Help me with my dipstick (330ci)

[PaulB81]

Hi All

Just recently purchased this:



Its a 330ci M-sport Coupe. Lovely car!!

Anyway, I checked the oil when I got it home and it looks low which in itself is concerning as it was apparently serviced with a full oil change in September. However, checking the manual, the dipstick in it does not match the one in the car so I'm not sure where the min/max is. Its not the same as my other 3 series.

Here is a rather crudely illustrated pic:



When I got it, it was around where I have marked 1 on my pic
Its now about halfway between 1 and 2 because I put a bit more in

Question:

Should it be at 2 (i assume this)
Or should it be at the little dot where I have marked 3?

Cheers guys and sorry for the silly question!!

-Paul

Edited by PaulB81 on Thursday 31st March 18:00

[TheEnd]

It should be between 1 and 2.

[PaulB81]

So 2 is the max line?

Looks like it was just on the minimum when I got it then, it wasnt enough to flag up the oil warning light.

Thankyou for the quick response. Dont want to overfill it within a day of buying it

[Fox-]

Yes, 2 is the max.

These engines do use oil - so check it regularly.

[PaulB81]

Thankyou. I have a 320d and I have basically never had to top up the oil. I service it once a year. Check the oil periodically and it never seems to significantly drop!!

[sjj84]

As has been said, 2 is the max level. For some reason I have it in my mind that between the max and min marks is 1 litre of oil. Have a flick through the cars manual and it should say, also tells you when you should check the oil. From memory I think it is; get the engine to temp, turn off, wait 5 minutes and then check.
My old 330 used approx 1-2 litres of oil between services, I've heard of some using nearly a litre every couple of thousand miles.

[ghibbett]

Blimey! Mine doesn't appear to use any between services.

[Martyn D]

If its filled with 0/40 it'll use a drop, depending on the mileage, higher mileage should be filled with 5/40

[garylythgoe]

My 89,000 mile 330i pretty has probably used 500ml in the last 6-7000 miles. Good stuff.