Oil Pan Removal

[tally]

I am having difficulty removing oil pan from 1995 525i.
Bentley's book states that it can be done without removing
engine or suspension. I can not get it passed the suspension.
Am I missing something?

Thx

Tally

[Jeron]

If it's like the E36 you have to drop the front subframe.

You don't actually remove anything but you have to support the engine from above and unbolt the engine mounts, steering column linkage and the front suspension in a couple of places to let it hang down.

The 5-series may be different.

[tally]

That sounds complicated. Can I remove Cross bar that transmission is
supported on instead? If I can drop this a inch I think I would be in
business.

Thx.

[Jeron]

I'm not familiar with your model.

In general the problem is that the engine is mounted very low and the oil pump hangs down into the oil pan several inches so you cant slide the oil pan back without dropping it 4-6 inches which is prevented by the front subframe.

On the E36, dropping the tranny support would not help at all.

[Yurick]

On an E30, you would actually loosen and drop the oil pump into the pan and then remove the pan with the pump in it.