German engineering

[AM28]

I hate German engineering, and I specifically hate BMW most of all. I have two newer BMWs and it is nothing but one expensive hard to fix problem after another. When I see someone driving or riding a BMW I just feel bad for them. Poor sucker, you were as stupid as I was.

I have removed and replaced thousands of drain plugs on just about every kind of vehicle, motorcycle, airplane, boat, that you can possibly think of. I have never once stripped or broken a drain plug. Stupid design.

 

[DustyRusty]

I believe that the BMW, like the Mercedes the oil is usually pumped out of the engine by inserting a plastic tube down the dipstick tube. Some of these newer cars don't even come with a dipstick, just a tube with a cap that requires a special tool to remove.

 

[AM28]

I believe that the BMW, like the Mercedes the oil is usually pumped out of the engine by inserting a plastic tube down the dipstick tube. Some of these newer cars don't even come with a dipstick, just a tube with a cap that requires a special tool to remove.

That is correct for some models. I made my own dipstick from a parts car. Filled the oil levels, trans and engine to specs cold, made a mark, then ran it hot and made another mark. One side for eng oil and the other for tranny.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I believe that the BMW, like the Mercedes the oil is usually pumped out of the engine by inserting a plastic tube down the dipstick tube. Some of these newer cars don't even come with a dipstick, just a tube with a cap that requires a special tool to remove.

Wow - this has turned into a a real hot button debate

BMW eliminated engine oil dipsticks on virtually all models around 2006 and they still use engine oil drain plugs.

Dan

 

[TheOldHokie]

I'll agree the undercut is possibly a stress relief or just a place for the sealing washer to expand into???
But the hole is for a magnet that they have left out because it's of little use, it's a left over design from years past.

After doing some research it looks like this plug is actually an aftermarket magnetic plug (sans magnet) of the type sold by ECS Tuning and FCP Performance among others. The Bimmer forum has numerous threads spread over a decade plus bashing them because they do exactly what my son experienced - snap off when tightened.

My apologies for the kerfuffle

Dan