Ordering a Fumoto valve for my 08 535i, does anyone have a photo of the drain plug area or know if the adapter is necessary? Basically, is the drain plug recessed?

Just as FYI, this is a used car and I forgot what the underside looked like last time I changed the oil. And I can't find anything on google to save my life (specifically pertaining to the N54 engine).

 

seeing how low the pan is to the ground, i dont think i'd install a fumoto.

 

I installed the F109S valve with the adapter. Makes draining the oil with the plastic tube attached a clean and quick job.

 

Yes, you need the adapter.

 

Great thanks. Anyone have problem of it being too low? Should be just fine for the city driving.

 

It doesn't mount low at all. It screws in horizontally and sits well above the under body panel.

 

the 6 cylinder plug is horizontal? ah ok. the v8 points down.

 

I think it's position depends on the engine. My 2006 530xi N52 oil drain plug is on the bottom of the pan. I thought about installing the value, but I decided it would stick out too much. Even running over a good ice patch in the winter could snag it, I felt.

 

Meh, for something that will save you a tiny bit of time when you change your oil every 7-8k miles. However if that's what you want then go for it.

 

It's not just about the tiny bit of time it saves. If you've changed the oil in your 535i yourself you know that you need to fashion a splash shield out of something like cardboard to keep the oil from shooting out on top of the plastic underbody panel when you remove the drain plug. Now all I do is undo the cover plate, swing down the drain tube, and open the valve. No crafting a splash shield each time, no spills to clean up or oil-soaked cardboard to dispose of, no replacing the crush washer each time, and no more worrying about over-torquing the drain plug / stripping the oil pan.