E92 M3 and oil

[x5x3]

on the way home tonight - the oil low warning came on and it says it is on the minimum - i.e. 1L.

I have to get to the office tomorrow morning and do not have any oil at home - mainly due to the fact that I cannot find the correct oil.

Does anyone have any thoughts on how many more miles I could/should risk without doing damage?

If I could sit at home and wait for the local dealership to open then I would but I have to be in the office (about 120 miles) by 8am latest.

[rassi]

If the warning light is permanently on, I would not ignore it. I assume the E92 M3 use the 10W/60 oil, which even Halford should have (the Castrol TWS equivalent = Edge), so if you could do the 120 mile drive and then top up it may just be ok but I would not go any further than that. In fact, IMO adding 1/2 litre of any decent full-synthetic oil (e.g. 5W/40) would be preferable to running too low, in your situation. And finally - and this is not a dig at you - do get a few 1 litre bottles to ensure that you always carry some in the boot to top up with in the future, the M engines (certainly the E39 M5 one) likes a drink, so one should be prepared for this.

[x5x3]

rassi said:

If the warning light is permanently on, I would not ignore it. I assume the E92 M3 use the 10W/60 oil, which even Halford should have (the Castrol TWS equivalent = Edge), so if you could do the 120 mile drive and then top up it may just be ok but I would not go any further than that. In fact, IMO adding 1/2 litre of any decent full-synthetic oil (e.g. 5W/40) would be preferable to running too low, in your situation. And finally - and this is not a dig at you - do get a few 1 litre bottles to ensure that you always carry some in the boot to top up with in the future, the M engines (certainly the E39 M5 one) likes a drink, so one should be prepared for this.

thanks - I wont take it as a dig - more of a reminder, to be honest have tried a few places and none have the spec it states in the book!

I just spoke to BMW emergency services and they strongly advise not driving more than to the local dealer - which I guess I expected them to say but I think it has persuaded me to beg/borrow the wife's car for tomorrow (which I suspect will cost me about as much as a new engine )

[-Z-]

IMO it'll be fine. Just don't corner hard and be as smooth as poss.

[x5x3]

I decided not to risk this and borrowed my wife's Zafira for the day, god what an experience, not only is it terrible to drive but no-one wants to be overtaken on the motorway by a Zafira!

On the oil, I got the right stuff and added 1 litre - now the indicator says it is completely full?

Is this normal/right?

I think it is time to pop into the local dealer!

[Wills2]

x5x3 said:

I decided not to risk this and borrowed my wife's Zafira for the day, god what an experience, not only is it terrible to drive but no-one wants to be overtaken on the motorway by a Zafira!

On the oil, I got the right stuff and added 1 litre - now the indicator says it is completely full?

Is this normal/right?

I think it is time to pop into the local dealer!

I think the display was telling you to add 1 litre not that it had 1 litre left! .

It has about 8 litres in it IIRC mine came up with +1 litre drove it to sheffield about 60 miles then bought some oil from the dealer with no issues.

Edited by Wills2 on Thursday 29th July 12:16

[Alan Alan Alan]

x5x3 said:

I decided not to risk this and borrowed my wife's Zafira for the day, god what an experience, not only is it terrible to drive but no-one wants to be overtaken on the motorway by a Zafira!

On the oil, I got the right stuff and added 1 litre - now the indicator says it is completely full?

Is this normal/right?

I think it is time to pop into the local dealer!

No thats nornal. I topped mine up last week. As mentioned it's worth buying 2 litres at a time, so you always have an reserve if needed. I keep mine in the void space under the boot mat.

[Neil.D]

The difference from between min max is 1 litre - so relax

[macca]

Personally, I put half a litre in when it says it requires 1 litre and found it goes to 3/4 or even full. I can always add more if necessary.

[Schermerhorn]

The oil warning light comes on to indicate the last 1 litre is depleted. It doesn't mean the oil only has 1 litre left contrary to popular belief.

Top up by 1 litre and you should be alright.

[ArmaghMan]

Wow.
This is just like an E39 M5 thread from 10 years ago!!

[RacerMDR]

Just had exactly the same problem with mine. Unfortunately I
350 miles from home. I haven't got my book with me. Is 10/60 the recommended oil?

[RacerMDR]

Just had exactly the same problem with mine. Unfortunately I
350 miles from home. I haven't got my book with me. Is 10/60 the recommended oil?

[x5x3]

I think the posters above were correct, I added a litre and have not seen the light since, I just got some from a BMW dealer (not the cheapest but certainly the safe option!)

[3ftandclean]

My warning light has come on too. Good to know it's not the last litre!

[Wills2]

3ftandclean said:

My warning light has come on too. Good to know it's not the last litre!

Run a 4.0 V8 with 1 litre of oil and you'd know about it....

[waremark]

As everyone has said, the warning comes on when there is just room to add 1 litre. In my car, it takes a very long time to use 1 litre (I probably fill once between services), so for 120 miles the oil level can be only just below the 'normal' level. In these circumstances, it seems very unlikely to me that there is any chance of damage. Personally, I do carry a litre in the boot all the time - bought from the dealer, because for the amount I need the cost is not significant.