Bimmerworld Dipstick

[Dr. Dre]

Anyone running the Bimmerworld dipstick? I hate the Idea of not having a dipstick.

[drwankel]

I really like the idea, but I have yet to hear of anybody who has it. Since it requires removal of the oil pan to install, I was considering having it installed at the sametime I eventually have to do rod bearings.

[Munichm3]

I will be doing this with my rod bearings in a month.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dre

Anyone running the Bimmerworld dipstick? I hate the Idea of not having a dipstick.

Why? Has the oil level sensor let you down?

[Dr. Dre]

Originally Posted by dparm

Why? Has the oil level sensor let you down?

I don't trust it. It always reads the same level. I had the rod bearings done and after the repairs the oil level reads the same.

I'm one of these guys that checks the oil in all my cars religiously. I work in the car business and have seen a lot of people run their cars out of oil.

If the sensor let's you down it could be catastrophic. You probably wouldn't know if the sensor is bad until you have engine damage.

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dre

I don't trust it. It always reads the same level. I had the rod bearings done and after the repairs the oil level reads the same.

I'm one of these guys that checks the oil in all my cars religiously. I work in the car business and have seen a lot of people run their cars out of oil.

If the sensor let's you down it could be catastrophic. You probably wouldn't know if the sensor is bad until you have engine damage.

How were the bearings when you took them out?

[Megabrode]

Whoever put an electronic oil sensor in an M3 is himself a dipstick. Probably the same guy who devised the computer-based dash dimmer knob.

[Dr. Dre]

Originally Posted by MaximusB

How were the bearings when you took them out?

The car had 85K. After doing more research the wear was basically normal. One bearing had scrape running right down the middle. Again, after doing more research that was probably due more to a piece of dirt or some foreign element.

You could see a little copper around the edges. Sorry best picture I could download

[doogee]

Originally Posted by Dr. Dre

I don't trust it. It always reads the same level. I had the rod bearings done and after the repairs the oil level reads the same.

I'm one of these guys that checks the oil in all my cars religiously. I work in the car business and have seen a lot of people run their cars out of oil.

If the sensor let's you down it could be catastrophic. You probably wouldn't know if the sensor is bad until you have engine damage.

These sensors are already proven to be accurate and have been in use for about 20 years now.

If your M3 were to "run out of oil", then you either didn't get an oil change for 20 years, or you smashed your oil pan off something, in which case you're out of luck anyway. A dipstick isn't going to help you in either situation.

WORST case scenario, you let the engine burn multiple liters of oil over the course of a few years (by never getting oil changes), and the low oil pressure light might start flashing at you.

[SYT_Shadow]

I'm pretty happy with the sensor

[Solo_M_Tech]

People say "I don't trust the oil level sensor" but still trust the fuel level sensors. You wanna dip stick in your gas tank too?

Seriously. The aftermarket makes a need for something by making false claims about sensor reliability (not citing the 0.5% failure rate) then throw out a magic fix (dip stick modified oil pan) just to take your money. Don't worry, they all do it.

The fact this forum feeds fuel to the fire by believing this crap doesn't help.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by Adenau

People say "I don't trust the oil level sensor" but still trust the fuel level sensors. You wanna dip stick in your gas tank too?

Seriously. The aftermarket makes a need for something by making false claims about sensor reliability (citing the 0.5% failure rate) then throw out a magic fix (dip stick modified oil pan) just to take your money. Don't worry, they all do it.

The fact this forum feeds fuel to the fire by believing this crap doesn't help.

That's definitely a good way to put it.

I love the sensor. When I need oil it tells me exactly how much, and I don't have to dick around with finding a rag or getting my hands dirty while on the road.

[Richbot]

The only time I hate the sensor is at oil changes, otherwise I don't mind it. You can't take its word for it though, I usually only add 1/4-1/2 at a time even if it's at the minimum to avoid overfilling and usually 1/2 will get you all the way to the max mark. If you're just adding a whole quart every time it says to, and not forcing a manual check on level ground before believing it especially if you've just changed the oil, you're going to have a bad time IMO

For a racecar I would want the dipstick, but for a racecar I would probably dry sump it, soooooo

The F30 oil check process is incredibly frustrating though, maybe it's more accurate, but stop car and put in neutral, let idle for x seconds? If that's the only way to take a reading how do I know the oil level is being checked properly in between manual checks? Is it just not checking? WHAT IS GOING ON IN THERE

[doogee]

Originally Posted by Richbot

The only time I hate the sensor is at oil changes, otherwise I don't mind it.

Easy solution. Measure how much oil you're putting in the engine.

If you're using 1L containters, just put 9 in.

[buddalun]

I've owned 2 E9X M3s and have not had any issues with the sensor. Actually, I find it reliable.

[deansbimmer]

I install them all the time. It's super easy when doing RB's and the oil pan is off for easy TIG welding of the bung. It's a nice mod- nice to be able to do a quick check on oil level during your weekend car touchup without having to start the engine and wait for it to read. Also especially handy if you ever start having your oil sensor start acting up. It's nice to "KNOW without question where your level is.

[cclinard1]

Originally Posted by dparm

Why? Has the oil level sensor let you down?

I'm actually on my 3rd oil level sensor. It was reading max full incorrectly after oil change at BMW when they knew the oil level was correct based on being plugged into the computer. They replaced it and it still read wrong on a new unit, go figure. But now I'm on my 3rd and it's working just fine. I realize this is uncommon, but it did happen.

[Sandye90m3]

Honestly, the Oil Sensor is pretty good. The only thing I hate about it is sometimes when you fill up with the exact amount that came out it says MAX fill.

But honestly, I like it way better than the dipstick. Get out of the 20th century please.

[xxxian08]

Originally Posted by doogee

Easy solution. Measure how much oil you're putting in the engine.

If you're using 1L containters, just put 9 in.

Yeah.... no. If you put 9l in you're gonna see a warning saying you are overfilled. There's no way you get all 8.8l out during a change. Like most people that change their own oil, put 8l in, drive around, get the sensor to give you a reading and when it says "add 1 quart" put in 1/2l and you're good to go.

[decimation1]

Thinking about this when I do the engine swap in my e90....

[tdott]

I've gotten used to it.

For people who know S65s well and how much oil it takes it's no problem. I can see it being a problem for the general mechanic who usually just dumps 4L,5L, 6L into a car and expects the dipstick to tell them where it's at. they would need to actually lookup the capacity which some might be too lazy to do. (Another reason to not let just any random person touch your car, even if it's just a oil change).

But I would have welcomed a physical dipstick if there was one also.
I've learned to live with it.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by xxxian08

Yeah.... no. If you put 9l in you're gonna see a warning saying you are overfilled. There's no way you get all 8.8l out during a change. Like most people that change their own oil, put 8l in, drive around, get the sensor to give you a reading and when it says "add 1 quart" put in 1/2l and you're good to go.

I add 9L and have a perfect level. Every time.