[Mikez306]

So like every other E90 owner, it has come time to change my oil pan gasket. Just wondering what prices are normal? I know the job is fairly labour intensive however my local shop quoted $1600+ is this normal?

Anyone done the job themselves? I know dropping the subframe is involved but $1600?! Really?!

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

[neilvan]

Depends if RWD/AWD. Ive heard 6-800 for RWD ones but the Xi cars are much more involved.

I gotta do the gasket on my XI E60(N52) and I'm not really looking forward to it

[Mikez306]

Yeah mines an E90 335xi.

[Supermoon]

You have to unload the front diff to replace the oil pan gasket.
This means you'll be replacing the 3 diff seals as well (Do not reuse them).
XI oil pan gasket isn't what you wanna do twice.
Do it right the first time. Respect the torquing sequence/pattern from the manual.

[Mikez306]

Thanks for the heads up? Anything else I should do while I’m down there? I’m thinking this would be a ideal time to do anything turbo related. I’ve just done the water pump and thermostat though.

[Supermoon]

Originally Posted by Mikez306

Thanks for the heads up? Anything else I should do while I’m down there? I’m thinking this would be a ideal time to do anything turbo related. I’ve just done the water pump and thermostat though.

Turbos for sure depending on the mileage and the rod bearings if you wanna keep the car for a long time.

[Mikez306]

I’ve heard about people doing that. I get how they would access the lower part of the bearings but how do they access the top portion. I’m assuming these bearings are two pieces?

[Supermoon]

Originally Posted by Mikez306

I’ve heard about people doing that. I get how they would access the lower part of the bearings but how do they access the top portion. I’m assuming these bearings are two pieces?

I haven't done it myself so I know very little.
This long thread has in-depth information: https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...php?p=24219253

[Mikez306]

Thank you!

[Nick.B]

Originally Posted by Mikez306

Anyone done the job themselves? I know dropping the subframe is involved but $1600?! Really?!

Mike

I've done two N52 pan gaskets on RWD cars, on jack stands, in the driveway. Neither time could I get the steering column to separate from the rack to let me properly lower the subframe. Lost a few hours trying. Ended up laying right on the ground, subframe on my chest, and snaking the pan in and out. First one took about 10 hours. Second one I wasted less time trying to get the steering disconnected and just crawled back under, took about 8 hours.

With the car on a lift and the steering disconnected to allow the subframe to drop out of the way, I estimate it could be done in 6 hours.

I asked a mechanic with plenty of BMW experience how much more annoying it was to do the pan gasket on an x-drive, and he said "about 30% more annoying."

Nice link to the N55 thread. Pan gasket on my 100k km 335 is weeping a bit. Maybe I'll plan to pull some rods caps for inspection when I do the gasket in a year or two, and order parts depending how it looks.

[motortroll]

Had a similar issue with my 335i luckily I bought an external warranty with the car, and they covered the cost, they also did the gearbox gasket as that was also leaking.

[Mikez306]

With mine being an N54 with xdrive, this is definitely not a driveway job. There is a great tutorial on YouTube on removing the subframe on a RWD 335.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Mikez306

With mine being an N54 with xdrive, this is definitely not a driveway job. There is a great tutorial on YouTube on removing the subframe on a RWD 335.

I mean, anything is possible!

[Mikez306]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

I mean, anything is possible!

That’s true. But I have learned with these cars, it’s important to pick your battles in order to keep my sanity.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Mikez306

That’s true. But I have learned with these cars, it’s important to pick your battles in order to keep my sanity.

Haha yes, depends what you value most. I'm a cheap bastard so I value not paying labor

But that's also why I went with RWD car, easier to work on.

[Mikez306]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Haha yes, depends what you value most. I'm a cheap bastard so I value not paying labor

But that's also why I went with RWD car, easier to work on.

I have spent a lot of hours laying under this thing (usually swearing) so appreciate the cheapness.

[Vulcan50]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Haha yes, depends what you value most. I'm a cheap bastard so I value not paying labor

But that's also why I went with RWD car, easier to work on.

Definitely had to appreciate this one! 😂 I'm right there with you!

[Nick.B]

Originally Posted by Mikez306

With mine being an N54 with xdrive, this is definitely not a driveway job.

I'm picking up a 335xi soon. When it needs the job done, maybe I'll make space and do it in the garage instead of the driveway.

[fredcase]

I’ve done a n54 335xi oil pan in my garage. Total nightmare.

[PassiveDefect]

got a n54 rwd 96k miles. do I need to change the rod bearings if I'm already doing the oil pan gasket. I know they are preventive maintenance on the n55.
do I need new ones if I remove em just to check how they are?

doing engine mounts and oil pan gasket sometime next week. tryna cover everything while I'm there

[coz_mo]

Call Matt at BMWizzard, cheapest place in town.

[Mikez306]

Originally Posted by coz_mo

Call Matt at BMWizzard, cheapest place in town.

Thanks man, I’ll give him a call.