Oil Concern/Problem

[MrWB]

I purchased a used 325I three weeks ago from a local BMW dealer. It was a dealership loaner I believe and has just over 13,000 miles. This last weekend I was out driving over a winding road and noticed the yellow oil light come on and
stayed on until I reset (powered off/on) the ignition. The light went out but I
checked it out that evening and found that it was 1 1/2 quarts low. I took it into
the dealer this morning and he topped off the oil level. You would have thought
the dealer would have checked the level at time of sale. The service tech said
that Mobil One oils have a tendenacy to evaporate. Sounds fishy to me to be
1 1/2 quarts low after 13k miles. I have never had a car do this using petro
based oil products. Any ideas or comments.
Thanks,
Bill

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

It sounds like the car got the hell beat out of it by the "gentle customers" who handled it. They probably floored it when the engine was cold and made sure to rev it to 6500rpm at least 10 times a drive. I would never buy a dealer loaner, especially not a used 325i when for the incentives you can get a new one for the price of a used one. A loaded $35,000 MSRP 2005 325i can be purchased for just about $29,000 maybe even a little under and it's BRAND NEW (you do know that they're phasing out the current model 3 series right?). I sure hope the car you purchased was CPO 100k/6yr warranty with free maintenance included, in nearly impeccable condition, and was under $30k...

Anyhow, welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your BMW. I have heard of the 3.0 engine using about 1/2 quart of oil to a quart when it's new, but never the 184hp 2.5 one.

 

[Kirby]

The service tech said that Mobil One oils have a tendenacy to evaporate.

That's a good one, never heard that before!

1 1/2 quarts low after 13K miles is not a worry at all. In fact, by many reports that is low consumption. Some people report 1 quart every 1500 - 2000 miles, which most people consider high (including me) but it seems that this still falls in BMW's window of "normal".

Top it off, keep an eye on it. You actually don't know what the consumption is at all, since this is the first time you have topped it off. It could be this is the first time oil was added, or it could consume it faster. You'll know better in 2500 miles.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I thought BMW used their own castrol blend of 5w-30 synthetic. Why would there be Mobil 1 in it? I think the tech just made up some BS on the spot...

 

[codex57]

BMW does use Castrol. Mobile 1 is generally used by customers. Something does sound fishy. But our cars are known to burn oil dependign on the individual car.

 

[Big Daddy]

Yep, BMW's are known oil consumers. BMW has used Mobil 1 in the past as their oil, switched to Castrol and has been with them since. My 91 318is came new with a sticker on the valve cover stating that Mobil 1 was the oil inside! Just use a good synthetic and your fine. But lke Richard said most BMW owners I know use Mobil 1.

 

[codex57]

Judging from the mileage adn the fact that it was a loaner, I'm pretty sure it was a 2004 or 2005 model. That should be Castrol. Considering the mileage, shouldn't it have the original Castrol stuff from teh factory? I'd swap out the oil filter at the very least cuz the 15,000 mile oil change is coming up, but I think 13,000 miles is in dire need of at least a fresh oil filter until the next change.

 

[MrWB]

Sorry for the confusion, the tech did put in the BMW 5-30 synthetic oil.

 

[Big Daddy]

I have to agree with Richard on the oil filter thing. I totally missed that and if the car only has 13k she has most likely never had an oil change. I would simply change the oil at this time, with a clean new filter.