BMW removes the Dipsticks

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Vincent Keene wrote:

Graham Jagger wrote:

So like you, I installed an oil cooler. Now I'm at 235 and nice stable oil pressure. It just takes a bit longer to warm it up before you got out on track.

I was having that problem too so I installed a oil temp thermostat in-line with the oil cooler. It's designed to never totally close, but doesn't fully open until around 190F. The oil t-stat really helps in the winter months with getting the oil up to temp.

I thought about the in-line tstat. Adds more plumbing, has caused oil pressure issues, and more points of failure. I went the simple route. I made a hood for the oil cooler. In the fall/winter I wrap it around the cooler and still get my oil temps hot enough to burn off contaminants in the oil. In summer it is a non-issue. At the track I just let the car idle a bit more in the morning to get the oil temp up. The rest of the day is not a problem.

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Marty Howard wrote:

What that means is they want almost all of their vehicles to be company owned and leased, not sold.

That sales technique worked well for my employer for many years. Lease the mainframe computers instead of selling them, and customers are more willing to move up to your newest hardware.

Anyway, in my first rant during this thread I said BMW should give you a loaner when you take your car in to get the oil level checked. I'd like to see a lease program where you can reserve different cars for different occasions ... an X5 when you need to haul trash to the dump, a 740i when taking friends out to dinner, an M3 on certain weekends

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:48 pm

so if bmw did away with the dipstick, how do you check the oil, the sentra's dipstick is between the exhaust headers.. it often smokes after i check or add oil in the motor.. trabants you had a dipstick to check the fuel level, since it was under the hood...

Arthur McDonald · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 1:54 am **Posts:** 2052

Pete Guthrie wrote:

so if bmw did away with the dipstick, how do you check the oil

Pete, rewind to the very first posting in this thread and you'll see the answer. Obviously BMW doesn't want their owners getting their hands dirty (or do I have it backwards?). That's why they put the big plastic sarcophagus over the motor.

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BMW removes the Dipsticks

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