Unlike BMW,will Lexus keep the oil dipstick?
12-28-07, 08:42 PM
#31
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Here's the problem though-
If your fuel tank sensor is bad, you'll end up stuck on the side of the road. It may cost you $50 for a tow to the next station and you're good to go.
If your oil sensor goes bad, you're now out several thousand dollars for a new engine, another $80 for a tow to the local garage or dealer, and having to find something to drive while you car is being repaired.
Some things make sense doing away with, others don't. I say if BMW is going to do this, go ahead, but they had better be really confident in their oil sensors.
Here's the problem though-
If your fuel tank sensor is bad, you'll end up stuck on the side of the road. It may cost you $50 for a tow to the next station and you're good to go.
If your oil sensor goes bad, you're now out several thousand dollars for a new engine, another $80 for a tow to the local garage or dealer, and having to find something to drive while you car is being repaired.
Some things make sense doing away with, others don't. I say if BMW is going to do this, go ahead, but they had better be really confident in their oil sensors.
12-28-07, 09:33 PM
#32
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Porsche doesn't have dip stick either.. its been like that since the 996.. i check my oil level using the on board computer.. it is good because it tells you exectly how much oil you need to put in if the oil is low... the only bad things is the car has to completly warm up(mean that it need to drive at least couple miles) before you can check the oil level....
12-29-07, 05:55 AM
#34
to those posters who remark on the similarity to the loss of the dipstick to the switch from gas-sticks to gas gauges id like to give one fact.
1. If the gas sensor fails and you run out of gas, you can refill it and be on your way. if the oil sensor fails and you run out of OIL, you engine seizes up and you just lost between $1300 and $15000 (or more).
1. If the gas sensor fails and you run out of gas, you can refill it and be on your way. if the oil sensor fails and you run out of OIL, you engine seizes up and you just lost between $1300 and $15000 (or more).
12-29-07, 06:13 AM
#35
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to those posters who remark on the similarity to the loss of the dipstick to the switch from gas-sticks to gas gauges id like to give one fact.
1. If the gas sensor fails and you run out of gas, you can refill it and be on your way. if the oil sensor fails and you run out of OIL, you engine seizes up and you just lost between $1300 and $15000 (or more).
1. If the gas sensor fails and you run out of gas, you can refill it and be on your way. if the oil sensor fails and you run out of OIL, you engine seizes up and you just lost between $1300 and $15000 (or more).
While I appreciate the in cabin oil level display, I cannot figure out why BMW thought getting rid of the dipstick was a good idea. What does it cost? $2 more to put one in a engine?
Not putting in a dipstick is like welding the engine parts together instead of using bolts.
12-29-07, 06:27 AM
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by PureDrifter
to those posters who remark on the similarity to the loss of the dipstick to the switch from gas-sticks to gas gauges id like to give one fact.
1. If the gas sensor fails and you run out of gas, you can refill it and be on your way. if the oil sensor fails and you run out of OIL, you engine seizes up and you just lost between $1300 and $15000 (or more).
to those posters who remark on the similarity to the loss of the dipstick to the switch from gas-sticks to gas gauges id like to give one fact.
1. If the gas sensor fails and you run out of gas, you can refill it and be on your way. if the oil sensor fails and you run out of OIL, you engine seizes up and you just lost between $1300 and $15000 (or more).
Good point.
While I appreciate the in cabin oil level display, I cannot figure out why BMW thought getting rid of the dipstick was a good idea. What does it cost? $2 more to put one in a engine
Not putting in a dipstick is like welding the engine parts together instead of using bolt.?
While I appreciate the in cabin oil level display, I cannot figure out why BMW thought getting rid of the dipstick was a good idea. What does it cost? $2 more to put one in a engine
Not putting in a dipstick is like welding the engine parts together instead of using bolt.?
12-29-07, 06:53 AM
#37
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i love it when people that never designed a car think they know better than car designers. there should have been a poll to see who even owns a bmw without a dipstick. how can one comment on something that they never used?
-King Bimmer
-King Bimmer
12-29-07, 07:07 AM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
There are a number of people right here on CAR CHAT (I won't mention names) that show far more sense in their daily posts than some of the big-buck, highly paid people at the auto firms designing new vehicles.
That is why companies like GM and Chrysler got into such trouble with poor-quality designs, and why Toyota, to a lesser extent, is also in trouble with dropping quality despite its huge sales growth.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-29-07 at 07:10 AM.
12-29-07, 07:33 AM
#39
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Countless posts of folks having low oil indicator in iDrive, so they add a quart of oil.
Unfortunately they did not realize the indicator will not show proper oil level after adding a quart for several hours or days. So they add another quart and now the car has too much oil.
A trip to the dealer to have the oil drained and refilled.
Imagine adding a quart of oil and having to wait a couple days to see if it needs more.
I am not a car engineer but this is common sense. I believe BMW's motive long term is to force buyers to go to the dealer for repairs. No one but BMW can fix iDrive now, or 10 years from now when the oil level sensor or software needs to be updated.
12-29-07, 08:51 AM
#40
Porsche doesn't have dip stick either.. its been like that since the 996.. i check my oil level using the on board computer.. it is good because it tells you exectly how much oil you need to put in if the oil is low... the only bad things is the car has to completly warm up(mean that it need to drive at least couple miles) before you can check the oil level....
.
Here's the problem though-
If your fuel tank sensor is bad, you'll end up stuck on the side of the road. It may cost you $50 for a tow to the next station and you're good to go.
If your oil sensor goes bad, you're now out several thousand dollars for a new engine, another $80 for a tow to the local garage or dealer, and having to find something to drive while you car is being repaired.
Some things make sense doing away with, others don't. I say if BMW is going to do this, go ahead, but they had better be really confident in their oil sensors.
Here's the problem though-
If your fuel tank sensor is bad, you'll end up stuck on the side of the road. It may cost you $50 for a tow to the next station and you're good to go.
If your oil sensor goes bad, you're now out several thousand dollars for a new engine, another $80 for a tow to the local garage or dealer, and having to find something to drive while you car is being repaired.
Some things make sense doing away with, others don't. I say if BMW is going to do this, go ahead, but they had better be really confident in their oil sensors.
12-29-07, 10:25 AM
#41
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Lack of a dipstick is not gonna stop me from buying a car, I have a dipstick so I check the oil maybe once every oil change but I have changed the oil in my cars and never even bothered to look at the dipstick
My new 300c has a tire sensors that tells me the exact tire pressure in all 4 tires thats *****in, I will never use a tire pressure gauge again, so bring on the onboard dash monitors that you can flip through to view to the status of everything on the car, technology is about moving forward
My new 300c has a tire sensors that tells me the exact tire pressure in all 4 tires thats *****in, I will never use a tire pressure gauge again, so bring on the onboard dash monitors that you can flip through to view to the status of everything on the car, technology is about moving forward
12-29-07, 10:44 AM
#42
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You can easily check BMW boards and find info about the dipstick issues.
Countless posts of folks having low oil indicator in iDrive, so they add a quart of oil.
Unfortunately they did not realize the indicator will not show proper oil level after adding a quart for several hours or days. So they add another quart and now the car has too much oil.
A trip to the dealer to have the oil drained and refilled.
Imagine adding a quart of oil and having to wait a couple days to see if it needs more.
I am not a car engineer but this is common sense. I believe BMW's motive long term is to force buyers to go to the dealer for repairs. No one but BMW can fix iDrive now, or 10 years from now when the oil level sensor or software needs to be updated.
Countless posts of folks having low oil indicator in iDrive, so they add a quart of oil.
Unfortunately they did not realize the indicator will not show proper oil level after adding a quart for several hours or days. So they add another quart and now the car has too much oil.
A trip to the dealer to have the oil drained and refilled.
Imagine adding a quart of oil and having to wait a couple days to see if it needs more.
I am not a car engineer but this is common sense. I believe BMW's motive long term is to force buyers to go to the dealer for repairs. No one but BMW can fix iDrive now, or 10 years from now when the oil level sensor or software needs to be updated.
Please explain why someone would add a quart of oil on his own dime when the cars that do not have a dipstick are still under warranty and apart of bmw's ultimate service?
Last edited by KINGLEX; 12-29-07 at 10:58 AM.
12-29-07, 10:48 AM
#43
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What we are slowly experiencing (and fast in some cases) is the effect of computers on cars. BMW has figured it knows best and will tell you when the car needs an oil change. Car makers WANT you to get service at a dealer, why would they want you to DIY or go elsewhere? More money for them and their dealers. Of course, they will say "its whats best for the car", which maybe true, but there are those that like to DIY....
Its just a matter of time cars tell us when to turn, where to go and where to park!
Its just a matter of time cars tell us when to turn, where to go and where to park!
12-29-07, 10:57 AM
#44
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12-29-07, 01:45 PM
#45
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guys.. bmw oil changes are "free" included in the price of the car for the duration of the 4 year warranty. and so are fluid changes, shocks, struts, wipers, brakes... etc....
frankly, i think bim has a good thing going here. i can actually lease a 3 series for 350 a month or a 5 for 450 a month and that's all i will be paying for other than gas, tickets, and insurance.
frankly, i think bim has a good thing going here. i can actually lease a 3 series for 350 a month or a 5 for 450 a month and that's all i will be paying for other than gas, tickets, and insurance.