Oil consumption on N20 and what to fill with?

thenew3 · 12-09-2019, 05:50 PM

My wife has a 2016 X3 28i (built 11/2015) that has developed an appetite for oil.

During the first 3 years and 20k miles, it didn't consume any oil between oil changes (roughly 6k miles between changes).

In the 4th year, between 20k and 25k miles, I had to put in 2 quarts and it was still showing at the minimal level.

Spoke to dealer, they said they found no leaks and it's normal for turbo engines to burn 1qt every 1k miles or so.

Now at 28k miles (3k since last oil change) it was showing low oil so I added a quart. It still just shows barely above minimum which suggests it needs another quart.
So 2 quarts in 3k miles.

Is it normal for the N20 to be burning so much oil?

If so, what are you guys using to refill it? I went to 3 auto parts stores near by and no one had any BMW LL-01 approved oils. I was in a pinch so grabbed some Pennzoil platinum synthetic 0w-20. (tried to get the ultra platinum but nobody carries it).

I'm not new to oil consumption. had a VW/Audi 2.0T that used to burn a quart every 400 miles at one point. (it eventually got a little better and went to 1qt every 1k miles).

My previous bmw (E46) with the M52TU I6 never burnt any oil even when I went 18k miles between oil changes. When I sold it at 175k miles it was not burning any oil.

pungo · 12-09-2019, 07:27 PM

It could be that the oil level sensor is not telling the truth. At the next oil change, with the electronic sensor showing full, accurately measure how much oil comes out and see it that matches how much oil the vehicle takes. If there's more than there should be, you've been overfilling, which is bad. If the amount that comes out matches what the vehicle takes, you've got an oil burner, which is bad

thenew3 · 12-10-2019, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pungo

It could be that the oil level sensor is not telling the truth. At the next oil change, with the electronic sensor showing full, accurately measure how much oil comes out and see it that matches how much oil the vehicle takes. If there's more than there should be, you've been overfilling, which is bad. If the amount that comes out matches what the vehicle takes, you've got an oil burner, which is bad

That's what I thought last time I took it in and asked dealer to check the sensor. They said it was fine and that it's normal for these engines to burn 1qt every 1k miles.

If I ever find the time again, I may try to do the change myself and see how much actually comes out.

What kind of oil would you recommend to fill it with that meets LL-01 standards?

Wgosma · 12-10-2019, 09:30 AM

Take a look at Castrol Edge-European formula. I run 0W40 in my 6 Cyl motor; it is BMW long life - 01 approved. (API SN...most current petroleum institute spec)

Opie55 · 12-10-2019, 09:53 AM

0-20 isn't really the correct weight. But an N20 barely holds 5 quarts. If you were down 2 quarts the car should have told you that you were low. You've lost nearly half your oil. Below the min line should trigger a warning. Something weird is going here I think. And BMW usually says a qt per 1,000 miles is normal, but what is not normal is for a car to go from consuming none to consuming several quarts between changes. Especially at those low miles. Do you DIY? If it were me, I'd make sure I have gathered reliable data. I would change the oil and make to sure to put in the required amount, and immediately measure it. Is it at the max line so we know it reads correctly? Now check it regularly and keep a paper and pen in the car and note the miles every time it drops a notch on the scale.

raddoc · 12-10-2019, 04:19 PM

Oil consumption issues are common in many engines, but I've never had any issues with our 5 different BMWs. You should push your dealer for an oil consumption test, especially if the car is still under warranty. I had to push MB for an SLK350. It turned out that a bunch of bad rings were installed at the factory. They replaced the engine and I traded it the next day on a new Porsche.

kevink1 · 12-10-2019, 05:04 PM

Companies say 1 quart/1K miles to avoid doing something, since on some cars it may be normal, and you can normally check it and keep it high enough. But I would be upset if some modern car was going through oil that fast.

On my 2015 X3 28d, according to the electronic sensor in iDrive, it doesn't go down over 9K miles. Maybe lying? (79K miles). My previous car, one time I had to add a quart over 3K miles, otherwise didn't really go through oil. That car had a dip stick.

pungo · 12-10-2019, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenew3

That's what I thought last time I took it in and asked dealer to check the sensor. They said it was fine and that it's normal for these engines to burn 1qt every 1k miles.

If any vehicle I owned burned 1qt every 1k miles, I would not be keeping it, but that's just me...

thenew3 · 12-11-2019, 11:50 AM

The first 4 services were done by the dealer under the free maintenance agreement. I brought up the oil consumption and they said they checked but found no leaks and it was normal to burn 1qt every 1k. They did an oil consumption test which was basically adding some dye to the oil, running a few k miles then checking to see if there were traces of the dye outside the engine. They found non so they concluded it was burning oil rather than leaking and considered it within acceptable range.

Now it is out of warranty. after the last service I checked the oil meter and it was right at the full line. Over the last 3k miles it slowly went lower and lower till it hit the min mark and the system gave a low oil warning. I added one quart and the level went just above the min mark and the warning went away.
Prior to the previous service when the oil low warning came up, it took 2 quarts to bring it from the min mark to just under max. So based on that, it looks like it will need another quart right now to bring it close to max.

I used to DIY on my E46 but haven't on this F25 since it was under warranty and had free maintenance. Given my back surgery and my physical condition, I doubt I'll be able to DIY anymore.
I may bring it to a friend or relative's and see if they can help me drain it to see how much oil comes out.

As for the suggestion for Castrol edge european, I did not find that at any local auto parts store. The manual and the sticker in the engine bay all said it needs 0w-20 oil. Although we never get that cold (gets down to 40's in the winter) or that hot (70-80's in the summer) here, I can see using higher weight oil (maybe a 5w-30 or 5w-40).

As far as getting rid of it... It's the wife's DD and she loves it and doesn't want to get a new one.

Wgosma · 12-11-2019, 12:23 PM

Castrol: seems they don't offer the Euro blend in 0W20, kind of odd. They do make it in higher viscosity ratings.

But you know, all these oils meet/exceed American Petroleum Institute (API) 'SN'- which is the highest/most current spec. Yes I know it's not Euro but I'm sure you'd be good to go- I ran 10W40 Edge, not Euro, in my E39's, never any issues.
Good luck/Bill

Opie55 · 12-11-2019, 12:59 PM

If you go to the dealer and ask for oil, they will give you 5W30, unless they give a lighter grade in California. I bought 5W30 Castrol Edge at Walmart that I am pretty sure met LL01.

Wgosma · 12-11-2019, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

If you go to the dealer and ask for oil, they will give you 5W30, unless they give a lighter grade in California. I bought 5W30 Castrol Edge at Walmart that I am pretty sure met LL01.

From Amazon site...tho this particular oil is priced at 39 bucks for 5 quart jug, hmm....kinda pricey.

raddoc · 12-11-2019, 03:44 PM

The only really accurate way to determine excessive oil consumption (as opposed to a visible leak) is to drain all of the oil and refill with exactly the volume required according to the technical specs for your vehicle. If the oil level is lower at 1000-3000 miles, the oil is drained and the remaining engine oil volume determined in order to yield true oil consumption. Oil loss can be into the coolant system, the transmission housing, external to the engine or being blown past rings/valves. The car may be out of warranty now but the problem seems to have been reported to BMW while in warranty, still making BMW liable for not correctly diagnosing the issue.

Opie55 · 12-11-2019, 04:06 PM

That is the same product I got at WalMart for about $25 for 5 gallons.

Iowa X3 · 12-11-2019, 06:44 PM

Normal for the N20 to burn 1 quarter every 1,000 miles? Hmm....that does not seem....accurate.

Bilbofraggins · 12-12-2019, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

If you go to the dealer and ask for oil, they will give you 5W30, unless they give a lighter grade in California. I bought 5W30 Castrol Edge at Walmart that I am pretty sure met LL01.

Not all Edge is LL01 or ACEA A3/B4...for instance the Costco stuff....

https://www.castrol.com/en_ca/canada...des/5w-30.html

My preferred oil is Total INEO MC3...bought on sale....its LL04...I use it in 2 x BMW....an old but babied 2008 323i, and my 2013 X6M.....we still get dealer oil changes with a 2015 X3...until the certified warranty is up year.

Can't believe I'm posting on oil

pungo · 12-12-2019, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

That is the same product I got at WalMart for about $25 for 5 gallons.

WOW!!! $5 a gallon for oil, that's a real bargain..... I've shopped Walmart for oil for my truck and never seen any for that price in there...do you have a link?

thenew3 · 12-12-2019, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opie55

If you go to the dealer and ask for oil, they will give you 5W30, unless they give a lighter grade in California. I bought 5W30 Castrol Edge at Walmart that I am pretty sure met LL01.

Dealer asks for VIN, then brings out 0W-20. and charges $25 per qt!

pungo · 12-12-2019, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenew3

Dealer asks for VIN, then brings out 0W-20. and charges $25 per qt!

Ouch!

That seems pretty thin to me, no wonder it uses oil.

Wgosma · 12-12-2019, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenew3

Dealer asks for VIN, then brings out 0W-20. and charges $25 per qt!

....Don't buy in Carmel; drive over to Salinas or shop online for better price

Opie55 · 12-12-2019, 10:24 PM

That's a nutty price. At the dealer in Denver is like $11 - and that's too much. I wonder why they give 5W30 here and 0W20 there.

thenew3 · 12-13-2019, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wgosma

....Don't buy in Carmel; drive over to Salinas or shop online for better price

I'll pay $25/qt to avoid the risk of getting shot

Only time I go to Salinas is for Jury duty.

12-09-2019, 05:50 PM	#1
thenew3 Lieutenant Colonel 639 Rep 1,588 Posts Drives: 2020 X7, 2016 X3, 2021 MME Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Central coast CA iTrader: (0)	Oil consumption on N20 and what to fill with? My wife has a 2016 X3 28i (built 11/2015) that has developed an appetite for oil. During the first 3 years and 20k miles, it didn't consume any oil between oil changes (roughly 6k miles between changes). In the 4th year, between 20k and 25k miles, I had to put in 2 quarts and it was still showing at the minimal level. Spoke to dealer, they said they found no leaks and it's normal for turbo engines to burn 1qt every 1k miles or so. Now at 28k miles (3k since last oil change) it was showing low oil so I added a quart. It still just shows barely above minimum which suggests it needs another quart. So 2 quarts in 3k miles. Is it normal for the N20 to be burning so much oil? If so, what are you guys using to refill it? I went to 3 auto parts stores near by and no one had any BMW LL-01 approved oils. I was in a pinch so grabbed some Pennzoil platinum synthetic 0w-20. (tried to get the ultra platinum but nobody carries it). I'm not new to oil consumption. had a VW/Audi 2.0T that used to burn a quart every 400 miles at one point. (it eventually got a little better and went to 1qt every 1k miles). My previous bmw (E46) with the M52TU I6 never burnt any oil even when I went 18k miles between oil changes. When I sold it at 175k miles it was not burning any oil.
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12-09-2019, 07:27 PM	#2
pungo Colonel 880 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: Z4MC-X3-35i-525i, Corrado G60 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 x35i [0.00] 2001 BMW 525i [0.00] 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [8.76]	It could be that the oil level sensor is not telling the truth. At the next oil change, with the electronic sensor showing full, accurately measure how much oil comes out and see it that matches how much oil the vehicle takes. If there's more than there should be, you've been overfilling, which is bad. If the amount that comes out matches what the vehicle takes, you've got an oil burner, which is bad
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12-10-2019, 09:30 AM	#4
Wgosma Lieutenant Colonel 806 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Northern Nevada iTrader: (0)	Take a look at Castrol Edge-European formula. I run 0W40 in my 6 Cyl motor; it is BMW long life - 01 approved. (API SN...most current petroleum institute spec)
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12-10-2019, 09:53 AM	#5
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	0-20 isn't really the correct weight. But an N20 barely holds 5 quarts. If you were down 2 quarts the car should have told you that you were low. You've lost nearly half your oil. Below the min line should trigger a warning. Something weird is going here I think. And BMW usually says a qt per 1,000 miles is normal, but what is not normal is for a car to go from consuming none to consuming several quarts between changes. Especially at those low miles. Do you DIY? If it were me, I'd make sure I have gathered reliable data. I would change the oil and make to sure to put in the required amount, and immediately measure it. Is it at the max line so we know it reads correctly? Now check it regularly and keep a paper and pen in the car and note the miles every time it drops a notch on the scale.
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12-10-2019, 04:19 PM	#6
raddoc Private First Class 107 Rep 175 Posts Drives: X5,Model3,M240i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Under warranty? Oil consumption issues are common in many engines, but I've never had any issues with our 5 different BMWs. You should push your dealer for an oil consumption test, especially if the car is still under warranty. I had to push MB for an SLK350. It turned out that a bunch of bad rings were installed at the factory. They replaced the engine and I traded it the next day on a new Porsche.
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12-10-2019, 05:04 PM	#7
kevink1 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 2015 X3 xDrive28d Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	Companies say 1 quart/1K miles to avoid doing something, since on some cars it may be normal, and you can normally check it and keep it high enough. But I would be upset if some modern car was going through oil that fast. On my 2015 X3 28d, according to the electronic sensor in iDrive, it doesn't go down over 9K miles. Maybe lying? (79K miles). My previous car, one time I had to add a quart over 3K miles, otherwise didn't really go through oil. That car had a dip stick.
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12-11-2019, 11:50 AM	#9
thenew3 Lieutenant Colonel 639 Rep 1,588 Posts Drives: 2020 X7, 2016 X3, 2021 MME Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Central coast CA iTrader: (0)	The first 4 services were done by the dealer under the free maintenance agreement. I brought up the oil consumption and they said they checked but found no leaks and it was normal to burn 1qt every 1k. They did an oil consumption test which was basically adding some dye to the oil, running a few k miles then checking to see if there were traces of the dye outside the engine. They found non so they concluded it was burning oil rather than leaking and considered it within acceptable range. Now it is out of warranty. after the last service I checked the oil meter and it was right at the full line. Over the last 3k miles it slowly went lower and lower till it hit the min mark and the system gave a low oil warning. I added one quart and the level went just above the min mark and the warning went away. Prior to the previous service when the oil low warning came up, it took 2 quarts to bring it from the min mark to just under max. So based on that, it looks like it will need another quart right now to bring it close to max. I used to DIY on my E46 but haven't on this F25 since it was under warranty and had free maintenance. Given my back surgery and my physical condition, I doubt I'll be able to DIY anymore. I may bring it to a friend or relative's and see if they can help me drain it to see how much oil comes out. As for the suggestion for Castrol edge european, I did not find that at any local auto parts store. The manual and the sticker in the engine bay all said it needs 0w-20 oil. Although we never get that cold (gets down to 40's in the winter) or that hot (70-80's in the summer) here, I can see using higher weight oil (maybe a 5w-30 or 5w-40). As far as getting rid of it... It's the wife's DD and she loves it and doesn't want to get a new one. Last edited by thenew3; 12-11-2019 at 11:58 AM..
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12-11-2019, 12:23 PM	#10
Wgosma Lieutenant Colonel 806 Rep 1,906 Posts Drives: 2012 F25 X3 28i (N52) Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Northern Nevada iTrader: (0)	Castrol: seems they don't offer the Euro blend in 0W20, kind of odd. They do make it in higher viscosity ratings. But you know, all these oils meet/exceed American Petroleum Institute (API) 'SN'- which is the highest/most current spec. Yes I know it's not Euro but I'm sure you'd be good to go- I ran 10W40 Edge, not Euro, in my E39's, never any issues. Good luck/Bill
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12-11-2019, 12:59 PM	#11
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	If you go to the dealer and ask for oil, they will give you 5W30, unless they give a lighter grade in California. I bought 5W30 Castrol Edge at Walmart that I am pretty sure met LL01.
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12-11-2019, 03:44 PM	#13
raddoc Private First Class 107 Rep 175 Posts Drives: X5,Model3,M240i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Tucson AZ iTrader: (0)	Oil consumption test The only really accurate way to determine excessive oil consumption (as opposed to a visible leak) is to drain all of the oil and refill with exactly the volume required according to the technical specs for your vehicle. If the oil level is lower at 1000-3000 miles, the oil is drained and the remaining engine oil volume determined in order to yield true oil consumption. Oil loss can be into the coolant system, the transmission housing, external to the engine or being blown past rings/valves. The car may be out of warranty now but the problem seems to have been reported to BMW while in warranty, still making BMW liable for not correctly diagnosing the issue.
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12-11-2019, 04:06 PM	#14
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	That is the same product I got at WalMart for about $25 for 5 gallons.
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12-11-2019, 06:44 PM	#15
Iowa X3 Private 13 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 28i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Clive, Iowa iTrader: (0)	Normal for the N20 to burn 1 quarter every 1,000 miles? Hmm....that does not seem....accurate.
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12-12-2019, 10:24 PM	#21
Opie55 Colonel 1195 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	That's a nutty price. At the dealer in Denver is like $11 - and that's too much. I wonder why they give 5W30 here and 0W20 there.
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