Car using oil still....any ideas? (some legal advice too please)

Well it's either burning it or leaking it. Burning that amount is going to be either the valve stem oil seals or the rings. Given it's using that much you can kind of guarantee it's been run low in the past which is going to have caused more than the usual day to day wear.

Personally if it is not leaking it I agree with the get rid of it post. Even if you get the parts repaired you may still end up with major bearing failures in the future.

You need to weigh up what in worst case, a new engine will cost you against depreciation loss. Sometimes the later is less hassle in the long run. However get it checked out independantly first.
 
I think this is going to be a case of either put up with it or get rid.

The car is operating to the manufactuers spec for a new car so the dealer is not obliged to do anything. Even if the oil consumption was above spec, you'll never get anywhere with the legal route because the legitimate argument would be the car is 6 years old and covered in excess of 110,000 miles and therefore engine wear would be expected which could account for the engine using additional oil.

There are only 3 ways oil can escape - burning, a physical leak either externally or into the cooling system, or evaporation. I'm no expert on oils, but evaporation is increased the higher the engine temperature. Is it running OEM spark plugs? Might be an idea to whip the plugs out and check for any oil or carbon deposits.
 
A litre in 450 miles and no leaks, tbh sounds like worn rings. I'd want to have a compression test done, if it's below spec then that will tell you without doubt that the engine is dud and needs a rebuild and you can take things from there. I'd be sorely tempted to just trade it in though as it's likely to be a nightmare dealing with it.

Also, I distinctly remember from the pics when you first went to pick the car up, there was an oil can in the background. This suggests to me they knew it had a problem and filled it just before delivery?
 
Would you not have blue smoke under heavy acceleration/cold engine on startup? My first car a 1.3L MK5 Escort had worn valve stems, and the oil usage was very noticeable.
 
yes, it might not be hugely noticeable though. If you are getting a cloud of blue smoke coming out then the engine is totally knackered and will burn all the oil in 450 miles never mind a litre. Best way to see it is probably to get someone to follow at night, smoke will show up clearly in their headlight beam.
 
Not sure i'd trade it in, just keep it. One day if the engine goes pop just get another one put in. There are 7 years worth of M54 engined cars in breakers everywhere now, so obtaining a replacement lower mileage engine is no longer the problem it was a few years back.
 
A bloke I worked with a couple of years ago had a 97 520i - I can't remember the exact reason, I think it was pressurising the coolant, but the upshot was it needed a new engine. He had it in his local garage who were trying to track down a second hand engine, but enquired with BMW about the price of a short motor and they were very surprised at how reasonably priced it was - can't remember exactly, but it was under a grand for the short motor and cost him about £1500 all in so it wasn't the end of the world and his car would have been worth much less than yours currently is.
 
Clarkey said:
Also, I distinctly remember from the pics when you first went to pick the car up, there was an oil can in the background. This suggests to me they knew it had a problem and filled it just before delivery?
Click to expand...

that would be this one then

front1.jpg
 
Errr I do hope the oil can in the background isnt the oil they've been using in it for services etc because that is NOT a can of BMW Approved LL01 spec oil.
 
Emissions tests are not really for this though, it might flag up an increase in HC but then again it might not, that is for unburnt fuel really, not oil. Besides, the test is only done at slow and fast idle speeds, it's most likely to push oil through when under heavy load.
 
If the engine is worn out in 114k, that doesn't say much for the coverted BMW Approved LL01 spec oil, does it?

I know a couple of farmers who have run their x30d's on Shell Rimula 10W-40 tractor oil which costs about 80p a litre by the drum for years with no ill effects.
 
bmw detectives for the epic fail:

together1.jpg


Notice the door of the mondeo is open....id just pulled that can of magnatec 5w30 out of the mondeo whilst i was making sure it was totally empty of stuff i wanted :p
 
blueboy2001 said:
If the engine is worn out in 114k, that doesn't say much for the coverted BMW Approved LL01 spec oil, does it?
Click to expand...

The fact that everyone elses isn't worn out by 150k+ rather does, however.

I know a couple of farmers who have run their x30d's on Shell Rimula 10W-40 tractor oil which costs about 80p a litre by the drum for years with no ill effects.
Click to expand...

Great. Remind me not to buy cars from them :p
 
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