Car came back from service - found oil was 2 qt too low?!

[och]

So I have my 2012 5.0 with 15,700 on the clock. Back around a year ago when it only had 9k on the clock, I had a warning that oil was too low and to top it off with 1QT of oil. I took it for service and they actually changed my oil, and the car has been showing proper oil level since then.

So about three weeks ago I get a CEL saying "Engine malfunction, car operating at reduced output". I restarted the car, and CEL went away, the car drove fine. Then the same exact thing happened last week, and again - it drove just fine after restart. So, I scheduled a service appointment for them to take a look at it. Their report says the following:

Stored FC 2A7D Vanos solenoid bank 2
Perform test - Vanos found OK
Perform chain tensions test - chain OK
Check oil - found 2qts oil low - top off oil and clear FCs

So they topped off my oil and replaced oil filter. But I am really concerned because all this time the car has been showing proper oil level - and its supposed to only measure the top 1 quart. If the car was 2 quart too low, I should've got the warning a long time ago. It's very aggrovating how they no longer provide a dipstick and their electronic measurement system is apparently unreliable. But also, 2 qts of oil gone in 6,700 miles? Is that acceptable?

[Cattivo]

This should be in the F15/F16 Section but this also happened to my 50 when I first got it and found that 2 coils went bad...and was low 2 qts of oil... I replaced them and the truck has been problem free ever since

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by THESONofSAM

This should be in the F15/F16 Section...

I'm guessing that is a typo as I can't imagine him having a 2015 model a year ago with 9K miles... I could be wrong, but I'm guessing he has a 2012 50i (as his user profile suggests)...

Either way, hope the oil level situation is worked out. I too am not too keen on the lack of dipstick...

[och]

My bad guys, I meant 2012!

[3X3=5]

2 quarts consumed in 6700 miles is actually on the low end. I've only had my 2012 50i for 4 months but I've added 3 quarts in about 3500 miles of driving (the oil was changed RIGHT before I bought it and most of my driving is fairly mild). According to BMW it's within spec to need to add a quart every 750 miles. Pretty shocking. But oil is cheap at $7 a quart and I just carry a couple of extras in the trunk now.

As you said, the more concerning issue is why you weren't warned when it went below minimum.

[Poppyboy]

I still maintain (pursuant to previous oil burning posts) that any substantial oil consumption ("substantial" defined as requiring the owner to add oil in between oil changes) by newer vehicles, with such low mileage, in this price range is not only unacceptable, but insane.

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

I still maintain (pursuant to previous oil burning posts) that any substantial oil consumption ("substantial" defined as requiring the owner to add oil in between oil changes) by newer vehicles, with such low mileage, in this price range is not only unacceptable, but insane.

This.

[3X3=5]

I agree, it definitely feels wrong when I have to pull off to a gas station to add oil to my (new MSRP) $76,000 vehicle. This issue also affects 335s as well, albeit to a much lesser degree. It's not a deal breaker for me, but it does feel like something wasn't engineered properly to require this kind of frequent maintenance.

[Poppyboy]

My friend's been complaining about a similar issue with his 2008 Rav 4 with 50k miles. Even though its a much lesser car, I told him the same thing. Sure, twin turbos, eight cylinders and more displacement are more intense, but the same logic applies: In this day and age, for turbos, piston rings, etc. to still cause oil burning is unacceptable. If my little 3.5i did so to such an extent, I'd say "tschüss".

[och]

I just wonder how did the dealer determine it was 2 QT too low. If the system shows proper oil level and there is no dipstick, how would they know proper oil level? Maybe they just dumped 2 extra quarts in there just to write something on service record?

[Poppyboy]

They can easily calculate that by the amount of oil drained at the time of the service.

[och]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

They can easily calculate that by the amount of oil drained at the time of the service.

They didnt drain the oil, they just determined it was 2 qt too low and added 2 qt.

[Poppyboy]

Originally Posted by och

They didnt drain the oil, they just determined it was 2 qt too low and added 2 qt.

They normally determine this by draining and refilling the oil. I'm not saying its sensible, but it's a common practice.

[och]

I just went ahead and changed oil and filter at my mechanic today. Obviously used BMW oil and filter, this way I have a peace of mind that the oil is fresh and at proper level.