Electronic dipstick failure on my BMW 3 Series - what was wrong with the old physical disptick?

BMW has abandoned the good old-fashioned dipstick that was cheap, reliable and accurate, for an electronic one. The system on my 3 Series has jammed on full and the BMW dealer has had the car for nine days now and cannot trace the fault. A new sensor and ECU have been tried in vain. Luckily the car is still under warranty as I hate to think what the bill would have been.

Asked on 14 July 2012 by MB, Peterborough

Answered by Honest John
The general answer is to ensure that cars do not last very long without bringing considerable income to servicing garages and to the manufacturer for expensive replacement parts.
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