Oil Cooler Busted/under carriage issue **Update: Another member with similar damage**

[LDSM]

wow that definitely does look like a vulnerable spot, I would think twice about lowering the car any further

[991brothers]

Originally Posted by consolidated

Very unlucky debris strike. I ran over a rock that was 1/4" taller than the oil pan in my lowered E90 M3, that tiny strike cost $2800. One of the reasons I don't want to drop this DD. Porsche and motorcycle radiators might as well be a dart board the way they are mounted, I've replaced a few.

Wow thats insane. Im sorry to hear about that. Hope your car gets repaired soon. Its unfortunate but I guess we all eventually deal with these things. As you said, there more important things and this is just metal/an object

[Lups]

Hi OP, thanks for the PM to point this out.

Holy hell, that's a shitty accident. I need to google a few words (this is my fourth or third language, I seriously do not know this shit) before trying to come up with a reasonable answer, but even more than the technical stuff, I would like to hear what you had to say about BMWNA handling this all?

I'm sorry about your misfortune.

[991brothers]

Originally Posted by Lups

Hi OP, thanks for the PM to point this out.

Holy hell, that's a shitty accident. I need to google a few words (this is my fourth or third language, I seriously do not know this shit) before trying to come up with a reasonable answer, but even more than the technical stuff, I would like to hear what you had to say about BMWNA handling this all?

I'm sorry about your misfortune.

Thank you! Ill let you know soon. Still waiting on what theyre gonna say. So far they havent been nice

[Lups]

Originally Posted by HadiF82

Thank you! Ill let you know soon. Still waiting on what theyre gonna say. So far they havent been nice

After a year of reading this forum, I doubt I'd be either. People whine like I've only heard small boys cry for EVERY GOD DAMN THING. I do think in this case there might be a need for improvement, but I also get why they did the design as they did. Real issues gets forgotten when people listen about some of the stuff seen here on the forum for 8 hours per day.

[991brothers]

Originally Posted by Lups

After a year of reading this forum, I doubt I'd be either. People whine like I've only heard small boys cry for EVERY GOD DAMN THING. I do think in this case there might be a need for improvement, but I also get why they did the design as they did. Real issues gets forgotten when people listen about some of the stuff seen here on the forum for 8 hours per day.

Well dont be quick to assume that I complained about this situation the most. I complained more about the car not being able to go in Neutral, making the tow a nightmare. Another issue they should probably fix

[Lups]

Originally Posted by HadiF82

Well dont be quick to assume that I complained about this situation the most. I complained more about the car not being able to go in Neutral, making the tow a nightmare. Another issue they should probably fix

Dude this was in no way meant against you. I think the neutral issue is weird in general, your complaint is completely logical to me, and makes me happy to have a manual.

I was trying to say that all over the forum you can read posts where people demand answers instead of being nice to the people who deal with shitheads like me all day long. I couldn't take what they do, so they have my sympathies, but as said above, I understand your points very well, and it's a shame the real issues are buried under a pile of shit.

I have said this before, I don't do sneaky bitchiness, so if I had meant this against you, you would know.

[991brothers]

Originally Posted by Lups

Dude this was in no way meant against you. I think the neutral issue is weird in general, your complaint is completely logic to me, and makes me happy to have a manual.

I was trying to say that all over the forum you can read posts where people demand answers instead of being nice to the people who deal with shitheads like me all day long. I couldn't take what they do, so they have my sympathies, but as said above, I understand your points very well, and it's a shame the real issues are buried under a pile of shit. f

I felt that I had a right to make complaint. I made it very professional. Wasnt like I was yelling or demanding anything from them. I just wanted to tell them the situation and hopefully they improve certain things for future models.

Bottom line is that most if not all people have said to me "BMW put plastic there?!". Im not demanding a recall and at the end of the day its a lease and Ill probably get another one if nothing catches my eye(probably going with a manual too like you) and just hope that the car improves. It is the first year after all....

[Lups]

Originally Posted by HadiF82

I felt that I had a right to make complaint. I made it very professional. Wasnt like I was yelling or demanding anything from them. I just wanted to tell them the situation and hopefully they improve certain things for future models.

Bottom line is that most if not all people have said to me "BMW put plastic there?!". Im not demanding a recall and at the end of the day its a lease and Ill probably get another one if nothing catches my eye(probably going with a manual too like you) and just hope that the car improves. It is the first year after all....

LOL I must be answering to all the wrong threads tonight. I'm in so much shit right now, there is no way I'm rising on top of this.

I have no doubt you haven't handled this well. I have my issues with sales people of these, and my complaint was made loud and clear on this forum. I never took it to the BMWNA since my issues were pretty pointless to the most of us. here is my short list.

* two dealerships told me to go get the hubby if I wanted to buy a car/ test drive a car/ order a car. " you can look at the pretty pictures".

* I was pretty clear on what I wanted, and got shown 328 instead of M's.

* My allocation went from under me to a friend of the dealerhips owner. Women are easy to push around.

* My MRSP car ended up with a hefty bonus to the dealership. The news were told to me via text a few days before I was supposed to pick it up. Naturally I took this kindly.

* I'm from Europe, I have always dealt with all this shit on my own, but a friend of mine actually handled the whole damn thing for me after all listed above. He found me the only M4 as a manual in the states. He had also probably told the salesperson not to even to try to give me any shit, since all I heard was "You came" and "Yes mam, I'd be honored to take you to a bank while explaining to you what the fuck (my words, not his) is a check"

Just to make a point. I do understand. I didn't raise a storm, since here apparently men handle cars, we just look pretty. I regret not giving a shit at that point, since to be honest, I did no favors to any female around. That, like yours is a serious complaint that should not be swept away.

[minn19]

OP, I am truly sorry for your bad luck and hope it gets fixed soon. So please don't take offense to me disagreeing with your opinion that this may be a design flaw.

I think it is just the nature of these kinds of cars. Low slung, extra cooling and built to be lightweight for performance etc. I came from an xDrive, which I believe has extra skid plates and obviously higher clearance. I knew I was trading that extra protection by moving to the M3. Hopefully it doesn't keep happening, but I think these problems are an unfortunate part of owning a car like this.

Plus, I don't think the engineers/designers ignored this problem. But, they had to make compromises that didn't disrupt other design elements. Maybe they will revisit this if there is more incidents like this happening and add more protection.

[JoeFromPA]

That was a pretty solid and pointed strike to create damage like that. Wonder what it was.

I think the tray being plastic is fine. The leading edge and front guard of it should be metal or metal over plastic. You need something strong enough to push off minor obstacles or crush them (i.e. big chunks of ice) before they penetrate the radiator, but it can't be expected to stop anything. And without knowing WHAT this was, I'm not inclined to blame BMW for a design issue.

[MFNATIK]

its probably plastic to save weight but I think if it becomes a vulnerable spot, maybe there is potential for a aftermarket aluminum piece to be designed and sold.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

its probably plastic to save weight but I think if it becomes a vulnerable spot, maybe there is potential for a aftermarket aluminum piece to be designed and sold.

Aluminum isn't exactly the strongest material either. I agree with Joe, without knowing what OP hit, we don't know if aluminum would of prevented this either.

[991brothers]

Originally Posted by minn19

OP, I am truly sorry for your bad luck and hope it gets fixed soon. So please don't take offense to me disagreeing with your opinion that this may be a design flaw.

I think it is just the nature of these kinds of cars. Low slung, extra cooling and built to be lightweight for performance etc. I came from an xDrive, which I believe has extra skid plates and obviously higher clearance. I knew I was trading that extra protection by moving to the M3. Hopefully it doesn't keep happening, but I think these problems are an unfortunate part of owning a car like this.

Plus, I don't think the engineers/designers ignored this problem. But, they had to make compromises that didn't disrupt other design elements. Maybe they will revisit this if there is more incidents like this happening and add more protection.

I dont take it as an offense. Saying im a bad driver would be offensive

I posted this so people will be more cautious. Obviously whatever I hit missed my bumper and popped up to severely damage my radiator. I will never know since I did not see it nor saw it when I went back. No cars were in front of me either at the time

Will just call it a freak accident. Thank you for the response. This is a forum and we all have a right to say our opinions and I appreciate the feedback

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

That was a pretty solid and pointed strike to create damage like that. Wonder what it was.

I think the tray being plastic is fine. The leading edge and front guard of it should be metal or metal over plastic. You need something strong enough to push off minor obstacles or crush them (i.e. big chunks of ice) before they penetrate the radiator, but it can't be expected to stop anything. And without knowing WHAT this was, I'm not inclined to blame BMW for a design issue.

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

its probably plastic to save weight but I think if it becomes a vulnerable spot, maybe there is potential for a aftermarket aluminum piece to be designed and sold.

Originally Posted by minn19

Aluminum isn't exactly the strongest material either. I agree with Joe, without knowing what OP hit, we don't know if aluminum would of prevented this either.

I wish it hit my bumper and damaged that. It was hell to see all the fluid spilling and the car not turning on. Towing it was not easy as I said before. That problem should be fixed. I understand the car went into fail safe so it wouldnt go into neutral and damage it more. But I wish there was no parking brake since I always use my Ebrake.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by HadiF82

I dont take it as an offense. Saying im a bad driver would be offensive

I posted this so people will be more cautious. Obviously whatever I hit missed my bumper and popped up to severely damage my radiator. I will never know since I did not see it nor saw it when I went back. No cars were in front of me either at the time

Will just call it a freak accident. Thank you for the response. This is a forum and we all have a right to say our opinions and I appreciate the feedback





I wish it hit my bumper and damaged that. It was hell to see all the fluid spilling and the car not turning on. Towing it was not easy as I said before. That problem should be fixed. I understand the car went into fail safe so it wouldnt go into neutral and damage it more. But I wish there was no parking brake since I always use my Ebrake.

There doesn't seem to be any evidence of that, so why would I say it? It was at night and hard to see so it just sounds like bad luck/timing. Good luck with the repair and hope you are on the road again soon.

You do bring up a good point about the car not being able to go into neutral very easy for towing. This seems to be an ongoing problem with newer BMW's and looks like it does need to be addressed by BMW. (Unless you have an MT of course)

[991brothers]

Originally Posted by minn19

There doesn't seem to be any evidence of that, so why would I say it? It was at night and hard to see so it just sounds like bad luck/timing. Good luck with the repair and hope you are on the road again soon.

You do bring up a good point about the car not being able to go into neutral very easy for towing. This seems to be an ongoing problem with newer BMW's and looks like it does need to be addressed by BMW. (Unless you have an MT of course)

No I wasnt saying you would say that. Ive already been accused of that from "friends" and other group discussions I posted it on and its very ignorant from them.

I really appreciate it. I hope it will be like brand new again since the car is only 4 weeks old.


I just found it very frustrating that not even the mechanics at the dealership could place it into neutral. But now I am thinking about manual transmission for my next BMW...if i dont go with a porsche. Then again theyre using only PDK for theyre GT3

[JoeFromPA]

I'd say in about 3....2.....1..... we'll see a 1/4" steel plate offered by IND, painted to match the body, and priced in accordance with IND pricing guidelines

Seriously though it's pretty common for the aftermarket to provide upgraded skid plates and what not. I really dislike the exposure of that radiator especially since it's an oil cooler (i.e. not an intercooler or even a coolant radiator). I'd worry about messing with airflow if the design changed, but if you keep everyhing the same but just make it out of steel or even REALLY rigid or reinforced plastic of some sort then I think you'd increase the protection pretty dramatically.

However, it sounds like the engine won't start with insufficient oil or oil pressure. If so, that's a pretty cool little feature.

[991brothers]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I'd say in about 3....2.....1..... we'll see a 1/4" steel plate offered by IND, painted to match the body, and priced in accordance with IND pricing guidelines

Seriously though it's pretty common for the aftermarket to provide upgraded skid plates and what not. I really dislike the exposure of that radiator especially since it's an oil cooler (i.e. not an intercooler or even a coolant radiator). I'd worry about messing with airflow if the design changed, but if you keep everyhing the same but just make it out of steel or even REALLY rigid or reinforced plastic of some sort then I think you'd increase the protection pretty dramatically.

However, it sounds like the engine won't start with insufficient oil or oil pressure. If so, that's a pretty cool little feature.

Its funny you mention that because already a couple of guys have thanked me for informing them of whats protecting that radiator underneath, and are gonna have a shop fabricate a piece out of who knows what metal to just add a little more protection.

Im sure theres a nice amount of people that travel far with this car and I cant blame them, its amazing and it will get up to 30 mpg if youre just driving on the freeway. But if something like this were to happen and theyre stuck in the middle of nowhere, it would be dreadful for them

yes that is cool! but let the transmission go into neutral so we can properly tow it!

[RocketBoots]

Wow, this really makes me think twice about even a tiny drop (like Eibach's when they come out).

I too am curious about what you hit; guess we'll never know.

As far as the design, I feel like they had to put those large holes for cooling purposes. That radiator/cooler got pretty bent up; not sure if Aluminum would have helped. They would probably have to make it so thin for weight/cooling might not have mattered. I've replaced a few under-shields (whatever they're officially called) on my E36; even the aftermarket reinforced ones were plastic.

To me, the issue BMW might address is the fact that the car cannot be put into neutral. One more reason to get the 6MT

[lpphreakx06]

We need to engineer like a titanium mesh screen to cover the bottom.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by HadiF82

Its funny you mention that because already a couple of guys have thanked me for informing them of whats protecting that radiator underneath, and are gonna have a shop fabricate a piece out of who knows what metal to just add a little more protection.

Im sure theres a nice amount of people that travel far with this car and I cant blame them, its amazing and it will get up to 30 mpg if youre just driving on the freeway. But if something like this were to happen and theyre stuck in the middle of nowhere, it would be dreadful for them

yes that is cool! but let the transmission go into neutral so we can properly tow it!

I have to say for something to hit that cooler (I'm thinking the oil) without hitting the front bumper is EXTREMELY unlikely...and unlucky. Sorry for your misfortune.

I think that a steel plate, suitably ventilated, would probably be a good idea here. On my old Volvo V70R, there was an aftermarket company selling a skid plate that covered the lower engine bay. Volvo removed the stock piece as it blocked too much airflow, but their piece, in addition to being steel, had NACA ducts on it.

[991brothers]

Originally Posted by RocketBoots

Wow, this really makes me think twice about even a tiny drop (like Eibach's when they come out).

I too am curious about what you hit; guess we'll never know.

As far as the design, I feel like they had to put those large holes for cooling purposes. That radiator/cooler got pretty bent up; not sure if Aluminum would have helped. They would probably have to make it so thin for weight/cooling might not have mattered. I've replaced a few under-shields (whatever they're officially called) on my E36; even the aftermarket reinforced ones were plastic.

To me, the issue BMW might address is the fact that the car cannot be put into neutral. One more reason to get the 6MT

Made me think twice about ordering the Kw spring kit as well.

I really wish I knew. Sorry.

Honestly if the car went into neutral Id probably wouldnt be as pissed off.

Originally Posted by lpphreakx06

We need to engineer like a titanium mesh screen to cover the bottom.

Gonna speak to a shop soon close to my work see what they say they can do...

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I have to say for something to hit that cooler (I'm thinking the oil) without hitting the front bumper is EXTREMELY unlikely...and unlucky. Sorry for your misfortune.

I think that a steel plate, suitably ventilated, would probably be a good idea here. On my old Volvo V70R, there was an aftermarket company selling a skid plate that covered the lower engine bay. Volvo removed the stock piece as it blocked too much airflow, but their piece, in addition to being steel, had NACA ducts on it.

Thank you and its ok. Things happen. Just very unlucky for this situation.

A few people are saying it will add weight, but I really dont care if it does. I rather add a few extra pounds than the awful experience I had to deal with.