m54 oil usage

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:55 am

I have a 330i which runs and drives great, having had the suspension upgrades these cars so desperately need. However it is using a lot of oil now it has always used quite a bit but its getting worse. Given that it runs so well I was thinking of changing to a thicker grade of oil has anyone done this successfully and what grade would you recommend ? Thanks.

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 8:05 am

How much is it using? The M54 can be a bit thirsty on oil. Of the two 3.0's I've had, one used to use about a litre every 1500 yet the other, no more than a litre between oil changes!

The other known issue is the CCV under the inlet. Have you changed that and it's associated pipework?

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 8:29 am

ccv was done 30k ago It is using about a litre every 1k I think don't measure it just keep putting it in ! I am using 5w30 Castrol edge at the moment.

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:07 am

You need to establish the exact consumption before establishing if it's shot or not. Is it smoking on start up? or on overrun?

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:11 am

/\ when do they ever do that?! M54s always guzzle oil with that 0-30 piss BMW say to use. Switching to 5-40 or even 10-40 i've heard greatly reduces consumption

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:09 am

Simon13 wrote:/\ when do they ever do that?!

1 00 330 touring I knew, puffed like a sod on start up Si. And it was relatively low mileage as well.

Come to think of it, my silver 530 puffed on start up and that was a user as well.

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:59 am

yeah this gives a short puff on start up too. But it always has done and it runs exceptionally well. Think I will try some 5w40 cheers.

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:32 am

I use 5w40 on my 180,000 mile 330i, and used the same on my previous daily a 530i which was on 140k when I sold it

Both use similar amounts of oil being about a litre every 1500-2000 miles depending on the style of driving.

Post Sat Nov 07, 2015 1:17 pm

cheers I don't really want to change the oil unless it definitely reduces usage. So could really do with hearing from someone who has used 5w30 and 5w 40 to see if its worth a premature oil change.

Post Sun Nov 08, 2015 10:46 am

Bmws tolerance for oil consumption on all non M power engines is 1 ltr per 1000km of 620 miles.

M54B30s are notorious for drinking oil and if the CCV is fine and the engine is leak free and consumption is above that then it's ok in bmws eyes.

My first 330 did about a litre every 1000 miles and that was on 64k when I sold it.

The current 330 uses about a litre every 1500 miles and that's on 120k.

Anything up to 10w40 is fine in one.