XSeries-forum

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..

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!

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.

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