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I had the synthetic oil for my 2004 BMW 325Xi changed at about 2,200 miles (break-in oil change).
It is now at about 4,850 miles. I just noticed today that the oil level seems a fair amount too high (1/2 inch over max). I don't know if the dipstick is a bit inaccurate or they just srewed up.

The owner's manual says it takes 6.2 quarts.
I noticed that the oil change receipt says 8 quarts! Maybe that is just BMW usually bills it to get to the quoted total. If not, this may serve as good proof that they put too much in!

In any case, I wish I would have checked the level right after the oil change. The engine oil level seems about 1/2 inch above the 'MAX' line.
I don't know if it is the weird dipstick design (it had the four plastic fins sticking out above (and below the 'min' line) the max
line.

Any suggestions on how to approach this when I bring it in to the dealer first thing tomorrow morning?

Maybe 1/2 inch above max isn't that terrible, but it seems like more than a slight overfill to me.

I have read about a number of things that can go wrong when overfilling, especially decreased long term (engine) reliability.
I was going to keep this car till it had a ton of miles on it, but now am wondering if I should only keep it till just before the 4 years / 50,000 miles warranty is up.

1) I had the brake / ABS (failure) light go on today for a few minutes at one point, only to go off after a minute or two. It hasn't recurred since then.

2) There is a slight whirring (not sure how to describe it other than that) noise (could be belt issue?) coming from the right side front of the car under the hood.

Other than that, there are no obvious problems (yet).

Thanks for any tips / advice!

Well, if you don't like your car, you can always give it to me.

I'd talk the dealer about it. Just ask what the recommended level is and if they say different, point out what it says in the manual. As it is, I'm betting the mechanic made a mistake. It does happen sometimes.

2) There is a slight whirring (not sure how to describe it other than that) noise (could be belt issue?) coming from the right side front of the car under the hood.

All cars have a noise somewhere if you're listening hard enough. I've driven myself crazy in the past hearing noises in my car which were nothing to worry about.

Thanks Ian ad jase!

I checked again this morning in the daylight.
The level was about 3/4 inch too high, so I brought it into the dealership.

At first they weren't going to give me a loaner (I work in the city and take a train in and can't leave my area too late, or I won't get in till noon...), but then I remembered the two (minor?) issues

1) The Brake / DSC warning light stayed on for one to two minutes, instead of seconds when starting the car yesterday morning.
It has NOT recurred in the five starts since though.

2) That chattering/whirring noise under the hood, which is only audible
when the radio is completely off.


Other than any effects of the overfilling on long term reliability ansd engine life, which may not be visible till 80,000 miles e.g. (I have seen that mentioned in a few places), the car is under warranty for another 3 years 7 months or another 45,000 miles approx (whichever comes first), so I am not too worried.


I did make sure to ask the service advisor to have them check the seals and gaskets, since he didn't even mention them checking those; he just stated the draining.

I will see what happens...