Excessive oil consumption in BMW – how to fix it?

BMW driver question

Is it a problem that after changing the oil and driving about 7,000 km I had to add about 0.7 liters of oil? I change the oil every year doing 11,000 km. This year I should change in September, but I have already driven 13,000 km and had to add about 1.8 l. The car has driven 202,600 km in 3 years. The first replacement was with castrol 5w30. At the second change I poured the original Castrol Edge 0w30 oil.

The problem affected a 2005 BMW e90 320d, but it happens in other models as well.

By S 400 HYBRID (Self-photographed) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

Response from BM Cars service

The problem of engine oil consumption is very complex. Every internal combustion engine consumes oil and the amount of consumption depends on very many factors, among others:

• on the manufacturer,
• the build quality of the engine,
• the degree of its wear and tear,
• the method of operation,
• type and viscosity of oil.

In BMW engines, oil consumption should not be high, that is, it should not exceed 1 l / 10,000 km (except for gasoline engines N46 and N63 – which consume much more oil).

The basic standard of oil consumption is also determined by the manufacturer, in the case of some engines from the VW group, the acceptable consumption is even up to 1 l / 1,000 km.

In your case, a refill of 0.7 l / 7,000 km is completely symbolic and should not cause any concern. Another oil refill of 1.8 l / 13,000 km is already significant, although not huge.
I suggest observing consumption over a longer distance of km and averaging the result. It is also necessary to check for any oil leaks outside the engine and into the intake system, (manifold, intercooler), and the condition of the filter of the air cleaner, which should be replaced at least every 100,000 km.

We invite you to take advantage of our service.

By S 400 HYBRID (Self-photographed) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

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