Oil Weight and Normal Consumption

[BlueBMW]

I'm aware that engines (especially well seasoned ones) consume oil.  But my question is.. how much is too much consumption before you start considering rebuilding?

I have been using BMW synthetic 5w30 (castrol syntec supposedly) for the last few oil changes.  I have ZERO external leaks, and I have no smoke.  But I've noticed that when I check my oil level I sometimes have to add some oil.  Recently I took the car on a 600 mile trip.  At the start I filled the oil to the proper level at the top notch on the dipstick.  Upon my return I checked the level again and found that it had dropped about a quarter of the way down from the top notch towards the bottom notch.  So basically 1/4 of a quart in 600 miles.  

Too much?  Normal?  Time to change to a heavier oil??

My only reason for using the BMW oil is that I have access to extra oil at my work so its free

[arcter]

I actually just use 20w50, which made me go through less oil definitely. I put about 80miles on the car each day of the week, and it might go down to about the middle mark or lower after two weeks or so. I do have some blue smoke in the morning but I'm guessing it's valve guide seals. You might try heavier oil depending on the climate there, I'm in CA so it's never very cold.

[dvmotorsports]

I've never had an oil consumption issue. I do have a leak though in the lower section of the front cover. Have you done a compression and leak down test? I wonder what condition your rings are in.

[RED IS 91]

Over 200K miles ........15/50 mobile one .......Change oil every 5000 miles but last year only put 2500 on car but usually only need 1 quart in 5000.
Driving habits ,hot temperatures,cars condition are all factors. I consider myself very lucky........

[strad]

My car consumed I think about 1 quart per oil change -- which is about every 4k miles.  I used Castrol Syntec 20W50 in mine.  This was a 210k-mile M42 that had only been opened once, at 33k miles, to replace the profile gasket.  And headgasket of course.

[mderienzo]

I have 180k miles and have been running Mobil 1 15w50.  Oil and filter changes every 5k.  Last year we did 8 driver school track days with the BMW CCA.  I have a small leak in the timing cover and burn / loose about 1/2 quart in 5000 miles.

Mark

[///m42 sport]

wow, I was going to ask this same question.   Not sure how much I'm losing, but I do wonder when the oil light is suppose do come on!  went on 1200mile trip recently and oil was below the dipstick but not oil warning light!

[BlueBMW]

I'd think it would have to go pretty far below the bottom of the dipstick to cause a loss of oil pressure.  If we had check control we'd have an earlier warning.

What is the downside to burning some oil?  Are there long term problems that will result from high oil consumption aside from having to add oil often?