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      03-14-2018, 09:33 AM   #1
330ciprem
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Magnetic Plug from ECS - Views on this?

So I was going through some of the oil change DIYs online and saw that some of them had problems with the drain plug - stripping it or it being previously stripped.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1196ecs01akt2/

What do you guys think about this? Having an actual Hex head would be beneficial in torquing and untorquing. Additionally the added benefits of a magnetic plug.

I saw some reviews that we were negative but most of them were for the ones bought from ebay so not sure what to take from it.

Last edited by 330ciprem; 03-14-2018 at 09:35 AM.. Reason: Added more detail to the heading.
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      03-14-2018, 11:47 AM   #2
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Do you think you can get a socket around it on both the front and rear drains?
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      03-14-2018, 12:08 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
Do you think you can get a socket around it on both the front and rear drains?
That's where expertise from forum members like you come in - who have actually changed oil.

I have changed oil in my E46 a bunch of times but never in the M3.

From the images that I found online, it doesn't look too promising.
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      03-14-2018, 12:13 PM   #4
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although not exactly the same part, I changed diff fluid during a rod bearing change last weekend and the car owner had the magnetic drain plug for the diff from ECS

It seemed well built. I'm thinking of adding this to my cars at some point
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      03-14-2018, 01:36 PM   #5
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I have $8 magnetic tip bolts from an ATV in my pan. Female socket head like stock, which is probably the best fit though you might find some small hex head bolt that would work for the front drain. Had to grind down the front one a little to reduce circumference. The rear one fit fine. Also have them for the trans and diff but obviously different diameter.
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      03-14-2018, 02:30 PM   #6
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Doesn't fit don't do it.
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      03-14-2018, 02:52 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roastbeef View Post
Doesn't fit don't do it.
There you go! Thanks. Now I won't waste my money in ordering one and checking it!
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      03-14-2018, 03:43 PM   #8
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Try this one
https://www.bavauto.com/catalog/prod...-sedan-4516417
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      03-14-2018, 08:11 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
I am assuming since these are M12s I would have some clearance for sockets?

Just for my knowledge
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      03-14-2018, 08:35 PM   #10
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I've had zero problems with OEM hex plugs for the following reasons:

1) I've done my own oil changes
2) Properly torqued (most of the time) or 1/4 turn after finger tight
3) In the event that I did use the wrong size hex, and it stripped slightly, that plug gets thrown out and replaced. I have a few on hand just for incidents like these.
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      03-15-2018, 06:52 AM   #11
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I don’t have a problem with them either. But I don’t impact them in or out or over tighten them.

A magnet is great. The dimple magnets are high quality. Probably the best choice for most people. I have been running magnetic drain plugs for 20 years. There is always some metal fuzz on top that I clean off during and oil change. Maybe the filter would have gotten it, maybe not. I have never had a magnet come loose, but it is possible.
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      03-15-2018, 08:13 AM   #12
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I started a thread on this a while back. What I did was use 1 OEM plug and 1 ECS magnetic plug; had to use the OEM plug where the socket will not fit.
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      03-15-2018, 08:14 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostofsenna View Post
I started a thread on this a while back. What I did was use 1 OEM plug and 1 ECS magnetic plug; had to use the OEM plug where the socket will not fit.
I am sorry I missed that.

I will get 1 ECS, 2 OEMs and 1 Bavauto - better be safe than sorry.
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      03-15-2018, 09:00 AM   #14
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Skip the ECS. Buy two dimple plugs from bavauto.
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      03-15-2018, 09:15 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
Skip the ECS. Buy two dimple plugs from bavauto.
Will do!

Thanks for the suggestion.

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      03-15-2018, 09:30 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 330ciprem View Post
I am sorry I missed that.

I will get 1 ECS, 2 OEMs and 1 Bavauto - better be safe than sorry.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1293941

In case you are interested in using the ECS plug.
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      03-18-2018, 06:04 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msan View Post
I have the Dimple plugs. They are 13mm socket. Mine do not seem to want to bottom out and tighten so I have never use them. Anyone else use the Dimple pan plugs with success?
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      03-18-2018, 06:20 PM   #18
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Mixed feelings. I used a neodymium/high temp magnetic drain plug for the S54 in my Z4M. Made sense to me for an iron block.

For the S65? ....The Al alloy of the block won't cling. Only the steel from other areas. Cams, crank - perhaps.
Heck the Sn/Al bearings from LCI years won't shed anything that'll cling to a magnet either.
Just change oil at shorter OCIs if there's concern
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      03-18-2018, 09:05 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scharbag View Post
I have the Dimple plugs. They are 13mm socket. Mine do not seem to want to bottom out and tighten so I have never use them. Anyone else use the Dimple pan plugs with success?
It’s only 12mm or about 1/2 inch below the flange. How long is the stock bolt in that area? I did not think the pan was more than 1/2 inch thick but it’s been a few years since I had a pan in my hands.
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      03-18-2018, 10:14 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonsalb View Post
It’s only 12mm or about 1/2 inch below the flange. How long is the stock bolt in that area? I did not think the pan was more than 1/2 inch thick but it’s been a few years since I had a pan in my hands.
The length is fine. Seems like they should work but they sorta bottom out and then keep turning, like they are stripping. But they are not cause I can use a factory plugs no problem.

I put my 1/4" torque wrench on one and it gets to about 18 to 20 Nm then keeps turning but does not get tighter. Freaks me out. Tried it with and without the copper washer an seems to act the same.

Cheers,
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      07-29-2018, 09:38 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scharbag View Post
The length is fine. Seems like they should work but they sorta bottom out and then keep turning, like they are stripping. But they are not cause I can use a factory plugs no problem.

I put my 1/4" torque wrench on one and it gets to about 18 to 20 Nm then keeps turning but does not get tighter. Freaks me out. Tried it with and without the copper washer an seems to act the same.

Cheers,
A blue one? This just happened to me too. I did it too much though, so that when I put a stock design back in, it now spins... so I've apparently stripped the oil pan.

I have no idea what I did wrong, but that Dimple bolt wasn't right.
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      07-29-2018, 10:44 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Visceral View Post
A blue one? This just happened to me too. I did it too much though, so that when I put a stock design back in, it now spins... so I've apparently stripped the oil pan.

I have no idea what I did wrong, but that Dimple bolt wasn't right.
Yes, a blue one. Not good that your pan may be stripped. Good news is that you can easily fix it in the car with a proper Timesert. It will be good as new in no time.

Any I am boggled as to how these damn plugs just don't work FFS. It is a simple thread pitch and diameter. How can it be so hard...

Let us know how it works out.
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