Motor oil

[myride]

I needed a quart of motor oil for my 550i gt after the initial 4k miles-I know the car has a break in period,but i never experienced this with my other Bmws-now I watch my level of motor oil constantly...any comments would be appreciated.

[jadnashuanh]

Out of curiosity, how religious were you during the break in period to their recommendations?

I may be lucky, on my 535iX-drive, at nearly 7K, it still reads out as max.

Industry standards say less than 1qt/1K miles is 'normal'. I'd be very annoyed with that usage rate, and it might have problems passing emission controls, but you may have problems getting any response from the manufacturer with that usage.

[car-fan]

I needed a quart of motor oil for my 550i gt after the initial 4k miles-I know the car has a break in period,but i never experienced this with my other Bmws-now I watch my level of motor oil constantly...any comments would be appreciated.

Were any of your other BMW's Turbocharged? Even if so, its not uncommon to top up on the oil on occaision. Unless you are burning excessive oil, topping up once are even twice during the first 10k miles won't raise any concerns. I personally keep a bottle of 5w-30 Castrol Synthetic in the trunk, matter of fact the bottle that is in my trunk now, is the same that was originally cracked open for use in the GT.;) Pre and post DINAN tune oil changes were done at 7500miles and 5000miles respectively.

[Capobranco]

Reflects my usage - 3+ quarts in 15K miles.

[myride]

Thanks for the replies- my previous BMWs were not turbocharged,and was careful to follow instructions in the manual as to breaking in the car...

[car-fan]

Thanks for the replies- my previous BMWs were not turbocharged,and was careful to follow instructions in the manual as to breaking in the car...

Interesting thing I got a low oil warning at 1900 miles.in my 650.. I can't say I have seen that before even with the other N63 TTV8 engined cars I have owned. Goes to show that one has to closely monitor the oil in these cars. I thought I was doing so, I even have preset 2 programmed to display the oil level. Again, from I want I have seen/heard this is still normal consumption and not considered excessive. I plan on changing the break-in oil at 5k.

[jadnashuanh]

I plan on changing the break-in oil at 5k.

I'd heard that 'break-in' oil is identical to the 'normal' oil (this may not have been true ages ago). Now, if you use it to say the oil used during the break-in period that may now contain more crud from the manufacturing process should be changed sooner, that may be correct, but I don't think it is any different than what will be installed during the oil change. If you've got a decent filter, it shouldn't matter - change it when the computer says.

[car-fan]

I'd heard that 'break-in' oil is identical to the 'normal' oil (this may not have been true ages ago). Now, if you use it to say the oil used during the break-in period that may now contain more crud from the manufacturing process should be changed sooner, that may be correct, but I don't think it is any different than what will be installed during the oil change. If you've got a decent filter, it shouldn't matter - change it when the computer says.

You would be correct - I am referring to the oil that was installed during vehicle assembly _ production date 06/11. Justification Turbo cars run hotter than those that are normally aspirated, and they love oil - I also plan on getting a software enhancement/tune at some point, wherein the turbo boost will be increased. Last but not least, I own the car so I would like to preserve it, as opposed to driving the car and only getting 3 to 4 oil changes in 36-48 months. If I was leasing, I might have a different mindset. IMHO changing the oil every 15k or so is a bit long in my book. I may be a bit over zealous but it can't hurt:)

[jadnashuanh]

My last vehicle (an Infiniti) called for oil changes at 3750 miles (which I thought was absurd). After the warranty, I started to use synthetic oil and sending out a sample for testing periodically and using that to determine when it needed to be changed. Once I had a good idea, I'd just do it when I changed the oil to pinpoint any upcoming problems. It easily went 11K miles, and I think that the Castrol oil BMW specs, and the fact that there's more of it and a better filter, means it could easily go the time they say. The oil test one time caught that the Infiniti had started to use a bit of antifreeze before it was easy to tell from the reservoir. At $8-9 per quart, and the engineering BMW puts into their cars, second guessing them seems like a waste. Now, if the dealer will do it for free, okay. You could take a sample, have it tested, and get a very good idea of the life left. Might be worth it, at least once for peace of mind. Older motors were much looser, the seals were weaker, and the rings not well seated at build time. To meet emissions today, the parts must be MUCH tighter, so there's a lot less scuffing and metal to deal with.

The oil itself doesn't wear out, it is its ability to absorb crud, the anti-foaming agents, and the pH stabilizers that get used up.

[11gt535]

If I was a betting man, I'd say something in the design of the N63 engine common to the current 550 and the 650 is to do with this rather than turbocharging since nearly every BMW is now turbocharged but only the N63 powered variety are eating oil regularly.

[car-fan]

My last vehicle (an Infiniti) called for oil changes at 3750 miles (which I thought was absurd). After the warranty, I started to use synthetic oil and sending out a sample for testing periodically and using that to determine when it needed to be changed. Once I had a good idea, I'd just do it when I changed the oil to pinpoint any upcoming problems. It easily went 11K miles, and I think that the Castrol oil BMW specs, and the fact that there's more of it and a better filter, means it could easily go the time they say. The oil test one time caught that the Infiniti had started to use a bit of antifreeze before it was easy to tell from the reservoir. At $8-9 per quart, and the engineering BMW puts into their cars, second guessing them seems like a waste. Now, if the dealer will do it for free, okay. You could take a sample, have it tested, and get a very good idea of the life left. Might be worth it, at least once for peace of mind. Older motors were much looser, the seals were weaker, and the rings not well seated at build time. To meet emissions today, the parts must be MUCH tighter, so there's a lot less scuffing and metal to deal with.

The oil itself doesn't wear out, it is its ability to absorb crud, the anti-foaming agents, and the pH stabilizers that get used up.

I currently have 2 Infiniti's (08 G37s Coupe & 11 QX56) both running synthetic oil - change intervals @ 7500K. Oil changes with full synthetic oil, and tire rotation run me $75.00 with tax. Switched over from the Ester oil for both @ the first oil change. Never did observe the 3500k intervals.

[jadnashuanh]

Based on my experience and testing, you could probably get 10K easily out of the oil, saving 1/3 of your cost. It depends on your driving cycle, city to highway ratio and idling time.

[car-fan]

Based on my experience and testing, you could probably get 10K easily out of the oil, saving 1/3 of your cost. It depends on your driving cycle, city to highway ratio and idling time.


I agree its mainly the idling time in this SoFla heat that prompts me to change at the intervals I listed. I should also note that my GT - even with DINAN tune - did not burn oil excessively. Speaking of oil I would prefer a conventional dipstick! I'm wondering if my MINI is the last BMW product with an old school dipstick:dunno: