Oil usage on 2009 X5 Diesel xDrive35d

[GoVols!]

Dont worry about not knowing about the dipstick. You have to really search for it on the diesel. Its behind the air intake pipe on the right side of the engine. I have big hands and I dont think I can get to it, much less use it, without getting oil all over the place or unhooking a bunch of parts I dont really want to mess with. Not a good design.

[ALPHA]

You mean there is actually a dipstick on diesel engines too???
After reading several threads on this subject I was under the impression the there is a dipstick only for the petrol engines.... can you please verify .....

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by ALPHA

You mean there is actually a dipstick on diesel engines too???
After reading several threads on this subject I was under the impression the there is a dipstick only for the petrol engines.... can you please verify .....

Yes, as others have already posted, our less than 1 month old 2009 X5 35d has an old fashioned dipstick on the right hand side of the engine (as you face the car). But you would need to have very small hands to use it without removing the plastic air intake tube.

BTW Given the reported reliability of the E70's electrical system, an old fashioned oil dip stick is a comfort to this old shade tree mechanic -- even if I never need to use it

Funf Dreisig

[ALPHA]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

Yes, as others have already posted, our less than 1 month old 2009 X5 35d has an old fashioned dipstick on the right hand side of the engine (as you face the car). But you would need to have very small hands to use it without removing the plastic air intake tube.

BTW Given the reported reliability of the E70's electrical system, an old fashioned oil dip stick is a comfort to this old shade tree mechanic -- even if I never need to use it

Funf Dreisig

You lucky ones! Although I would not use it much since I change my oil every 12.500km.. I would like be able to make a manual check every ones in a while!

[GoVols!]

On my '09 35d, there IS a dipstick.
It is pretty much useless, but it is there.

[AzNMpower32]

They must have changed/updated the design sometime in the last few years.

Explain to me then: Why is it that when one changes the oil, the interval doesn't automatically reset to 25000km?

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

They must have changed/updated the design sometime in the last few years.

Explain to me then: Why is it that when one changes the oil, the interval doesn't automatically reset to 25000km?

Because, as stated in an earlier message, it used an algorithm that takes many factors into account, such as oil temp, etc. -- the oil quality sensor is only one of many factors used to compute the interval. I am sure BMW considers the specifics of the algorithm to be proprietary, so only they know the precise details of the calculation.

[FunfDreisig]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

...Explain to me then: Why is it that when one changes the oil, the interval doesn't automatically reset to 25000km?

Hmmm... could it be that BMW wants you to take it to a BMW Approved Service Facility to get the oil changed?

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

Hmmm... could it be that BMW wants you to take it to a BMW Approved Service Facility to get the oil changed?

That's a good possibility as well!

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by FunfDreisig

Hmmm... could it be that BMW wants you to take it to a BMW Approved Service Facility to get the oil changed?

Pft yeah right. I treat my X3 better than that.......oil changes at 12500km intervals especially since the X3 has been long out of warranty. I pay more for that fancy Castrol 0W-30 as well. When one plans to keep the car a long time, it's nice to spoil the car and not worry about "if its worth it".

Even when still in the warranty, I'd still do an intermediate change in between at my own cost. But I'm not starting another one of these threads.