How in the %$@%$ do I get to the e46 M3 oil pan drain plug??

I have been all over this thing and I think I found the plastic door leading
to the hex wrench plug for the tranny fluid but not the oil and please don't
tell me I have to remove that huge black plastic cover in the front. Thanks!

"Bill Blevins" > wrote in message
news:m6e5d.108730$MQ5.82702@attbi_s52...
>I have been all over this thing and I think I found the plastic door
>leading
> to the hex wrench plug for the tranny fluid but not the oil and please
> don't
> tell me I have to remove that huge black plastic cover in the front.
> Thanks!
>

Per your request, I won't tell you that you need to remove the huge plastic
cover in the front. However, the oilpan is located above it. There's a
small door probably 2"-3" across that lifts out with a screwdriver to expose
the drain plug.

Kyle.

"Bill Blevins" > wrote
> "Kyle and Lori Greene" > wrote
>> "Bill Blevins" > wrote
>> >I have been all over this thing and I think I found the plastic door
>> >leading
>> > to the hex wrench plug for the tranny fluid but not the oil and please
>> > don't
>> > tell me I have to remove that huge black plastic cover in the front.
>> > Thanks!
>> >
>>
>> Per your request, I won't tell you that you need to remove the huge
>> plastic
>> cover in the front. However, the oilpan is located above it. There's a
>> small door probably 2"-3" across that lifts out with a screwdriver to
>> expose
>> the drain plug.
>
> You mean the plug that takes the 6mm hex? AHHH, it was so far back I
> thought
> it was the tranny fluid.
> We are talking about the same plastic access door correct??

My 330xi is a little different (has a far different pan because of the
diff/axle)
but my "big cover" is really easy to remove - half-twist screws front and
rear; about 4 total. Loosen the front first, then the back and pull it out
the front.

Floyd

Yeah, those 3's are a little more straight forward. I just assumed when i
saw the 6mm hex plu that it was a tranny plug as I have never seen one for
an oil pan but sure enough...

I also had to pack everything up and make a run to the parts store to get a
set of metric hex sockets...

"fbloogyudsr" > wrote in message
...
> "Bill Blevins" > wrote
> > "Kyle and Lori Greene" > wrote
> >> "Bill Blevins" > wrote
> >> >I have been all over this thing and I think I found the plastic door
> >> >leading
> >> > to the hex wrench plug for the tranny fluid but not the oil and
please
> >> > don't
> >> > tell me I have to remove that huge black plastic cover in the front.
> >> > Thanks!
> >> >
> >>
> >> Per your request, I won't tell you that you need to remove the huge
> >> plastic
> >> cover in the front. However, the oilpan is located above it. There's
a
> >> small door probably 2"-3" across that lifts out with a screwdriver to
> >> expose
> >> the drain plug.
> >
> > You mean the plug that takes the 6mm hex? AHHH, it was so far back I
> > thought
> > it was the tranny fluid.
> > We are talking about the same plastic access door correct??
>
> My 330xi is a little different (has a far different pan because of the
> diff/axle)
> but my "big cover" is really easy to remove - half-twist screws front and
> rear; about 4 total. Loosen the front first, then the back and pull it
out
> the front.
>
> Floyd
>

"Bill Blevins" > wrote in message news:<Pup5d.112360$MQ5.89753@attbi_s52>...
> Yeah, those 3's are a little more straight forward. I just assumed when i
> saw the 6mm hex plu that it was a tranny plug as I have never seen one for
> an oil pan but sure enough...
>
> I also had to pack everything up and make a run to the parts store to get a
> set of metric hex sockets...
>


Not meaning to be nasty or anything but the engine oil pan & drain
plug will be under the engine & the tranny drain plug will be under
the transmission.

I thought you had to pump out the M3 oil, i.e. no drain plug, if you find a
plug let me know.

Leo