2012 335is already needing oil?

FAM3 · 03-16-2012, 06:16 PM

Hey guys just got a 2012 335is last month. I hit 1500 miles and the car says LOW OIL. Is this normal that it would need oil this fast?

Also I am more surprised about it because I have been babying the car and not even punching it as it was in the break-in period. So needing oil already when I have not been stepping on it is what worries me.

If this is normal, how long do I usually have to change the oil before it gets bad? I am usually very busy with work and barely have time to take the car in for an oil change.

Thank you!

gatoman39 · 03-16-2012, 06:24 PM

It's normal. Put in 1/4-1/2 a quart at a time. If it persists, than it's not normal.

jlcolon2001 · 03-16-2012, 06:48 PM

I believe the Low Oil indicator is displayed when the car need 1 quart of oil or more...
My car is 2007 with 40k mile in the odometer and it consumes 1 quart of oil every 2.5 to 3K miles, but my car is FBO and I drive it like it was stolen, lol.
IMHO, best thing you can do is take the car to the dealer.

gatoman39 · 03-16-2012, 06:53 PM

since your running a tuned version of the N54, the best bet is to dump the factory oil and get some fresh stuff, if you plan on keeping the car long term.

Exzackt · 03-16-2012, 06:53 PM

Don't worry.. Soon after I bought my car I had the same warning. That oil level was at the minimum level. Went to dealership thinking it was time for an oil change. Apparently all I needed was a quart of oil. These cars like to have the oil topped off. Oil changes are needed every 7-8k miles. You can check when your'e do for an oil change in the info menu of idrive. Also when you first start your car, look for the miles until next oil change which will display on cluster. It will just say the number.

PKizzle · 03-16-2012, 08:54 PM

Don't worry too much about it. I had the low oil - add 1 quart warning come on at around 3000 miles...and that too while we were on a road trip. Stopped at the nearest dealer and had them add a quart. No issues since then. I just make it a point to check every couple of weeks.

Norcal_335i · 03-16-2012, 10:39 PM

I change my oil myself every 5k miles and NEVER add oil between oil changes.

ctuna · 03-17-2012, 12:40 AM

On the new e46 I had it used about a quart in the first 5k after that not a drop.

BEAR-AvHistory · 03-17-2012, 10:00 AM

7K miles on mine no warning yet.

whoosh · 03-17-2012, 10:45 AM

I did a lot of miles on my car on the Autobahn in Germany during Euro Delivery trip. I checked the oil level manually on the first day and it was completely full. Towards the end of our two week trip over there, it was down to 1/2 full on the scale. I never used the cruise control and speeds varied from 40mph to 135mph, with a high of 160 the night before turning the car in.

Once the car is stateside, I'm going to change the oil myself just to get any contaminants/shavings out before too many miles go on the car. Normally I'd do this at the end of the break-in period, but it wasn't feasible while we were on our trip.

cookiesowns · 03-17-2012, 02:02 PM

Never had to add any oil on the cars that we've owned. Not sure if the "is" models apply, but have you had any oil changes at all?

hoisumguo · 03-18-2012, 02:53 AM

I'm at 3k on my 'is' and it hasn't complained yet.
Fill'er up and just track how long until next error or change.

-Hoi

Bayern1 · 03-18-2012, 07:24 AM

I have a 2012 335is with 5000 miles and about ready to add 1 qt of oil.
At 1500 miles low on oil already doesn't seem right to me.
,

John 070 · 03-18-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcal_335i

I change my oil myself every 5k miles and NEVER add oil between oil changes.

Ditto. This is such a weird topic in that some respond it's normal. It is not normal, I've had my car 5 yrs. and 3 mos., I've never gotten a low oil warning, not even when brand new.

BMWs4ever · 03-18-2012, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcal_335i

I change my oil myself every 5k miles and NEVER add oil between oil changes.

That's exactly what I do. I change my own oil every 5k miles like you and have never had to add any oil ever.

husks002 · 03-19-2012, 03:01 PM

Standard....just add a little bit of oil. Happens on all 335's when you first get them.

335 oClock · 03-19-2012, 03:07 PM

add 1qt of fully synthetic performance oil 5w-30

Sara · 03-19-2012, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husks002

Standard....just add a little bit of oil. Happens on all 335's when you first get them.

Mine never did

328i M-Sport · 03-19-2012, 03:15 PM

A lot of it has to do with how the car was broken-in. If it was babied too much, there was not enough cylinder pressure to properly seat the piston rings. Running at high rpms for a long time can cause other problems due to metal expansion.

The right way break-in a new car is to vary the rpms for the first 800-1000 miles and avoid very long trips.

FAM3 · 03-22-2012, 04:52 PM

So I literally just pour the oil in. Since no oil change is required? Is there a DIY on this simple thing.

be1ieve1111 · 03-22-2012, 04:56 PM

Some people need oil some don't. Depends on the car and location of where you live. go to the dealer they will add a quart for free, unless you're really far away from them.

FAM3 · 03-22-2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by be1ieve1111

Some people need oil some don't. Depends on the car and location of where you live. go to the dealer they will add a quart for free, unless you're really far away from them.

I have no time to go to the dealer so I have to do it myself.

03-16-2012, 06:16 PM	#1
FAM3 Major 177 Rep 1,015 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	2012 335is already needing oil? Hey guys just got a 2012 335is last month. I hit 1500 miles and the car says LOW OIL. Is this normal that it would need oil this fast? Also I am more surprised about it because I have been babying the car and not even punching it as it was in the break-in period. So needing oil already when I have not been stepping on it is what worries me. If this is normal, how long do I usually have to change the oil before it gets bad? I am usually very busy with work and barely have time to take the car in for an oil change. Thank you!
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03-16-2012, 06:24 PM	#2
gatoman39 Major 116 Rep 1,346 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335 M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E92 335i M Sport [1.00]	It's normal. Put in 1/4-1/2 a quart at a time. If it persists, than it's not normal. __________________
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03-16-2012, 06:48 PM	#3
jlcolon2001 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 225 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe 2007 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Puerto Rico iTrader: (0)	I believe the Low Oil indicator is displayed when the car need 1 quart of oil or more... My car is 2007 with 40k mile in the odometer and it consumes 1 quart of oil every 2.5 to 3K miles, but my car is FBO and I drive it like it was stolen, lol. IMHO, best thing you can do is take the car to the dealer.
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03-16-2012, 06:53 PM	#4
gatoman39 Major 116 Rep 1,346 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335 M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E92 335i M Sport [1.00]	since your running a tuned version of the N54, the best bet is to dump the factory oil and get some fresh stuff, if you plan on keeping the car long term. __________________
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03-16-2012, 06:53 PM	#5
Exzackt Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 255 Posts Drives: n54 e92 335i/e39 540i6 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (2)	Don't worry.. Soon after I bought my car I had the same warning. That oil level was at the minimum level. Went to dealership thinking it was time for an oil change. Apparently all I needed was a quart of oil. These cars like to have the oil topped off. Oil changes are needed every 7-8k miles. You can check when your'e do for an oil change in the info menu of idrive. Also when you first start your car, look for the miles until next oil change which will display on cluster. It will just say the number.
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03-16-2012, 08:54 PM	#6
PKizzle Second Lieutenant 153 Rep 291 Posts Drives: F80 M3, E36 M3, X4 M40 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Cary, NC iTrader: (0)	Don't worry too much about it. I had the low oil - add 1 quart warning come on at around 3000 miles...and that too while we were on a road trip. Stopped at the nearest dealer and had them add a quart. No issues since then. I just make it a point to check every couple of weeks.
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03-16-2012, 10:39 PM	#7
Norcal_335i First Lieutenant 25 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Roseville, CA iTrader: (4)	I change my oil myself every 5k miles and NEVER add oil between oil changes.
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03-17-2012, 12:40 AM	#8
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	It should use less after break in . On the new e46 I had it used about a quart in the first 5k after that not a drop.
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03-17-2012, 10:00 AM	#9
BEAR-AvHistory 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convt 3129 Rep 5,264 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convrt Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC - OIB, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 COBRA (FFR rep ... [8.57] 2023 Jeep Wrangler ... [9.50] 2009 Yamaha V-Star [0.00] Cars 2-BMW, 2-FORD, ... [0.00] 2023 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2020 Z4 M40i [10.00] 2022 BMW M4C [7.25] 1998 FORD Ranger 4X4 [0.00]	7K miles on mine no warning yet. __________________ Kevin Dravit Gray, Black Leather, Moonlight Roof, Red Calipers 2022 M4C - 2020 Z4 M40i - 2023 FORD Expedition XLT Max 4X4 400BHP - 2009 V-Star - 1998 Ranger 4X4 5MT - 1965 Cobra (R) 5MT - 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport S 6MT
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03-17-2012, 10:45 AM	#10
whoosh Higher than you 8 Rep 294 Posts Drives: M235i xDrive Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I did a lot of miles on my car on the Autobahn in Germany during Euro Delivery trip. I checked the oil level manually on the first day and it was completely full. Towards the end of our two week trip over there, it was down to 1/2 full on the scale. I never used the cruise control and speeds varied from 40mph to 135mph, with a high of 160 the night before turning the car in. Once the car is stateside, I'm going to change the oil myself just to get any contaminants/shavings out before too many miles go on the car. Normally I'd do this at the end of the break-in period, but it wasn't feasible while we were on our trip. __________________ Current: '15 M235iX \| '15 Macan S \| '00 Honda S2000 Notable Previous: '12 E92 335is \| '10 STi \| '88 E30 325iX
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03-17-2012, 02:02 PM	#11
cookiesowns ;) 587 Rep 898 Posts Drives: X5 45e, 535i N54, X3 N55 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: West iTrader: (0)	Never had to add any oil on the cars that we've owned. Not sure if the "is" models apply, but have you had any oil changes at all? __________________ *BM3, MHD, ECUTek Calibrator* \| N55/S58 specialist \| 2023 X5 45e Frozen Marina Bay Blue
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03-18-2012, 02:53 AM	#12
hoisumguo Private 3 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 335is e93 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (0)	I'm at 3k on my 'is' and it hasn't complained yet. Fill'er up and just track how long until next error or change. -Hoi
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03-18-2012, 07:24 AM	#13
Bayern1 Private 11 Rep 93 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 550i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	I have a 2012 335is with 5000 miles and about ready to add 1 qt of oil. At 1500 miles low on oil already doesn't seem right to me. ,
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03-19-2012, 03:01 PM	#16
husks002 Lieutenant 36 Rep 564 Posts Drives: G80 M3, 981 GT4 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (3)	Standard....just add a little bit of oil. Happens on all 335's when you first get them.
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03-19-2012, 03:07 PM	#17
335 oClock MOE 214 Rep 2,530 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (13)	add 1qt of fully synthetic performance oil 5w-30 __________________ Duke Dynamics//Evolution Racewerks//LTBMW *335 oClocks Project Build//Photo Shoot*
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03-19-2012, 03:15 PM	#19
328i M-Sport Private First Class 1 Rep 176 Posts Drives: 2011 328i M-Sport Sedan Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	A lot of it has to do with how the car was broken-in. If it was babied too much, there was not enough cylinder pressure to properly seat the piston rings. Running at high rpms for a long time can cause other problems due to metal expansion. The right way break-in a new car is to vary the rpms for the first 800-1000 miles and avoid very long trips.
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03-22-2012, 04:52 PM	#20
FAM3 Major 177 Rep 1,015 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	So I literally just pour the oil in. Since no oil change is required? Is there a DIY on this simple thing.
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03-22-2012, 04:56 PM	#21
be1ieve1111 Thread Killer 20 Rep 930 Posts Drives: 2014 EB M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana iTrader: (9)	Some people need oil some don't. Depends on the car and location of where you live. go to the dealer they will add a quart for free, unless you're really far away from them.
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