[newbie335i]

Hi all
Just 2 questions.

1. What oil do you all recommend for the N54 engine? 2009 335i E93, stock, normal urban driving round the burbs and occasional motorway. Sydney metro region.

2. I got the “min eng oil - top up 1 litre “ warning last night.

I’ve just had the car 2 weeks, normal driving, last oil change per logbooks was 4,000 Km ago / approx 8 months Ago.

Will Repeat the electric Oil level test and check dipstick today. Assuming the warning remains, is this level of oil consumption normal?

I’ve read up on forum and other sources this seems to be a common issue in N54 engines?

I was planning to top up and see how it goes. Anything else I should check? No visible leaks on floor or around engine bay.

Basic questions I know, but on a fast learning curve about these engines!

Cheers

[jard]

Hey Newbie,

In my experience so far, these cars tend to chew through oil and coolant. This worsens if you have any sort of leaks as well.

One of the tricky things I dislike about the electric oil level is that its at max one day and then all of a sudden it gives you the warning that its low which I find a bit silly.

How many kms has your car done? Mine has done about 120km and I tend to use Castrol 5W-30 Fully Synthetic.

Generally speaking, depending on how fussy you are you will want to change your oil around 5000km - 10000km area. If you are semi new to the platform then one of the first things you should do is a full service on the car to give you some peace of mind and also start you off for doing some preventative maintenance.

[newbie335i]

Originally Posted by jard

Hey Newbie,

In my experience so far, these cars tend to chew through oil and coolant. This worsens if you have any sort of leaks as well.

One of the tricky things I dislike about the electric oil level is that its at max one day and then all of a sudden it gives you the warning that its low which I find a bit silly.

How many kms has your car done? Mine has done about 120km and I tend to use Castrol 5W-30 Fully Synthetic.

Generally speaking, depending on how fussy you are you will want to change your oil around 5000km - 10000km area. If you are semi new to the platform then one of the first things you should do is a full service on the car to give you some peace of mind and also start you off for doing some preventative maintenance.

Hi Jard - the car has done 77k. I’ve had it 2 weeks so I’ve prob put about 1k driving so far. I did have it at the mechanic for brakes Last week and asked them to do a general inspection. We noted next service due in Oct or at 80k Km which is when I was planning to get oil changed anyway. I will be changing oil every 5-10k Km as I won’t be doing more than 8k a year once all this COVId settles down and I’m back on Public transport for work.

[Coupes33]

Originally Posted by newbie335i

Hi all
Just 2 questions.

1. What oil do you all recommend for the N54 engine? 2009 335i E93, stock, normal urban driving round the burbs and occasional motorway. Sydney metro region.

2. I got the “min eng oil - top up 1 litre “ warning last night.

I’ve just had the car 2 weeks, normal driving, last oil change per logbooks was 4,000 Km ago / approx 8 months Ago.

Will Repeat the electric Oil level test and check dipstick today. Assuming the warning remains, is this level of oil consumption normal?

I’ve read up on forum and other sources this seems to be a common issue in N54 engines?

I was planning to top up and see how it goes. Anything else I should check? No visible leaks on floor or around engine bay.

Basic questions I know, but on a fast learning curve about these engines!

Cheers

I have had my 335i for 10 yrs and have always used Castrol Fully Synthetic 5w40 in the engine. I have never had any issues with oil pressure or use of oil. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 kms. You should check your spark plugs to see if you are burning any oil. Does it blow out any smoke from the exhaust? This is another indicator that you are burning oil.

[newbie335i]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

I have had my 335i for 10 yrs and have always used Castrol Fully Synthetic 5w40 in the engine. I have never had any issues with oil pressure or use of oil. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 kms. You should check your spark plugs to see if you are burning any oil. Does it blow out any smoke from the exhaust? This is another indicator that you are burning oil.

Thanks Coupe33 - haven’t noticed any unusual smoke levels. In the morning there’s a bit of visible white/grey output when it’s cold but disappears once warmed up.

[newbie335i]

Ha - just realised there’s no dipstick. Have to rely on electronic sensor I guess.

[jard]

Originally Posted by newbie335i

Ha - just realised there’s no dipstick. Have to rely on electronic sensor I guess.

I made that mistake as well when I got my car haha.

[newbie335i]

Just spoke with mechanic, he’s relaxed. Advised to top up and will investigate if anything more is going on at 80k service. He suggested 10w-40 oil

[Hoper]

Originally Posted by newbie335i

Just spoke with mechanic, he’s relaxed. Advised to top up and will investigate if anything more is going on at 80k service. He suggested 10w-40 oil

10w40 is on the high side and probably OK if you're in a hot climate or at the very least in Summer

if your in a cold climate like me (Canberra) 10w40 in winter would mean I'd have to be very gentle while the oil warms up on a cold morning

I actually run 10w40 in summer and 0w40 in winter
I use the Penrite 10 Tenths oil because if its high shear threshold

From memory 5w30 or 5w40 was the recommended oil for these cars/engines so any good synthetic is the way to go, basically if you're not racing your car and not being mean to it by flogging it while it's cold, any good oil in this range will protect the engine

I also think Coupes knows more about this than most

[Socket]

+1 to Castrol Fully Synthetic 5w40 and 5000 km change