2004 330xi oil capacity??

Sabreman · 02-13-2013, 08:40 PM

I remain confused. My owners manual says 6.6 qts on oil/filter change for xi. The service manual says 8.0 for all wheel drive (6.9 otherwise). Per prior threads some possibility pre-facelifts used 8 and later years (mine is 04) take only 6.6. Dipstick seems full with 6.6. Dealer charges for 8 but dipstick shows overfill. Is there some definitive answer out there????

bmwporschefan · 02-13-2013, 09:06 PM

I know mine uses 8. I had no idea that later years used less.

e46alfonso · 02-13-2013, 09:10 PM

8 is too much. I'm at the top of the dipstic with 7 quarts.

bmwporschefan · 02-13-2013, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e46alfonso

8 is too much. I'm at the top of the dipstic with 7 quarts.

Owners manual says 8, repair manual says 8, if I only add 7 quarts my dipstick shows I am a quart low. So the verdict is my car holds 8 quarts.

e46alfonso · 02-13-2013, 11:06 PM

You are right, earlier xi's have a different oil pan and hold more oil.

limpiabota809 · 02-13-2013, 11:15 PM

My 03 was at max with 7

SamDoe1 · 02-14-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by limpiabota809

My 03 was at max with 7

My 2004 is at max with 7ish.

chilone · 02-14-2013, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamDoe1

My 2004 is at max with 7ish.

What he said...

GCoop · 02-14-2013, 03:02 PM

Oil capacities in the XI are a much debated topic. For some reason it seems that some XIs hold almost 8qts while others (Myself included in this bunch) only take ~7 to reach the full mark.

The reasons for this run the gambit-- From 2 different oil pan shapes (see below) used on the XIs to the updated dipsticks that register full @ ~7qts.

There has been no definitive answer as to why from what I have been able to research. I have also seen printouts from owners manuals with different figures. Generaly speaking it "seems" that the higher capacity figures are mostly from earlier production XIs but not always. Clear as mud yet?

Same as what I have (7 Qt pan):

Here is the other:

My325XI · 02-14-2013, 06:57 PM

I use 7 qt's

caleb6 · 02-14-2013, 07:09 PM

According to Bentley, its 7.9 qts. (7.5 liters) Page 119-1.

White_Knuckles · 02-14-2013, 07:57 PM

GCoop has the win. They vary.

It's easy, put in 7 qts. and pull the stick. Add as needed.

Mine holds 7.5 qts. every change even with extended drain times.

bmwporschefan · 02-14-2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCoop

Here is the other:

This is the pan I have.

jonnie325xi · 02-15-2013, 07:53 AM

I have a 04 325 XI and 6.6 puts it right at the proper level of the dipstick.

Sabreman · 02-17-2013, 01:56 PM

Thanks for all the replies. For my car 2004xi, I'm going to stay with 6.6 per owners manual and my dipstick and not worry that the xi spec per service manual seems to list 8 qts but makes no distinctions among years.

bmwporschefan · 02-17-2013, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabreman

Thanks for all the replies. For my car 2004xi, I'm going to stay with 6.6 per owners manual and my dipstick and not worry that the xi spec per service manual seems to list 8 qts but makes no distinctions among years.

That's what I would do man. Go by your dipstick. I wasn't even aware they changed the oil pan design sometime after mine was built.

SilvaBimma · 02-19-2013, 10:13 PM

7 Qts, 2001. Always had the illusion it took more but measured when I did an oil change. These engines do drink some oil after awhile.

latitude39 · 02-20-2013, 04:55 PM

325xi 2002 (11/2001 build)
7 quarts gets me to the high limit on dipstick
During 7,500 mile service I add .6 - .7 quart
140k

02-13-2013, 08:40 PM	#1
Sabreman Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 24 My Ride: '04 330xi auto View My Garage	2004 330xi oil capacity?? I remain confused. My owners manual says 6.6 qts on oil/filter change for xi. The service manual says 8.0 for all wheel drive (6.9 otherwise). Per prior threads some possibility pre-facelifts used 8 and later years (mine is 04) take only 6.6. Dipstick seems full with 6.6. Dealer charges for 8 but dipstick shows overfill. Is there some definitive answer out there????

02-13-2013, 09:06 PM	#2
bmwporschefan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 93 My Ride: 2001 330xi View My Garage	I know mine uses 8. I had no idea that later years used less. __________________ '01 330xi

02-14-2013, 03:02 PM	#9
GCoop Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charlottesville VA Posts: 1,077 My Ride: '04 325xi View My Garage	Oil capacities in the XI are a much debated topic. For some reason it seems that some XIs hold almost 8qts while others (Myself included in this bunch) only take ~7 to reach the full mark. The reasons for this run the gambit-- From 2 different oil pan shapes (see below) used on the XIs to the updated dipsticks that register full @ ~7qts. There has been no definitive answer as to why from what I have been able to research. I have also seen printouts from owners manuals with different figures. Generaly speaking it "seems" that the higher capacity figures are mostly from earlier production XIs but not always. Clear as mud yet? Same as what I have (7 Qt pan): Here is the other: __________________ GCoop \| F1 Autohaüs Halogen Non-Projector LED Angel Eyes Review GCoop \| Cluster Repair DIY--Clock and Odometer Knobs GCoop \| Wheel TouchUp--On The Cheap Last edited by GCoop; 02-14-2013 at 03:03 PM.

02-14-2013, 06:57 PM	#10
My325XI Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 583 My Ride: 03 325XI Sprt Prem View My Garage	I use 7 qt's __________________ 2003 325XI 5-speed ZSP ZPP

02-14-2013, 07:57 PM	#12
White_Knuckles Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington (the state) Posts: 1,299 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	GCoop has the win. They vary. It's easy, put in 7 qts. and pull the stick. Add as needed. Mine holds 7.5 qts. every change even with extended drain times. __________________ Anything made can be made Better

02-13-2013, 09:10 PM	#3
e46alfonso Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Mass. Posts: 340 My Ride: AW 330xi manuel View My Garage	8 is too much. I'm at the top of the dipstic with 7 quarts.

02-13-2013, 11:06 PM	#5
e46alfonso Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Mass. Posts: 340 My Ride: AW 330xi manuel View My Garage	You are right, earlier xi's have a different oil pan and hold more oil.

02-13-2013, 11:15 PM	#6
limpiabota809 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NYC Posts: 617 My Ride: 330 XI View My Garage	My 03 was at max with 7

02-14-2013, 07:09 PM	#11
caleb6 Modded ///Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 383 My Ride: 2005 330XI View My Garage	According to Bentley, its 7.9 qts. (7.5 liters) Page 119-1.

02-15-2013, 07:53 AM	#14
jonnie325xi Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Connecticut Posts: 27 My Ride: 2004 325 XI View My Garage	I have a 04 325 XI and 6.6 puts it right at the proper level of the dipstick.

02-17-2013, 01:56 PM	#15
Sabreman Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 24 My Ride: '04 330xi auto View My Garage	Thanks for all the replies. For my car 2004xi, I'm going to stay with 6.6 per owners manual and my dipstick and not worry that the xi spec per service manual seems to list 8 qts but makes no distinctions among years.

02-19-2013, 10:13 PM	#17
SilvaBimma Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NC Posts: 535 My Ride: AWD View My Garage	7 Qts, 2001. Always had the illusion it took more but measured when I did an oil change. These engines do drink some oil after awhile.

02-20-2013, 04:55 PM	#18
latitude39 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: United States/Colorado Posts: 99 My Ride: 2002 325xi View My Garage	325xi 2002 (11/2001 build) 7 quarts gets me to the high limit on dipstick During 7,500 mile service I add .6 - .7 quart 140k

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