Long-Term Road Tests - 2002 BMW M3: Engine Failure Imminent! Or maybe not...

2002 BMW M3: Engine Failure Imminent! Or maybe not...

So the long-term BMW M3 scared the hell out of me this morning. But it's supposed to be a "thrilling" car, so maybe I'm just an old stick in the mud. Regardless, when I looked down and saw the oil light on next to the speedo my blood pressure shot up considerably. My first instinct was to reach up and turn off the key, but at 40 mph on the heavily-trafficked, narrow and twisting Malibu Canyon Road -- with no pull off space in sight -- I didn't see that as my best immediate option. Instead I quickly lifted off the throttle and pushed in the clutch pedal. As luck would have it I'd just passed the highest point on this route through the Santa Monica Mountains, which meant I could realistically coast for the next 3-5 minutes (depending on traffic speed).

During that time I scanned the oil temperature gauge and the engine temperature gauge. I also turned off the audio system and listened intently for troubling noises/vibrations. All appeared fine, and upon further reflection I realized the light was yellow, not the traditional red I normally associate with "Turn Off The Engine Now!!" By the time I hit PCH I decided to keep the tachometer below 2,500, keep the radio off and my ears open, and keep my eyes on the engine/oil temp gauges.

That's how I drove the last 10 miles into work, then I checked the oil level and found it right on (but not below) the low line on the dipstick. It took exactly 1/4 of 1 quart of oil to get the oil level midway between the low and high line, and I've since confirmed that, indeed, the M3 has a red version of the oil light reserved for if/when things get critical (you can see it everytime you first turn the key on).

As an early warning system for a high-performance car it's not a bad design. But as with so many things, a litle RTFM helps avoid panic.

Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief

Posted by Karl Apr 9, 2008 3:15 pm

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Categories: 2002 BMW M3

Comments

roadburner - Apr 11, 2008 7:25 pm (#14 Total: 14)

North Central KY

"I highly not recommend overfilling the crankcase for the purpose of oil starvation prevention. You may do more harm than good as foaming oil will provide less of a lubricating barrier between bearing surfaces."

That's true with respect to the E46 M3, but the E28 M5, E24 M6, and the US E36 M3 DO benefit from that extra 1/2 quart when the cars are being autocrossed or tracked.

hondacura4 - Apr 11, 2008 3:52 pm (#13 Total: 14)

"Hmmm....I was on a closed course today in my new Legacy GT 5-speed."

Priceless!

mdoan300 - Apr 11, 2008 3:09 pm (#12 Total: 14)

My E46 M3 only burns oil after a weekend at the road course. I actually like the dipstick design -- MUCH easier to get an accurate reading than the dipsticks on all the Nissans I have owned in the past.

Also, the E46 M3 has secondary oil scavenging pumps to prevent oil starvation during high-g corners. I highly not recommend overfilling the crankcase for the purpose of oil starvation prevention. You may do more harm than good as foaming oil will provide less of a lubricating barrier between bearing surfaces.

stingray454 - Apr 11, 2008 8:25 am (#11 Total: 14)

That is a weird looking dipstick. I don't know how many quarts it holds, but 1/2 quart between the low and full levels on the dipstick seems very sensitive. Most cars its 1 full quart between the low and full marks on the dipstick.

roadburner - Apr 10, 2008 9:26 am (#10 Total: 14)

North Central KY

When I was running my E24 M6 at New Hampshire International the low oil light illuminated on the banking between turns 1 and 2. I pulled into the pits and checked the oil level- the sump was full. I ended up talking with David Donahue(who at the time was racing an M5 in the IMSA Supercar Championship) and he explained that the race cars also had that problem in hard left turns, primarily because the engine is slanted to the right. He advised adding an extra 1/2 quart of oil. I did so and I lapped the rest of the day without incident.

joefrompa - Apr 10, 2008 7:59 am (#9 Total: 14)

Hmmm....I was on a closed course today in my new Legacy GT 5-speed. The rush of power from 3000-4500 (I'm still in break-in and I'm only allowing myself to 4500) is unbelievable, not in a "pressed back in your seat" sort of way, more of a "I was doing 75 when that 2004 BMW 545i started tailgating me and now I'm doing 110 and I didn't even downshift"...

There's something about that addictive rush when you can accelerate from 60-100 in the time it takes most cars to do 20-60. You just want to do it again :)

That M3 sounds like so much fun, I wish I had a chance to drive one again.

Joe

karjunkie - Apr 10, 2008 4:53 am (#8 Total: 14)

My E34 540i dipstick has a black plastic tip that makes checking the oil hard to see in anything but full daylight. However, it has never burned one drop of oil between oil changes so I can't complain.

blueguydotcom - Apr 10, 2008 1:02 am (#7 Total: 14)

San Diego CA

Anyone who has owned an e46 knows the yellow low oil light. It's a shrug. Stop when you get a chance - in the next day or two - and add some synthetic motor oil.

editor_karl - Apr 9, 2008 10:04 pm (#6 Total: 14)

L.A. CA United States of America

We did use the proper, 10-60 oil (apparently M3's like it thick, baby!).

This car is still a thrill to drive, six years after it rolled out of the showroom. I tend to go pretty fast in the M3, even when I'm just going from point A to point B. I also go fast in it when on a deserted road, but moreso than most cars I find myself speeding when not really meaning to. I think it's the addictive, linear rush of power the engine offers.

But it's not as refined as an Audi, so a long-distance trip would be better in one of the "ringed" cars from 2008.

m_thrizzle - Apr 9, 2008 4:16 pm (#5 Total: 14)

You topped it off with Castrol TWS 10w-60 oil, right? (BTW, the 10w-60 comes in 1 liter bottles, which is just a little more than a quart)

estreka - Apr 9, 2008 4:13 pm (#4 Total: 14)

subarctic north - Great Falls, MT

This is the first time I've seen you blog on the M3, Karl. How do you like it? Does it compare to the Audis you've been driving?

editor_karl - Apr 9, 2008 3:26 pm (#3 Total: 14)

L.A. CA United States of America

I checked it hot, and it was actually slightly above the low line (and yes, the design of the dipstick is terrible). We also checked it cold and it was exactly on the low line. But it was cold when it took 1/4 of 1 quart to get it to halfway between the lines.

texases - Apr 9, 2008 3:22 pm (#2 Total: 14)

At least this one has a dipstick. Do the new ones?

joefrompa - Apr 9, 2008 3:22 pm (#1 Total: 14)

First off, awesome use of the term "RTFM"...

Second, that's either one of the poorest dipstick designs I've seen or the best. It's hard to tell from the photo...it seems like it'd be very hard to see oil on the dipstick, but maybe it's very easy to see where the shiny stuff stops :)

Karl - Did you check the oil cold or hot? Was it only a 1/4 quart to get it to the midline hot?

The reason I ask is twofold - Why did the light come on when it was only at the low mark (I guess it is a high performance vehicle and could induce oil starvation under high laterals G's....)....and it's curious that a higher capacity sump, as this M3 has, would only need 1/4 quart to go from bottom mark on the dipstick to halfway.

Joe