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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) Local Forums UK M340i Oil Consumption

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      02-13-2020, 12:35 PM   #1
nashdm2
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M340i Oil Consumption

Guys, I have found a thread in the bowels of the larger forum regarding oil consumption.

I have decided to bring the discussion into this part of the forum, so that I can get opinions from the UK guys. (sorry if this breaks forum rules mods, I just don't know how many people on this forum get to see the B58 forum)

So, in the B58 section of another forum in bimmerpost there are loads of guys from the US and Canada who are reporting really bad oil consumption. They are saying that the low oil level warning light is coming on at around 2.5 to 3k. They top up, then the same at 6k and then 9k.

Those that have reported it say that BMW tell them its normal.

In that forum, there is not a single brit in that thread (I think), so, what do the brits say please?

Anybody in the UK with similar issues please?

Last edited by nashdm2; 02-13-2020 at 01:10 PM..
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      02-13-2020, 03:00 PM   #2
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It would be interesting to know whether those individuals followed the running in procedure.
My M340i is now on 6200 miles. When I last check checked the oil level two weeks ago, it was still on the max level and I've not yet needed to top up. I was careful to break the car in gently and resisted the urge to exploit the performance in the first couple of thousand miles.
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      02-13-2020, 03:11 PM   #3
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Thanks Bones, very interesting. Just give me a line or two on what you did whilst running it in please, and for how long? Thanks.......
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      02-13-2020, 04:03 PM   #4
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I followed the handbook - max 4500 rpm from memory for the first 1200 miles. I then stepped up by 500 rpm per 250 miles, so I was using full rpm after 2000 miles.

It's probably overly cautious, but I've done this with all my BMWs and never had a problem with oil consumption.
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      02-13-2020, 04:11 PM   #5
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Last month I had myM340 serviced for the 1st time at about 9200 miles. Before that I did have to add a quart of oil twice. Per my service guy this is normal. I have seen this all over this blog and not just the m340. My service guy said any more than 2 quarts per 10k miles they would look into. I not too worried. I check my oil about once a week. Oh to the OP I am in the USA. Yes I was gentle during the break in period
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      02-14-2020, 04:08 AM   #6
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Thanks for the reply guys. It is interesting how some get it and not others. I would love to understand why!!!

Anybody else from the U.K. getting this issue please?
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      02-14-2020, 05:36 AM   #7
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Ran my M340i in as instructed by the dealer and am approaching 6k miles with no issues here.
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      02-14-2020, 06:30 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nashdm2 View Post
Thanks for the reply guys. It is interesting how some get it and not others. I would love to understand why!!!

Anybody else from the U.K. getting this issue please?
Oil consumption can have quite a wide range. As BMW state....

Quote:
Note:
For BMW petrol and diesel engines, a maximum oil consumption of 0.7 l/1000 km is permissible.
Several factors involved, how an engine is bedded in, how it is used, ambient temperatures, the oil itself for conditions of use. Plus the design may mean consumption will be variable.

Bedding in can be too 'soft', even keeping to the BMW recommended regime. Engines do need work, but not abuse, while breaking in. We had this issue in the UK with many diesel engines, particularly when the market moved to diesel. Many folks weren't used to as much torque, so ran their engines too easy and at low revs. Result, many would burn oil.

I've seen engines burn a drop of oil for several thousand miles, then virtually stop. Consumption then negligible through its life.

Helps us understand why BMW state 7,500km minimum, before they would measure consumption, due to the running in process and oil burning stabilisation.
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      02-14-2020, 06:38 AM   #9
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0.7l/1000km sounds ridiculously high. At that rate you are replacing the whole engine capacity every 7000 miles. You will never need to bother with an oil service.
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      02-14-2020, 06:49 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by what_a_bimmer View Post
0.7l/1000km sounds ridiculously high. At that rate you are replacing the whole engine capacity every 7000 miles. You will never need to bother with an oil service.
May seem high, but BMW have always had that sort of figure. It is not just BMW.

We've just had a VW 180 BiTdi (CFCA) engine put through the VW official oil consumption test due to 'sudden' oil burning. Something like 1 litre per 1000km to fail the consumption test. Our engine failed the measured test and had a new engine.
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      02-14-2020, 08:14 AM   #11
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It's probably the manufacturers covering their backs to reduce the number of engine replacements. Anything above a litre or so between service intervals of say 10k miles and something isn't right.
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      02-14-2020, 08:38 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by what_a_bimmer View Post
It's probably the manufacturers covering their backs to reduce the number of engine replacements. Anything above a litre or so between service intervals of say 10k miles and something isn't right.
True that many engines won't burn much oil between oil service intervals.

How about this comment from BMW, on oil consumption.

Quote:
Because of their increased power output and torque, M engines have a maximum permissible oil consumption of 1.5 l/1000 km.
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      02-14-2020, 08:59 AM   #13
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Quote:
Because of their increased power output and torque, M engines have a maximum permissible oil consumption of 1.5 l/1000 km.
That equates to an extra 2 pence per mile in oil. Lovely!
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      02-14-2020, 11:11 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete View Post
Bedding in can be too 'soft', even keeping to the BMW recommended regime. Engines do need work, but not abuse, while breaking in.
I agree with that statement. Drive normally, but be sensible with the revs and don't let the car labour in the wrong gear (not so relevant with the auto).
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      02-14-2020, 02:37 PM   #15
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Very interesting debate guys, thanks for your input.

I spoke to my service manager today who has been a good friend of mine for years. His reply was that a litre per 1500 miles is the average!!

I do feel it must be something to do with running in style. Otherwise why are some engines without issue and some with? It just doesn't make sense.

I am a forum member on a 5 series forum. The B58 is fitted to some cars and none of those have this issue.

The cut and paste above about M cars and increased power etc, where did this come from Pete please?
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      02-14-2020, 03:02 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nashdm2 View Post
The cut and paste above about M cars and increased power etc, where did this come from Pete please?
newTIS F82 M4

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...fluids/2v3QS5F
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      09-26-2021, 03:12 PM   #17
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Well, I bought the car with 8.5K on the clock, and 3k miles later, the low oil warning flashes up. A bit of a surprise, as haven't had a car flash up a low oil message for ever and a day.

So I had over 100 miles to go on a Sunday evening and pulled into the local Shell garage to put a litre in as per the iDrive. I scanned Shell's QR code and it came up with the recommended Helix Ultra ECT C5 0W-20. They either had a Universal Top Up 0W-30 or a Helix Ultra ECT C2/C3 0W-30, so I chose the latter.

No idea what C2/C3/C5 means!!!

Question...the handbook recommends some BMW Longlife either 04, 12 FE or 17 FE+. Does anyone know which one is for the M340i? Also, how long is oil good for once container opened, as if the car is going to have a thirst for oil, I might get some in.

EDIT - I've found what C2 etc means - https://www.finol.ie/news/acea-specifications - but interesting that Shell say they recommend C5 when the hand book says under alternative oils to use C2 or C3.
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Last edited by Charlie (Wessex); 09-26-2021 at 03:19 PM..
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      09-26-2021, 03:39 PM   #18
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Ran mine in as per instructions. I've done 8k miles in 15 months and not had to add a drop.
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      09-27-2021, 08:27 AM   #19
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The b58 is well know to use oil initially. Same happened in my old 340i and I got a dealer to just give me a litre of oil as I complained a brand new car shouldn't be needing oil so soon.
No issues on my m340 yet but have only driven 2.5k miles.
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      09-27-2021, 02:44 PM   #20
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Hmmm - I thought someone had said sometime ago that driving a new engine too gently will lead to increased oil consumption - piston rings and all that.

My S55 engine uses no oil from service to service - never moves from MAX mark.
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      09-27-2021, 04:12 PM   #21
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I drove fairly sensibly for the first 500 miles in the M440i. Put it in sport + but never kicked down hard or took it above 4.5k. However, After 500 miles… I’ve been driving it how I want. Full throttle kick downs and redlining etc. I’ll let you guys know if it starts to consume excess oil but I doubt it will. After having so many different BMW engines over the last 10 years and treating them all similarly, none have ever needed topping up.

Jinxed it now haven’t I
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      09-27-2021, 05:50 PM   #22
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I had to top up twice before 10000 miles, after that it was fine. I think its fairly normal.
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