Oil level reading in the OBC with MSS54HP DME in a CSL conversion project

[HanSooloo]

I was reading in the original BMW CSL document that said that the car provides oil level reading via the OBC in the cluster, since the dipstick is very hard to reach. IIRC, this is a reading that ranges from 0.0 to 1.0, which indicates amount of oil above minimum required. If you are at 0.0, that means, go top it up. If you are at 1.0, you are good.

Question:

If I take a regular MSS54HP DME, and flash that with the CSL software, will the OBC oil level reading function show up? Or, is there another component that requires a flash, or coding exercise?

[Slideways]

Yes, and then it needs to be enabled via coding the cluster.

[M3KVU]

I've got this and I'd say don't bother tbh.

[jet_dogg]

I've got this and I'd say don't bother tbh.

why not?

[Slideways]

why not?

The reading does not always reflect the measurement on the stock dipstick. The measuring portion on the CSL dipstick is a bit different length, too.

[M3KVU]

why not?

The level changes so many times during a drive and sets off the yellow oil light even though the oil reading is perfect on the dipstick.
I've seen it start at o.9l then drop to 0.3l then to -1.0l then back to 0.9l, all that just on a 50 mile drive.

[repoman89]

Sounds like you need a new sensor — it should not be triggering the yellow oil light and the reading shouldn’t be moving around that much or really at all. Mine is super stable throughout an entire oil change interval. Doesn’t even budge 0.1L and seems accurate to the dipstick as well whenever I check. I’m glad I have it since I was dumb enough to install the short irritating CSL dipstick instead of bend mine.

[old///MFanatic]

My .02¢
When this first came out I was all over this quirky mod. But time after time most who went through the hassle said it wasn’t really worth it. More a novelty. Because when it comes down to it if you’re relying on the sensor to give you the oil level. You therefore can put as much faith into the sensor reading for its “low” warning. If it ever sneaks by me and gets low the “low oil light” will trigger. I put more faith into the dipstick method for showing me general oil level. Besides I really don’t burn oil in my S54.

Yes I know later BMWs only use an oil lever sensor. But not this exact early sensor and software.

[old///MFanatic]

With all that said. Its still is a unique E46 M3 mod, and have nothing against those who do it.

[M3KVU]

Sounds like you need a new sensor — it should not be triggering the yellow oil light and the reading shouldn’t be moving around that much or really at all. Mine is super stable throughout an entire oil change interval. Doesn’t even budge 0.1L and seems accurate to the dipstick as well whenever I check. I’m glad I have it since I was dumb enough to install the short irritating CSL dipstick instead of bend mine.

Already tried two genuine BMW ones and still the same results.

[Slideways]

Already tried two genuine BMW ones and still the same results.

That is weird as it usually just sits at +0.3L with short drives. On longer drives, it will refresh to show +0.5 to 0.6L which is closer to the actual 0.75L on the dipstick. CSL dipstick is a little different, measurement wise, so that might be why. The short read usually shows +0.5L. After starting the car when fully warmed up, wait exactly 2 min and hold the sport button for a few seconds.

[heinzboehmer]

The CSL software also has a lower threshold for the oil light to come on.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/special-interests/coding-tuning/17863-how-do-you-code-csl-oil-level-indicator?p=46059#post46059

[bigjae46]

OP has never owned an E9X M3...lol.

The early e-dipsticks are terrible.

[Obioban]

I have it. It’s just not that useful beyond the stock low oil yellow cluster light, and either way you’re going to want to verify with the dip stick if it says it’s low (now there’s a nice e46 feature),

… mine does not bounce around as I drive, like the person above.

[Cubieman]

Mine doesn't bounce around at all, it may not be the most accurate but it's a nice feature imo nonetheless, I did it just as an excuse to use NCS.