Reinforcement plate/oil drain missing cover

[MrMaico]

If you're OCD like me and it bothers you that the cover in the reinforcement plate (where you access your oil drain plug) is missing, even though your dealer will tell you they are NLA, you can still get one to fit. It's not really missing, they just stopped installing them at some point. Part numbers are: 51617199687 for the cover and screw and 07146981767 for the c-clip. These parts are listed as being for a Z4 actually. It should work for both coupes and sedans since they both use the same reinforcement plate.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BU53&mospid=49305&btnr=51_4957&hg=51&fg=80&hl=13

http://klinquist.smugmug.com/photos/420602811_vPEBq-M.jpg

I installed one on mine a while back so I can confirm this is the right one. Cost about $6. I sleep so much better at night knowing this cover is there.:biggrin

Barry

[danewilson77]

Great thread. That's one of those "not so easy...items to find" on real oem...

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[MrMaico]

Great thread. That's one of those "not so easy...items to find" on real oem...

Droid! Srs Legitness!

Yup, I almost ordered one for an M3 thinking it would be the same as ours but someone, I think it was KrisL, caught my mistake and gave me the correct numbers. Who'da thunk a Z4 part would be the one we need.

[kayger12]

Great info, Barry. I will be ordering it up. Has always bugged me that it's not there.

[MasterC17]

Hmm, I ordered one for the older E46's and it mostly fits (just not long enough). I'll have to order this one. Thanks for the info!

[gr330zhp]

Yes! I was looking for one too! Thanks Barry!

I wonder if mine just never had one, or the PO removed/lost it

[spencers]

Ha! Mine was gone when I bought the car. A few months ago, I ordered the cover, screw, and mounting clip for no more than $6. Good as new!

Didn't realize it's NLA now. Glad there's an alternative.

[MasterC17]

Ha! Mine was gone when I bought the car. A few months ago, I ordered the cover, screw, and mounting clip for no more than $6. Good as new!

Didn't realize it's NLA now. Glad there's an alternative.

You can still get them for cars before (03?), but they did not offer one for the newer reinforcement plate. Apparently, they did for the Z4 however and it will work.

[rikdee]

I was at the local dealer this morning for another matter. Saw this thread on their customer waiting-area computer, walked over to the parts counter, and bought it on the spot (in stock - six bucks). Nice.

[MrMaico]

Actually that NLA comment was more of an assumption on my part since realoem shows it in the part diagram for the E46 but doesn't show any part numbers for it.


I was at the local dealer this morning for another matter. Saw this thread on their customer waiting-area computer, walked over to the parts counter, and bought it on the spot (in stock - six bucks). Nice.

Cool, we're even now :).....I think it was you that had posted about the shock tower covers I picked up a while back. I'm a little surprised they had it in stock.

[rikdee]

Herr Maico,

Yeah, I was too surprised, in stock; no way! And yes, glad you liked the s/t covers; an inexpensive yet elegant solution to an ugly little problem....

Rick

[danewilson77]

Just following up....

So, as summary, the only two part numbers you need are
07146981767 (screw clip)
and
51617199687 (trap door including screw and washer)

Trap Door
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES127041/ES127041/

Clip
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES16687/ES16687/

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/Trapdoor3.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/Trapdoor2.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/Trapdoor.jpg

Good day!

[kayger12]

You know, I spend more money when you post stuff... I swear, lol.

[danewilson77]

You know, I spend more money when you post stuff... I swear, lol.

Hehe.. Just wanted this very key info stored on the site for the family.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[LivesNearCostco]

Awesome... added to my "to buy" list for the next time I order parts. Otherwise still debating whether next mod should be strut tower brace, intake, or coilover conversion.

[JohnnyGraphic]

Great info to have. But the truly OCD would 'distress' the new piece to match the original piece. :)

[kayger12]

Great info to have. But the truly OCD would 'distress' the new piece to match the original piece. :)

Don't think it didn't cross my mind...

[MrMaico]

No, I think the TRULY OCD would get a new reinforcement plate to match the new cover door.:biggrin

Or take the Porter Cable to the old one and polish it up nice and shiny.

[Hochspannung]

+1

do it lol

[WOLFN8TR]

Thanks Dane, my cover was missing when I bought the car. I just ordered a bunch of stuff from ECS and it's already on the way. Oh well next order .

[CERF04ZHP]

Just following up....

So, as summary, the only two part numbers you need are
07146981767 (screw clip)
and
51617199687 (trap door including screw and washer)

Trap Door
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES127041/ES127041/

Clip
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/ES16687/ES16687/

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/Trapdoor3.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/Trapdoor2.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/Trapdoor.jpg

Good day!

This, for a saloon?

[danewilson77]

This, for a saloon?

All e46

[CERF04ZHP]

All e46

Perfect. Been trying to hunt this down for ages.

[Lanister]

Just got mine installed. OCD in full effect :thumbsup

[ELCID86]

I think ECS has free shipping going now. And I'd promised myself I would get one of these --liar!


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).

[ELCID86]

Oh. I think it's Bav Auto with free shipping


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).