Z4 3.0L Oil Consumption - BMW Forum

budhm · 05-13-2003, 03:05 AM

I'm of course going to run this by a BMW service center, but I wondered what kind of input I'd get on a forum.

Picked up a Z4 3.0L in Feb, ran through the whole break in period (under 5,000 rmp, under 100mph), then took it on a trip down the East Coast (for St. Patricks Day, about 2,500 miles round trip). Had the yellow oil light turn on about 1 week after the trip, didn't have any BMW synthetic, so added 1 quart of Mobil 1 synthetic.

Ran it down the East Coast again last week (same trip). Yellow oil light again, had to add another quart of Mobil 1 synthetic.

Should I be burning this much oil in 7,000 miles? Granted, since breakin, I've been driving aggressively, but...

Also, should the idle be 100 percent smooth? Idle seems to rise and fall when cold or when hot...never loses power, but...

any advice would be appreciated.

Thx.
Bud

triggrhaapi · 05-13-2003, 03:10 AM

That doesn't sound at all normal for a brand new car. Is it leaking oil or burning it? Cuz synthetic really doesn't burn too easily. My guess is a leak, but I'd need more info to tell you from where. You'd know if you were burning oil, ppl would tell you that your brand new car was puffing blue smoke when you step on it hard.

05-13-2003, 03:14 AM

that sucks man, and no you shouldnt need that much oil....the service indicator on your engine should be around 15k.....so nothing should need to be done until then

MrM3 · 05-13-2003, 04:07 AM

i dont know how high tech those service indicators are getting, but its normal to lose quite a bit of oil in the first 1000 miles, but hardly any after that (unless its a M3). i would take the car in to check the unsteady idle and to see if ur indicator lights are misleading you.

budhm · 05-13-2003, 04:19 AM

called up the BMW service center in my area. They're telling me that's normal??? for the first 12,000 miles or so...

so I'm taking it in next week for a 7500 mile oil change, ask 'em to give it a good once over.

you don't think that BMW would snow me on something like that, huh?

budhm · 05-13-2003, 04:21 AM

BTW, I checked the oil levels both times, both times 1 quart low...

Ski · 05-13-2003, 04:39 AM

Does your manual say anything about this??

btw I think Cam had a similar problem w/ his M3..

budhm · 05-13-2003, 05:05 AM

just "oil consumption is directly influenced by driving style and operating conditions."

Gee, thanks...

Ski · 05-13-2003, 05:15 AM

I'm going to make a phone call..stupid service dealer closed after 5pm here on the east coast.. :angry:

budhm · 05-13-2003, 05:42 AM

Thanks for trying...

Ski · 05-13-2003, 05:54 AM

How do you like the ride Bud??

budhm · 05-13-2003, 06:01 AM

Amazing...the little sport button is a must...if you're driving along and disengage the sport button, it feels like you're hitting a wall of jelly...

.../re handling, the tail end just won't let go, perfect balance.

I test drove the 2.5l in a steptronic and was NOT impressed by the power...I took a huge risk ordering the 3.0l in the 6 speed, since I wasn't 100% happy with the 2.5...but I was blown away...

...run flats w/ the tight suspension are not good for letting the passenger get some zzzz's (on my trip to Savannah, my buddy's head was bouncing side to side

, but who cares, it's a sport car, right...I'd rather have the suspension...

05-13-2003, 06:05 AM

man thats why you buy a sports car, so you get thrown around! lol #1, manual is a must, and a 2.5 with manual will haul, but a z4 3.0 6spd does 0-60 in 5.5 and outhandles a boxter s...nice car man!

Ski · 05-13-2003, 06:07 AM

Cool..I just saw the Z4 test on speed channel yesterday as I was extremely impressed..

I was a little skeptical at first thru pics, but when I saw one up close I was speechless..

budhm · 05-13-2003, 06:14 AM

and as critical as some were about the "new design" ... it definitely gets people's attention...