Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > X5 (E70) Forum
Arnott
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-25-2016, 06:17 PM
Tomaz's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Gatos, California
Posts: 1,178
Tomaz is on a distinguished road
Where's my dip stick?

Having just moved from a E53 to an E70 I have some observations. Overall I find the E70 a better ride in almost every way. But it appears that car manufacturers are making it more difficult for the backyard mechanic and enthusiast. I was surprised and disappointed to learn my 3.5 straight six did not have a dipstick. I know i can see the oil level on the display but it is just not the same for me. I like to see for myself what the oil looks and smells like but not any more. While I'm on the subject of oil it would be nice to know in the manual how many quarts or liters of oil is needed for an oil change. After a search on line I eventually found that the 3.5 takes 6.9 quarts. I think that is BMW's way of making sure one goes to a dealer for an oil change.

While I'm on the subject I miss the temperature gage my E53 had as well. It was always nice to see that my engine was running cool on hot days in traffic. And once the gage saved me from overheating and being stranded on a super highway when a cooling hose ruptured. As the temperature started to climb I was able to safely get off the highway before the E53 overheated. I guess with the E70 there is a temperature light that comes on but I won't know if its just getting overly warm or I'm seconds away from a total meltdown.

Other than these observations I am loving the ride (M suspension) and solid construction of my new (2013) truck.
__________________
2013 X5 3.5i M Sport
2004 M3 cabriolet SMG

Last edited by Tomaz; 06-26-2016 at 11:49 AM.
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 06-25-2016, 09:01 PM
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Lakeland Shores, MN
Posts: 4
MnRiverman is on a distinguished road
You could add a P3 gauge from Turner to see temp, batt volts, etc. Works well.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-25-2016, 09:24 PM
Tomaz's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Gatos, California
Posts: 1,178
Tomaz is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by MnRiverman View Post
You could add a P3 gauge from Turner to see temp, batt volts, etc. Works well.
This Gage? https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...i-2007/?pdk=AQ

Boost too! Very nice. Integrated into the vent? Have you installed one?
__________________
2013 X5 3.5i M Sport
2004 M3 cabriolet SMG
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-25-2016, 10:43 PM
youry's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 428
youry is on a distinguished road
This is the E70 link

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...71-x6/?pdk=AQE

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...71-x6/?pdk=AQE
__________________
2012 X70 XDrive 35i
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-26-2016, 12:18 AM
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 397
absentmathis is on a distinguished road
Yeah, there's several of those 'features' that I love about this car. Dipstick? Worked great for a hundred years. Let's eliminate it. Ebrake handle? It's in the way. Replace it with a problem prone button.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-26-2016, 12:45 AM
bawareca's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 976
bawareca is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by absentmathis View Post
Yeah, there's several of those 'features' that I love about this car. Dipstick? Worked great for a hundred years. Let's eliminate it. Ebrake handle? It's in the way. Replace it with a problem prone button.
Parts that are over-engineered and last too long(not enough revenue)? Just make them out of cheese-problem solved
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-26-2016, 01:26 AM
Tomaz's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Gatos, California
Posts: 1,178
Tomaz is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by absentmathis View Post
Yeah, there's several of those 'features' that I love about this car. Dipstick? Worked great for a hundred years. Let's eliminate it. Ebrake handle? It's in the way. Replace it with a problem prone button.
Right I forgot to mention the missing emergency brake handle. And the concept of a hide-a-key. Now I have to store a $400 key fob if i want a hidden key.
__________________
2013 X5 3.5i M Sport
2004 M3 cabriolet SMG
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-26-2016, 09:01 AM
bawareca's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 976
bawareca is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomaz View Post
Right I forgot to mention the missing emergency brake handle. And the concept of a hide-a-key. Now I have to store a $400 key fob if i want a hidden key.
You can have a plastic key which can open the doors and start the car when it is inserted in enclosure(dummy key). It costs only $60-70 and is also impervious to water intrusion as it has a sealed transponder inside. You can also buy a regular, non KG key to hide or as a spare. They are around $120-130 nowadays.
In case someone local needs it, I can program BMW keys mcuh cheaper than the dealer
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-26-2016, 09:19 AM
youry's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 428
youry is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomaz View Post
Right I forgot to mention the missing emergency brake handle. And the concept of a hide-a-key. Now I have to store a $400 key fob if i want a hidden key.
I keep the remote in the car and the tiny physical key in a magnetic box under the car. The remote always stays in the glove compartment, on the left side there is a slot to store the key fob. The worst that can happen is to lose the actual key which I never use anyway.
__________________
2012 X70 XDrive 35i
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-26-2016, 10:12 AM
Tomaz's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Gatos, California
Posts: 1,178
Tomaz is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by youry View Post
I keep the remote in the car and the tiny physical key in a magnetic box under the car. The remote always stays in the glove compartment, on the left side there is a slot to store the key fob. The worst that can happen is to lose the actual key which I never use anyway.
Thanks for that great advice. I was under the impression that if a fob was inside the car it wouldn't allow it to lock but I tried it and it works OK. Now I can take the fob from its hiding place on the outside of the car and put it in the glove box slot and just store the mechanical key.
__________________
2013 X5 3.5i M Sport
2004 M3 cabriolet SMG
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:52 PM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.