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      05-13-2018, 05:13 AM   #1
tranck
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Oil Level

2018 M2 has 3500 miles - checked the oil via iDrive - was slightly down from the max level - I'm a stickler regarding oil level - is it ok to top off the oil level?

Manual is a little vague about this.

If so and *not* to get into an oil thread debate, what is the consensus for oil for this car? 5w 30 full synthetic - has to be LL01 - I was thinking Castrol Edge or Redline.

I live in North Carolina fwiw.

Thanks very much guys.
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      05-13-2018, 06:06 AM   #2
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BMW OIL

Why mix -- Why not just stay with a Great OIL. BMW / Shell / Pennzoil Euro
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      05-16-2018, 02:45 PM   #3
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Be careful adding oil - if you overfill by even a small amount, you'll get an overfill warning...ask me how I know.

If you're a stickler, drive to a totally flat surface and recheck. If still a smidge low, add a tiny amount and recheck.

Underhood sticker for US market is 0W-30. I'd get a quart from the dealer or a Group IV synthetic 0W-30 w/BMW LL-01. Remember - you're a stickler :-)
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      05-16-2018, 03:30 PM   #4
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I'd go with either of those. Redline is my favourite. I would fill 50mls at a time just to make sure you're not over. But imo, being slightly below max is okay and definitely better than being any amount over max.
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      05-26-2018, 10:17 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrbri View Post
Be careful adding oil - if you overfill by even a small amount, you'll get an overfill warning...ask me how I know.

If you're a stickler, drive to a totally flat surface and recheck. If still a smidge low, add a tiny amount and recheck.

Underhood sticker for US market is 0W-30. I'd get a quart from the dealer or a Group IV synthetic 0W-30 w/BMW LL-01. Remember - you're a stickler :-)
Hi gsr...how did you know of the overfill warning?
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      05-26-2018, 11:41 AM   #6
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A warning appears in the iDrive screen and highlights the oil level in yellow
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      05-26-2018, 11:49 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrbri View Post
A warning appears in the iDrive screen and highlights the oil level in yellow
Ty!!! I do not have that...it says oil level ok - regardless, I'm taking it to the dealer on Tuesday and do an oil change - piece of mind.
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      05-29-2018, 02:38 PM   #8
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I would only add oil if I were at Min or below it. There is an acceptable range for a reason. If you are between min and max, you have the correct amount in there to operate safely. Slightly too little oil is much better than too much. Fluids do not compress, and when you overfill bad enough, seals blow, engines blow, etc. Has to go somewhere. Stay between the lines!
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      05-29-2018, 05:35 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tranck View Post
Ty!!! I do not have that...it says oil level ok - regardless, I'm taking it to the dealer on Tuesday and do an oil change - piece of mind.
You should be able to get more detail, like the actual level, from that same menu if you select to measure it. "OK" is the un"measured" level.
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      08-13-2018, 06:01 PM   #10
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Do your M2's burn much oil? I'm 5K miles in and the oil level still measures at the 'max' line. I changed the oil and filter at 4K miles but even before then I don't remember needing to add much oil just to get her back to 'max'.

This is my first BMW, and the first new car I've had in 15 years so I think I'm just used to older engines but I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised.

I don't baby the car either - in fact I just did my first autocross in her about a month ago and didn't need to add any oil. I'm used to my Acura which wants frequent top offs but she's 14 years old and has a 4 cylinder engine with an 8K redline.
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      08-14-2018, 05:45 PM   #11
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No Units on the Oil Level 'Gauge'

The problem with the oil level display is that it does not tell you what the units are - it just shows max/min points. Is the space between max and min a quart? a liter?

My M2 was down about 20% between max and min after 5000 miles and, figuring that this was a quart, I added three ounces or 10%. I was expecting the gauge to move halfway back to the max level. But there was no change. I didn't add any more to avoid the more serious overfilled condition.

So I just gave up. If the car needs oil, it will tell me. It burns about %20 of (max-min) every 5000 so I just change the oil and live with it.

I track the car and this drives me crazy. But I guess the BMW engineers know what they are doing. (0w30 in a tracked car - don't get me started!)
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      08-14-2018, 05:59 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrbri View Post
Be careful adding oil - if you overfill by even a small amount, you'll get an overfill warning...ask me how I know.

If you're a stickler, drive to a totally flat surface and recheck. If still a smidge low, add a tiny amount and recheck.

Underhood sticker for US market is 0W-30. I'd get a quart from the dealer or a Group IV synthetic 0W-30 w/BMW LL-01. Remember - you're a stickler :-)
Is the BMW Pennzoil/Shell 0W30 a group IV?

I'm still using Castrol Edge 0w40 which is a group IV.
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      08-19-2018, 12:38 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srswans View Post
The problem with the oil level display is that it does not tell you what the units are - it just shows max/min points. Is the space between max and min a quart? a liter?

My M2 was down about 20% between max and min after 5000 miles and, figuring that this was a quart, I added three ounces or 10%. I was expecting the gauge to move halfway back to the max level. But there was no change. I didn't add any more to avoid the more serious overfilled condition.

So I just gave up. If the car needs oil, it will tell me. It burns about %20 of (max-min) every 5000 so I just change the oil and live with it.

I track the car and this drives me crazy. But I guess the BMW engineers know what they are doing. (0w30 in a tracked car - don't get me started!)
huh, so far every time I check the oil it's right at the line before max. Changed every 5k miles. Car has not been tracked though, but so far it appears the car doesn't burn oil, or it's so little it's not worth showing me what it's burned. Annoying to have to rely on the computer to tell me something has changed.
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      08-19-2018, 10:39 AM   #14
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Where does BMW get their oil from? Pennzoil? There is no mfg that offer 0W-30 BMW ll-01FE compliance. Im looking for a cheaper alternative to DIY oil changes. Or is it ok to use 5W-30 as long it is LL-01?
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      08-19-2018, 11:35 AM   #15
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I'm sure Mike Miller will be happy to share what oil he would use in the M2: mikemillerroundelmag@drivewheels.hush.com
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      07-18-2020, 09:15 PM   #16
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So I just did an oil change after about 600kms after a scheduled dealer change and to my surprise, I drained 7.5L of oil! But my oil level check didn't indicate it had been overfilled. What's up with that?? And why would the dealer put in 7.5L?!
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      08-04-2020, 01:42 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bunster View Post
Where does BMW get their oil from? Pennzoil? There is no mfg that offer 0W-30 BMW ll-01FE compliance. Im looking for a cheaper alternative to DIY oil changes. Or is it ok to use 5W-30 as long it is LL-01?
The BMW oil is exclusive to them only that is why you won't be able to find a penzoil that has the 01FE compliance.

Check this thread for more info

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1261438&page=5
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      10-23-2023, 08:44 PM   #18
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The dip stick is still the best way to find out. Why would they get rid of that? I got a warning my engine needed a quart.
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      10-28-2023, 11:43 AM   #19
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They sell a dipstick in the motorsports catalog; I'm content to let the computer warn me, or sit and let it analyze levels (but a PITA that it won't run the analysis until I've driven 31 minutes, even if I"m comig off a 25minute track session at full hot).
https://www.apmotorsport.co.uk/produ...4-dipstick-kit
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