2008 BMW X5 4.8i: Love that iDrive

Isn't this the only way to check the oil? No dipstick, right?

"At 8.10pm it shows engine oil ok
At 8.13pm, it shows engine oil at minimum level, add a quart!"
 
Say what you want about BMW's iDrive system, it does have its moments of greatness...

I personally love the system, and I don't own a BMW. I rode in my cousins brand new X5, almost exactly optioned as you guys', and figured out the iDrive system and controller in minutes. Call me computer literate or something, but if you can operate a PC or Mac, you shouldn't have a problem with iDrive.
 
It's like any software,it takes just a little time to learn it. You can only cram so much onto a screen before it looks so busy that you get scared and turn it off, so I hate it when people complain there are so many menus.
 
I can understand the first version of iDrive, developed back in 1994, but come on 14 years later I'm sure its 100000x better

Funny how you refer to the X5 as a truck, it sure doesnt look or handle like one.

iDrive is unjustly maligned. It's slow to respond but it's quite easy to use.

I also love iDrive, its convenient, easy to use, and makes a ton of information and options available at the flick of a button. Now if it just wasn't so expensive.

So I'm the only one here curious about how it sends out conflicting messages? Engine Oil ok and engine oil at minimum?!

"So I'm the only one here curious about how it sends out conflicting messages? Engine Oil ok and engine oil at minimum?!"
 
It's not conflicting per se, it may have just been coincidence that the oil sensor alerted that it was a quart low three minutes later. It will say "Ok" until it's down at least a quart. The mileage is almost 9k which is right in line with when a BMW engine usually needs to have a quart added.

That would have been a crummy coincidence if you just started on a road trip and you had just checked the vehicles status thinking everything was ok.
Of course, owning a Bimmer w/ I-drive, I always go to the setting where it shows the actual level, not just the ok message.
But still..

"That would have been a crummy coincidence if you just started on a road trip and you had just checked the vehicles status thinking everything was ok. "
 
It doesn't have a dipstick? I can't imagine anyone starting a roadtrip without 1st actually checking the oil (and coolant, tire pressure etc)manually.

I heard that the 4.8's DO have a dipstick (while the 3.0's don't). I haven't been able to verify this first hand, but have read posts on other forums where many confirm this fact.
 
If the oil is low, is it possible to take it into the dealer's to have it filled up for free? Ultimate Maintenance, right?