Magnetic drain plug

[llvsixaxisvll]

First oil change with magnetic drain plug @ 40k miles. Usually change oil around 7k. Not sure how significant all the collected metal fines are but nice to see it doing something.

[TopJimmy]

I'm not the expert but that looks like a significant amount of metal. Good that the mag is doing it's job, but are your bearings doing okay...? Perhaps you drive very hard.

[llvsixaxisvll]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

I'm not the expert but that looks like a significant amount of metal. Good that the mag is doing it's job, but are your bearings doing okay...? Perhaps you drive very hard.

No idea, and I def don't track the car, maybe hard street driving every now and then. The oil itself looked alright, barely any metal shining back when using a light in the pan used to catch the oil. Car is tuned on stage 1.

Edit: I did get a new oil pan right before this oil change because of road debris making a hole in one of the veins (got low oil fluid level and topped about 1 L a week until taking it to the indy). Maybe remnants of that.

[IVM3]

That does seem like a lot of metal. I would recommend doing an oil analysis at Blackstone labs or elsewhere for your next oil change for peace of mind.

[Fat Goose]

I haven’t heard good things about these bolts, susceptibility to shearing off, but I do like the value of the magnet

[llvsixaxisvll]

Originally Posted by Rmnelson12

I haven’t heard good things about these bolts, susceptibility to shearing off, but I do like the value of the magnet

Yea I was skeptic as well. I just hand tighten it snug with a wrench + new crush washer, and look for any leaking the next day. I can see how some gorilla with an impact wrench will fuck it up lol.

[Fat Goose]

Whats the typical torque setting?
And what brand type did you go with?

[hC1001]

Its like 15 or 18 lbs/ft same as the oil filter.

[llvsixaxisvll]

Originally Posted by Rmnelson12

Whats the typical torque setting?
And what brand type did you go with?

Went with ECS Magnetic Oil Drain Plug, and I think it's 22 nm or lb/ft. Recall it was written on the filter cap.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by llvsixaxisvll

Went with ECS Magnetic Oil Drain Plug, and I think it's 22 nm or lb/ft. Recall it was written on the filter cap.

ECS stuff is a hit or miss because most of them are manufactured in China. I would definitely not go 22Nm with those.. try 18Nm and see if it holds.

[Fat Goose]

This looked like quality.

Tuner Motorsports Titanium Magnetic Oil Drain Plug

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-turner-m...698tms01-01~a/

[TopJimmy]

My magnet plug was quality too. I did see some guys reported bolt threads sometimes being cut too deep and pulling out pan threads. Before installing I sized up the new and old bolt to see if the threads were exact. No gaps...

Then I put the new bolt in the hole about 5 threads and tried to wiggle. Bolt didn't wiggle and was in the threads nicely...

[Fat Goose]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

My magnet plug was quality too. I did see some guys reported bolt threads sometimes being cut too deep and pulling out pan threads. Before installing I sized up the new and old bolt to see if the threads were exact. No gaps...

Then I put the new bolt in the hole about 5 threads and tried to wiggle. Bolt didn't wiggle and was in the threads nicely...

Which one did you get?

[TopJimmy]

Originally Posted by Fat Goose

Which one did you get?

I think the ECS.

[agentrnge]

Woah, that does seem like a lot of collected metal. Guess its doing its job. I had a magnetic oil drain plug on my e39 540i and there was maybe 1/10th that amount collected, or not visible at all. I installed it around 90-100k miles I think. and had one in until I sold the car at 178k. ~7500 mile oil change intervals. M1 5w30. Not to turn this into yet another oil thread.. but what oil are you using?

[llvsixaxisvll]

Originally Posted by agentrnge

Woah, that does seem like a lot of collected metal. Guess its doing its job. I had a magnetic oil drain plug on my e39 540i and there was maybe 1/10th that amount collected, or not visible at all. I installed it around 90-100k miles I think. and had one in until I sold the car at 178k. ~7500 mile oil change intervals. M1 5w30. Not to turn this into yet another oil thread.. but what oil are you using?

BMW 0W30, I just get the FCP Euro oil change kit for the M4. and yea, I'll change the oil sooner and get the tests done next 5k miles.

[BzsBimmer]

Originally Posted by TopJimmy

I think the ECS.

I got the black anodized ECS one as well but ventured to it because for my year, the oil plug is a different size (larger) than subsequent years so each time I get a filter, it has the wrong diameter crush washer.

The ECS one came with several washers so it was a twofer.
Has worked we for me too. No leaks and as long as you don’t gorilla the snot out of it when tightening, can’t see it stripping the pan.

[llvsixaxisvll]

Originally Posted by BzsBimmer

I got the black anodized ECS one as well but ventured to it because for my year, the oil plug is a different size (larger) than subsequent years so each time I get a filter, it has the wrong diameter crush washer.

The ECS one came with several washers so it was a twofer.
Has worked we for me too. No leaks and as long as you don’t gorilla the snot out of it when tightening, can’t see it stripping the pan.

How does the metallic captures in yours look like compared to the pics above?

[BzsBimmer]

Not even close. A slight blackish layer, almost like an oxidation when wiped. I’ve never seen that much buildup and I’ve done about 4-5 oil changes with this plug @7k miles each time.

[doug_999]

Just a heads up, and yes, this makes no sense, but BMW can deny your warranty if they find you have one of these drain plugs.

I personally think they sound awesome, but make sure you don't take your warrantied car to BMW with one in there.

[exmowner]

Originally Posted by doug_999

Just a heads up, and yes, this makes no sense, but BMW can deny your warranty if they find you have one of these drain plugs.

I personally think they sound awesome, but make sure you don't take your warrantied car to BMW with one in there.

I've had a magnetic drain plug on the last 16 BMW's I've owned and they've all been to the dealer for warranty work. Many techs appreciate when an owner takes care of their car.

If you preform your own oil change and strip the oil pan then I can see that being a no go for warranty, short of that your safe.

[doug_999]

Originally Posted by exmowner

I've had a magnetic drain plug on the last 16 BMW's I've owned and they've all been to the dealer for warranty work. Many techs appreciate when an owner takes care of their car.

If you preform your own oil change and strip the oil pan then I can see that being a no go for warranty, short of that your safe.

The shop I used for my trans fluid change asked if I wanted one with the caveat, BMW could decide to void your warranty if something were to go wrong with the trans and they found a non OEM plug in there. The owners of this shop are both former techs from dealer. Thus, I chose to skip until the car is out of warranty. I don't think I want to give BMW any excuses if something happens (and that's when the drain plug malarkey would come to fruition).