12,000 miles–that's a lot. It's also the number of miles our BMW M235i rolled onto the odometer as we pulled it into our local BMW dealer. Why? It was due for it's first oil change.
No, no–we aren't vehicular sadists. 12,000 miles sounds like a lot, especially for a turbocharged car that visits the track regularly. But, modern cars and …
Are we really praising BMW for not putting a dipstick on a car?
In reply to DaveEstey:
Shouldn't be, but I praise them for actually doing complementary maintenance.
No, we're saying it makes changing the oil a pain.
DaveEstey wrote: Are we really praising BMW for not putting a dipstick on a car?
How could you possibly infer that from the sentence regarding no dipstick?
You guys didn't happen to keep any to do an oil analysis with, did ya?
No dipstick? Another candidate for the "Why we hate modern cars" thread. How berkleying stupid is that?
DeadSkunk wrote: No dipstick? Another candidate for the "Why we hate modern cars" thread. How berkleying stupid is that?
Just wait for the German electronic sensor to tell you when the oil is low, duh!
Oh. Oh wait.
Seems were confirming the fact that BMW is building cars for people that buy a new one every few years-- and sell before the warranty expires. And for people who don't mind taking a huge depreciation loss because fewer people will buy a car that is so difficult and expensive to maintain, especially in the period of its life that requires more maintenance. I wonder what percentage of sales are leased instead of purchased?
And it confirms that I will not buy a new or used BMW, as much as I think they are great cars to drive.
z31maniac wrote:DaveEstey wrote: Are we really praising BMW for not putting a dipstick on a car?How could you possibly infer that from the sentence regarding no dipstick?
"and fewer opportunities to drastically over- or under-fill the oil on a new BMW. Sign us up!"
I assume a BMW dealer would be better (maybe not), but my Mazda dealer included 3 years of oil changes when I bought my car, and I have not found it to be a great service. They use bottom of the barrel filters, pretty consistently put in too much oil, and I suspect they've been using 5w-20 instead of the specified 0w-20 (this will seem weird, but the oil they use smells exactly like Castrol GTX).
I thought it would be convenient since I don't have a garage, but they won't give me a ride to work either, so I have to sit there and wait. Sometimes it takes 2 hours.
Luckily, a friend said I could use his driveway so now I will be doing it myself instead.
I'd take my car for an oil change if it was included in the price of the car. Oil changes are pretty crappy work. Oil everywhere, having to dispose of said oil, etc etc.
Now, on the other hand, I will not pay a shop to do a $100 oil change with synthetic when I can do it for $40.
My 128i doesn't have a dipstick. Oil changes couldn't be easier... oil filter on top, easy to get to drain bolt on bottom. Done in 15" - 20". I put 5 quarts in, and top off with a 6th. The electronic feature is pretty cool ... you can check your oil from the comfort of your heated seats in the winter. 
I will say that I think 12K miles is a LOONNNGGG time! I still change mine every 3-4 months.
No dipstick!?
How's a guy like me who buys cars when they're old and leaky supposed to keep an eye on the oil level 15 years from now?
No dipstick... There's just... I can't even...
To BMW's credit they did replace the unreliable dipstick with very reliable and dependable German electronics. Oh wait....
I feel like I just read the script of a BMW commercial.
The "no dipstick" thing was an unfortunate result of a blend of cultural and linguistic translation errors. See, when BMW's engineers heard the "...difference between a BMW & a porcupine" joke, they consulted their translators and after lengthy deliberation with a dictionary and thesaurus, decided to remove the obvious source of this particular stereotype.
It appears to have worked, as now I see more "dipsticks" in Audis.
atm92484 wrote: To BMW's credit they did replace the unreliable dipstick with very reliable and dependable German electronics. Oh wait....
If this were about MINI's and their crappy, difficult to read and easily broken-off-in-the-tube dipstick, I'd be less miffed.
Can BMW's oil sensor distinguish between oil and an oil/coolant mix in case of a head gasket failure?
im going to create an aftermarket dipstick for these cars and become rich!
HiTempguy wrote: I'd take my car for an oil change if it was included in the price of the car. Oil changes are pretty crappy work. Oil everywhere, having to dispose of said oil, etc etc. Now, on the other hand, I will not pay a shop to do a $100 oil change with synthetic when I can do it for $40.
how do you get oil everywhere when doing an oil change?
The Abarth came with 3 free oil changes, used 2 so far. After the 3rd is used up, then it's time to decide worth the hassle in my driveway/garage, or my local SCCA-member owned garage that doesn't charge a fortune.
I take my tundra to the dealer for oil changes. It takes 8 quarts and they do the job for $30. It also helps me stay on top or recalls.
No dipstick? Should be interesting in a few years when that electronic nanny gives out and there is no way to tell at all. I have friend that has a newer land rover that has no drain plug in the oil pan. You have to suck it out through the top. Or rather the dealer has to suck it out through the top. Mere mortals can't do it. 
In reply to Feedyurhed:
Huh? Top-side oil-suckers have been around for years. 
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