eBay "Hella" oil level sensor

[PranK]

Couldn't help but share the pics of my $350 "Hella" oil level sensor that arrived from totalengines via eBay today.

It's like they're not even trying anymore ... And I think that's sad. 

[soviet_merlin]

I don't know what it is supposed to look like, but I'd suggest confirming with Hella whether it is genuine.

Some of the photos online do show parts with a Hella stamp on them. This looks sus.

[PranK]

So, they admitted via message that they accidentally sent me a non Hella product.

Then, hilariously, out of nowhere I get questioned about the legitimacy of my BMW intercooler for sale. This is the first *ever* enquiry in over 18 months. WIthin 8 mins of me telling "Total Engines" that I'd be reporting them for selling knock off's.

[PranK]

Looks like I lost another friend.

[PranK]

So this fella danbelkita is clearly connected to total engines. This is getting quite entertaining though. 

It's worth losing the $50 sale, thats for sure!!

[soviet_merlin]

2 hours ago, PranK said:

It's like they're not even trying anymore ... And I think that's sad. 

Oooh, you mean the people sending knockoff products aren't even trying anymore. I thought you meant companies 🤦‍♂️

[PranK]

15 minutes ago, soviet_merlin said:

Oooh, you mean the people sending knockoff products aren't even trying anymore. I thought you meant companies 🤦‍♂️

Both.

[Duncan]

Actually, the equivalent skyline part is both cheaper and simpler, maybe you should come back from the dark side?

[MBS206]

They kept the product number the same, so we "didn't pick it up when packing your order".

If you packed the order, you clearly saw the box wasn't Hella...

[MBS206]

Was that also a typo? $350?!

Just typing "BMW oil level sensor" and prices start out a lot more sanely than $350. I'm guessing it's a sensor used in one low volume model only or something?

[PranK]

2 hours ago, MBS206 said:

Was that also a typo? $350?!

Just typing "BMW oil level sensor" and prices start out a lot more sanely than $350. I'm guessing it's a sensor used in one low volume model only or something?

Yep. In the E39 it's slightly different than the others.

Honestly I'd just leave it but every time I drive the car it tells me oil is low and that just makes me check the dipstick. It is a BMW Afterall and it tries to expel it's own oil regularly. 

Thankfully it's not like my E90 that has no dipstick at all so you just gotta trust it. 

[MBS206]

6 hours ago, PranK said:

Yep. In the E39 it's slightly different than the others.

Honestly I'd just leave it but every time I drive the car it tells me oil is low and that just makes me check the dipstick. It is a BMW Afterall and it tries to expel it's own oil regularly. 

Thankfully it's not like my E90 that has no dipstick at all so you just gotta trust it. 

A quick google, and some E39 users have found pulling my sensor out/apart and cleaning it alleviates their issue. Then get the oil warning to go off, and once it is off (from the sensor saying it was unhappy) some find they can just unplug it and it is happy to just keep going now. Maybe give it a crack?

If you can actually pull the sensor apart, hit it with some electrical contact cleaner.

[PranK]

4 hours ago, MBS206 said:

A quick google, and some E39 users have found pulling my sensor out/apart and cleaning it alleviates their issue. Then get the oil warning to go off, and once it is off (from the sensor saying it was unhappy) some find they can just unplug it and it is happy to just keep going now. Maybe give it a crack?

If you can actually pull the sensor apart, hit it with some electrical contact cleaner.

Yeah, I guess its pretty easy to get to if this doesn't work. Just wait till next oil change and pull it out. I am going to have to do the oil pan gasket soon and thought I'd just replace it while I was there. 

Thanks

[niZmO_Man]

Genuine is best. I have to replace my SIL's Audi A3 DRL module because the $20 alibaba special one has faded within a month... Sigh...

[PranK]

Yeah I've had too many issues with knock off's on the BMW's. I don't want to do a job twice or more because the parts are shit.