[ufokinwot]

Hello all,

Got a 2011 335is DCT a while ago and It seems to be needing a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The first time I went for a top off was 3/11/17 and the car had around 72k miles. 1000 miles later on 4/1/17 the car had 73,050 miles and needed another top off of oil. Today. 4/16/2017, the car has 73,800 miles and the computer says the oil is a little bit below the middle so I will need a top off soon.

I do drive the car hard a lot but I think that every 1000 miles little bit ridiculous. I know these cars burn oil but is mine burning too much? Car is not leaking oil at all and doesn't smell of burning oil. I got the car inspected and there were no signs of oil leaking around 70k miles.


What do you guys think?


Update:

I changed to liqui moly 5w30 and now the car is not burning any oil 1000 miles after the oil change. Oil is still at the max level.

[335e92tx]

My 2007 10/06 build N54 with 131K (that had been boosted since 14K) was at a quart every 1200-1500. Check PCV.. replace with Rob Beck and vent tube. Oil catch can might help but needs to be installed early.
I got in the habit of checking the level at every drive so I knew when it went from .25 to .5 quart down and added immediately.

[ufokinwot]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

My 2007 10/06 build N54 with 131K (that had been boosted since 14K) was at a quart every 1200-1500. Check PCV.. replace with Rob Beck and vent tube. Oil catch can might help but needs to be installed early.
I got in the habit of checking the level at every drive so I knew when it went from .25 to .5 quart down and added immediately.

I checked it and it is fine, no leaks or anything

[335udm]

Originally Posted by ufokinwot

Hello all,

Got a 2011 335is DCT a while ago and It seems to be needing a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The first time I went for a top off was 3/11/17 and the car had around 72k miles. 1000 miles later on 4/1/17 the car had 73,050 miles and needed another top off of oil. Today. 4/16/2017, the car has 73,800 miles and the computer says the oil is a little bit below the middle so I will need a top off soon.

I do drive the car hard a lot but I think that every 1000 miles little bit ridiculous. I know these cars burn oil but is mine burning too much? Car is not leaking oil at all and doesn't smell of burning oil. I got the car inspected and there were no signs of oil leaking around 70k miles.


What do you guys think?

Have you checked the air filter? Clogged air filter will force engine to burn oil. . . In Atlanta now we've got lottsa pollen! Apart from me sneezing, I do have to change the air filter more frequently. Good luck, . .

[ufokinwot]

Originally Posted by 335udm

Have you checked the air filter? Clogged air filter will force engine to burn oil. . . In Atlanta now we've got lottsa pollen! Apart from me sneezing, I do have to change the air filter more frequently. Good luck, . .

I will check that thank you!

[STR8-6IX]

sad to see that on such a fine motor.

use 5w40. motul, liquimoly, redline, shell rotella amsoil will slow oil consumption.

[ufokinwot]

Originally Posted by STR8-6IX

sad to see that on such a fine motor.

use 5w40. motul, liquimoly, redline, shell rotella amsoil will slow oil consumption.

Ill try that at the next oil change interval. I'm just glad I have a warranty in case anything is wrong!

[ctuna]

There was a thread in here once saying that if a certain valve in the
Environmental control system fails it causes excessive oil use in a 335.

Originally Posted by NoahSamuel View Post
I think every n54 owner should:

1) make sure the oil filter housing gasket has been replaced

2) order rob beck's PCV valve replacement

3) order rob beck's PCV cap

4) keep an eye on turbo's (common oil consumption area...blown seals, leaking oil lines, etc)

5) check the valve cover gasket

http://www.rbturbo.com/rbpcv

You probably need a walnut blast but that is another issue.

[MineralweissIS]

I'm going to chime in since I also own a 335is, although I know oil consumption is specific to the N54 engine in general.

My engine also sips 1qt every 1k miles. This has been the case since I purchased the car as a CPO with 21k miles 3 years ago. While under factory warranty, my dealer explained it was within BMW allowed tolerances (with an official bulletin in hand).

Ctuna - thanks for your recommendations. I have been running the RB PCV for about 15k miles now. There has been no improvement in oil consumption.

For what it's worth I drive enthusiastically, but have never beat up on my car. I have also been tuned on Cobb Stage 1 for about 10k miles and have not seen any more oil usage so I don't feel there is any relevance there. I have used Mobil 1 euro formula and as of recent changed to Castrol euro with no change, either. I have a couple quarts left and will be switching to Motul next.

Now at 50k miles, I've accepted this as a way of life for the N54 owner. Some experience less consumption than others. I guess we are just unlucky. I am not really complaining though - my car has been pretty rock solid.

[rsyed07]

I think it comes down to how the very first owner broke in the motor. I've got n54 IS about to roll 59K and knock on wood its been 7000 miles since my last oil change in Fall of 2016 and the oil level sensor reads 1/4 of a bar low from full. I change my oil every 7500 - 8000 miles. So it does consume some oil but very negligible and no where near a quart between oil changes or 1,000 miles. Now my E46 consumes a quart every 1,000 miles and that's because it has a seep in the oil pan gasket.

So look closely because chances are it could be something else causing the oil consumption or loss in this case.

[doru]

I'm losing about 1/2 qt in 5000 miles or so. 335is stock, only change Rb pcv valve & stage 1 aggressive Cobb.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by 335udm

Have you checked the air filter? Clogged air filter will force engine to burn oil. . . In Atlanta now we've got lottsa pollen! Apart from me sneezing, I do have to change the air filter more frequently. Good luck, . .

Because the filter is generally cheap, I've changed it in as little as 10k, seriously...because I saw my mpgs dip, and when I changed it, it seemed to be restored...I know that is quite frequently, but it's not the end of the world...I've never believed in the 50k air filter....

[John 070]

Originally Posted by rsyed07

I think it comes down to how the very first owner broke in the motor. I've got n54 IS about to roll 59K and knock on wood its been 7000 miles since my last oil change in Fall of 2016 and the oil level sensor reads 1/4 of a bar low from full. I change my oil every 7500 - 8000 miles. So it does consume some oil but very negligible and no where near a quart between oil changes or 1,000 miles. Now my E46 consumes a quart every 1,000 miles and that's because it has a seep in the oil pan gasket.

So look closely because chances are it could be something else causing the oil consumption or loss in this case.

The problem is car mfgs consider this normal....porsche I believe says 3 qts between change intervals is ok????!

Someone posted BMWs official stance once, and it got technical...needless to say mine always has showed full its entire life, would hate for that to change..

[Jarrod]

Just to provide another data point, I have put about 2000 miles on my 2012 335is and the oil sensor indicates that I'm half way to needing to top it off with a quart. So, 1 quart per ~3-4000 miles is a rough guesstimate.

The car is at 35k and I'm not tuned. I typically do get on it pretty hard at least once per drive after the oil is up to temp. I *do* have a very slight smell of burning oil coming from the engine compartment once the engine is hot, but have not been able to locate a leak. I sometimes catch a faint whiff of that inside the cabin right after I get on it hard. I plan to give it a thorough inspection soon when I get in there for plugs and intake cleaning. Am also contemplating a catch can if for no other reason than to try evaluating how much blow by I'm getting.

At first I was a bit concerned until I read that BMW considers 1qt per 1000 miles "within spec". Coming from Japanese cars I personally found that a bit shocking but my son's VW was the same way and that doesn't appear to alarm people in that community either. He just always kept a fresh quart in the trunk and carried on - no issues in the 30k that he drove it.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by rsyed07

I think it comes down to how the very first owner broke in the motor. I've got n54 IS about to roll 59K and knock on wood its been 7000 miles since my last oil change in Fall of 2016 and the oil level sensor reads 1/4 of a bar low from full. I change my oil every 7500 - 8000 miles. So it does consume some oil but very negligible and no where near a quart between oil changes or 1,000 miles. Now my E46 consumes a quart every 1,000 miles and that's because it has a seep in the oil pan gasket.

So look closely because chances are it could be something else causing the oil consumption or loss in this case.

this is exactly what it is. i gave up on trying to convince others because opinions with evidence to back it up is apparently frowned upon on these judgmental forums.

but yes.. quoted text is 100% right. if you are an unfortunate owner who has an engine which was abused by the first owner, the only thing you can really do to slow oil consumption is use a better quality 5w40 which will make a difference. I recommend 5w40 liqui moly motul shell rotella etc.

[ufokinwot]

Originally Posted by ctuna

There was a thread in here once saying that if a certain valve in the
Environmental control system fails it causes excessive oil use in a 335.

Originally Posted by NoahSamuel View Post
I think every n54 owner should:

1) make sure the oil filter housing gasket has been replaced

2) order rob beck's PCV valve replacement

3) order rob beck's PCV cap

4) keep an eye on turbo's (common oil consumption area...blown seals, leaking oil lines, etc)

5) check the valve cover gasket

http://www.rbturbo.com/rbpcv

You probably need a walnut blast but that is another issue.

I'm looking at the service records for my car and it says that the fuel injectors were replaced, does this mean it was walnut blasted?

Originally Posted by MineralweissIS

I'm going to chime in since I also own a 335is, although I know oil consumption is specific to the N54 engine in general.

My engine also sips 1qt every 1k miles. This has been the case since I purchased the car as a CPO with 21k miles 3 years ago. While under factory warranty, my dealer explained it was within BMW allowed tolerances (with an official bulletin in hand).

Ctuna - thanks for your recommendations. I have been running the RB PCV for about 15k miles now. There has been no improvement in oil consumption.

For what it's worth I drive enthusiastically, but have never beat up on my car. I have also been tuned on Cobb Stage 1 for about 10k miles and have not seen any more oil usage so I don't feel there is any relevance there. I have used Mobil 1 euro formula and as of recent changed to Castrol euro with no change, either. I have a couple quarts left and will be switching to Motul next.

Now at 50k miles, I've accepted this as a way of life for the N54 owner. Some experience less consumption than others. I guess we are just unlucky. I am not really complaining though - my car has been pretty rock solid.

Yeah the car is solid and everything and I don't mind topping off every so often since the BMW dealers gives free top offs. Thanks for your input glad im not the only one going through a quart every 1k miles.

Originally Posted by John 070

Because the filter is generally cheap, I've changed it in as little as 10k, seriously...because I saw my mpgs dip, and when I changed it, it seemed to be restored...I know that is quite frequently, but it's not the end of the world...I've never believed in the 50k air filter....

Just cleaned my filter in the mean time until my replacement comes and it was filthy with bugs and dirt everywhere. I feel like the throttle response is a little better now.

Originally Posted by the storm breaks

For about 20,000 miles I was eating through a quart of oil every 1,250 miles. Performed a walnut blast and switch to Motul, nothing more, and for the last 2 oil changes I've only needed to add a quart around every 4,000 miles

I called the dealer where the car was serviced and I asked if it was walnut blasted since the injectors were replaced. The lady on the phone said that they blasted them when they replaced the injectors. Is that common thing to do when you replace injectors?

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by the storm breaks

For about 20,000 miles I was eating through a quart of oil every 1,250 miles. Performed a walnut blast and switch to Motul, nothing more, and for the last 2 oil changes I've only needed to add a quart around every 4,000 miles

this is what switching to good quality oil does for your car.

[335e92tx]

Mine was at 1 qt every 3K for the first 100-115K then boom..
Same oil used for last 40K - Castrol syn

Will tell new owner to try motul..

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by STR8-6IX

this is exactly what it is. i gave up on trying to convince others because opinions with evidence to back it up is apparently frowned upon on these judgmental forums.

but yes.. quoted text is 100% right. if you are an unfortunate owner who has an engine which was abused by the first owner, the only thing you can really do to slow oil consumption is use a better quality 5w40 which will make a difference. I recommend 5w40 liqui moly motul shell rotella etc.

The only thing frowned upon is the anecdotal evidence you provide with regard to everything you post. You also refuse to acknowledge good and scientific data that is given in all your threads. You often comment on how much better your car "feels" as if you are a some kind of mechanic soothsayer.

For example, you recently told a guy that he was looking at a motor rebuild bc he was having coolant burn off issues. This was not even close to the actual issue.

People on here should know they're recieving advice from an 18 year old that's driven maybe 15,000 miles in his/her whole life - I.e. You're not qualified to have a legal drink, let alone spitball ideas about other people's engine internals from your wrist rocket. You've already shot your eye out!

Please go to BITOG for actual oil information.

I do agree that the correct viscosity oil of sufficient quality is important, however.

[ufokinwot]

Update:


I changed to liqui moly 5w30 and now the car is not burning any oil 1000 miles after the oil change. Oil is still at the max level.

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by ufokinwot

Hello all,

Got a 2011 335is DCT a while ago and It seems to be needing a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The first time I went for a top off was 3/11/17 and the car had around 72k miles. 1000 miles later on 4/1/17 the car had 73,050 miles and needed another top off of oil. Today. 4/16/2017, the car has 73,800 miles and the computer says the oil is a little bit below the middle so I will need a top off soon.

I do drive the car hard a lot but I think that every 1000 miles little bit ridiculous. I know these cars burn oil but is mine burning too much? Car is not leaking oil at all and doesn't smell of burning oil. I got the car inspected and there were no signs of oil leaking around 70k miles.


What do you guys think?


Update:

I changed to liqui moly 5w30 and now the car is not burning any oil 1000 miles after the oil change. Oil is still at the max level.

Interesting fwiw. Which oil was used before?
When you went for top off at 72k when was the oil change done? At 71k or earlier?

[ufokinwot]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Interesting fwiw. Which oil was used before?
When you went for top off at 72k when was the oil change done? At 71k or earlier?

It was BMW twin turbo oil 0w40. I talked to bmw and they now use only 0w40 for all their cars except the M cars.

Records show the oil change was done at 69,000 miles. So im guessing the last owner just kept topping it off.