[raleedy]

Are there any known cases of failed sensor leading to engine damage?

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by Fconic

Why do you need a dipstick if the maintenance is included in the new cars for 4yrs/50,000 miles. If the car blows up for lack of oil and the sensor failed to pick it up, wouldn't it be BMW's fault?

So.. what about after your warranty expires?
Since when a bmw's life expectancy supposed to be 4yrs/50k miles?

[John_01]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

So.. what about after your warranty expires?
Since when a bmw's life expectancy supposed to be 4yrs/50k miles?

Sometimes I get the feeling that BMW don't want to keep their cars on the road for more than 10 years. Probably BMW would prefer owners to change over the cars more often and have the old ones recycled. I wonder how all the technology will be working in 15 years from now. Whats the point in having the oil level sensor remain working if the car is full of wiring faults and its uneconomical to get a replacement CIC (iDrive) system in the year 2025?

It seems to me that modern European cars are likely to become expendable consumer items, rather than prestige classic cars. Life-time filled automatic transmissions, 15k mile oil drain intervals and electronic oil level sensors are just to minor examples of this.

[tony20009]

I won't mind if they don't put in a dip stick. Three years in and the only folks that have opened the hood of my car are the dealer (probably) and my detailer. I've only seen the motor once in three years, and that was just because the detailer opened it to see what he needed to clean in there. If all goes well, I'll not need to see it again.

[SoCali E36]

Originally Posted by tony20009

I won't mind if they don't put in a dip stick. Three years in and the only folks that have opened the hood of my car are the dealer (probably) and my detailer. I've only seen the motor once in three years, and that was just because the detailer opened it to see what he needed to clean in there. If all goes well, I'll not need to see it again.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by John_01

Sometimes I get the feeling that BMW don't want to keep their cars on the road for more than 10 years. Probably BMW would prefer owners to change over the cars more often and have the old ones recycled. I wonder how all the technology will be working in 15 years from now. Whats the point in having the oil level sensor remain working if the car is full of wiring faults and its uneconomical to get a replacement CIC (iDrive) system in the year 2025?

It seems to me that modern European cars are likely to become expendable consumer items, rather than prestige classic cars. Life-time filled automatic transmissions, 15k mile oil drain intervals and electronic oil level sensors are just to minor examples of this.

I'm thinking very much along the same lines: 100k miles under extended warranty followed by scrap value. The E39 is an early experiment for this. How are the early cars, now 14 years old, holding up?

[MikeTerp]

Originally Posted by raleedy

I'm thinking very much along the same lines: 100k miles under extended warranty followed by scrap value. The E39 is an early experiment for this. How are the early cars, now 14 years old, holding up?

I kept my E39 (1997 528 5spd man) for eleven years and 166K miles. I changed the oil twice as often as the book called for, but otherwise, other than routine maintenance items, my one "problem" was a bad head gasket (expensive) at something over 100k miles. When I sold it, the clutch was ready to be replaced (courtesy of the D.C. beltway parking lot crawl) but that was about it. I think BMWs will go a long way if people don't abuse them and maintain them properly; however, I do worry about some of these new oil change intervals (my 328 computer often says I can go 23K between changes which seems insane no matter what oil you are using).

[sandman0615]

Originally Posted by tony20009

I won't mind if they don't put in a dip stick. Three years in and the only folks that have opened the hood of my car are the dealer (probably) and my detailer. I've only seen the motor once in three years, and that was just because the detailer opened it to see what he needed to clean in there. If all goes well, I'll not need to see it again.

i'm sorry but i think you are in the vast MINORITY on this board. borderline blasphemy! but to each his own i guess. bmws are already so well designed it doesnt require modding

[Filoo]

+1 for the spare tire! I'm alsmost thinking of not gettign a Bimmer anymore just because of that!

[ChaosBroker]

Just a lurker here, still researching. . but. When I was younger, I wanted to know what everything did. When something did fail, I'd have to figure out a solution as a matter of necessity. Today, I want to know what most of it does, but there is more bliss to be had in ignorance and clean fingernails. . .at least for me.