High oil consumption in BMW 5 – what could be the reasons?

BMW driver question

I would like information on the steps and pricing you use when you want to repair an engine. I am in a situation where my BMW 5 is “taking” oil. From what I have heard from several people, the engine needs to be replaced (some kind of defect). Is it immediately apparent that such a replacement is necessary? How could you help/advise in such a situation? As a last resort, how much would it cost to price and replace the old engine (if it was needed)?

The problem was with a 2012 BMW 550i F10, but it can happen in other models as well.

BMW 535i (F10) | By S 400 HYBRID [CC], from Wikimedia Commons

Response from BM Cars service

The described case of significant oil consumption requires a lot of additional data for analysis:

1. What is the degree of oil consumption (amount of consumption per 1000 km of mileage).
2. Checking for possible leaks or leakage of oil into the intake manifold (faulty crankcase venting – air purge).
3. Checking the degree of engine wear (compression measurement).
4. Full computer diagnostics of the engine.

Only after performing the above steps can we assess the degree of engine wear and present possible steps for its repair.

Overhauling the engine, that is, replacing the wearing parts (rings, valve seals) is not cost-effective. The prices of spare parts and the cost of possible labor are at the level of buying a functioning used engine on the aftermarket. In addition, in the case of repair and the associated disassembly of the engine, we encounter further previously unseen defects and components to be replaced. This further increases the cost of repair.

New engines are offered at BMW for around PLN 40,000. Sometimes there are engines after technical actions at much lower prices.

For an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to perform a minimum of the diagnostic steps described above.

BMW intake manifold

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BMW 535i (F10) | By S 400 HYBRID [CC], from Wikimedia Commons

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