BMW and M Power Owners

At what level on the dipstick does the oil light come on? I've done my 650 miles (usually the light comes on at about 600) and no light so I checked the oil level and it was at the 'A' mark in this picture:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-3-series-e46-2000-2006/509189-oil-level-dipstick.html

This seemed seriously low to me so is it likely my sensor is gone? It still comes on as red and then Orange at start up and turns off after a couple of seconds with no flashing.
 
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Likewise when the sensor died in mine the light would illuminate while the engine was running for a good 5-10 seconds before going off. Replacing the sensor fixed the issue.
 
What is a normal amount of time before the light goes out? This morning when I saw it at 'below the A' I put my half a litre I had in the boot. Now 8 hours later it is at the A mark of that picture and I need to get more oil :/ so I take it my light should have gone on by now?

Annoyingly I noticed a red light bulb on my dash so I've got a sidelight out too :( stupid ******* car.
 
utajoker said:
Hmm l. Think i will check local garages then. Did u go with bmw?
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I didn't in the end, got sach's units which I believe are the same as the oem ones and got an independent to do it for just under £400, shockers were about £120 each I believe being the M sport model
 
almoststew1990 said:
What is a normal amount of time before the light goes out? This morning when I saw it at 'below the A' I put my half a litre I had in the boot. Now 8 hours later it is at the A mark of that picture and I need to get more oil :/ so I take it my light should have gone on by now?

Annoyingly I noticed a red light bulb on my dash so I've got a sidelight out too :( stupid ******* car.
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If its still sitting at minimum the light should, from memory be on after you switch ignition off, not when the car is running - unless it thinks its dangerously low

Check the manual though, its quite clear
 
The oil level sensor failed in my E39 many years ago. As a result it neither flashes after startup nor comes on when the oil level is low. It registers a fault code, though. Make sure this isnt the case before you start relying on it.
 
OK so now I believe it is very low and the sensor is busted. Next question is I have some 15-40 non synthetic oil in my boot my Grasndad gave me thinking that all oils are the same. Will putting 1l of this in do more damage than driving 7 miles (30 mins of queueing) plus 15 mins of motorway driving?

It has been working since July as it did use to come on after 600 miles- I asked about it on here. Is it possible that the recent work I had done (clutch, master and slave cylinder) and water pump could have upset the oil sensor?
 
Stick enough in to take it just above minimum then top up with the correct stuff.

Top up your levels first, then judge the warning light situation. I hate to say it, but it's not exactly sounding like a sterling example this car
 
I ended up getting one litre of Shell Special from a nearby garage which has taken it back up to the top on the stick. Lesson learned, don't assume your oil sensor on your 12 year old performance car will work forever! Weekly and 500 mile checks from now on I think.
 
Checking the oil level on the M54 was the bane of my life. I never, ever managed to get really good at it. It seems that even microscopic changes in ground level can have enormous effects on where the level sits on the dipstick - the ground can look flat but two different flat spots of ground can give vastly different reading. Drives me insane.

I love the F10 oil checking routine :D
 
I understand you've got quite bad oil consumption issues.

What have you done to try and overcome them?

EDIT: Agree with Fox re: ground level.
 
Gaygle said:
I understand you've got quite bad oil consumption issues.

What have you done to try and overcome them?

EDIT: Agree with Fox re: ground level.
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They've been the least of my worries!

I've done nothing- the clutch going pop and the water pump have been the priority :\. I'll be getting a quote for the diagnosis (probably that CCV thing?) And then see how many months of oil that is the equivalent of. What sort of oil consumption would a healthy 330ci get if most of its driving was around town?

I'll compare what level I got at the reasonably flat garage tonight with what the not very flat parking space ground tomorrow.
 
Mine's barely dropped in the 6000 miles since it was last serviced. If I had to guess I'd say probably 100ml - but as Fox mentioned, the M54's are annoying to check the oil level on so it could be very slightly under or over that.
 
[TW]Fox;27155590 said:
Checking the oil level on the M54 was the bane of my life. I never, ever managed to get really good at it. It seems that even microscopic changes in ground level can have enormous effects on where the level sits on the dipstick - the ground can look flat but two different flat spots of ground can give vastly different reading. Drives me insane.

I love the F10 oil checking routine :D
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Does the N57 even have a dipstick in the F10? I've just been keeping an eye on the electric dipstick.
 
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