E46 Oil consumption
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 3 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 3 Series (E21, E30, E36, E46, E90, E91 & E92)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=37893
Printed Date: 29-April-2024 at 15:05
Topic: E46 Oil consumption
Posted By: 523ss
Subject: E46 Oil consumption
Date 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 ------------- 96 E39 523i SE 2001 E46 2.2 S.E silver black leather |
Replies:
Posted By: alym786
Date Posted: 01-July-2007 at 12:24
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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. ------------- E46 328ci now sold :( 
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Posted By: jamsieboi
Date Posted: 01-July-2007 at 12:54
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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 ------------- |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 01-July-2007 at 12:56
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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. ------------- 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 |
Posted By: fozzymandeus
Date Posted: 01-July-2007 at 13:00
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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... ------------- Beating around the bush. |
Posted By: Pete330
Date Posted: 01-July-2007 at 16:58
my 330 likes the oil ------------- 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 |
Posted By: BlueBeemer
Date Posted: 01-July-2007 at 19:13
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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. ------------- 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, |
Posted By: 523ss
Date Posted: 02-July-2007 at 07:28
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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?
------------- 96 E39 523i SE 2001 E46 2.2 S.E silver black leather |
Posted By: Peter Fenwick
Date Posted: 02-July-2007 at 09:17
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My E39 530 gets though 1 litre every 1500-2500 miles depending on how I drive. ------------- Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel. |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 02-July-2007 at 09:35
My 523i (M52) takes a bit of oil - about 1L per 1-1.5K miles but I would drive her hard enough. ------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Stone-IslandV8 wrote:Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 02-July-2007 at 09:40
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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. ------------- 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. |
Posted By: Dergside
Date Posted: 02-July-2007 at 09:44
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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. ------------- 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. |
Posted By: fozzymandeus
Date Posted: 02-July-2007 at 12:35
Is yours an M52TU? Maybe a difference. Remember mine's old enough! M52 with extra free nikasil. ------------- Beating around the bush. |
Posted By: kbannon
Date Posted: 02-July-2007 at 12:46
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Mine is M52 (non TU) also!
------------- Current: 2009 E60 520d "Sport" tractor Previous: 1989 E30 320i SE 1997 E39 523i 2003 E39 525i Sport Individual |
Posted By: fozzymandeus
Date Posted: 02-July-2007 at 12:52
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Ah, well, y'see, yours'll be the exception that proves the rule. Oh yes.  ------------- Beating around the bush. |
Posted By: 523ss
Date Posted: 03-July-2007 at 07:39
Dunno what mine is? Just know its a 2001 (Y)..... My E39 was an M52 with free nikasil......hence it went......... ------------- 96 E39 523i SE 2001 E46 2.2 S.E silver black leather |
Posted By: Barry_Mc
Date Posted: 24-September-2007 at 21:54
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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. |
Posted By: milltown
Date Posted: 26-September-2007 at 00:01
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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 ------------- '02 320Ci Auto |
Posted By: bmwcare
Date Posted: 26-September-2007 at 03:31
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. ------------- BMW & Mercedes Specialist. Galway & Surrounding Areas. http://www.bmwcare.com - www.bmwcare.com http://www.mercedescare.com - www.mercedescare.com All BMW models covered including E60/E90/F01/F10 with flash programming/CIP/coding as required |
Posted By: oilman
Date Posted: 30-September-2007 at 12:55
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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. ------------- Use the code BAVBOARD and get 10% Club Discount email: sales@opieoils.co.uk Phone: 01209 202944 |
Posted By: Mick525i
Date Posted: 30-September-2007 at 14:20
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This is always a funny one. My 525i M54 never uses any between changes. My old 00' 520 never did either. (and I only use Semi syntetic) My sister had a 97' 523 and it used 1l per 1000 miles (or when the light came on) My mates 03' 520 likes a drop overy 1500 miles or so... Some do some dont. I dont think its somthing to worry about. Just keep it topped up. Mick ------------- Cheers Mick 
BMW E21 318 1980 BMW E39 525i 2002 MTech VW Golf Gti 2003 |