[FrankL]

I already replaced the 320i valve cover at around 70K. Now at about 75k it is the oil pan. I am using a Uro aluminum one that my mechanic recommend. He tells me what to buy. Anyone else made the switch to aluminum.

Anyone else switch to aluminum? Any other parts like that, that I need to replace. I have no idea why BMW does this. It may save a few pounds of weight. Please BMW. The B48 is a great engine but this plastic BS is annoying. You are doing so well on reliability. Toyota-Lexus are sinking cause the twin turbo V-6 disasters. Audi reliability is awful. Mercedes is only a little better.

[ABCDEFG111]

I have heard from multiple people that that pan is not good and that it leaks.

Please keep us posted on any updates with this.

I was considering this pan also but was advised against it and replaced with OEM.

[FrankL]

Originally Posted by ABCDEFG111

I have heard from multiple people that that pan is not good and that it leaks.

Please keep us posted on any updates with this.

I was considering this pan also but was advised against it and replaced with OEMy

I will let you know. My mechanic is always OEM but he told me to buy the Uro aluminum. I think it is probably easier to change versus the valve cover. I went with nylon aka plastic for the valve cover. BMW must see how bad Audi's reliability. BMW should really nip these little things in the bud. BMW's reliability has gotten better and better. The other German car makers have gotten worse. Toyota-Lexus has gotten worse with that twin turbo V-6 disaster.

[ABCDEFG111]

Agreed, if they fixed their failing plastic parts the car would be way more bulletproof.

[zx10guy]

Short answer...$$$$$$. Having an aluminum oil pan and or valve cover might cost a bit more than the OEM plastic ones, that cost differential is still significant no matter how small when you multiply it out the hundreds of thousands of engines.

ETA: I've been lucky so far with my N55 equipped E82. So far no leaks from the valve cover or oil pan with 102,000 miles on the clock. I did get hit by the OFHG.

[allinon72]

BMW has had coolant leaking issues for decades. Oil filter housing leaking with not even so much as a change in design for decades. The same brittle o ring material, the same brittle plastic, everywhere. It could be fixed in 24 hours if they wanted to. They don’t care.

[FrankL]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Short answer...$$$$$$. Having an aluminum oil pan and or valve cover might cost a bit more than the OEM plastic ones, that cost differential is still significant no matter how small when you multiply it out the hundreds of thousands of engines.

ETA: I've been lucky so far with my N55 equipped E82. So far no leaks from the valve cover or oil pan with 102,000 miles on the clock. I did get hit by the OFHG.

Geez. I wish they would offer an upgrade on new ones for $1,000 more. I am guessing $20 to 40 more for a aluminum one versus plastic? We all know that all the manufacturers die for 0.5 mpg more. BMW with the B48 and 58 do a great job with gas mileage and reliability. Those newish Toyota-Lexus twin turbo V-6 engines have real and major problems. They also lack power and get fairly poor gas mileage.

I need to weigh the aluminum oil pan in the garage that the mechanic is installing soon. The plastic probably save 3 to 4 pounds. I am wondering if that is part of the equation.
BMW has really made great strides on reliability while competitors are getting worse.

I wish they would fix these little things. I think it would really improve brand loyalty. A lot of Lexus and Toyota owners with that V-6 twin turbo are going to start feeling like Jeep and GMC owners. They may be looking for a new home.

They can get an X7 with a B58 for less than a RX500.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by FrankL

Geez. I wish they would offer an upgrade on new ones for $1,000 more. I am guessing $20 to 40 more for a aluminum one versus plastic? We all know that all the manufacturers die for 0.5 mpg more. BMW with the B48 and 58 do a great job with gas mileage and reliability. Those newish Toyota-Lexus twin turbo V-6 engines have real and major problems. They also lack power and get fairly poor gas mileage.

I need to weigh the aluminum oil pan in the garage that the mechanic is installing soon. The plastic probably save 3 to 4 pounds. I am wondering if that is part of the equation.
BMW has really made great strides on reliability while competitors are getting worse.

I wish they would fix these little things. I think it would really improve brand loyalty. A lot of Lexus and Toyota owners with that V-6 twin turbo are going to start feeling like Jeep and GMC owners. They may be looking for a new home.

They can get an X7 with a B58 for less than a RX500.

I doubt the weight differences matter to BMW corporate. Seems each iteration of their cars get heavier and heavier. The weight difference you're talking about is a rounding error to the overall weight of the vehicle especially with the ever increasing horsepower these cars are getting with their engines.

If weight was a focus, you'll see signs of it else where. With my 2004 Kawasaki ZX-10R, weight was definitely a focus where the bike came stock with a full titanium exhaust system. It even got down to the crazy ridiculousness of large bolts used in the bike having the centers of the drilled out to reduce weight on those fasteners. None of these measures are being done with BMW cars.

As I said, it's a cost cutting measure to maximize the profit they get per car.

[pbonsalb]

I think BMW does not care about repair and maintenance costs outside of the warranty or extended warranty periods. It seems like the plastic parts tend to fail after 7-10 years. Replacing them is part of long term ownership now and that probably contributes to the significant depreciation after 5 years even though the cars tend to still look and drive great.

I bought a CPO 2008 E61 535xi in 2011 and have DIY’d all the work since the CPO expired and I have done a lot. The only oil leaks remaining are the crank and rear seal. I have the crank seal and tools but it is not bad enough to do yet. The rear is also not bad enough to do and I will hopefully not have to before I get rid of the car since that is major work to get to.

Also maintain and repair a 2012 X3 2.8 and a 2020 X3 3.0. More and more plastic but if it is once every 10 years or so, I am not unhappy. I have found Vaico to be decent plastic auto transmission pans. I don’t buy the cheapest aftermarket and try not to buy BMW, but it does take some searching to find quality aftermarket. I won’t automatically go to aluminum because some aftermarket aluminum is junk. Uro is not known for quality — some parts may be OK and some not. I don’t like to take big risks with labor intensive parts.

I do feel for those who pay dealers. At least find an independent. Even then, many out of warranty 10+ year old BMWs will cost their owners a lot at times. I do not recommend them to anyone who is not a DIYer.