650i Oil usage
 

I have a 2012 650i coupe that I bought last November, I now have 5600 miles and my oil level is almost down to the minimum. I know the V8 uses oil but I didn't think it used this much, has anyone else experienced this much oil usage if so how much mileage and how much oil?

That's not at all uncommon. With BMW V8s, I've typically always had to add at least a quart, sometimes two, before the first scheduled service.

Here is a review I recently found on edmunds.com.. It appears to be true.. Including the Rough Idling... I've experienced this first hand...

With my 650i and my wife's X6 50i, we both had to add a quart of oil at around the 4K mile mark.

one quart every 4,000 miles -

Any idea why BMW engines burn this fairly high amount? Is it specific to the V8's or the inline 6's as well?

I came from a 09 535 and in the three years I leased it, I never once had to add any oil what so ever, thats why I'm so surprised this car burns so much oil. I wonder if the twin turbos have anything to do with the oil usage?:dunno:

Me too

2 questions:

1. Did you guys have the oil level come up on the command screen or you just checked it manually?

2. What type of oil did you use to fill up?

1. I had the warning come up on the idrive screen. I haven't checked but from what I understand, our cars do not have a dipstick anyway.

2. I went to my nearest BMW service center for the recommended oil fill up. I went to two gas stations before that and neither had the recommended oil. I don't remember what type is the manufacturer recommended but the awesome thing about our cars is that you can check that on the idrive with the integrated owners manual. That's how I looked it up :). Pretty handy when you're on the go. Did the same thing for pairing a homelink garage door opener when I didn't have the manual on hand.

As a BMW tech once told me, these cars burn oil like they burn gasoline. Very normal and not limited just to BMWs...I've put about 2500 miles on my Pana and added a quart of 0W40 to the engine last weekend. My advice: research the recommended oil for your vehicle then go to Amazon.com and purchase a case to keep in your garage.

Same here
 

I have a seond warning for low oil at 9,000 miles. I thought the M6s V10 were oil burners, the V8 are the same. A pain to go to the dealer again (water leaks, rear windows problem, oil level). :tsk:

Me three: 1qt/4000mi.

My three previous (6 cyl) BMWs didn't need oil at all.

Great advise will do thanks!

Read somewhere that a recommended BMW oil is Castol edge synthetic.

Thanks all for the info - I will look it up. All previous cars had to be cold engine and flat. Sounds like the 650 has to be running at least 5 min before measurement.

And of course, info about the oils in the user manual:

Approved oil types:
BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30
BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE

Alternative oil types
If the approved oils not available, up to 1 quart of oil with the specification "API SM or superior grade" can be added.

Viscosity grades: 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40, 5W-30

I read that everyone was running into this, so I picked up a quart of oil (BMW Brand - or whatever they repackage as their own - SAE 5W-30) from the dealership when I hit 4000 miles and kept it at home until I needed it (which was right around 5200 miles). Sounds like I made it a little longer than most people. Wonder if it has to do with my lack of interstate/highway driving on a regular basis? Given my stellar fuel economy, it's pretty obvious I have a particular proclivity for putting down the power :D

Went to my BMW dealership today to pick up some oil for my car, I walk up to the parts counter and asked to buy oil for my car. The man behind the counter tells me no need to buy oil.
Just drive in the service center and they will add a quart of oil no charge it's their policy. I know it's a small cost but to me it goes a long ways in giving your customers great customer service! :thumbup:

That really is pretty cool of them.

Here's a picture book walk through if you have to do it yourself:

So after all the discussion, I finally checked the oil level today. Just midway between min and max after 8200 mi. Don't know what was the level in the beginning, but this would probably be very low consumption if at all.

How many quarts of oil does the V8 require?

That is very low usage compared to most of us, just curious what part of the country do you live, how long have you had your car and are most of your miles highway or city?

Yup, I drive up tell them it's a qt. low and before I'm back from the showroom it's ready to go.

Minnesota - and use the car as a daily driver. I had the car since November last year. I drive mostly short trips in a small town, but probably put 3000 miles in longer highway trips.

How hot does it get in Minnesota in the summer, here in Virginia we had a really hot summer its like that most summers. I wonder if thats why your oil usage is less than those of use who drive in warmer weather. Never the less I'm glad your car uses less oil than most of our cars.