~ 3500 mi = no oil left
 

Wow

Oil alarm came on only after turning off car today.

Dip stick and digital display show oil now below min bar.

Strangely no oil on my garage floor or work spot.

BMW assist didn't know what kind of oil is required. They said oh you must have a 2007 we don't have information for that.

Dealer service closed

e70 abandoned pending towing in the morning.

Just got my JD power survey in the mail yesterday - inital build quality lol.

That's crazy! It makes one wonder if the oil was burned during the mileage, whether there is/was a leak of some sort, or perhaps it was never topped off during the factory/dealer checks.

Initial quality: Mine is going to take a hit, unfortunately. Bad steering wheel, bad oxygen sensor, new software breaks RTTI. All in under 200 miles. I know that new models tend to be more problematic, but this is 70s GM quality. :rolleyes:

Page 225 gives the oil type, by the way. You can download a PDF of the owner's manual on this site. It is invaluable, as you can search for things, rather than thumb through pages!

Joel

Have you added oil since the vehicle was new? It not, assume that two quarts may bring it back up to the mid-level. I would add the oil, and see what the level shows. If it takes three, that is a bit much. If it just takes two, no big deal.

Excessive consumption generally gets noticed by a manufacturer when it is over 1 quart per thousand miles. I wouldn't be happy if my new vehicle was burning that much, but it isn't unusual. If it is only two quarts, I wouldn't worry at all.

Oil consumption tends to reduce over time as piston rings seat in.

If two quarts doesn't bring it back into range, I wouldn't keep trying, I would have it towed to the dealer.

Actually, GM scores much higher than BMW in the JD Powers Initial Quality Survey. ** SEE ATTACHED **

Sad that BMW has sunk so low in quality. You guys at BMW better wake up!!!

I had my 2006 4.4 2 weeks and oil light lit up. 1 qt low...

You have oil, the light means the oil level is low.
New engines use oil as they break in and needing oil after the first 3500 miles is not a surprise or a problem. You should periodically check the oil level and not wait for a light.
If this is the only issue you've had you have a good car.

Is the assertion that this is unique to BMW vehicles? I have had 16 vehicles over the last 9 years. Two of them were BMWs. I've never had the oil get so low that it doesn't register on the dipstick. One the cars (a Honda S2000) was a very high-reving car, which would likely burn more oil. (And it did.) But during the course of the first five thousand miles, there was never a point where the total oil replaced was equal to all of the oil the engine could hold.

I've seen that rationale here a few times, and I have to say that it doesn't wash with me...unless it is unique to BMWs.

Joel

You, perhaps, neglected to see that I had specifically stated 70s GM quality. As in, the 1970s. GM's quality was lousy then. I know that is not the case today, which is why I didn't just leave it at GM's quality. :-)

I agree with you on the second point, but what I've read is that the electronics, etc. in BMWs, and Mercedes are more "bleeding edge," and therefore rank the cars lower. I've no empirical evidence to agree or dispute.

Joel

I have never seen a low engine oil light on my X3, ever. Perhaps I'm not driving it hard enough?

By the way, to the OP, I suggest just buying a quart or two of synthetic motor oil in whatever grade the manual recommends (I'll guess 5W-30) and putting it in. If it disappears in a short time, then take it to the dealer.

I don't understand when you say the total oil replaced is equal to all the oil the engine can hold.
If the oil is not registering at all on the dipstick (not even below the measurement area) I would think it would need a maximum of 2 quarts. This motor holds much more than 2 quarts. A new motor using 2 quarts in the first 3500 miles is not a problem unless there is a bad seal or some other similar problem. I am not familiar with the oil usage of BMW's motors just Porsche's which use allot of oil without it being a problem.
To feel more at ease call the service dept. and ask them if it's a problem.
Also the oil spec. is in the manual.