Normal Oil Consumption and Modern Machining

[Turbodriven]

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I just know my 95 BMW with 135,000 miles does not seem to use any oil at all between oil/filter changes every 4-6,000 miles. BTW, Does a 95 model car engine count as "modern machining"?

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No Russell your car is an old banger

...Im only kidding, those 2,5 liter BM motors were amazing and if you did the regular servicing thing on them they would last for ages...still gets my vote as one of the best motors ever.

The manufacturing techniques used on it were leading edge for its day.

 

[windnsea00]

Very true, the M50 and US S50 engine for that matter are rock solid. With a manual and lightwheel flywheel they are a blast to drive, especially when put into a small car. Like a `91 318is that I had swapped a `95 M3 S50 engine into.

They will also take a beating like no other, you can redline that thing constantly and it just takes it! The bottom ends were built very stout and that's why the M52 (predecessor) has become a great turbo engine, there are a handful of them running around with 1000+ rwhp in the US at the moment.

 

[MC5W20]

I think owner neglect has a lot to do with why some of these motors consume. Also, think of the people who run K&N filters. I doubt they go into high mileage without oil consumption.

Valve seals, piston rings, oil leaks, would be the top three reasons for oil loss. There are other reasons, but those three make up a lion's share. One other thing to keep in mind, most engines will consume more oil as the ambient temperature increases.

Irrespective of what the manual says, I've always considered 1quart in 1500 miles the benchmark for a "problem". Now, after having said that, I have seen severl vehicles which have had a "boatload" of miles on them run just fine and consume a quart every 1,000 miles just like clockwork.