Over-tightened drain plug = $3200 repair?!

SG11M3 · 08-09-2018, 05:38 PM

Ok, I'm having a bit of a panic moment. I recently bought a pristine 2011 E93 M3 with a good service history and 40k miles. All is fine, it works great and I've had no issues...until now. It was due for a brake fluid service so I took it in to a local BMW dealership (Omaha, NE) and told them to change the oil as well.

I get a call a couple hours later and they tell me it's leaking my new oil at a steady rate and after investigating further they tell me the drain plug was torqued too tight (previous owner/shop) which damaged the oil pan and now they can't get a good seal. He then asked me if I was sitting down because the only way to fix the issue is a new oil pan which is 8.4 hours of work and a $1,700 part. Any advice? Are they correct? I have a wedding in 3 months and this has me furious at the moment....please help!

Thanks!

-Mitch

BOOF-M3 · 08-09-2018, 05:50 PM

If it didn't leak when it came in it shouldn't leak when it leaves. Take it higher up.

SDPLV · 08-09-2018, 05:56 PM

So they f'd it up, while forcing it off, and are blaming someone else.

roastbeef · 08-09-2018, 05:58 PM

They want to sell you a brand new oil pan which requires them to drop the sub frame to do. It is possible to plug it.

I would make them prove that their tech didn't over tighten it. It wasn't broken when it went in.

SG11M3 · 08-09-2018, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

If it didn't leak when it came in it shouldn't leak when it leaves. Take it higher up.

I will be doing this when they open back up tomorrow morning.

SG11M3 · 08-09-2018, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDPLV

So they f'd it up, while forcing it off, and are blaming someone else.

Seems like it...*sigh*

msan · 08-09-2018, 06:24 PM

Well if you need a fix I think you can use a timesert
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003SER3PA..._kK8AybAQHYXGK

SG11M3 · 08-09-2018, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roastbeef

They want to sell you a brand new oil pan which requires them to drop the sub frame to do. It is possible to plug it.

I would make them prove that their tech didn't over tighten it. It wasn't broken when it went in.

True, I'm wondering what their response will be or how anyone can really prove anything at this point. I will push back though, it was perfect going in and in order to make it perfect going out it will take $3200?! Bullshit.

SG11M3 · 08-09-2018, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msan

Well if you need a fix I think you can use a timesert
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003SER3PA..._kK8AybAQHYXGK

Thanks! That price looks A LOT better! They told me there was no other option.

deansbimmer · 08-10-2018, 10:12 AM

Time-Sert repairs are not something a dealer would do. If this is a franchise BMW dealer, the only option for them is to replace it (at full msrp too). Take it to an independent shop familiar with these M3's for more options.

dparm · 08-10-2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Time-Sert repairs are not something a dealer would do. If this is a franchise BMW dealer, the only option for them is to replace it (at full msrp too). Take it to an independent shop familiar with these M3's for more options.

Sage advice, as always. I am surprised to hear a pan replacement is 8 hours.

It's going to be hard to prove that they damaged the pan. It's your word against theirs. Best they'll do is maybe cut you a discount on the replacement, but even if it's 10% you're still looking at almost 3 grand.

deansbimmer · 08-10-2018, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dparm

Sage advice, as always. I am surprised to hear a pan replacement is 8 hours.

It takes a lot of work to access the pan. Almost all of the labor is in the removal and re-installation of the entire subframe assembly. The actual replacement of the pan itself takes less than 30 minutes once you can get to it.

pbonsalb · 08-10-2018, 11:22 AM

And changing rod bearings might be 2 more hours once the pan is off.

08-09-2018, 05:38 PM	#1
SG11M3 New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2011 SG M3 DCT Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Omaha, NE iTrader: (0)	Over-tightened drain plug = $3200 repair?! Ok, I'm having a bit of a panic moment. I recently bought a pristine 2011 E93 M3 with a good service history and 40k miles. All is fine, it works great and I've had no issues...until now. It was due for a brake fluid service so I took it in to a local BMW dealership (Omaha, NE) and told them to change the oil as well. I get a call a couple hours later and they tell me it's leaking my new oil at a steady rate and after investigating further they tell me the drain plug was torqued too tight (previous owner/shop) which damaged the oil pan and now they can't get a good seal. He then asked me if I was sitting down because the only way to fix the issue is a new oil pan which is 8.4 hours of work and a $1,700 part. Any advice? Are they correct? I have a wedding in 3 months and this has me furious at the moment....please help! Thanks! -Mitch
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08-09-2018, 05:50 PM	#2
BOOF-M3 Brigadier General 4450 Rep 4,014 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Pasadena Florida iTrader: (1)	If it didn't leak when it came in it shouldn't leak when it leaves. Take it higher up.
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08-09-2018, 05:56 PM	#3
SDPLV Major 493 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 DCT Silverstone II Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	So they f'd it up, while forcing it off, and are blaming someone else. __________________ Current: 08 E90 M3 DCT SSII w/ BE RB Swap, H8 Lux 180s, MS Drop-in AF, CF spoiler, CF diffuser, OEM CF leather trim, CF DCT paddles, Custom DCT flatbottom wheel, MirrorTap 9500ix, RockAuto rotors, Hawk HPS pads, AMS ECU 93 Oct Map Tune, GTS DCT update, Slambo custom undertray
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08-09-2018, 05:58 PM	#4
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11582 Rep 12,722 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	They want to sell you a brand new oil pan which requires them to drop the sub frame to do. It is possible to plug it. I would make them prove that their tech didn't over tighten it. It wasn't broken when it went in. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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08-09-2018, 06:24 PM	#7
msan Major 403 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 / 2012 X5 35i M Sp Join Date: May 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (16)	Well if you need a fix I think you can use a timesert https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003SER3PA..._kK8AybAQHYXGK
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08-10-2018, 10:12 AM	#10
deansbimmer BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 3749 Rep 2,907 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: DFW, Texas iTrader: (17) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 X5M [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Time-Sert repairs are not something a dealer would do. If this is a franchise BMW dealer, the only option for them is to replace it (at full msrp too). Take it to an independent shop familiar with these M3's for more options.
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08-10-2018, 11:22 AM	#13
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5212 Rep 10,593 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	And changing rod bearings might be 2 more hours once the pan is off.
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