BMW removes the Dipsticks

mhoward1 · 06-04-2007, 11:39 AM

What??? (C&D July 2007)

Quote:

Your readers should be aware that the refinement of BMW now includes only speedo, tach, gas, and mpg gauges for instruments. All other [calculations not shown]. During my time with a 328i, an oil can dripping into what looked like water flashed on the screen several times. I learned this was the "add oil" indication. Unable to find the dipstick to check, I went to the dealer. They advised me there is no longer any dipstick in the BMW 3-series except the M3 and that the transition started in 2006. There have been a few hiccups with this new engineering breakthrough. The sensors occasionally malfunction, and customers have added oil when they shouldn't have. I was told the proper way to check the oil is to return the car to your BMW dealership and it will put the vehicle on a rack, drain the oil, measure it, and then reinstall the oil in the car. Two dealers have told me BMW doesn't want customers monkeying around under the hood. In my judgment, this new technology paradigm by BMW electrical engineers surpasses iDrive for idiocy...

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teh POD · 06-04-2007, 12:01 PM

that's idiotic. there are some people still out there that like to work on their own cars.

Mechie3 · 06-04-2007, 12:03 PM

WTH! Gauges are useful...removing them is not refining anything. Checking your oil is useful too. I wouldn't want someone to drain my (possibly) good oil into a crap filled pan and then "reinstall" it.

I want the choice to "monkey" under my hood.

Gmd · 06-04-2007, 12:06 PM

They will remove your fuel tank gauge next with just a simple light that comes on telling you to go to the dealer to get more gas.

boomee · 06-04-2007, 12:13 PM

just more ways they are taking away choices from the consumers of these cars and more of a way for them to charge money thats why ill never own a bmw dumbA$$$$es

anthonywrx · 06-04-2007, 12:17 PM

isn't that illegal?

on a serious note... i don't know what to say besides that is idiotic

mhoward1 · 06-04-2007, 12:24 PM

I need to verify, but someone just said the 07 C6Z06 has it's dipstick removed too.

aren040 · 06-04-2007, 12:30 PM

just an indicator for your oil being low is stupid. But, Porsche did basically the same thing. They switched to an electronic oil checking system that measures the oil level for you on the screen underneath the Tach. I have not had any issues with mine yet. But having just an indicator, such as an on of switch type is just moronic.

jasonallenross · 06-04-2007, 12:38 PM

I did confirm this independently at one of those C&D marketing events comparing Caddilac to BMW (and other makes) with a BMW service/sales guy, there is in fact no dipstick and this is the way that you measure oil.

The part they left out was where you have to wait for the engine to reach a certain temp before the level will register ... and it won't tell you how much to add, either.

A wonderful way of replacing a $1 worth of metal that has worked "well enough" for 100+ years with an electronic gizmo that will likely fail at 100K miles and cost $1000 to replace while you wait 4 weeks to get one from Germany.

stretchsje · 06-04-2007, 12:43 PM

Sounds like BMW added a dipstick... to their accounting department.

Stanley · 06-04-2007, 12:44 PM

Yet another one of dozens of reason's I'll never buy another BMW...one of the others is that I don't trust their electronics. I wonder how this "refinement" is going to work on the 335 with a BRAND NEW twin turbo straight six. Going to the dealer to top off the oil every 1,000 miles or so sounds like a HUGE pain in the posterior.

Mechie3 · 06-04-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonallenross

A wonderful way of replacing a $1 worth of metal that has worked "well enough" for 100+ years with an electronic gizmo that will likely fail at 100K miles and cost $1000 to replace while you wait 4 weeks to get one from Germany.

You forgot the $.25 of yellow plastic.... you dipstick

REX8 · 06-04-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanley

Yet another one of dozens of reason's I'll never buy another BMW...one of the others is that I don't trust their electronics. I wonder how this "refinement" is going to work on the 335 with a BRAND NEW twin turbo straight six. Going to the dealer to top off the oil every 1,000 miles or so sounds like a HUGE pain in the posterior.

Or just add a quart when your light comes on...

SublimeGTP · 06-04-2007, 12:57 PM

If BMW removes the dipsticks from their cars, will they drive themselves?

nu02wrx · 06-04-2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretchsje

Sounds like BMW added a dipstick... to their ENGINERING department.

fixed

anthonywrx · 06-04-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SublimeGTP

If BMW removes the dipsticks from their cars, will they drive themselves?

Brilliant!

Dana Daray · 06-04-2007, 01:03 PM

I had a 06 330i, yes there was no dipstick, but I had I-drive and you could check your oil levels through that.

Stanley · 06-04-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REX8

Or just add a quart when your light comes on...

Did you read the part where the system is malfunctioning and dealers are draining the oil to measure it?

digitalboy40 · 06-04-2007, 01:35 PM

my buddy's 90k M5 doesn't have a dip stick either

even when the dealer adds oil, the manual says it takes about 30 minutes for the gauge to recalculate the level and display it. stupidest thing i have EVER seen

Beaverboy · 06-04-2007, 01:53 PM

It's things like this that kill the resale value of a car. People who buy used cars are often not the people who take their cars to a dealer. Cost of ownership of BMWs has increased so dramatically over the last 10 years.

You know, my 1981 320i came with a tool kit attached to the inner trunk lid.. which included a very handy spark plug wrench. It's amazing how much BMW has changed overall.

There was even an optional deluxe tool kit, as seen here:

Sideshowbob · 06-04-2007, 02:00 PM

wow, that is exceedingly stupid.

mhoward1 · 06-04-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh_WRX

I need to verify, but someone just said the 07 C6Z06 has it's dipstick removed too.

Well, yes and no. Just looked and there isn't a traditional Dipstick, but the resevoir tank has a small yellow one in it to check the level.

Beaverboy · 06-04-2007, 02:10 PM

.. but that's because it's got a dry sump. If it had a traditional dipstick, it would always read empty.

SublimeGTP · 06-04-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonywrx

Brilliant!

I could not resist

Ghosthound · 06-04-2007, 02:22 PM

wow... is this the same case for the mini cooper?

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06-04-2007, 12:01 PM	#2
teh POD Scooby Specialist Member#: 90195 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Baltimore, MD	that's idiotic. there are some people still out there that like to work on their own cars.

06-04-2007, 12:03 PM	#3
Mechie3 Scooby Guru Member#: 120152 Join Date: Jul 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Indy Vehicle: 2006 WRX, ESP 92 CNY Overall Pax Winner!	WTH! Gauges are useful...removing them is not refining anything. Checking your oil is useful too. I wouldn't want someone to drain my (possibly) good oil into a crap filled pan and then "reinstall" it. I want the choice to "monkey" under my hood.

06-04-2007, 12:06 PM	#4
Gmd Scooby Newbie Member#: 93238 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NOVA: BALLSton Vehicle: 2009 Corvette C6 White	They will remove your fuel tank gauge next with just a simple light that comes on telling you to go to the dealer to get more gas.

06-04-2007, 12:13 PM	#5
boomee Scooby Newbie Member#: 110207 Join Date: Mar 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: virginia Vehicle: 2004 forester xt silver	just more ways they are taking away choices from the consumers of these cars and more of a way for them to charge money thats why ill never own a bmw dumbA$$$$es

06-04-2007, 12:17 PM	#6
anthonywrx Scooby Specialist Member#: 60276 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Elk Grove Village,IL Vehicle: 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT 03 WRX/STi hybrid sold :(	isn't that illegal? on a serious note... i don't know what to say besides that is idiotic

06-04-2007, 12:24 PM	#7
mhoward1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 9481 Join Date: Aug 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Want to drive on a racetrack? Vehicle: just PM me for more	I need to verify, but someone just said the 07 C6Z06 has it's dipstick removed too.

06-04-2007, 12:30 PM	#8
aren040 Scooby Specialist Member#: 74215 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: S. California Vehicle: 2007 987 Silver-ish	just an indicator for your oil being low is stupid. But, Porsche did basically the same thing. They switched to an electronic oil checking system that measures the oil level for you on the screen underneath the Tach. I have not had any issues with mine yet. But having just an indicator, such as an on of switch type is just moronic.

06-04-2007, 12:38 PM	#9
jasonallenross Scooby Specialist Member#: 125978 Join Date: Sep 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Shrewsbury, MA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Silver	I did confirm this independently at one of those C&D marketing events comparing Caddilac to BMW (and other makes) with a BMW service/sales guy, there is in fact no dipstick and this is the way that you measure oil. The part they left out was where you have to wait for the engine to reach a certain temp before the level will register ... and it won't tell you how much to add, either. A wonderful way of replacing a $1 worth of metal that has worked "well enough" for 100+ years with an electronic gizmo that will likely fail at 100K miles and cost $1000 to replace while you wait 4 weeks to get one from Germany.

06-04-2007, 12:43 PM	#10
stretchsje Scooby Newbie Member#: 107389 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Silver Spring, MD Vehicle: 2005 STI Aspen White	Sounds like BMW added a dipstick... to their accounting department.

06-04-2007, 12:44 PM	#11
Stanley Scooby Specialist Member#: 7374 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: SF Bay Area Vehicle: 1998 CraptasticCamry A baby poop shade	Yet another one of dozens of reason's I'll never buy another BMW...one of the others is that I don't trust their electronics. I wonder how this "refinement" is going to work on the 335 with a BRAND NEW twin turbo straight six. Going to the dealer to top off the oil every 1,000 miles or so sounds like a HUGE pain in the posterior.

06-04-2007, 12:57 PM	#14
SublimeGTP Scooby Newbie Member#: 5497 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: ATL, GA Vehicle: 2003 WRX Wagon Silver	If BMW removes the dipsticks from their cars, will they drive themselves?

06-04-2007, 01:03 PM	#17
Dana Daray Scooby Specialist Member#: 136912 Join Date: Jan 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Vista, Ca Vehicle: 2006 Sti OBP	I had a 06 330i, yes there was no dipstick, but I had I-drive and you could check your oil levels through that.

06-04-2007, 01:35 PM	#19
digitalboy40 Scooby Specialist Member#: 63328 Join Date: Jun 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Tokyo, Japan Vehicle: 02 WRX Blaze Yellow	my buddy's 90k M5 doesn't have a dip stick either even when the dealer adds oil, the manual says it takes about 30 minutes for the gauge to recalculate the level and display it. stupidest thing i have EVER seen

06-04-2007, 01:53 PM	#20
Beaverboy Scooby Guru Member#: 44501 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: W. NC Vehicle: '16 Nissan 510 Brown	It's things like this that kill the resale value of a car. People who buy used cars are often not the people who take their cars to a dealer. Cost of ownership of BMWs has increased so dramatically over the last 10 years. You know, my 1981 320i came with a tool kit attached to the inner trunk lid.. which included a very handy spark plug wrench. It's amazing how much BMW has changed overall. There was even an optional deluxe tool kit, as seen here:

06-04-2007, 02:00 PM	#21
Sideshowbob Scooby Guru Member#: 50304 Join Date: Dec 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Smalbany NY Vehicle: Life comes from with in your heart and desire	wow, that is exceedingly stupid.

06-04-2007, 02:10 PM	#23
Beaverboy Scooby Guru Member#: 44501 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: W. NC Vehicle: '16 Nissan 510 Brown	.. but that's because it's got a dry sump. If it had a traditional dipstick, it would always read empty.

06-04-2007, 02:22 PM	#25
Ghosthound Scooby Specialist Member#: 110979 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sacramento, Ca Vehicle: 2007 MINI Cooper S Ducati Monster S2R	wow... is this the same case for the mini cooper?