Is oil pan gasket leak common problem on 35i?

[Honda]

I am considering buying an X5 but seller mentioned there is seepage from oil pan gasket and causing few drops on the floor. This is kind of not encouraging me to buy the car but it has all options I want so that's why it is still under my consideration.

Is it common issue on X5 35i ? how easy to replace oil pan gasket on X5 35i ?

[Nkponder]

It's a common issue, I believe every N55 engine has this problem.

The fix is expensive as it usually requires pulling the engine to change the gasket. It's usually $800-$1000 to fix, all labor.

You can avoid the fix and just keep an extra quart of oil in the trunk. The iDrive shows you how much oil you have and sends a warning when it gets low.

BTW, the N55 is one of BMW's best engine, so don't let this issue keep you from buying.

That's my 2 cents.

[Lviv777]

There's also an oil filter housing gasket that you have to worry about, but chances are it was changed out already. Otherwise, solid engines.

[Honda]

Originally Posted by Nkponder

It's a common issue, I believe every N55 engine has this problem.

The fix is expensive as it usually requires pulling the engine to change the gasket. It's usually $800-$1000 to fix, all labor.

You can avoid the fix and just keep an extra quart of oil in the trunk. The iDrive shows you how much oil you have and sends a warning when it gets low.

BTW, the N55 is one of BMW's best engine, so don't let this issue keep you from buying.

That's my 2 cents.

I had a 335i before and oil leak from pan was never an issue. Leaks were usually from valve cover gasket and oil filter housing but never from oil pan.

I also had e90 M3 that never leaked from oil pan. Why bmw never addresses oil leak issues on its cars? I have other cars that never oil leaks even at very high mileage. This is just annoying to see oil drops on your floor

[mitch808]

115k miles on my 2012 35i, and it leaks somewhere... random drops. Maybe a qt of oil every few months or so.

[DJ///M5]

I recently replaced the valve cover for my 2011 X5 with n55 motor due to smelling oil burn and leakage on the garage floor. The valve cover gasket towards the exhaust and Turbo becomes brittle over time. I choose to replace the complete valve cover sense the PVC is integrated with the cover.

I didn't want to do the job twice. My x5 has over 100k

N55 is a solid motor, and not difficult to work on vs the V8.

Another area that leaks is the oil filter housing. Do not delay fixing this leak.

So far no leaks from the oil pan.

[Poppyboy]

Never had any leaks on my ‘11 35i (N55). It’s been solid.

[Euromatik7]

I have a 2011 35i, love it btw and will probably do an MHD tune since I have revamped the whole ignition system incl. a 6th injector because of those dang partitions failing and water dumping into the rear of my engine...anyways I believe she was at close to 100k when I went under and noticed a few drops. You can also get away with just tightening up some of those oil pan bolts, not too tight as to over thread but they can become loose and cause seepage. Save time and money, get under the car pick up a tool remove the splash guard and whatever bolts you have access to, tighten to approx. 25nm, you'll thank me later....