Obviously not.
"Can I keep the car for 400-500 miles just to see how much oil it consumes and then bring it back"
"Yea sure"
Only the top end.
No, you're not understanding. Were you aware that it was a common issue before you made your purchase.
Ideas please - £2k limit, what shall I buy? Other than an e36?
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No, you're not understanding. Were you aware that it was a common issue before you made your purchase.
Yes as RG-Tom had got one of these and had the same problem. I was very much aware that it may or may not effect me.
Keeping on top of oil gets tiresome when you just want to enjoy a car.
Worst I've seen is 1l to 300 miles, best was about 1l to 700/800 (Fox told me he spoke to someone who said theres had used 1l/1000 miles from new or something like that on the 2.2). Whenever I do a long trip it's on the back of my mind, that isn't enjoying a car anymore imo
It can vary quite a lot. I think it's just the pick of the draw, I know someone who spent 10k on a 330i sport and he has the same usage as me. So yea.
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It's not a bit though. A bit is 1l between services. I knew about the problem but perhaps naively didn't think it would affect me. So yea I am considering getting rid, I really don't know why I've been completely jumped on though, infact no I appreciate it because I am having second thoughts now
I bought 8 litres of Edge from Ebay just over two weeks ago it's almost gone through one of the bottles (4l)
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Didn't neccersarily mean you.
I didn't know they used oil to such an extent until i did some digging and discovered after I had bought the car. I thought rg-toms usage was almost a "one off". It was always a pick of the draw with a high miler like mine so I'm not shocked just affecting my enjoyment of the car somewhat.
but I guess as these cars get older you see more and more problems like that.
wow, that's shocking. i've barely used any in over 5000 miles
i don't think i'll be looking at e46s any more
Don't let it put you off, there are many E46 out there that don't use any at all. It's just the luck of the draw though. Seems to be worst with the 2.2 though so yes avoid that.
no
very old, very slow
they even stuck that pig of an engine into a 7 on the continent to make a 725tds *shudder*
Cheers.
Soldato
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My M20B25 uses a negligible amount, if any. At all
Still, that's modern progress for ya, eh?
Still, that's modern progress for ya, eh?
My M20B25 uses a negligible amount, if any. At all
Still, that's modern progress for ya, eh?
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
This is true, it does tend to be the M54B22 which demonstrates the highest frequency of oil guzzlers. That said anything more than a litre per 1000 miles is unacceptable and indicates some sort of fault.
A recent theory is how the car was run in - if you thrashed it around during the running in process then they use little to no oil whereas if you are gentle with it it can increase oil consumption in later years. I've no idea how true this is but circumstantial evidence does support it - people who cane their cars didn't tend to order 2.2 litre BMW's from new and went for the 3 litre instead.
When I was in charge of lease cars on placement one staff member had a Z4 2.2 from new and that drank a litre every 1500 miles. I doubt it ever went beyond 4000rpm. By contrast our Z4 was an ex demonstrator so probably thrapped mercilessly every single day and doesnt use much oil. My 530i was a private purchase by an enthusiast who had mechanical sympathy, and as a result is sort of half way between the two
It sounds plausable, whether its any more than just a co-incidence I've no idea.
[TW]Fox;13592410 said:
BMW Spec says 500 or 600m to a litre is acceptable IIRC, the guy at the BMW showroom even said he had seen "loads like this mate, and if I were you I'd just live with it", did they know this problem would pop up sooner or later by design in some cars or am I being completely absurd?
600 miles being within spec is a cynical arse covering excercise by BMW and nothing more.
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