Does your 2008 M3 burn any oil?

Originally Posted by Minnesota M3

The tech at the dealership told me in no uncertain terms that the M3 will burn about a liter every 750-1000 miles under normal operation?

That's crap. In fact, the industry standard to acknowledge there's an engine problem is 1,000 miles per 1-qt of oil. And I consider that ridiculous. I'd put that threshold at 1-qt every 2K miles, but that'd be under NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. If you're dogging the crap out of your engine, it'd be a different story.

I have rarely read about any E9x M3 consuming more oil than 1-qt every 2K miles. Most are every 3K miles and above, which is perfectly acceptable, especially the way many folks drive these cars.

If you suspect excessive oil consumption, you need to start FULL, and always check oil level at the same spot. And if you're going to monitor oil consumption, DON'T top it off, as this stupid electronic dipstick is not accurate for that (it reads in 1/4-liter increments). You'd have to wait until it shows 1-liter low. As a comment, if you wait for the warning, it'd be about 1-1/4 liters low, not 1, but there's only one way to know for sure: Add 1 liter first, then add an extra 1/4-ltr if level doesn't go to full with the full liter. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Originally Posted by shanepreston

just turned 10k and this will be the second time I have had to add a quart. First time was around 6500 I think and now 3500 miles later, another quart.

What do you think? Is this ok?


Thanks

My experience with BMWs (cars or motorcycles) dictates that after the brake in period.....drive it like you stole it. Drive it like a baby and be ready to have quarts of oil in the trunk.

Regards

I added a quart at 3500 mi. Unfortunately I was out of town on a weekend trip, 5w60 is very difficult to come by. So I now keep a quart i my trunk.

its about normal

5W 60 Castrol???

Have used the grand total of one liter since my 1200 mile service. Added half the liter at 7,500 miles, the rest today at 10,500 miles.

The electronic dipstick is very inaccurate. Today it told me to add a full quart, but half a liter has my oil level up above "normal". Thanks to my SA for telling me to add a little at a time.

I have the really cool OEM nylon pouch velcroed inside the recess in my ski/snowboard pass-through. (I could not find a way to store it in the trunk out of the way of my convertible mechanism, but this is equally convenient - maybe more so as you do not need to put the top up to get at it )

Gents,
I got a BMW M3 Sedan (Frozen Grey Edition) model 2012. I got it a week ago and now I got 1000 KM on my ODO meter and guess what????!!! When i got it from the dealer i had the oil level at max and now the oil meter is less by 1/4 :S seriously??

Is that normal your help is highly appreciated.

Purchased at 17,955mi. Currently at 20,100 and still haven't had to add any. Gauge shows nominal. We'll see how she fares later - the previous owner reported periodic quart additions.

16,240 miles 2010 M3 no oil used yet

My M3 burns no oil. Of course I only have 1700 miles on it. I keep a 5 liter jug of Lubro Moly 10w60 on standby just in case.

51K 1 quart/3000miles

My SA said that 1 quart every 800 miles is still within the engine spec. He said this to comfort me I think when I was worried. Once the top segment disappears on the electronic dipstick, the lower ones disappear progressively faster. I carry two quarts in the trunk. Not sure why I need two - it just feels right! LOL!

Have driven 7000 k over a year and oil level is ok

I have added 4 qts over 25k miles

Originally Posted by mlaynemd

I have added 4 qts over 25k miles

About the same here.

I wonder if the newer M3s burn less oil. Mine is a 2011 with 12k miles on it and it's still reads full. I haven't added any oil since the 1200 mile service and I certainly don't drive it like a grandma but I adhered religiously to the break-in and always let the engine warm up before flogging it. Any 2011s that burn a lot of oil?

I just added about a half quart or a little less last week. That brought me back up to full on the meter. I have 2200 miles.

Originally Posted by solstice

I wonder if the newer M3s burn less oil. Mine is a 2011 with 12k miles on it and it's still reads full. I haven't added any oil since the 1200 mile service and I certainly don't drive it like a grandma but I adhered religiously to the break-in and always let the engine warm up before flogging it. Any 2011s that burn a lot of oil?

Mine is a 2011. Adhered to the break-in period as many M3 owners do and although I only have 3300 miles on it, my oil level is still topped off as per the computer.

mine burns 1 quart every 4-5K, less when I use 10-60 Lubro Moly....