dip stick alternative

[Overboost]

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

I'm just grateful my E53 still has a dipstick, lol.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Joking aside ('cause I was trying to be funny - fail!) the M57 dipstick appears to be a little different...



It's easy to read. If the lower groove contains oil and the upper one doesn't - you're good. If they both have oil - too high, if neither has oil, too low.

It's not an absolute reading - it's either Go or No Go.

While you cannot (easily) see the absolute oil level in the image above, it doesn't matter; it's good to go, as the top groove is clean and the bottom one has oil.

My M54 have the same dipstick.

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

I'm just grateful my E53 still has a dipstick, lol.

Ditto that!

[Dinan4.6is]

I have to agree with the OP. I've been reading dipsticks on a wide variety of classic and modern cars my entire life, my E53 has been the most annoying, hard-to-read, worst colored dipstick I have ever encountered.

[Coolwater357]

The best thing I have found to do is to take a small file and rough up two sides of the plastic after which I take the corner of the file and make little groves every 1/8 inch or so to grab and hold the oil.

[aureliusmax]

Originally Posted by Coolwater357

The best thing I have found to do it to take a small file and rough up two sides of the plastic after which I take the corner of the file and make little groves every 1/8 inch or so to grab and hold the oil.

Great for a first post and welcome to the forum. I will have to try this tip, I like it the most.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Joking aside ('cause I was trying to be funny - fail!) the M57 dipstick appears to be a little different...



It's easy to read. If the lower groove contains oil and the upper one doesn't - you're good. If they both have oil - too high, if neither has oil, too low.

It's not an absolute reading - it's either Go or No Go.

While you cannot (easily) see the absolute oil level in the image above, it doesn't matter; it's good to go, as the top groove is clean and the bottom one has oil.

That's what mine looks like in my '06 M54.

[StephenVA]

Hell, the 4.8is stick is just as bad. Three wipe clean and reinstall to actually see the oil without touching.

On a similar oil thread note, anyone with a 4.8is notice that it actually requires 9.0-9.5 Qts to read correctly on the stick? (8 Liters = 8.45Qts)

Personally I operate on the annual oil change program, as everything receives way too little mileage in my little fleet.
M5 maybe 500 miles (Garage Queen)
X5 maybe 1,500
525 wagon 8K (oil changed 2x annual)
528i sees less than 1K.
The Minivan get the "town and country" experience - Costco, Home Depot, Food shopping, downtown parking garages, etc abuse at 15k annually.

[andrewwynn]

Before adding oil





After adding oil.

I simply roll the dipstick on the paper towel it can’t be more obvious.

I did rough up the center portion with a razor knife

[andrewwynn]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

On a similar oil thread note, anyone with a 4.8is notice that it actually requires 9.0-9.5 Qts to read correctly on the stick? (8 Liters = 8.45Qts)

Sounds like you are filling cold or filling to the max line. Proper fill is to the center of the two marks as shown above and the proper test is warm after letting settle five minutes.

[Overboost]

Just a FYI, FCP has the E53 M54 dipstick on clearance for $17.52

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ck-11437509626