It's toward the rear of the pan with the stiffening plate partially blocking it (you can see it with the plate on, but you just can't access one of the bolt with the plate in place). Mine is bad too for the past 2 years, but was/is too lazy to remove the stiffening plate to replace it.

Thanks for this thread. After reading it I realized that I haven't seen my Check Oil Level message on my high cluster since my last oil change. I would always get it a just under a quart low and around 3000 miles. So I went out and checked the dipstick and zip, nada, nothing on it. It took 2 quarts of oil. :wow:

Needless to say, I think my sensor went bad and ordered a new one. I'll be replacing the sensor on my next oil service. :thumbup:

Yikes - that's very low on oil... :yikes:

My 3.0d doesn't seem to use any oil - never has. I have seen the low oil text warning on the high cluster only once but it was a false alarm - oil level was at the max mark.

Of course, the M57 runs on oil...! :rofl:

Actually, that's not so funny - I've seen videos (like this one) showing what happens to a 3.0d when the turbo oil seals fail catastrophically...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-pxsViKF88

Turbo run-away - the engine is consuming it's own lubrication oil and will eventually destroy itself (if you don't save it by blocking off the air intake ASAP!). :yikes::yikes::yikes:

Yes sir, I'm glad I checked. It's funny how you get used to the BMW nannies letting you know something needs attention and you stop checking things manually. That won't happen again.

I had checked the dipstick after adding a quart following the low level warning on the dash, and found it was still a quart low. So the sensor had triggered, but a bit late so it was replaced. That was at about 310,000 miles. At least you're starting our with 8 when it's full! But I'm more inclined to check the dipstick now. Makes me worry a bit about the CEO's 428i that has no dipstick :(


2002 X5 3.0 371,000 miles
2014 428i 66,000 miles


2004 325i sold at 123,600 miles
2001 325i sold at 66,000 miles


1970 Firebird Under restoration

To replace, do you just drain the engine oil completely (hence why you do this at oil change time) and then just unplug and unbolt the broken oil level sensor and put a new one back on and refill? Or is there a magic dance needed afterwards?

Simple and straight forward. Drain oil, replace sensor, replace oil (and filter if doing an oil service at the same time), start up and drive away with a smile.

Add in the minor detail of removing the entire reinforcing plate... which usually requires the removal of around two acres of tupperware... ;)

Ah, you're right Wayne. I forgot about the covers.

Yeah, until yesterday, I thought removing that plate was not a big deal, I have done it 3 or 4 times. But then... I stumbled on the threads discussing how you are supposed to replace the bolts for the plate EVERY TIME you take it off! :rolleyes: