At a dealer..

[abraigbmw]

I was trying out a '98 328is at a dealer today, but noticed when the car was idling, there was a little bit of white smoke coming out of exhaust (not blue smoke), so I was thinking maybe it was burning oil?? But the dealer said that it's VAPORs - water?? Is that right or does he think I'm an idiot?

[DeefNDorf]

Hmm..I got a 96 and it dont "Vapor" water...

[bitcore]

blueish greyish (not white) is burning oil. White is really just steam. Nothing to worry about, has nothing to do with a malfunctiong part of the car. It should go away after a few minutes.

[dutchbmw]

That is absolutely nothing to worry about. I think when there is a high humidity you can see the vapour.

[john_18]

what everyone else said

[abraigbmw]

Well, it was not a humid day, it was not cold either. +20C (maybe around 80F)...

[El Presidente]

my car spits out white smoke if it has sat for a week or so and hasn't been started....

[dutchbmw]

Mine smokes in winter and cold days.

[hodges76]

Mine smokes after sex!

[greennvmachine]

it's just because the car was sitting for a couple of days im sure. In the manuel it say to let you car "take a deep breath" every now and then, after not running for a while or sitting in lots a traffic. to do this run your car around 3000 rpm for a "mile or two".

[greennvmachine]

what should you do if your girlfriend starts smoking?

slow down, use more lubricant

[dutchbmw]