Can anyone explain to me why after driving for a few miles, my oil level mode scale indicator shows full and sometimes it shows at half?

Sometimes I'll start the car and check it too early when it tells me it's not available sort of message. I can then get a reading showing full while driving and a while later shows a half or visa vera.

Then other times I start the engine, drive for maybe 10 miles and it's full, I stop the car, go into a store, come out start the car and it shows half again.

Dealer told me it's an exact gauge and if the oil hasn't drained down into the pan, it may show half. They said even if it's a half, you are still good to go, not problem.

Can anyone comment on this?

When it gets down to say "add I quart" and indicator is near the bottom, then you need to pay attention the dealer said.

Toban

On my 2021 GLE450 Between my 10,000 and 20,000 service my oil went from full to half. Inquired about it and the Service Rep really didn't have an answer but said not to worry about it. No evidence of a leak.

Once on my 2020 GLE450 I got a warning about high oil pressure and when checking oil gauge it was ABOVE FULL...I suspected error since there is no way oil was being added. I pulled over and shut off vehicle...Waited a minute and restarted and everything was normal.

It could be a faulty sensor since they removed the dipstick to check the oil level. I noticed in my GLE it would always stay at full but now it is slightly under full since the dealership just had it for warranty work.

I had similar experience, though eventually concluded engine was burning more oil while towing trailer on extended trips (2-3,000 m) back and forth over Rockies.

Luckily I stumbled across the digital oil level gauge (hidden at bottom of "Service" menu, below tire pressure and coolant) to discover level at minimum. 2 quarts brought it to full. Watched closer on next trip and again had to add oil. I notice no oil level drop on normal driving (not towing). From what I've researched on the internet, it is not unusual for engines to burn more oil when towing.

Also, am I correct in not being able to find a traditional dip stick in the 450 motor?

You are absolutely correct. My '15 M4 was the first BMW I've had that went that route.

There are two reasons for ditching the dipstick.
First, it's actually a measurable source of emissions, and then it also obstructs under hood aerodynamics. That air flow is designed to cool things under there like electronics, AC compressors and other heat generating stuff.

I don't agree with either of those suppositions. Dipsticks are supposed to have vacuum seals around them, and removing one to check while the engine is cold is not an issue of emissions. Under hood aerodynamics??? If you've looked your engine there is nothing aerodynamic going in the compartment that a tiny dipstick will affect.

Most auto sources seem to think the main reason is the average person just doesn't use them and the electronic solution is easier (and probably a couple bucks cheaper). https://jalopnik.com/why-the-dipstick-is-dying-5522543

I agree with Greg and frankly I never heard that under hood aerodynamics was a thing let alone a dipstick could disrupt that. Even if it did, the trade off more than makes up for the inconvenience.

Dig deeper. It's not supposition.
Dipsticks are a real source of emissions during the epa's soak process, where are the car is contained in a completely sealed air lock tent for 24 hours before and after the MPG run, and absolutely everything is filtered, weighed and analized. The aerodynamics around the heat producing elements under the Engine air shroud are very important. I saw a recent AMG YouTube discussion about that air flow, and how the cooling flaps in the grill are dynamically adjusted to facilitate that airflow.
The under-the-shroud area is the radiator exit, and managing that flow and not overheating other stuff is no trivial thing.

I come back and ask.

Why does the gauge sometimes read full and other times it reads 1/2 full?

One time I'll start it and after awhile it shows full. Start another time and awhile later it shows 1/2. Then will go back to full.

Not pulling anything.

Dealer told me at a 1/2 you are fine?

Toban

…and I have a bridge for sale dirt cheap