Would you say this is low?

CuntFace5000 · 01-25-2020, 11:33 AM

Had an engine oil change at a BMW main dealer. The Mrs took it and when she got home I checked the dipstick. Straight away I thought the level looked low. Anyway, left it and rechecked it the next morning before starting the engine thus allowing ample time for the oil to gather into the sump, obviously giving the maximum reading on the dipstick.

Whilst back at BMW today, for an unrelated reason, I asked them to top up/check the oil level.

They took my car through and I sat down in the waiting area.

The technician come to the service desk and asked for me. He then told me the level is perfect and the reason it looks low is because the oil is cold.

I'm sorry but I don't buy that at all. I'm not going to get into how oil expands as it heats up, or you need to let the engine sit switched off for x amount of time before you take an accurate dip. I've been working on diesel engines, albeit Caterpillar, for long enough to know what a low oil level looks like.

Take a look at the picture. Low or normal?

My invoice quoted 6.5 litres of oil. I'd like to know exactly how that is metered considering it comes straight from a 45 gallon drum.

So my question is... Do you think this oil level is low? I know I do

Enabled · 01-25-2020, 12:06 PM

It's in the normal range, but you could add half a liter if you feel like it.

eugene89us · 01-26-2020, 08:24 PM

I agree with Enabled that the oil level is within normal limits, however I would not like it like that. I hate when my oil gets over filled, but I would not feel good driving with minimum oil level. I would personally top it up until it is around 80-100% of limit range.

01-25-2020, 11:33 AM	#1
CuntFace5000 Banned 53 Rep 251 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: England, Essex iTrader: (0)	Would you say this is low? Had an engine oil change at a BMW main dealer. The Mrs took it and when she got home I checked the dipstick. Straight away I thought the level looked low. Anyway, left it and rechecked it the next morning before starting the engine thus allowing ample time for the oil to gather into the sump, obviously giving the maximum reading on the dipstick. Whilst back at BMW today, for an unrelated reason, I asked them to top up/check the oil level. They took my car through and I sat down in the waiting area. The technician come to the service desk and asked for me. He then told me the level is perfect and the reason it looks low is because the oil is cold. I'm sorry but I don't buy that at all. I'm not going to get into how oil expands as it heats up, or you need to let the engine sit switched off for x amount of time before you take an accurate dip. I've been working on diesel engines, albeit Caterpillar, for long enough to know what a low oil level looks like. Take a look at the picture. Low or normal? My invoice quoted 6.5 litres of oil. I'd like to know exactly how that is metered considering it comes straight from a 45 gallon drum. So my question is... Do you think this oil level is low? I know I do Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-25-2020, 12:06 PM	#2
Enabled Lieutenant Colonel 1407 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: 328xd Wagon, M2 Competition Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	It's in the normal range, but you could add half a liter if you feel like it. __________________ -2014 328d Wagon, 8HP. Self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs. -2019 M2 Competition MT, Alpine White. Self-tuned 560hp -2016 Mini Cooper S, MT. Many plans. Others: -E36 328is. 2000 Z3 Roady. 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual. Estoril Z3M Coupe.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-26-2020, 08:24 PM	#3
eugene89us First Lieutenant 336 Rep 365 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 328d Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: MS iTrader: (0)	I agree with Enabled that the oil level is within normal limits, however I would not like it like that. I hate when my oil gets over filled, but I would not feel good driving with minimum oil level. I would personally top it up until it is around 80-100% of limit range.
	Appreciate 0 Quote