[kern417]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Oh boy... lmao! Who was the bright boy that came up with that idea? Sensors die, they fail, the can be faulty... dipsticks don't lie and I always used it to see the condition of the oil as well.

I'm new to German Engineering, lol.
Although I have a 2001 E46 330Xi for the last 3 years and its a charm

Thanks for the reply.

Regards

The only problem I have with the sensor is that you have to drive the car to measure the level. That's dumb. If the whole point is you don't want to drive the car before it's full, then you should be able to check before driving the car 10 min.

[MPBK]

Originally Posted by kern417

The only problem I have with the sensor is that you have to drive the car to measure the level. That's dumb. If the whole point is you don't want to drive the car before it's full, then you should be able to check before driving the car 10 min.

there are 2 indicators. Only is a dashboard light that tells you oil is low.
The one you're talking about will measure and tell you exactly how much oil is in and (if I recall correctly) how much you need to add.

[BenDiem]

The only things that annoy me with the 2 series is how dirty it gets and the long stretch required to reach the seatbelts.

It must be the aero that causes the front end and the rear lower quarter panels (behind the rear wheels) to look like sh!t after just a couple days of driving. After driving it in the rain, the car is a complete mess. No other car I've owned (over 30), got dirty as quickly!

Outside of this, no complaints!

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by BenDiem

The only things that annoy me with the 2 series is how dirty it gets...

It must be the aero that causes the front end and the rear lower quarter panels (behind the rear wheels) to look like sh!t after just a couple days of driving. After driving it in the rain, the car is a complete mess. No other car I've owned (over 30), got dirty as quickly!

Is your car one of the darker colors? I bought black cars for a decade, but finally had to give up on them - and that was in a place where it didn't rain for 7-8 months of the year.

I wanted a white M240i due to that color showing dirt the least - had to settle for EB, though. I have to say, EB doesn't show dirt nearly as badly as I expected it would.

[bimmerride0]

Long stretch to get your seatbelt... try doing that after chest/back day lol.
The door handle is so far forward I end up using my forearm to push it open.

Otherwise love the size and drive. It's small and zippy through the roads!

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by bimmerride0

Long stretch to get your seatbelt... try doing that after chest/back day lol.
The door handle is so far forward I end up using my forearm to push it open.

Otherwise love the size and drive. It's small and zippy through the roads!

To grab the seat belt, I use my left arm and reach down and back rather than using my right arm to reach over my shoulder.

[BenDiem]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Is your car one of the darker colors? I bought black cars for a decade, but finally had to give up on them - and that was in a place where it didn't rain for 7-8 months of the year.

I wanted a white M240i due to that color showing dirt the least - had to settle for EB, though. I have to say, EB doesn't show dirt nearly as badly as I expected it would.

^^^ lol, I ordered white. Owned a black Z06 in '09. Never again! My anal/compulsiveness can't handle a black car, lol... I swear this car attracts dirt like nothing I've ever owned; especially the lower front side aprons just ahead of the front wheels and the lower rear flanks, just behind the rear wheels...

Cheers/B

[BenDiem]

Originally Posted by bimmerride0

Long stretch to get your seatbelt... try doing that after chest/back day lol.
The door handle is so far forward I end up using my forearm to push it open.

Otherwise love the size and drive. It's small and zippy through the roads!

^^^ lol! yeah, coming from a weightlifter/powerlifter myself, lol...
I figured it out quickly. I snap on the seatbelt before I close the door. This works. I too love the small dimensions. This car is a load of fun!

Cheers/BB

[cooolone2]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Dip sticks can be highly inaccurate if not used in the prescribed manner - for example engine oil up to temperature, engine shut off for 5 mins before taking the measurement. The S54 engine would vary 0.5 litres (half the distance between low and high oil levels) when checking the dipstick with cold oil compared with the proper hot oil and correct time after engine shutdown, leading to the risk of over filling and possible oil aeration and bearing damage.

Somehow I missed this reply. It's a good textbook answer, but if used as justification for removal of the physical dipstick, well that's just absolutely ridiculous (not you, the reasoning). "Highly inaccurate" is a gross exaggeration of a situation that occurs so infrequently it could be ignored. Most BMW owners (that I know) don't change their own oil, and those that do, know how to use the dipstick. Same goes for all other cars, trucks, etc. But BMW is somehow on to something that mysteriously has escaped all other engine makers? No, I think not. It's a silly design, made to incorporate electronic monitoring of the engine oil levels to give the driver the information lazily from the comfort of their drivers seat without having to get their hands dirty. Again... Silly! Honestly, I believe if it were to be tracked, especially over time, there would be more recorded incidence of failed engine oil level sensors, than people over filling their oil. I know I changed my sensor on my 2001 330xi at 140k, but thank goodness I had a dipstick to check levels until I did. lol... It's all good, just silly in my opinion.

So now that I have my M240xi with 57 miles on it... I can give an initial intake on the subject.

Don't like the white gauges and red dashboard lighting. All one color please. Don't like some of the controls layout, but may soften with time. Yes, the HK system seems lacking... I'm an audiophile but gave it a shot as the HK in my old 330 sounds pretty good still. Yeah, the door handle could be closer, as I'm tall and set the seat back so it's a reach. But that's not such a biggie, it is a small sports car after all. And the grey kidney grills - when everything else is black... Hmmmmm? Can't figure that out. Not a worry as I ordered Black Grilles with the car, lol, Will swap them out as I'm wrapping the car. Otherwise will reserve the right to add more later

Oh, the wife was distraught looking for her grab handle above her head that wasn't there, lol.



Regards!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Oh, my wife was distraught looking for her grab handle above her head that wasn't there, lol.

This is the part I continue to identify with (and be reminded about) the most!

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

This is the part I continue to identify with (and be reminded about) the most!

No grab bar on the passenger's side also in the 4 series, appears to be a commonality with the coupes. I’m very rarely a passenger in my 2'er, so it’s essentially a non-issue with this series.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by AndDown

I’m very rarely a passenger in my 2'er, so it’s essentially a non-issue with this series.

Spoken like a truly unmarried person!

[cooolone2]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Spoken like a truly unmarried person!

Hahaha!

I've found that the curtain airbag is there. So I'm wondering about customizing one to the passenger pillar...? But it's ok, will be the only person in the car 90% of the time, lol. But a "Happy" wife is a happy "Life", no?

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Hahaha!

I've found that the curtain airbag is there. So I'm wondering about customizing one to the passenger pillar...? But it's ok, will be the only person in the car 90% of the time, lol. But a "Happy" wife is a happy "Life", no?

Absolutely...and the only reason/time the MAdaptive suspension is set for "Comfort"!

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Spoken like a truly unmarried person!

Haha, happily married, wife drives the 428i GC - bigger boot for all the groceries! I think the only time she has driven my 230i is when we went on a longer trip.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Somehow I missed this reply. It's a good textbook answer, but if used as justification for removal of the physical dipstick, well that's just absolutely ridiculous (not you, the reasoning). "Highly inaccurate" is a gross exaggeration of a situation that occurs so infrequently it could be ignored. Most BMW owners (that I know) don't change their own oil, and those that do, know how to use the dipstick. Same goes for all other cars, trucks, etc. But BMW is somehow on to something that mysteriously has escaped all other engine makers? No, I think not. It's a silly design, made to incorporate electronic monitoring of the engine oil levels to give the driver the information lazily from the comfort of their drivers seat without having to get their hands dirty. Again... Silly! Honestly, I believe if it were to be tracked, especially over time, there would be more recorded incidence of failed engine oil level sensors, than people over filling their oil. I know I changed my sensor on my 2001 330xi at 140k, but thank goodness I had a dipstick to check levels until I did. lol... It's all good, just silly in my opinion.

Regards!

It is just a feature that is aimed at the majority of BMW drivers, as you say, most people wouldn't use the dipstick anyway, so is it really needed? The failure rate of the electronic sensors used to be measurable, but it doesn't seem to have been a problem over the last couple of generations of cars (seemed to be an E46/E39 thing).

The bottom line is that the vast majority of owners of BMWs these days are likely better served by an electronic measuring system that warns them when it gets 1 litre low, as they won't check the oil level otherwise. Far better than have them wait until the engine is damaged when the low oil pressure light comes on, followed by them being denied warranty.

If you want to rely on full hands-on car maintenance in the old-school way, there isn't a new car from a mainstream manufacturer that doesn't rely on electronics and software to perform maintenance tasks these days. If you want close to analogue and a road legal car (that is still in production), my 2012 Caterham fits the bill. It doesn't actually have a dipstick, it is older school than that as the dipstick adds weight, I have to peer in the top of the dry sump tank while the engine is up to temperature and running and top it up to 5mm below the mid-tank baffle.

[cooolone2]

As noted, it is crazy to have to start an engine and drive it any distance to determine its oil level, when any lack thereof, or insufficient supply of said component, can and will damage an engine, let alone with a Turbo. Electronic monitoring "in addition to" would be perfect, like my E46... But it really doesn't matter as I've fed the trolls (engineers) by purchasing the car despite being aware of this feature, Hahahaha

Is all good...

So I'll add this to the dislikes... The cloth pillars! Lol
My old 330xi got the elephantitis (droopy fabric) syndrome eventually and I'm left to wonder if it'll happen again over time with the new car as it has the same. And the HK system needs a sound processor (equalizer) or additional SUB to fill out bottom end. Arm Rest control button should be programmable to change volume level and some of the media control is not so intuitive.

[MPBK]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

As noted, it is crazy to have to start an engine and drive it any distance to determine its oil level, when any lack thereof, or insufficient supply of said component, can and will damage an engine, let alone with a Turbo. Electronic monitoring "in addition to" would be perfect, like my E46... But it really doesn't matter as I've fed the trolls (engineers) by purchasing the car despite being aware of this feature, Hahahaha

Please don't help spread that false info.
There's a check for oil elsewhere. It gives you an OK (or not) immediately. That's equivalent to pulling a dipstick in your garage, before starting the car.
The "driving for a while" is only required if you want an accurate measure of the oil level.

[Rocky58]

Originally Posted by bimmerride0

Long stretch to get your seatbelt... try doing that after chest/back day lol.

Originally Posted by AndDown

To grab the seat belt, I use my left arm and reach down and back rather than using my right arm to reach over my shoulder.

This keeps it up where I can just reach back and grab it with my right hand. I plan to get a more attractive solution, but it works great for now!

[MPBK]

^^ I don't get what your solution is. Can you zoom out your picture to give more context?

[Ron Jeffries]

Looks like he has clipped a binder clip on the belt so it doesn't retract all the way.

[Rocky58]

Originally Posted by MPBK

^^ I don't get what your solution is. Can you zoom out your picture to give more context?

I just put a binder clip on the belt so that the buckle stays up near the shoulder where the belt comes out of the slot instead of sliding down to the bottom near the seat.