Me too-
If I'm going that far I would like to have the pan all the way out and be able to inspect the bottom end, be sure that everything was properly cleaned, have the option to install baffles if that's important etc. Snipping the gasket to get past the pickup shortcuts past all those things, and to me is just a bad plan.
Here is the l o n g thread on snipping the gasket. Note that it's not the N54 engine, but idea is same-same. For entertainment use only.....
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=532166
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1and1
135i - E82.N54 2009 BSM - MHD / xHP / DCI, PR CP & 7.5" Race IC / N55 mid & Borla
. . WL RSFI, Koni, Eibach & Dinan CP's, M3 CA's / EBC Red's & Firehawk 500's
X1 - E84.N20 2013 MGM - JB4 - The Wife's, now with new turbo & ewg