Low oil pressure

[shej]

Hi had a warning light saying low oil pressure today, so checked the oil dipstick and it was at bare minimum. The thing is i had it serviced by a BMW main dealer 1k miles ago. Is it common for them to use this much oil?

I duly put in 1 litre and it is fine now..

TBH after the service was done at BMW i checked the oil level when i got home and although it was at the right level, the oil was very dark considering it was just changed?? i put this down to it being a diesel so maybe blackens within a few miles..

Has got me thinking whetehr they even changed the oil now...it was the sevice with the oil breather change also etc

Do you think i should get a second opinion on whether the filter and breather have been recently changed etc?

my suspicions have been aroused or maybe im just being paranoid..

[Sanj]

You're not. Mine asked for more oil about a week ago. BUT that was after over 18 months after a service. The oil use should never be that high - I think they may not have changed the oil, especially if the consistency was black and thick as you describe.

A second opinion may only confirm your suspicions but leave you with little when it comes to challenging the dealer. PITA, etc...

From now on - keep a very close eye on it and check EVERY month to make sure the useage is consistent and not wildly off. THEN when the next service is due, make a point of saying you keep a close eye on it and know it's black and thick! They will know it shouldn't be when it comes back to you!

Sorry to hear this - not good service but you can sort it relatively cheaply, get it changed. Then give them hell if your second opinions prove you right!

[rbell11]

I have read many posts about high oil use. Apparently BMW say that 1 litre per 1000 miles is actually within their acceptable tolerances. Mine has no leaks (nothing on the drive) but I have to top up quite often, appreciate some owners have no such issues, but think that oil use can be high but still okay.

[petert]

My E53 needed maybe a litre at around 12000 after service but that was all. It maybe within tolerance but I'd have to say its more than any of my Beemers have ever used - though apart from the one I'm driving now they have all been petrol versions.

Hope it was something simple like they didn't change and top up the oil - though that's no recommendation for the dealer!

Peter T