BMW Repair: BMW engine oil, good mileage, petrol consumption

Question
Hi Nathan,

I have a 1996 BMW 528i which has done 145000 km. It consumes oil (approx 2.5l for 5000 km) & after running it for a while when I open the engine cap (for oil filling), I see white vapors. There is no coolant leakage into the engine.

However the petrol consumption is quite good the car consumes 9 lt/ 100km on the highway but 17 lt/ 100km in city driving (slow + many traffic lights).

Is the oil consumption due to pistons & rings worn out or due to my wife's mostly to & from driving from the office on a 6 km(one way) run? The car runs beautifully on the highway & we have got very good mileage which we have checked many times.

Pl. advise,

Janak.  

Answer
BMWNA says its ok for a BMW to consume 1 qrt oil every 1000 miles, I do think it would be a good idea to take the vehicle on some longer drives, 6km one way is not long enough for the car to heat up and clean the engine out.    hope this helps......Thanks Nathan Babbitt