My E36 '99T 318is never uses any oil!
Discussion
I bought a three month old BMW E36 318is coupé in July 1999. Today I carried out a routine oil check. As usual it was right at the top. In nearly 12 years I have only once had to put a litre of oil in - that was shortly after a service at a BMW main dealer. Other than that it has NEVER needed oil. It will gradually go down from the upper line, but only a bit, and long before it needs a litre it gets a service including an oil change, so it comes back to me with the oil at full again. My OH's '05 120d guzzles like Oliver Reed!
MitchT said:
I bought a three month old BMW E36 318is coupé in July 1999. Today I carried out a routine oil check. As usual it was right at the top. In nearly 12 years I have only once had to put a litre of oil in - that was shortly after a service at a BMW main dealer. Other than that it has NEVER needed oil. It will gradually go down from the upper line, but only a bit, and long before it needs a litre it gets a service including an oil change, so it comes back to me with the oil at full again. My OH's '05 120d guzzles like Oliver Reed!
I had to have a look in your profile as I love the E36. Yours looks lovely. 
. I wish I still had my 323i.
Can't bear to part with it!I'm one of the lucky ones, My '97 328i Sport came with BMW's "Continual fresh oil" option as a no cost option!.
Basically this option relies on using a litre of oil @ every 500 miles to ensure that the oil in the engine is never old and degraded, unlike some of these cars that use no oil at all (12 months of driving with the same oil?, no thanks!).
It's not a desirable option for those on a tight budget or for those who like to neglect their cars and only lift their bonnets twice a year (if that), as the car will reward your neglect by seizing it's engine to punish you, but for the true BMW enthusiast, it allows you to be part of a special selection of owners, all with a tale to tell and compare!.
I have to say that when BMW came up with this option, it was an incredible bit of thinking to keep the oil fresh!.
Basically this option relies on using a litre of oil @ every 500 miles to ensure that the oil in the engine is never old and degraded, unlike some of these cars that use no oil at all (12 months of driving with the same oil?, no thanks!).
It's not a desirable option for those on a tight budget or for those who like to neglect their cars and only lift their bonnets twice a year (if that), as the car will reward your neglect by seizing it's engine to punish you, but for the true BMW enthusiast, it allows you to be part of a special selection of owners, all with a tale to tell and compare!.
I have to say that when BMW came up with this option, it was an incredible bit of thinking to keep the oil fresh!.
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