E46 Oil consumption |
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523ss
Groupie Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Bedford Status: Offline Points: 95 |
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Posted: 01-July-2007 at 12:03 |
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Hi all, I am new to the 3 series forum having traded in my 5 series for an E46, i have a question that i know has been covered before regarding oil consumption, just need some reassurance from you guys that would know. My E46 2.2 (2001) has covered 100,000k, i do drive it quite hard and it seems to consume around 1/2 - 1ltr of oil every few weeks or around 1000 miles, is this normal or should i be concerned? Any reassuring advice appreciated. Thanks Shawn |
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96 E39 523i SE
2001 E46 2.2 S.E silver black leather |
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alym786
Really Senior Member II Joined: 03-May-2007 Location: Stirling Status: Offline Points: 907 |
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Hi. My 328ci e46 doesn't drink any oil. (touch wood) and I aint shy with the right foot either. As for the 2.2 i honestly can't say.
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E46 328ci now sold :(
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jamsieboi
Really Senior Member I Joined: 04-January-2006 Location: York Status: Offline Points: 309 |
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my 325 uses about half a litre every 2 - 2.5 k which ive been assured is quite normal, i would think half a litre ever 1000 miles is quite alot but it might not be unusual.
my biggest problem is i find the oil level stick really hard to read i need to put it on some tissue to see what the level is and im not sure how accurate that is so really i rely on the yellow light too much |
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Stone-IslandV8
Really Senior Member II Joined: 31-January-2003 Location: North Somerset Status: Offline Points: 3015 |
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M52 engines don't seem to use much if any oil whereas the M54s (?) on facelift E46s seem to use oil judging by other owners reports. BMW tolerances used to be 1litre every 500 miles.
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Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea
Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
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fozzymandeus
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-February-2006 Location: Sunny Rhyl Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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I concur with stone island... M52 oil use is unusual but BMW mechanics have told me it's quite normal on an M54.
None at all is the amount my M52 uses... ...for now... |
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Beating around the bush.
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Pete330
Really Senior Member II Joined: 26-November-2003 Location: Aberdeen Status: Offline Points: 8969 |
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my 330 likes the oil
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Previous:
E36 318is coupe, E36 323i coupe, E30 316 saloon, E30 318 saloon, E46 330ci Sport Conv E92 325d M Sport(3.0),With Loads of gadgets Current: 116i Sport F20 |
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BlueBeemer
Senior Member II Joined: 12-August-2004 Location: Flintshire Status: Offline Points: 161 |
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I'm with Alym786 my 328ci diesn't drink oil in fact over 15k miles i used only 0.5 litre! my car's done 92K miles now.
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2000 328Ci vroooooooooom
Other drive:- 2006 Mini Cooper Also have had:- 318iS 1994 non BMW Viva, Fiesta 1.3S , Nova, XR2, Polo, Peugeot 405, Rover 216 Coupe, Merc A Class, |
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523ss
Groupie Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Bedford Status: Offline Points: 95 |
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Thanks, im not sure what oil is in it at the moment as ive only just aquired it, what oil would any one suggest, i used magnatex in my 523 and it didnt seem to use a lot?
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96 E39 523i SE
2001 E46 2.2 S.E silver black leather |
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Peter Fenwick
Bavarian-Board Contributor Joined: 27-August-2003 Location: Lost somewhere in time... Status: Offline Points: 6484 |
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My E39 530 gets though 1 litre every 1500-2500 miles depending on how I drive.
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Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel.
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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My 523i (M52) takes a bit of oil - about 1L per 1-1.5K miles but I would drive her hard enough. |
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
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As others have said, the M54 engines do have a little bit of an appetite but there don't seem to be too many reports of it being a significant issue, even at high mileage. My 330 was using a half litre every 6-700 miles on fully synth oil. At the last change my indy swapped it to Mobil 10w-40 mineral and it hasn't needed topping up in the past 4-5000 miles. Most of my driving is decent long runs so I don't think the change in grade from the recommended will do it much harm as long as I change it more frequently to compensate for it not being a BMW LL certified oil.
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Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
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Dergside
Really Senior Member II Joined: 16-May-2004 Location: Mid West, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 4000 |
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It does seem overall that the most reliable and long lasting engines that BMW have done in recent years are the M50 engine up to '95 and the post nikasil M52. If reasonable precautions are taken on things like water pumps, viscous couplings, etc. they seem to last forever. It'll be interesting to see how the M54 ranks alongside those in the coming years. Edited by Dergside |
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Now: BMW 523i SE '00, 318i SE - e91 '07, 325i Coupe '93.
Prev: e46 328i SE Touring, 330Ci, 318Ci. e39 523i SE. e36 325i Coupe *2, 323i SE, 316iSE. e30 325iSE 2dr, 320i Conv, 320i 2dr, 316i. |
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fozzymandeus
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-February-2006 Location: Sunny Rhyl Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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Is yours an M52TU? Maybe a difference. Remember mine's old enough! M52 with extra free nikasil. |
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Beating around the bush.
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kbannon
Admin Group E39 525i Sport Individual Joined: 09-October-2002 Location: 64 Zoo Lane Status: Offline Points: 15508 |
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Mine is M52 (non TU) also!
Edited by kbannon |
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Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor
Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
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fozzymandeus
Really Senior Member II Joined: 01-February-2006 Location: Sunny Rhyl Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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Ah, well, y'see, yours'll be the exception that proves the rule.
Oh yes. |
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Beating around the bush.
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523ss
Groupie Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Bedford Status: Offline Points: 95 |
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Dunno what mine is? Just know its a 2001 (Y)..... My E39 was an M52 with free nikasil......hence it went.........
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96 E39 523i SE
2001 E46 2.2 S.E silver black leather |
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Barry_Mc
Senior Member I Joined: 27-March-2007 Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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i've the m54 2.2ltr engine, would use around half ltr every 1000 - 1500miles, i had e36 with m43 1.8ltr engine before which was a peach, never needed a drop, looked into it when i upgraded and seems to be the norm, wouldn't be anything to worry about unless it's leaving it on the driveway. I know if the oil used in the engine over it's break-in period isn't right it can damage the oil seals and cause it to burn / loose alot more oil over the yrs. bit of useless information.....correct me if i'm wrong. |
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milltown
Senior Member II Joined: 26-July-2005 Location: Lucan Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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Seems high to me. My 2.2 320 has used 1.5 to 2L in 10k miles since I got it @ 50k. I have heard wildly varying reports about oil consumption though, yours is probably around the middle. So long as it's not leaking or leaving clouds of blue smoke behind, the important thing is you're aware it needs to be checked regularly |
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'02 320Ci Auto
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bmwcare
Really Senior Member I Joined: 02-June-2006 Location: Galway Status: Offline Points: 321 |
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M50 never used oil really... M52TU used less... M54 does burn oil but depends and varies a lot... LL04 is first to try - if it burns a lot of that then try LL01 (lower spec - but good enough for M54) if it exceeds 1ltr/1,000mls then you either put up with it or spend big bucks... If it was mine - I'd keep topping up with LL01 and watch the level - never wait for the yellow light, HTH, Eddie. |
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BMW & Mercedes Specialist.
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oilman
Bavarian-Board Forum Sponsor Joined: 28-June-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1053 |
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The usage is heavy, as far as BMW are concerned 1ltr every 1000 miles is within limit. Do you know what oil you are currently using? Guy. |
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email: sales@opieoils.co.uk Phone: 01209 202944 |
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