Oil level M5 E60

[TVR newbie]

Hi all

I tried to post this earlier but not sure if it worked as was doing via iPhone so apologies if it did (didn't look like it did from my end!) and you are reading this twice!

I've recently bought a 57 plate m5 which I am loving the more I drive it.

However I have a few, probably basic, questions I need help on.

Firstly the oil level has dropped a notch recently and although I know these cars can drink, both the manual and a friend who has a 06 M5 said that the oil level check accessed by the BC button should show you the amount in litres till you must refill. However mine is just showing "OK" and the level (which is one notch from the top). Will the litre reading appear once I have lost a bit more oil or do I need to do a setting change?

Secondly, and I think I know the answer to this, but does the engine sound shall we say, a tad diesel like, on idle? It is obviously worse on a cold start up but even after a decent drive it seems to sound a little noisy at idle. From other websites it seems this is common but wanted to check!

I'm probably being over cautious but coming from a TVR I'm used to being paranoid at imaginary issues!

Cheers

Dan

[sdc77]

Hi
I really can't remember seeing "ok" on oil. It's always a number up to a litre. It is in the manual tho
Expect it to use A fair bit of oil tho (depending how you drive it)
It will sound like a diesel on idle when cold. That's quite normal

[TVR newbie]

Thanks for the reply. Mine is def showing OK and not a number so if anyone has any ideas will appreciate it.

Cheers

[-Z-]

Well I'm guessing its a similar system to a e90 M3. With that you would see the oil level drop over time until it got to the point where it says add 1 Litre. You aren't supposed to add any until it requests it.

Also IIRC, there should always be an empty bar at the top, if thats filled in then its close to being overfilled with oil.

[TVR newbie]

Yeah the very top part was empty so wasn't over filled at all.

Ta for coming back to me guys. Much appreciated

[ecain63]

The early E60 M5's have an oil level that reads in litres. All E61 Tourers and 57 plate onwards E60's have a bar scale reading on the instrument cluster and a level check in the idrive that reads OK when happy. Only add oil when the car tells you. Add EXACTLY 1 litre of Castrol Edge 10-60, no more, no less.

Eddie

[groucho]

I must say that my current M5 uses a lot less oil than my former. I have done 2.5k and the level has only dropped a tad.

By the way, I came from TVR too. Love the M5.

[Jazzer]

Hi!

The instrument on the steering column gives a rough reading of the volume of oil that you have to play with.....0.2L means that you have 200ml to use before you need to add more oil.

Best to use the indicator in the i-drive....the one that shows the dipstick picture.

Mine uses a litre every 3000 miles.

Top tip.....only add 750ml when it tells you to add a litre.....straight from a top guy at BMW......I did this today and all is well.

Jazzer

[jamiesecker]

I hav ealso just got a 07 E60 M5 and just put a Ltr of oil in as the i drive system said ythat was the required amount. I then have just drive to the Nurburg Ring, completed 4 laps and driven home. Just over 1000 miles and dropped to 0.9 so pretty impressed as was expecting worse.

[ecain63]

For some reason the newer cars do seem to be better on the oil. My 07 E61 did 2.5k and only dropped 0.3ltr. By which point 6 months had passed and I had the oil changed as per my usual 6 monthly routine. I have seen people on here commenting on how they had to top up with a litre every 1k to 2k. I don't know what the reason for this variation is but it sure is odd.

[M5 Mark]

Mine gets through a littre every 1000miles and always had. Interestingly, when driving sensible I thik it would last 2000miles. As I leave at 5am for a 200mile trip twice a week, sensible is not exactly the main focus of the drive....

The diesel sounds is normal, still replace those headers and it won;t sound like a diesel anymore it will sound the devil himself is crawling out under the car on a cold start!

[Zod]

The iDrive display shows OK if it has enough oil. Click on it and you get the graphic. When it gets below 0.2l, you need to add a litre. You can reset the display by holding in the button with engine running while the car is on the flat, stationary. After a minute or two the reading will come up.

In the first couple of years, I found that the oil level would drop quite rapidly on a long trip if it had been used mostly for shorter journeys.

I always carry a litre bottle of oil in the boot. BMW will give you a special Velcro pouch with a litre bottle of Castrol TWS, cardboard funnels and gloves.