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What about doing a compression test to see if its being burnt away through piston wear. Then re-do compression test with a little oil in each pot as a double cxheck
Car using oil still....any ideas? (some legal advice too please)
- Thread starter rG-tom
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Soldato
Can't speak from the mechanical side of things, but without a clear fault it's going to end up in a huge grey area with regards to the garage helping out.
Personally, I'd have a BMW specialist have a look at at - one that's been recommended by other people on BM forums. If he finds a fault, then at least you know what you're dealing with.
You could even call the garage before you do this to let them know that there is still a problem etc.
Personally, I'd have a BMW specialist have a look at at - one that's been recommended by other people on BM forums. If he finds a fault, then at least you know what you're dealing with.
You could even call the garage before you do this to let them know that there is still a problem etc.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
The problem you now have is that 1 litre every 750 miles is, according to BMW, normal and within specifications.
Noe we all know this is a load of crap but legally speaking you may have issues - if the manufacturer says thats within tolerances the dealer could succesfully argue in court that there is no fault with the car.
M54's DO use oil but typically you get 2000-4000 miles between topups not 750.
I doubt it's the VANOS. There is a failiure mode within the VANOS whereby the oil seals fail (Infact some argue that every M54/M52TU engined car with more than 20k, yes, 20k on the clock is suffering from worn oil seals in the VANOS as it is a design flaw) which could in theory increase oil consumption but I would be suprised if it would do so like this. If it IS this, there is a repair kit available which FIXES the design flaw (New VANOS from BMW doesn't) and its only about 60 quid.
You do seem to have chosen Mobil 1 when 90% of BMW dealers (There are a few exceptions) use Castrol SLX Longtec II (or Edge as it's known commercially) for the M54 engine, in 0w30 form. I doubt this has anything to do with it but I'm trying to think of differences between yours and mine.
Noe we all know this is a load of crap but legally speaking you may have issues - if the manufacturer says thats within tolerances the dealer could succesfully argue in court that there is no fault with the car.
M54's DO use oil but typically you get 2000-4000 miles between topups not 750.
I doubt it's the VANOS. There is a failiure mode within the VANOS whereby the oil seals fail (Infact some argue that every M54/M52TU engined car with more than 20k, yes, 20k on the clock is suffering from worn oil seals in the VANOS as it is a design flaw) which could in theory increase oil consumption but I would be suprised if it would do so like this. If it IS this, there is a repair kit available which FIXES the design flaw (New VANOS from BMW doesn't) and its only about 60 quid.
You do seem to have chosen Mobil 1 when 90% of BMW dealers (There are a few exceptions) use Castrol SLX Longtec II (or Edge as it's known commercially) for the M54 engine, in 0w30 form. I doubt this has anything to do with it but I'm trying to think of differences between yours and mine.
Soldato
[TW]Fox;12377469 said:
I've been using Mobil 1 ever since I got my car and it uses a litre every 5-6000 miles
Soldato
Crikey, looks like I have some ammo against you petrol burners, my car has never used a drop of oil (apart from the time it dumped it all into the exhaust) 
Soldato
The diesels don't use oil in general, but the M54 petrol engines definitely do by design.
Crikey, looks like I have some ammo against you petrol burners, my car has never used a drop of oil (apart from the time it dumped it all into the exhaust)
Our 530d doesnt use a drop between services either, whereas the M54 loves its oil
Although we make up for it in other ways. Including, bizarrely, at least £50 more to service a 530d over a 530i. How much do you pay? I'm trying to book the 530d for a service but all the main dealers I've called want £50-60 more than for a 530i
[TW]Fox;12377566 said:Although we make up for it in other ways. Including, bizarrely, at least £50 more to service a 530d over a 530i. How much do you pay? I'm trying to book the 530d for a service but all the main dealers I've called want £50-60 more than for a 530i
Surely they are able to break down the price and explain the difference to you?
Soldato
[TW]Fox;12377566 said:Our 530d doesnt use a drop between services either, whereas the M54 loves its oil
Although we make up for it in other ways. Including, bizarrely, at least £50 more to service a 530d over a 530i. How much do you pay? I'm trying to book the 530d for a service but all the main dealers I've called want £50-60 more than for a 530i
I take mine to an independant who I think charged £40 plus parts for an oil service last time.
Soldato
That or they are compensating for lack of car sales
Soldato
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Sell it get something else
Sell it get something else
Sounds a bit pointless really, for the amount it'd cost him realising the depreciation on it etc etc he could just be extreme and replace the engine?
Soldato
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[TW]Fox;12377566 said:Although we make up for it in other ways. Including, bizarrely, at least £50 more to service a 530d over a 530i. How much do you pay? I'm trying to book the 530d for a service but all the main dealers I've called want £50-60 more than for a 530i
Diesel fuel filters for common rail systems can be very expensive because they have to filter down to about 1 micron or the injectors could be damaged. A Mondeo TDCi filter is about £40, so that probably accounts for the difference on the BMW. That said, on Ford's a petrol needs the spark plugs changing at the same interval so there ends up being a few pounds difference at most.
Soldato
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The 2 I owned were also heavy oil drinkers, and would never get 1k miles out of it before top ups. After I saw the oil light come on, I never saw it again as I would religiously check it and top up in small quantities going by the dip stick. Both were under 50k on the clock. My friends Clubsport is also a heavy oil drinker. Wonder if it has anything to do with how the cars been driven over the years? A 3 series is aimed towards a younger consumer whereas the 5 series is aimed towards the maturer customer? (pure speculation this though)
My time spent on the BMW forums, I have not come accross VANOS failure on the E46.
My time spent on the BMW forums, I have not come accross VANOS failure on the E46.
Soldato
You're not meant to top it up until the first stage amber light comes on really, according to BMW. God knows why though. It's not a 'omg your engine is broken' light.
My 3's seemed totally fine on the consumption front. I didn't have either of them that long, but they didnt use much if any oil really for the duration of my ownership. They were at least on par with Fox and Olly's findings on their 5's.