Has this communication, your report of high oil consumption plus Diesel like clatter, and their dismissal as all is normal, been in writing?

If it hasn't then suggest you make it so, ensuring their response is also in writing, and undeniable, preferably someone in a senior position, ie service manager or higher.

That way the problems have started within warranty, which should help your case if things get worse down the line.

If there's a BMW UK head office where customers with issues can contact, it might be prudent to forward said communications to them, once again all in writing, belt and braces.

Edited by gordonbennet on 12/09/2020 at 06:12

Exactly when was the car registered? If it is still under the original 3-year warranty that it had from new, then definitely book it in to the dealer for inspection, and as GordonBennet mentioned, if they find nothing wrong, insist on a report IN WRITING from the dealer service manager that they investigated suspected timing chain problems at your request.

Even if the car is now outside the original 3-year warranty, the fact that you bought it from a BMW dealer (was it a BMW Approved Used car?) and have the BMW extended warranty should allow you to do the above.

(Providing you keep the oil level topped up, I wouldn't worry too much about the oil consumption. Providing the consumption does not suddenly get worse, and you keep the level topped up, it should be fine. Tesco is currently selling oil that meets BMW's LL-04 standard very cheap)

This doesn't add up. What are the service intervals in miles? At 1500 miles per litre it would use all the oil in the sump in less than 7,000 miles. Or are you topping up in between? In which case why say "between service intervals"?

It's probably within spec, an aunt was once told her BL Mini was within spec at 600 miles per pint, but can it be normal?

Basic Facts please

Age of car

Date bought

Mileage when bought. Mileage now.

Has it been serviced ? Regularly ? With a BMW dealer?

Without knowing the above, we can only guess.

Edited by madf on 12/09/2020 at 13:05

But I’ve noticed over the past year the cars using a lot of oil between service intervals about 1 litre every 1500-2000 miles and I’ve seen online that high oil usage is a symptom of the timing chain about to go

Nonsense, unless the engine has done a huge mileage with dirty oil and the timing chain has worn almost to the point of failure. How many miles has it done? That sort of oil consumption is unacceptable in a modern small engine unless it has done well over 100,000 miles. Our old 1.6 Focus is still doing around 3000 miles per litre at nearly 150,000 miles. I suspect poor manufacturing quality (I believe these engines are made in Birmingham). It probably needs a rebore with pistons and rings that fit properly. Or you can just keep pouring oil into it till it breaks.

Edited by John F on 12/09/2020 at 16:22