TECH: Oil Consumption - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

VanM · 13th May 2002, 15:03

Hi guys, I have been told by my wife that she filled up the oil last week and she checked today and the level is down to half. That seems a bit much within one week. I know that the M5 tends to burn a bit more oil but is this rate normal? I can't check for myself cuz I am now in Thailand but I am sure my wife is correct. Any ideas or input from you guys will be great. Thanks.

Vince5 · 13th May 2002, 15:23

Be sure she did it the right way ie warm engine, wait 1 min then check (no offence to you wife

). My dealer filled my car up to the brim because they checked it when cold. After driving a few miles there was oil all over the place.

ALX · 13th May 2002, 16:22

Van,

I had the same experience not too long ago. At the end of the day of our recent Boston M meet, I added half a quart of oil then 4 days later the "check engine oil level" warning came on so I added just a quarter of the bottle. I took the car to the dealership and they told me I had an oil leak. All of the gaskets and the selenoid (sp?) valve had to be replaced. Now I have a 2000 M5 with a 12/99 production date and 42,500 miles on it. I was told that E39 M5s with production build dates upto 6/00 and similiar mileage as mine have a tendency to spring oil leaks.

You have an '01, but maybe it's worth having the car checked out. Hope this is of help to you.

ALX

Johnny D · 13th May 2002, 17:35

My 02 with 3,000 miles and NO oil burned so far.

2001's X5/Z8 · 13th May 2002, 21:12

vanm,

That's strange.....

keep a close eye on it and let us know....

chunpng · 14th May 2002, 01:56

Under normal driving, I burn a quart every 3,000 miles. With very spirited driving, it goes down to a quart evey 1,200 miles.

How hard does your wife drive your M5?

CP

Richard in NC · 14th May 2002, 02:58

Van;
I echo the thought to have her check it again. Have her be sure the car is completely warmed up then shut off for 1 minute. Whenever my car is near the add mark I always check it a day or so later to make sure it wasn't a mis-read. I have noticed that if I just run it a moment or two then check, it reads a bit low.

VanM · 14th May 2002, 06:50

Thanks for the help guys. I'll definately get my wife to have the car checked out by the dealership. The thing is I know the dealership will tell her it is normal for the M5 to burn oil. I already told her to tell them she has been talking to other M5 owners and they don't seem to be burning so much oil. I hope that will do. Thanks again.