[jeebus]

I noticed a faint smell that reminds me of burning oil on my 2016 340i. I've got a little over 3,000 miles on the car now. I notice it only after driving the car relatively hard, and by that I mean accelerating to redline a few times, etc (not drifting for 30 minutes or anything).

I've popped the hood and can't see anything noticeable, no smoke or visible oil leaks. Following the smell with my nose it appears to come from the turbo vicinity.

Anyway...taking it to the dealer tomorrow. Will report anything. I had searched but didn't find anything regarding this, so I figured I'd start in case it's anything troubling. The car is driving perfectly and no CELs. It hasn't been to the dealer for anything yet as it's only got 3k miles.

I should note, this does NOT smell like normal new-car burn-in smell. Yes, I know what that smells like and the car did have some of that when new, but it's been gone since the 300 mile mark or so.

[MikeTerp]

Have a 2016 340 with 9K miles and zero problems so far - that is, except for my first service at which my service advisor told me that they needed to reflash my computer per a recall notice. They did. Since then my car has less power and about 2mpg less economy than before. This will be a continuing saga.

[Kabrich]

I'd keep a close eye on the oil level to see if it is burning through oil.

Dealer will not do deep dive.

I had a similar problem on a first year MB 500 SL that kept losing all types of oil, yet 2 Dealers continued to declare it was fine, even with large amount of black exhaust every time I started car (but with BMW exhausts look much worse even with no loss of oil ).

Long story short, after 2 years, a personal friend ended up heading up a Dealership's Service Department and got to the bottom of it. One of the rings on a valve was put in reversed at the factory. The cylinder was scorched.

After that $110k car in 1990 (worth over $203k in 2016 USD) and that kind of service, I swore to never buy another Benz again.

I have learned the Dealerships will only do a minimum amount if diagnostic work as Brand will not pay for extensive diagnostics.

Having same issues with BMW now if you look at my fully Average MPG. Of course 2 dealers say all is fine.

[miked07]

Originally Posted by MikeTerp

Have a 2016 340 with 9K miles and zero problems so far - that is, except for my first service at which my service advisor told me that they needed to reflash my computer per a recall notice. They did. Since then my car has less power and about 2mpg less economy than before. This will be a continuing saga.

When did you purchase your car?

[jeebus]

Dealer reported back no issues. I had them change the oil because I felt like waiting 10k for the first change was too long. I'll keep an eye on oil levels.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by jeebus

Dealer reported back no issues. I had them change the oil because I felt like waiting 10k for the first change was too long. I'll keep an eye on oil levels.

As noted, warranties only give limited time to "diagnose" a problem - especially if they cannot find evidence that there is really a problem.

Thus, very often these hard to diagnose issues do not get found - as I tried to explain in my post.

I was changing my oil every 2500 miles.....and was a quart low every 2500 miles (or less). And I was giving big amount of blackish (ting of blue) smoke every startup. I knew there was an issue.

Something I left out, they even did a detailed test where they put a very precise amount of oil in the engine and I was to drive it x number of miles (cannot remember the number....maybe 500 miles....maybe 1000?) and return it.

They would then pull the oil out and find out how much was missing. They looked at that and said I was not losing oil, lol, even though I knew I had an issue.

As I said, only reason the problem was ever found was because a friend took over the Service Department at the Dealer and knew I wasn't prone to make stuff up.

Otherwise, the reverse installation of the ring in engine would never have been found without pulling the engine apart - which no Service Department would do trying to diagnose a problem that they are unwilling to admit existed.

[White340]

I have this same smell even when driving normally. I've had it for more than half of the time i've owned the car so about 8m now. It can get nauseating after a while. I only notice it when i have the AC off. With the AC on, the smell goes away.

[eluded]

Doesn't smell normal if it's oil. Mine did reek a bit after the first few floggings

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by White340

I have this same smell even when driving normally. I've had it for more than half of the time i've owned the car so about 8m now. It can get nauseating after a while. I only notice it when i have the AC off. With the AC on, the smell goes away.

that doesn't sound ok. Have you taken it in?

[insanecoder]

oil blow-by?
keep an eye on the oil levels as kabrich said

[ErkanTR16]

18K Miles here. Redlined plenty of time never smelled anything as mentioned above.

[STR8-6IX]

did you forget about the break in period? no full throttle, no revving past 3k in general for the first 3000 miles. good job breaking in your motor the fast way

[ErkanTR16]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

did you forget about the break in period? no full throttle, no revving past 3k in general for the first 3000 miles. good job breaking in your motor the fast way

3,000 Miles??

What car are you breaking in? Break in period for the 340i B58 is only 1200....

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Erkan_340i

3,000 Miles??

What car are you breaking in? Break in period for the 340i B58 is only 1200....

No... its not. all cars need to be broken in FULLY. 1200 miles will not fully break in your motor. 3000 miles ensure that your engine is properly sealed and will not burn any oil. if you get yourself a new car, try flooring it a couple times at 2000 miles and see what happens in the long run.

[insanecoder]

Actually the 340i doesn't even have an official break-in period..but yea most of us who are are using about 1200mi and prob dont have the patience to go more than that anyway.
I believe the M cars are broken in at 1200mi.. and its probably enough.
I've changed the motor oil afterwards and seen some particulates.
I've changed the tranny oil as well and seen nothing so that may be skipped to 30,000mi.
Havent yet done the diff oil but thats on slate for next week.

[ErkanTR16]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

No... its not. all cars need to be broken in FULLY. 1200 miles will not fully break in your motor. 3000 miles ensure that your engine is properly sealed and will not burn any oil. if you get yourself a new car, try flooring it a couple times at 2000 miles and see what happens in the long run.

You should read the Owners Manual.

Here is what BMW Engineers have wrote for the 340i B58 Engine:

Breaking-in period
General information
Moving parts need time to adjust to one an‐
other (break-in time).
The following instructions will help accomplish
a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
During break-in, do not use the Launch Con‐
trol, refer to page 75.
Engine, transmission, and axle drive
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speed:
▷ For gasoline engine 4,500 rpm and
100 mph/160 km/h.
▷ For diesel engine 3,500 rpm and
93 mph/150 km/h.
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circum‐
stances.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.

- Tires - Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.

- Brake System -
Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimal per‐
formance between brake discs and brake
pads. Drive moderately during this break-in pe‐
riod.

- Clutch - The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Erkan_340i

You should read the Owners Manual.

Here is what BMW Engineers have wrote for the 340i B58 Engine:

Breaking-in period
General information
Moving parts need time to adjust to one an‐
other (break-in time).
The following instructions will help accomplish
a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
During break-in, do not use the Launch Con‐
trol, refer to page 75.
Engine, transmission, and axle drive
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speed:
▷ For gasoline engine 4,500 rpm and
100 mph/160 km/h.
▷ For diesel engine 3,500 rpm and
93 mph/150 km/h.
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circum‐
stances.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.

- Tires - Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.

- Brake System -
Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimal per‐
formance between brake discs and brake
pads. Drive moderately during this break-in pe‐
riod.

- Clutch - The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.

note how "engine and vehicle speed can be gradually increased after 2000km" the break in period FOR THE ENGINE is about 5000KM. ive tested it myself.

[cmplaya]

can you please describe how you have tested it yourself?

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

note how "engine and vehicle speed can be gradually increased after 2000km" the break in period FOR THE ENGINE is about 5000KM. ive tested it myself.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

can you please describe how you have tested it yourself?

dropped the hammer on my dads car at 1900 miles. it now burns a bit of oil. if i waited until 3000 miles, it would not burn anything.

[insanecoder]

I didnt even see that section in the manual.. thats a general manual for the F30
One can hope the B58 manufacture is even tighter and maybe doesnt even need all of 1200mi.. either way the point is that improper break-in may cause oil blow-by and this is what you may be smelling.. this of course means an oil catch can may be needed in your future and your intakes will need more attention.. a by-product of improper break-in.
Watch your oil levels to be sure.. take periodic measurements.

You will likely get some blow-by anyway if you put some real hard driving behind that turbo and even more so with tunes

[goj]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

dropped the hammer on my dads car at 1900 miles. it now burns a bit of oil. if i waited until 3000 miles, it would not burn anything.

All numbers BMW posts are conservative. Including these. Your sample size is way to small to be relevant. Your 3000 mile number is nothing more than an arbitrary figure with nothing substantial backing it up

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

dropped the hammer on my dads car at 1900 miles. it now burns a bit of oil. if i waited until 3000 miles, it would not burn anything.

That's quite the scientific testing you did there.