My 2008 535i has started leaking oil pretty badly. After driving it and parking it in my driveway, I have a noticeable puddle of oil under the car.
Took the splash guards off and that big metal plate off from under the engine. Metal plate had a bunch of oil on it.
Ran the engine for a few minutes while I was under the car but couldn't see anything obviously leaking.

Any suggestions on how to locate where the oil is coming from?

Thanks!

 

Check the oil filter housing to see if oil is coming from there. It's a pretty typical thing with these cars.

 

Okay,
took it to my indy: Rear engine seal gone bad. About $950 to repair. Big job, out of my league.
Still about $600 less than the $tealership charges for same thing.

 

While your rear main seal may be leaking I am not so sure that it is your whole problem.

Oil on the metal cover of your car is a long way forward from the rear main seal and relates to the oil filter seal as previously mentioned

My E60 had two terrible oil leaks when i bought it

the metal pan and all the plastic covers were covered in oil

I changed the front oil filter seal first but the rear main seal is still leaking

I have been driving the car for 4 months and have drips from the rear main seal but not one drop is on the front metal cover.

You can easily check the oil filter seal and do it yourself

I wil pull my transmission next month to change the rear seal

 

Actually, metal pan on my car is just below engine/trans mounting point. My indy replaced rear main seal and the problem is solved. The oil was leaking badly there, about 2 qt in one week.

Good luck with yours, and thanks for the input!

 

Great news!
my metal pan is all the way forward so sorry if my information was of no help.

Yes I must pull mine out very soon
Im not looking forward to it but it is the last oil leak to repair so it will be great when its done

I have to do it by myself so i may take pictures and post about it as it may help others have the confidence to do it also.

Again great news about your car!