Does the BMW 5 Series Burn Engine Oil?

[VonJace]

BMW 5 Series does burn engine oil, and it is normal to consume about one liter per 10,000 kilometers. More extended information is as follows: Pay attention to regular oil level checks: When using engine oil, it is essential to regularly check the quality and quantity of the oil in use, as the crankcase must have sufficient oil to ensure the engine's normal lubrication state. If the oil level is too low, it can cause parts to burn out and accelerate oil deterioration. If the oil level is too high, it can enter the combustion chamber through the gap between the cylinder and piston, increasing carbon deposits in the combustion chamber. Therefore, the oil level in the crankcase should be checked frequently, and oil should be added promptly if it is insufficient. Pay attention to regular oil changes: Note that different types of engine oil cannot be mixed. Special gasoline engine oil cannot replace diesel engine oil, mainly to avoid accelerating diesel engine wear. Since gasoline engine oil and diesel engine oil differ in usage, they can only be substituted if the manufacturer provides a substitution note or indicates that the oil is universal for both gasoline and diesel engines, or if it is within the specified grade range.

[VonEllie]

I've driven several generations of the BMW 5 Series and found that older models like the E60 or F10 indeed have oil burning issues. This is mainly due to engine design flaws, particularly in the N-series gasoline engines, where inefficient oil vapor separators or poor piston ring sealing lead to excessive oil consumption. At first, it's not very noticeable, but later on, you might need to add half a liter of oil every thousand kilometers, which is quite annoying. The newer G30 model has improved significantly, but it's still important to regularly check the oil dipstick and use the correct oil grade. Long-term neglect could damage the catalytic converter or increase emissions, and the repair costs aren't cheap. I recommend monitoring the oil level during every service and choosing high-viscosity full synthetic oil to help reduce consumption.

[DelSienna]

As a BMW 5 Series owner, my 2012 F10 model also experiences oil consumption issues, burning approximately one liter every 2,000 kilometers. The dealership stated this is a common phenomenon caused by wear in turbocharged engines. The solution is straightforward: first check the oil dipstick yourself to confirm consumption levels, then promptly replace oil seals or upgrade the valve cover. Don't worry, this isn't a major issue, but prolonged neglect may increase engine carbon buildup risks. During daily driving, avoid sudden acceleration and maintain stable engine temperatures; regular use of cleaning additives helps, and avoid purchasing cheap engine oil. Overall, the 5 Series drives smoothly with just this minor oil consumption drawback - proper maintenance makes it negligible.

[MacKing]

The repair shop has handled many cases of BMW 5 Series burning engine oil, mainly due to piston ring wear or oil pan seal failure. The usual solutions are replacing the seals or using specialized repair additives. The cost is not high, and early detection and repair can extend the engine's lifespan. Owners should regularly check for blue smoke from the exhaust pipe or inspect the oil level when the oil warning light comes on.