[M2PDX]

I love the new M3, and I am still a big fan of BMW. They seem to be getting back on track with the 2016 models and a refocus on driving experience.

But, I am not a soccer mom. My guess is that you aren't either. I'm a car guy. You probably are too. So why are they treating us like this?

I HATE the fact that BMW engineers think they are sooo smart and removed the dipstick. I've had several M's, and some, especially my 2002, burned a quart of oil every 1,500 to 2,000 miles. I like to check it myself.

You can't tell the condition of the oil from looking at a silly electronic display. You can only tell that by pulling a dipstick and looking at it.

Come on BMW, this is a DRIVERS car. Let the knowledgeable drivers and owners like us check the car to make sure it's in top shape.

Let's start a movement, initiate a petition, organize a hunger strike, or march on Munich! Rise up! Demand change.

[jwzimm]

Well...it ain't gonna happen there sports fan. They have had the electronic dipstick for a couple generations now.

Something to keep in mind though, it is not a simple level sensor down there. It has an oil quality sensor built in to it as well. This is much more accurate than your sniff test on the end of the dipstick and allows the CBS system to very accurately monitor to condition of the oil. In my 335 I had the shop collect a sample of the oil after a change at about 13k miles of use and sent it off to Blackstone. The oil was still in good shape and had some additive left in it. The CBS does a very god job of estimating the life of the oil and allows for more accurate oil changes so you avoid changing out perfectly good oil.

[M2PDX]

Originally Posted by jwzimm

Well...it ain't gonna happen there sports fan. They have had the electronic dipstick for a couple generations now.

Something to keep in mind though, it is not a simple level sensor down there. It has an oil quality sensor built in to it as well. This is much more accurate than your sniff test on the end of the dipstick and allows the CBS system to very accurately monitor to condition of the oil. In my 335 I had the shop collect a sample of the oil after a change at about 13k miles of use and sent it off to Blackstone. The oil was still in good shape and had some additive left in it. The CBS does a very god job of estimating the life of the oil and allows for more accurate oil changes so you avoid changing out perfectly good oil.

Not good enough. That assumes that all of the electronic nannies will work perfectly, and work for the life of the car. I've had three of my prior BMWs get to over 140K miles. And I guarantee you that I won't trust the electronic sensors at that point. So give us the option of manually securing the safety

of our vehicle.

[s0ul]

Why haven't one of the vendors like iND make an aftermarket part for this? Seems like theres a demand for this, I know I would get one.

[jwzimm]

Originally Posted by Mustangquadcam

Not good enough. That assumes that all of the electronic nannies will work perfectly, and work for the life of the car. I've had three of my prior BMWs get to over 140K miles. And I guarantee you that I won't trust the electronic sensors at that point. So give us the option of manually securing the safety

of our vehicle.

Lol! You should call Munich and complain. I am certain they will listen...

Originally Posted by s0ul

Why haven't one of the vendors like iND make an aftermarket part for this? Seems like theres a demand for this, I know I would get one.

Not sure owners would be all that comfortable going and drilling holes in their oil pans just to add a dipstick.

[///mawana]

Originally Posted by s0ul

Why haven't one of the vendors like iND make an aftermarket part for this? Seems like theres a demand for this, I know I would get one.

I'm not drilling my block just to have a dipstick especially when the e-dipstick works.

My ZHP's m54 has a dipstick, if the o-ring degrades or isn't sit properly can be a major source of a leak. I'll take the e-dipstick any day, thank you!

[s0ul]

Aftermarket Oilpan?

[WhatsADSM]

The lack of a dipstick is crazy... But its been this way for a while now.

And FWIW you can't tell the condition of oil by just looking at it (not mention you can always pop the full cap off anyways if you want to see it).

[1MOREMOD]

My x5d and m3 both have one!

[zx10guy]

To add to this, it's a sad fact but most BMW owners really don't care about the longevity or wanting to get into the details of their car from a mechanical stand point. Look at how many leases BMW does and how many of those customers turn over their cars before the warranty runs out. BMW is just adapting to their customer demographic.

I know a BMW tech that works at a dealership. He said he's had run ins with customer where they care more about what loaner car they're getting over what is going on with their car.

It's not just BMW changing due to market conditions, you're seeing this with companies like Ducati. Ducati changed their service intervals (right or wrong) to be more appealing to a broader demographic who doesn't want to deal with short service intervals. I think it used to be every 3000 miles which got pushed to 7500 miles.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Funny i read this today ... Yesterday walmart declined to change oil for me because car had no dipstick ( he said to go buy one from the dealership )

I know i know, im too lazy to do my own oil change so i take it to walmart

[///mawana]

If condition of oil is all one cares about, just change the oil at 5 or 7.5k mile intervals or 6-months time if you drive less.

[maddmatth]

Electronic system is more accurate than the dipstick. I imagine the people complaining to be stubborn old men who are stuck in their ways. Smartphones probably scare them too.

Unlike owners, the electronic system never forgets to check your oil and will never let you unknowingly drive on low oil.
It's just better.

Saying "It's not good enough" to a perfectly logical answer just reeks of stubbornness.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by maddmatth

Electronic system is more accurate than the dipstick. I imagine the people complaining to be stubborn old men who are stuck in their ways. Smartphones probably scare them too.

Unlike owners, the electronic system never forgets to check your oil and will never let you unknowingly drive on low oil.
It's just better.

Saying "It's not good enough" to a perfectly logical answer just reeks of stubbornness.

It would be better to have both.

I just read about a guy who's sensor was failing so he kept putting in more oil as he assumed he was burning it which is not uncommon on these cars. Nope it was a faulty sensor. Engines don't like tons of excess oil. Who is going to test the sensor if it even is possible.

What would be best is the sensor says you are low or it is dirty and you pull the dipstick to double check. 2 checks are better than 1 and the electronic system is more prone to failure than a dip stick it.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by Mustangquadcam

I love the new M3, and I am still a big fan of BMW. They seem to be getting back on track with the 2016 models and a refocus on driving experience.

But, I am not a soccer mom. My guess is that you aren't either. I'm a car guy. You probably are too. So why are they treating us like this?

I HATE the fact that BMW engineers think they are sooo smart and removed the dipstick. I've had several M's, and some, especially my 2002, burned a quart of oil every 1,500 to 2,000 miles. I like to check it myself.

You can't tell the condition of the oil from looking at a silly electronic display. You can only tell that by pulling a dipstick and looking at it.

Come on BMW, this is a DRIVERS car. Let the knowledgeable drivers and owners like us check the car to make sure it's in top shape.

Let's start a movement, initiate a petition, organize a hunger strike, or march on Munich! Rise up! Demand change.

LOL!

I appreciate your passion but I will head to Munich for this just after we rise up and demand the return of the NA V8 and V-10 engines! Not happening!

Gotta go and tilt at a few windmills now!!

[maddmatth]

Originally Posted by Torgus

It would be better to have both.

I just read about a guy who's sensor was failing so he kept putting in more oil as he assumed he was burning it which is not uncommon on these cars. Nope it was a faulty sensor. Engines don't like tons of excess oil. Who is going to test the sensor if it even is possible.

What would be best is the sensor says you are low or it is dirty and you pull the dipstick to double check. 2 checks are better than 1 and the electronic system is more prone to failure than a dip stick it.

A quick google shows it can be diagnosed and fixed relatively easily if it has a problem. Looks like a cheap fix too, which is a rare thing with BMWs.
It should show a fault if something is wrong with it and not tell you do add more oil. Suspect that person didn't read the manual and misinterpreted the fault, although I haven't read that particular thread/story.

People seem to be completely exaggerating the issues with it in an attempt to prob up a weak argument, IMO. Doing my own research on this, it seems to me the electronic sensors are the better option.

[zeevette]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Funny i read this today ... Yesterday walmart declined to change oil for me because car had no dipstick ( he said to go buy one from the dealership )

I know i know, im too lazy to do my own oil change so i take it to walmart

Walmart probably drains the old oil through the dipstick, wipes off the old filter,(optional) refills, and you're on your way. No dipstick, no service.

[vsix]

Originally Posted by Mustangquadcam

I love the new M3, and I am still a big fan of BMW. They seem to be getting back on track with the 2016 models and a refocus on driving experience.

But, I am not a soccer mom. My guess is that you aren't either. I'm a car guy. You probably are too. So why are they treating us like this?

I HATE the fact that BMW engineers think they are sooo smart and removed the dipstick. I've had several M's, and some, especially my 2002, burned a quart of oil every 1,500 to 2,000 miles. I like to check it myself.

You can't tell the condition of the oil from looking at a silly electronic display. You can only tell that by pulling a dipstick and looking at it.

Come on BMW, this is a DRIVERS car. Let the knowledgeable drivers and owners like us check the car to make sure it's in top shape.

Let's start a movement, initiate a petition, organize a hunger strike, or march on Munich! Rise up! Demand change.

Dude, just use Carly ( vid in my sig ) and your world of suffer-tear's and pain will be over in an blink of an eye

[M2PDX]

Originally Posted by maddmatth

Electronic system is more accurate than the dipstick. I imagine the people complaining to be stubborn old men who are stuck in their ways. Smartphones probably scare them too.

Unlike owners, the electronic system never forgets to check your oil and will never let you unknowingly drive on low oil.
It's just better.

Saying "It's not good enough" to a perfectly logical answer just reeks of stubbornness.

Wow, I don't think I've ever been called "stubborn, scared by smart phones, and old man" in the same post! Geez....that hurts!

So I suppose we'll have to all accept only automatic transmissions and automomous cars with no steering wheels because they are "more accurate" or "more efficient" or "better technology"? No thanks.

Some times, new "better" technology isn't the answer.

I had a brand new 335iS three years ago. Top of the line, state of the art, $61,500 worth of plenty of "sensors" and electronic monitoring systems. Guess what? They failed! In the first week. The car wouldn't even run for 2 miles without giving me the "engine disabled" signal and turning off. BMW worked for 3.5 months to try to fix or replace or diagnose the "sensor" problem, but couldn't. They brought BMW technicians in from California, and consulted with Germany. They never got it fixed. They ended up accepting my claim of a lemon and buying me a brand new car ordered from Germany.

So, forgive me if I don't have faith in BMW "sensors" protecting my engine.

But I guess I am just a 6MT, dipstick, hydraulic steering loving "stubborn, old, scared of technology dude." I'lll wear that badge with pride!

[M2PDX]

Originally Posted by maddmatth

A quick google shows it can be diagnosed and fixed relatively easily if it has a problem. Looks like a cheap fix too, which is a rare thing with BMWs.
It should show a fault if something is wrong with it and not tell you do add more oil. Suspect that person didn't read the manual and misinterpreted the fault, although I haven't read that particular thread/story.

People seem to be completely exaggerating the issues with it in an attempt to prob up a weak argument, IMO. Doing my own research on this, it seems to me the electronic sensors are the better option.

See, it HAPPENS! Electronics are not always better than humans. haha

lol

Look what I've started.

haha

[nholmes]

Overfilled my shit two weeks ago doing a change because the display is too slow to update as .25L are added.

[Cidle]

Originally Posted by maddmatth

Electronic system is more accurate than the dipstick. I imagine the people complaining to be stubborn old men who are stuck in their ways. Smartphones probably scare them too.

Unlike owners, the electronic system never forgets to check your oil and will never let you unknowingly drive on low oil.
It's just better.

Saying "It's not good enough" to a perfectly logical answer just reeks of stubbornness.

^ Great imagination, this stubborn old man would love a dipstick due to the sensor working half assed! Works on daily commutes sometimes, but pull on a long stretch of highway and it is bitching for a quart of oil. The system has been checked over and over, nothing wrong.

Bimmerworld dipstick kit if anyone pulling off the pan to doing rod bearings
http://store.bimmerworld.com/e9x-m3-...kit-p2042.aspx