[JuniorB]

I never heard of the steel, or seen one. I don't trust those Ecs ads, as I've found some to be incorrect. In search of pans and what I've been able to track down and it's differences, I've never seen any variances between the auto and a manual aluminum pans. Look a like it's just an offering.

[JuniorB]

Originally Posted by PhaseP

Yes but for 2006 magnesium valve cover N52 engines that dipstick hole is used as the oil return line from CCV.
The steel pan manual RWD's use have a tube welded to the pan (if they are for magnesium valve cover n52 engines), aluminum ones (auto or all XIs) have a hole that a tube or plug goes into depending on valve cover version.



I have listed all three with pictures, you can chose to ignore

I have an 07 with the mag cover, I don't have that return on my pan.

[PhaseP]

I have an 07 with the mag cover, I don't have that return on my pan.

You have to look harder.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by JuniorB

I never heard of the steel, or seen one. I don't trust those Ecs ads, as I've found some to be incorrect. In search of pans and what I've been able to track down and it's differences, I've never seen any variances between the auto and a manual aluminum pans. Look a like it's just an offering.

OMG dude just stop arguing. you're 100% wrong.

In fact, here are the part numbers:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=11137539412
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=11137539413

(S205A = NO means MT, YES means AT)

and yes, there definitely is a return hole on the metal covers for the PCV system. It's right in the picture.