Dipstick or I drive

[jeepstertim]

Which do I believe?  The dipstick shows c. 1l to fill and the IDrive picture is saying full?

[Riggie]

Dipstick....

[X5Sport]

Wot he says....it's 'real' not a sensor giving an opinion.

[Horizon]

[quote="jeepstertim"]
Which do I believe?  The dipstick shows c. 1l to fill and the IDrive picture is saying full?
[/quote]
Your lucky, on my E93 there is no dipstick are all, you have to rely on the sensor

[jeepstertim]

Thank you.  What is the capacity of the 3.0sd, I have read 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5?

[PioneerSSM]

After a recent service, the dipstick was showing just below the full mark as I have filled all engines, I continued to monitor this level over the next week and was satisfied that the level was fine and had not moved.
The sensor at this point in time showed an overfill and alerted me as such. On a trip to the main dealer for another reason I asked them to check the sensor for giving me a false reading. I got the car back with the sensor now showing a lower but acceptable oil level and no alerts showing. The oil level was lower than I was used to operating with, but showing as below the fill level on the dipstick.

Conclusion: The sensor does indeed work well and can be trusted. the oil level on the 3.0 engine sits at the lower end of the dipstick (lower than I am used to seeing) but in the 3 years I've had the car its used no oil whatsoever.
Do I trust the sensor implicitly? No I will always carry out a physical check on all fluids on a weekly basis.
Its a reassuring pleasure to know your vehicle is in the best of health.

Steve 

[kgeddes]

Hope this isn't a silly question  :'( but where is the dipstick? My X5 is a 2012 3.0D M Sport. I'm sure the handbook does not mention any dipstick?

[Glen]

Right hand side at the back

[kgeddes]

Thanks Glen, found it.

Oil a bit on the low side, near Min...iDrive shows Max??

Should the level be half way between Min and Max or kept near Min?

[Glen]

Hi kgeddes

Mine is at max just had service (on the dipstick)
idrive says to much oil; i'm happier with checking the dipstick.
You should be fine with it in the middle

[X5Sport]

This overfill issue is very common across Dealer serviced cars.  They assume it will take a certain amount so that is what goes in and the dipstick says fine but the iDrive isn't happy.  If worried try removing about 1/4 litre with a syringe and rubber tube.

[Glen]

Good idea that X5sport
I would have probably been on my back swallowing 1/2 litre :dead:

[X5Sport]

You only ever make that mistake once!  And engine oil is not good for your pores 

[jeepstertim]

I have added 7.5l exactly which says full on I drive and 1/3 Rd on the dipstick.  I still feel a bit more would be ideal but I believe 7.5l is right for an oil change.

[kgeddes]

Checked the engine oil this morning, engine cold....dipstick showed at MIN.

Rechecked oil when engine was warm and had sat for a while....iDrive showed MAX....dipstick showed between MIN and MAX.

Should the engine oil be checked when the engine is at full operating temperature?