M52 thirst for oil

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   I was just wondering if M52's were known to use any oil?
The one in my e21 certainly runs well and doesn't smoke or leak, however, it does seem to need a bit of a top-up every 500 miles or so.

Is this normal?

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Mark Brown Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Register Chair E21 Register Chairman Joined: 15 May 2009 Location: Cornwall Status: Offline Points: 378	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark Brown Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: M52 thirst for oil Posted: 02 Sep 2011 at 12:08pm
	I was just wondering if M52's were known to use any oil? The one in my e21 certainly runs well and doesn't smoke or leak, however, it does seem to need a bit of a top-up every 500 miles or so. Is this normal?
	318is saloon wanted - swap for e21 316 "e" numbers make me giddy

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Mike Fishwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike Fishwick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 2011 at 3:59pm
	Most M52 engines do not use any oil at all, but due tothe requirements of extended service intervals a lot were filled with synthetic oil from new, which due to its wonderful lubrication/wear preventing qualities extended the running-in period by a large amount. Lots of them therefore burnt oil, to the tune of a litre in 5000 miles, some dealers telling customers that these engines were 'designed' to burn oil! BMW motorcycles had the same problem, for the same reason. As an example, our Mk.4 Golf TDI, which due to the use of narrow cam lobes and unit injectors, had a very good reason to use an extra-good synthetic frm new, and did not stop burning oil (only half a litre in 5000 miles) until at 40,000 it was as if a switch had been turned off, and it suddenly stopped burning oil. I would therefore feed your engine on a decent mineral oil, and see what happens - but if it is a 'hobby' car which is seldom used, this may take a long time. You do not tell us what type of oil you are using - avoid any '0' graded oil, and go for a 5-40 or 10-40 type of oil, and change it at 5000 mile intervals. Edited by Mike Fishwick - 02 Sep 2011 at 4:03pm

safe1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member BMWCC Club President Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1426	Post Options Post Reply Quote safe1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 2011 at 5:56pm
	Mike--Interesting comments--My S 50 MCoupe runs on Edge 10/60 NEVER uses any oil,as my Alpina B7 Turbo doesnt---Z gets a change each year ---on a 2- 3K max milage.
	Gofastsafe

ACarmichael Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 13 Dec 2011 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 113	Post Options Post Reply Quote ACarmichael Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 6:27pm
	Yep my wife has a 2.2 Z3 and it has burnt at least 1ltr per 5000miles from new and still does at 95K. I have always run it on EDGE 0W30, but only recently changed to 5W30. Interesting that you mention 10W40 as an option. What is the benefit of EDGE over MAGNATEC?

Cabrio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Register Chair E30 Register & Competition Secretary Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 6625	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cabrio Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 7:06pm
	Edge is fully syn and as ll03 seen as the correct oil for late M54 engines and sadly many of them do use oil without signs of oil leaks and have seen evidence at different mileage but more common when 70k + in an E39 or Z3 etc it will have the warning lights but in the E36 and early E39 the M52 was fine but did have some issues but those engines tend not to be around anymore or had dealer repairs Marks E21 won't have any warning aids I am guessing when you bought it you checked the car so non Nikosil as suspect it was in an E36 can give you some checks on the block etc speak soon but worth checking for any bore leaks and oil seals first Did you sell your M3 Edited by Cabrio - 29 Dec 2011 at 7:18pm
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Cabrio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Register Chair E30 Register & Competition Secretary Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 6625	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cabrio Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 2011 at 7:12pm
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AShah Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 27 Jul 2011 Location: Bridgend, Wales Status: Offline Points: 423	Post Options Post Reply Quote AShah Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 2:22pm
	With Jaguar engines that were nikasil, the excessive burning of oil was the first sign that the nikasil was to fail. The solution was to put 20 ml of mineral oil down the spark plug holes in all cylinders, then start up the car and allow that oil to fill up the gaps in the nikasil. Once this was done, the engine stopped burning oil from the sump. This solved the problems for a while, but the ultimate solution was a new block. M52's were mostly given new engines by BMW, but there are still a few good ones around that never got or needed replacement engines. As cabrio said, run 10w40 Part Synthetic oil and all will be ok. Its not too thin to burn and not too thick to cause problems.
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