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BMW 5-Series Sedans

12737 messages,  Last post on Feb 16, 2013 at 11:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 1236 of 1274

#12350 of 12737 Re: 400,000 americans died from smoking cigarettes [ny540i6] by roadburner

Feb 04, 2008 (11:00 am)

Replying to: ny540i6 (Feb 03, 2008 9:09 pm)
As a compromise, why not leave the dipstick, add the electronics to make it "easier" (though I believe that anyone who was not bothering to check the oil by opening the hood is not going to bother to check it otherwise) and satisfy those of us who actually do things like change oil, or check levels?
 
That makes too much sense. BMW appears to be committed to making their cars impossible to service outside of the dealer network. The people who wear their Bimmers are leasing them and don't want to risk breaking a nail by opening the hood, which suits BMW just fine. Did you know that BMW has now eliminated the drain plug on the final drive? I found that out while I was getting the ATF and TC fluid changed on my wife's 2004 X3...

#12351 of 12737 Re: 400,000 americans died from smoking cigarettes [anon3] by tayl0rd

Feb 04, 2008 (11:34 am)

Replying to: anon3 (Feb 02, 2008 7:36 pm)
... Instead of warming up the engine, parking, shutting off the engine, getting out and fumbling around a dirty engine compartment, ...
 
You've never changed/checked oil a day in your life, have you? Most of us check the oil level when the engine is cool/cold (as in, before even starting it for the day or next day.) And there's no "fumbling around," the dipstick is just right there; one of the first things you (normally would) see when you open the hood. It is faster to manually check the oil than fumbling around in iDrive. If you've even used iDrive to check the levels, you'd notice that it takes a little bit for the computer to take the measurements.

#12352 of 12737 Re: 400,000 americans died from smoking cigarettes [anon3] by tx_buzzard

Feb 04, 2008 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: anon3 (Feb 02, 2008 7:36 pm)
On my '08 550i only after 2,600 miles the oil sensor indicated I had too much oil. I took it to the dealer and had it checked out. After they changed the oil it again indicated too much oil. So now I am being told it is a software problem. So are you saying you feel comfortable paying over 71K for a vehicle and only have "idiot lights" to warn you if there is a problem? If there is a software issue then how can you trust any of the other information? And what if there was a problem, like the water pump failed and the defective software didn't alert you. NO, these cars should come with proper instrumentation that indicate oil pressure and water temp.! You can damn sure bet I am going to research and find what aftermarket company makes these type instruments for BMW.

#12353 of 12737 Re: 400,000 americans died from smoking cigarettes [tx_buzzard] by jeqq

Feb 04, 2008 (7:45 pm)

Replying to: tx_buzzard (Feb 04, 2008 5:30 pm)
Actually, I was taken aback by the tone of Anon's criticism about my "lack of dip stick" opinion. So thanks for all the replies in my defense.
 
BTW, Audi lacks a dipstick to check the auto transmission fluid level. Something I never agreed with. Any flames on that

#12354 of 12737 Re: 400,000 americans died from smoking cigarettes [jeqq] by bruceomega

Feb 05, 2008 (7:46 am)

Replying to: jeqq (Feb 04, 2008 7:45 pm)
Just my own opinion, but we have one car with a dipstick, '06 X3, and one with the iDrive readout, '08 535Xi. I prefer the iDrive readout.
 
This assumes the iDrive method works correctly, and I don't change my own oil.
 
As an aside, I was very skeptical of iDrive from all that I had read in the motoring press, but the more I use it the more I like it.
 
Bruce

#12355 of 12737 please lets change this heading.... to depressing by jeqq

Feb 05, 2008 (9:35 am)

Replying to: bruceomega (Feb 05, 2008 7:46 am)
As posted above, why not have both?
 
BTW, I can usually tell if my oil is 1/2 a qt. short, based on engine noise and my temp gauge but I don't expect others to be that tuned in to their cars.

#12356 of 12737 Re: please lets change this heading.... to depressing [jeqq] by andys120

Feb 05, 2008 (10:07 am)

Replying to: jeqq (Feb 05, 2008 9:35 am)
BTW, I can usually tell if my oil is 1/2 a qt. short, based on engine noise and my temp gauge but I don't expect others to be that tuned in to their cars
 
I seriously doubt that there would be any detectable change in engine note or temp unless you were seriously low (i.e. a couple of quarts or more).
 
 FYI most modern cars have temp gauges that point straight up once you reach operating temp and do not go past the mid-point unless they're seriously out of range because BMW and other car makers have decided too many customers complain if their cars run slightly hot or cold as they do in very extreme ambient temps.
 
IMO eliminating the temp gauge as BMW has done in the new E90/92 is worse than having no dipstick since a failed fan or radiator leak is more likely than being low on oil between changes.
 
It goes without saying that I'd rather have both. I go back to the days when a sports car or sedan would tell you the oil temp and pressure as well as the generator/ alternator output. The more i9nfo the better!

#12357 of 12737 528xi vs 535xi by andys27587

Feb 05, 2008 (6:37 pm)

I am debating between a 528xi and 535xi, and looking for anyone that might have faced a similar dilemma. I am coming out of a 4 cyl Honda accord with 185k, so either car will be a dramatic improvement. 528xi probably has all of the power I "need" but I want to be sure that I have no regrets. I have driven both and both are great cars. I am leaning toward the 528, but am wondering if I will be craving the extra hp in a few months.
 
I typically drive my cars a long time, so this is a 5-7 year decision.

#12358 of 12737 I just make things up and post them by jeqq

Feb 05, 2008 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Feb 05, 2008 10:07 am)
As I stated above, I definitely can see and hear the difference. It's okay if you don't, I find no fault in you. Try in your heart to believe me.
 
BTW, I drive an A6 which has a temp gauge and oil dipstick but minus an automatic transmission dipstick.
 
BTW, BTW: Some of you BMW guys are really hostile. On the Audi sites I usually don't see that many negative/attack posts. Would you believe I almost leased a 535 xi. Good thing I didn't lease that 535 xi ..... jeez

#12359 of 12737 Re: 528xi vs 535xi [andys27587] by qbrozen

Feb 06, 2008 (9:19 am)

Replying to: andys27587 (Feb 05, 2008 6:37 pm)
If you drove a 4-cyl Accord for 185k miles, I don't see you craving anything with a 528.

Messages Page 1236 of 1274

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