Oil leaks.

[acer54]

First had to change the rocker/cam cover gasket as it was leaking, not long after had to change the sump gasket as it had started to leak as well.......
Didn't expect this from a 2006 BMW 3.0i that's only done about 66,000 miles.
I previously had a Mercedes SLK the same age with 23,000 miles for about 4 years and apart from usual annual servicing I did not need to do anything else or spend any more money on it.
I'm asking myself did I do the right thing selling the Merc and buying the Beemer? Of course the answer is yes, the Merc performance wise was a couch potato compared to the Beemer especially when it's in sport mode.

 

[weegeoff]

You are lucky my sump rusted through and I had to replace it a couple of years ago and mine is an 06 [70,000 miles + on the clock now]
Have a look at your sump. If it is that you have to drop the two wishbones. to get the thing off. :thumbsdown:

 

[mr.tourette]

annoying isn't it...had 3 on mine (all fixed now) but I also expected better of modern German engineering, still a long way to go to catch up with the Japanese in terms of reliability imho, I've thrown more at repairs and maintence in 2 years than the last 15 driving Japanese cars

 

[acer54]

You are lucky my sump rusted through and I had to replace it a couple of years ago and mine is an 06 [70,000 miles + on the clock now]
Have a look at your sump. If it is that you have to drop the two wishbones. to get the thing off. :thumbsdown:

I've had it done at an independent garage, the mechanic who is also a personal friend of mine said it was a b•••••d to do and he hopes he doesn't have to do it again!
As far as corrosion is concerned their isn't any as I imported it from Japan!

 

[acer54]

annoying isn't it...had 3 on mine (all fixed now) but I also expected better of modern German engineering, still a long way to go to catch up with the Japanese in terms of reliability imho, I've thrown more at repairs and maintence in 2 years than the last 15 driving Japanese cars

My other car is a Lexus hybrid SUV and it's done 123,000 miles and drives like a new one.

 

[Chris_D]

Beemers are generally known for being generous and somewhat carefree when it comes to decanting their own oil!

However, My M52 engined E36 coupe never spilled a drop in its' 256k miles while my 100k M54 engined Zed leaked like an incontinent geriatric with a drink problem!

Cam cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, sump gasket and if ur really unlucky the main seal between engine and gearbox and the CCV system are all culprits.