330 oil consumption...

[fast330xi]

I'd appreciate any feedback on the following....I recently purchased an '01 330xi, "cert. preowned" from bmw dealer. I've put about 4,000 miles on the car and have noticed it has burned about 3/4 qt. of oil. Is this normal? Driving conditions have been mostly highway, fast, long duration/distance trips. Thanks in advance for any info!!!

oh yeah...car has 45,000 miles on it.

[peterkulesza]

its fine. usually the engine will burn off some of the oil if it is filled up to capacity. then it will stop at some level.. check the dipstick once per week, it it goes below minimum, then it is likely excessive. it really should not use more than a quart for 10k.

make sure that you wait at least 20 mins after stopping the engine to check to allow all oil to drain into the pan.

did you do a compression check on it before buying ?

[fast330xi]

Embarrased to admit....I did not get a compression check prior to buying. My guess is that "cert. pre-owned" from BMW dealer would cover anything major.
Based on your response and talking with others in the know, I may be over critical seeing how I've only had the car for a few months.

I have heard though that the BMW inline 6's do tend to burn a little oil - is there any truth to this? I'll watch it and see what happens the next 1k miles or so and post a follow up, may bring it back to dealer for compression check if excessive. If anyone else can add insight, please post. Thanks!!

[EXtech]

I wouldn't be concerned about that, the 3 oh's tend to eat a little oil mainly due to a little lighter oil ring and not so tight tollerances

[moto]

Nice car fast330xi. I wouldn't worry about 3/4 quart
at 4000 miles. I would get the oil changed at 5000 mi.
using a heavier weight good synthetic like Mobil 1.
Then monitor the oil every 1000 miles. Do not go
by the oil change indicator (25000 km or 15000 mi.).
I don't care what they say, Synthetic will not last
that long and keep the engine clean.

[Gargoyle69]

I am not sure about the 330's but I have not had any problem with synthetic oil in my 323i. I have only noticed a little oil burn, but that is true for all cars, atleast the ones that I have owned. I think that it is a little mistrusting saying that synthetic oil will not last, if you ask me. This is the first car that I have put synthetic in and I am amazed at how well it performs. It may be more expensive but I have noticed that it runs much better than any other oil out there. I change my oil every 6000 miles on the dot, which is what they tell you you should do at the lube shop, synthetic is designed to run twice as long as regular oil and it does just that and it does it good.
"That is just my opinion, I could be wrong."

[moto]

Gargoyle69. Thats what I was saying about changing
every 5000 to 6000 miles.(8000 to 10000 km). Thats
the best thing you can do to an engine with synthetics.
I just don't think certain oils will last 15000 miles, what
BMW recommends.

[Gargoyle69]

Sorry Moto, I misunderstood you, I had know idea that the dealer dudes were saying that you could last 15000 miles, they have to be smoking crack. I have always had my oil changed at the Super-Lube down the street and they tell me to change it every 5 to 6 grand every time that I come in. Even my car tells me to change it every 6000. When I turn the car on after I get the oil changed it reads 6000 miles until the next servicing without me resetting it. No hard feelings, i just misunderstood.

[moto]

No problem Gargoyle69. What year is your
323? If it's a 2000, dosn't your oil service count
down from 15000 mi (25000 km)? I have a 2000
328i and mine has the counter counting down
from 25000 km (Canada). Since I don't put many
miles on mine, I'll change it 3 times before I put
25000 km on it. Each time they will not reset the
oil life counter. Only when it gets to the 25000 km
mark.

[Gargoyle69]

I have a 2000 323. It's oil change service indicator starts at 6000 miles and counts down every time I turn the car on. It also resets itself every time I change the oil; without me having do do anything. I had it changed with 1425 miles left on it the last time I change and it recalibrated itself automatically. Maybe it is a dealer turned on option.