Oil change - who has the door to access drain

[gjm120]

Noticed my car doesn't have a door to get to the drain plug. So I have to go through the pain of removing the underbody shield to do an oil change.

[Mach1er]

Uhh, really? That's really odd. I definitely have a door.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Mach1er

Uhh, really? That's really odd. I definitely have a door.

I had the under-shielding off to do suspension work so wasn't specifically looking for the door, but, I think I'd have noticed given the manouvering it took to get the damn things back on. This will make oil changes much less fun when I do one. So far I've had the wtty freebies and paid for one b/c I was out of town.

I'm sure my shielding is original to the car as 'E82' can be seen in relief on the panel.

[ianc]

Time to get out the Dremel and a bent coat hanger...

ianc

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by ianc

Time to get out the Dremel and a bent coat hanger...

ianc

Yea. I'm trying to think of a relatively neat way to make a door. Maybe a trip to the hardware store for some hinges and a latch of some sort.

[Yeineken]

That's really odd that you don't have one. Perhaps the original cover was damaged and replaced with one of the cheap copy aftermarket ones?

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Yeineken

That's really odd that you don't have one. Perhaps the original cover was damaged and replaced with one of the cheap copy aftermarket ones?

Could be, but, it has the same E82 in relief I see on your pic and some overspray toward the front that's the same color as the car.

Now wondering if I simply didn't notice the door. Was very distracted trying to get the suspension work finished and do a stop gap alignment so it would drive well enough to get to the shop.

I'm going to get it in the air and have another look.

[gjm120]

Mystery solved... partially. There is the opening but no door. A little surprising as only BMW dealers have done oil changes so far.

So oil changes will be easier. I have to decide if I want to make some sort of a door just to close things up.

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by gjm120

Mystery solved... partially. There is the opening but no door. A little surprising as only BMW dealers have done oil changes so far.

So oil changes will be easier. I have to decide if I want to make some sort of a door just to close things up.

The E46 has a spot for a door in it's reinforcement plate. None were shipped with the door but you can buy it. It's really useless. Don't worry about it.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by WDE82

The E46 has a spot for a door in it's reinforcement plate. None were shipped with the door but you can buy it. It's really useless. Don't worry about it.

Thanks. I'll probably leave it. Only concern is getting something pulled up in there - worst case a plastic grocery bag.

[1and1]

I had to replace my OE undertray, but pretty sure I've still got that little access panel-

Yours if ya want it- Just pay the postage. I'd rather send it to you than have it float around my shed then eventually get thrown away.....

If ya want it, lemme know and I'll shoot you pics/measurements or whatever to be sure it will fit since mine's an 09 135

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by 1and1

I had to replace my OE undertray, but pretty sure I've still got that little access panel-

Yours if ya want it- Just pay the postage. I'd rather send it to you than have it float around my shed then eventually get thrown away.....

If ya want it, lemme know and I'll shoot you pics/measurements or whatever to be sure it will fit since mine's an 09 135

If you would do the pic and give dimensions that would be great. I'll get under the car and see if there ever was a door, therefore a place to attach it.

Thanks a lot for offering to do this!

[1and1]

No problem-
I'll grab the pics/measurements tonight after work and post em here. It's just a small flat panel, more or less, so will easily fit into one of those flat express envelope things- it'll fit, so it'll ship

[1and1]

Attached pics of the original undertray & access panel. Post up here if this works for you, or even if it won't- A few others have asked for it if you don't want it.

If you want it then go ahead & shoot me a PM with a mailing address. It's a little flat thing, it'll be cheap as all get out to mail.

[gjm120]

That will work. Again, thanks.
PM on the way.

[1and1]

Tis on the way, hope it helps.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by 1and1

Tis on the way, hope it helps.

It came in Saturday's mail. After I raised the car to put it on realised I didn't have the latch for the door. No problem - a quick trip to the hardware store and about $2 for a stainless steel bolt, washers and wing nut, I got a working latch and a buttoned up undershield.

Again, thanks a bunch for this.

[1and1]

Cool
Shoulda mentioned the retainer doohickey, woulda sent it too

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by 1and1

Cool
Shoulda mentioned the retainer doohickey, woulda sent it too

I should have asked, but, didn't think about it. What I did should be just as effective. I used stainless b/c the only problem I could think of is the bolt/nut rusting together.