Oil usage - E46 330ci
Discussion
I had an oil service back in February and have probably only done about 2000 miles since but my oil light came up this morning. I know the 330ci is fond of oil but surely not that much. The 2000 miles have been city driving with very little motorway jaunts.
Is my car about to die?
Cheers
Is my car about to die?
Cheers
BMW's tolerances for oil consumption are 1L per 600 miles.
So 1L for 2k miles isnt bad. There isnt anything wrong with it liking a drop and yours doesnt drink much in comparison.
Was the correct oil weight used? I tried 0W 40 in my car when it specifies 10W 60 and it burnt it like water. Took it out 2k miles later so treated it like an engine flush!
So 1L for 2k miles isnt bad. There isnt anything wrong with it liking a drop and yours doesnt drink much in comparison.
Was the correct oil weight used? I tried 0W 40 in my car when it specifies 10W 60 and it burnt it like water. Took it out 2k miles later so treated it like an engine flush!
I've had mine for 45k miles (5 years this week) and have only had any real issues twice.
First time was on a hot day driving round the Lake District and the low oil light came on - the handbook is useless other than saying use BMW approved oil so I had to phone a dealer to find out the right oil as there were no dealers within 50 miles or so. Paid a fortune in an indie service station as no Halfrauds in Ambleside either!.
The second time was a random check that showed it very low.
Otherwise I haven't really had to put any in apart from the odd tiny top up.
I am not the worlds best at checking these things, except in the Tiv which is a frequent paranoid check up.
First time was on a hot day driving round the Lake District and the low oil light came on - the handbook is useless other than saying use BMW approved oil so I had to phone a dealer to find out the right oil as there were no dealers within 50 miles or so. Paid a fortune in an indie service station as no Halfrauds in Ambleside either!.
The second time was a random check that showed it very low.
Otherwise I haven't really had to put any in apart from the odd tiny top up.
I am not the worlds best at checking these things, except in the Tiv which is a frequent paranoid check up.
DavidLScott said:
I've had mine for 45k miles (5 years this week) and have only had any real issues twice.
First time was on a hot day driving round the Lake District and the low oil light came on - the handbook is useless other than saying use BMW approved oil so I had to phone a dealer to find out the right oil as there were no dealers within 50 miles or so. Paid a fortune in an indie service station as no Halfrauds in Ambleside either!.
The second time was a random check that showed it very low.
Otherwise I haven't really had to put any in apart from the odd tiny top up.
I am not the worlds best at checking these things, except in the Tiv which is a frequent paranoid check up.
My local dealer handed a free oil bag to me when buying parts, it velcros in the boot and holds 1l oil, a pair of gloves and a dipstick wipe.First time was on a hot day driving round the Lake District and the low oil light came on - the handbook is useless other than saying use BMW approved oil so I had to phone a dealer to find out the right oil as there were no dealers within 50 miles or so. Paid a fortune in an indie service station as no Halfrauds in Ambleside either!.
The second time was a random check that showed it very low.
Otherwise I haven't really had to put any in apart from the odd tiny top up.
I am not the worlds best at checking these things, except in the Tiv which is a frequent paranoid check up.
_Deano said:
Aubrey said:
What's the best oil to use in an E46 330ci then?
Is Mobile 1 0-40w ok?Edited by Aubrey on Wednesday 28th May 15:32
I can buy loads of this from costco for a lot less than what halford/BMW want for it. Plus the Cayenne S loves the stuff.
The best thing to do is check the spec with a BMW dealer and then get a good name alternative.
Just tell them you need it now and are too far from a dealer to buy it from them if they get shirty (as they did with me).
_Deano said:
Aubrey said:
What's the best oil to use in an E46 330ci then?
Is Mobile 1 0-40w ok?Edited by Aubrey on Wednesday 28th May 15:32
I can buy loads of this from costco for a lot less than what halford/BMW want for it. Plus the Cayenne S loves the stuff.
- hasnt harmed mine in the last 2 years....http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
If you are still in doubt, try asking Guy - knows his stuff
If you are still in doubt, try asking Guy - knows his stuff
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