly on the wall when these idiots look for the dipstick. In fear of starting another oil change thread I'll leave it at this: 3-5k oil changes is an ancient requirement of old tech oil supported by places like Jiffylube to keep you paranoid and coming back for more up-sells. Modern cars with modern oil do not need changes so frequently. Stick with the manufacturers recommendation and you'll be fine.

Some studies indicate that changing oil too frequently is actually bad for your engine, especially newer DI engines. Fresh oil has higher volatility, until it stabilizes with use, allowing more gases into the intake system generally mucking up the works. I'll stop here - this is off topic - but I strongly urge anyone interested to do their own research. There is a ton of it out there. The OEs have nothing to gain by under changing your oil. In fact the dealer networks would gain by increased intervals.

I've hit 145 - stable as hell, but that was in a straight line.

+1

Changing oil frequently is unnecessary and bad for environment. I have friend that changes oil every 1500 miles. The argument was the oil turned black. I shut the hell up because I can immediately see the length of this conversation.

[andreo]

3rd oil top-up after 4 months from taking delivery. Odo shows 3000km. Dealer says it's normal for this N63 engine.

Engine is noticeably smoother after the top-up. Did you folks notice the same after top-up?

[BMWMilan]

Originally Posted by andreo

3rd oil top-up after 4 months from taking delivery. Odo shows 3000km. Dealer says it's normal for this N63 engine.

Engine is noticeably smoother after the top-up. Did you folks notice the same after top-up?

I'm not sure I noticed the engine running smoother after being topped off.

I think some of what you are noticing with the engine might just be natural break-in process.

[Bönz]

Originally Posted by andreo

3rd oil top-up after 4 months from taking delivery. Odo shows 3000km. Dealer says it's normal for this N63 engine.

Engine is noticeably smoother after the top-up. Did you folks notice the same after top-up?

You're not clear on what you mean by top-up. Do you mean an entire quart/liter? If so, 3 liters in 3000km is a problem. No engine should drink this much oil.

If you are simply trying to keep the oil meter at full by adding a little oil, then you are wasting your time. The engine will be fine between the OK marks. Just wait until the car indicates to add oil and it will take exactly one liter.

I just added my 2nd quart at 8900 miles. Drove into the dealer, dude poured in a quart, drove out. Engine runs the same.

[Omar@VelosDesignwerks]

Originally Posted by nwills

I've had my 650GC for a short time and put 5000 miles on it.

As it stands...this is the 4th time I get the low oil warning light....requiring a top up.

My car seems to be burning through an unusual amount of oil..the dealer has suggested they would only cover the first few times but there's no way I'm going to top up my oil every 4 to 5 weeks on a regular basis...this is ridiculous!!!

Anyone else?

Yes it is normal (unfortunately) but we have seen the same issue with a local 650 GC we have here.

[andreo]

Originally Posted by ipsedixit

I'm not sure I noticed the engine running smoother after being topped off.

I think some of what you are noticing with the engine might just be natural break-in process.

Thanks. I believe you may be correct. Where I live, the distances covered on a daily basis are very short. Less than 20km per day. Will keep monitoring.

[andreo]

Originally Posted by Bnz

You're not clear on what you mean by top-up. Do you mean an entire quart/liter? If so, 3 liters in 3000km is a problem. No engine should drink this much oil.

If you are simply trying to keep the oil meter at full by adding a little oil, then you are wasting your time. The engine will be fine between the OK marks. Just wait until the car indicates to add oil and it will take exactly one liter.

I just added my 2nd quart at 8900 miles. Drove into the dealer, dude poured in a quart, drove out. Engine runs the same.

Took it to the dealer after the "Add oil" control message came on. It was more than a liter this time. More like 2 liters before the gauge registered at the Max position.

Not sure yet whether it is a problem but the engine surely burns through an unusual amount of oil. Never had such an issue with my previous BMW's but this is my first V8. Again, not sure whether that has anything to do with it.

The engine no doubt felt smoother after topping up the oil. Might be part of the break-in process as indicated by ipsedixit earlier.