M35 Aluminum Under Tray - Test Fitting

[tollboothwilley]

looks sexy under there

[calidoso]

Fellow M35x owners with the tray currently installed,

Forst i would like to say that i definitelt do appreciate the hard work put into making the aluminum tray. With that being said,

I had to get my first oil change done since installing the tray. Of course i immediately asked the mechanic if the tray made it convienient for to get to the location without having to remove the old plastic tray.

He said it was definitely way better than having to unscrew the old piece, but he did mention it made it alot messier. I was curious and had him show me what he was talking about.

As soon as you remove the screw from the oil pan it shoots out onto the lip of the door instead of a clear shot through the door. Which makes the oil go everwhere inside.

Now im just curious if anyone else has this issue and is dealing with it?

[Ilya]

I had the same issue, but I was the test fitter and didn't have the final revision of the product. Perhaps you got one that matched mine and the latest design that TBW is the one that works.

[svard75]

yup. same problem here. unfortunately there isn't much that can be done. at least the plastic tray was flexible so they could pull it back while draining. the opening should be twice the size it is width wise and closer to the passengers side edge. the guys had a hard time cleaning up the spilled oil. great tray for the rwd cars but IMO awds should avoid.

[tollboothwilley]

I'm sorry to hear this. Having not actually seen the M35X in person we have done all the fitting via picture and vicariously through Ilya. Adjustments were made which were believed to make the oil door functional.

What about this as a solution: http://www.ezoildrainvalve.com/ something like this would allow to redirect the oil flow

[Ilya]

I'm sorry to hear this. Having not actually seen the M35X in person we have done all the fitting via picture and vicariously through Ilya. Adjustments were made which were believed to make the oil door functional.

What about this as a solution: http://www.ezoildrainvalve.com/ something like this would allow to redirect the oil flow

I can concur with TBW.

It's not from a lack of trying folks or poor manufacturing on TBW's part. TBW can attest to this. He probably spent $300 in shipping like 5 different shields to me and I sent him probably 30-40 pictures over the time we were in testing.

The way the AWD is designed is just poor (the shield goes right up against the frame or whatever in that spot). Sounds like even with the latest revisions TBW made after I provided him with that feedback, it's still an issue. If TBW was to eliminate that lip, it would not allow the shield to be structurally sound. I ended up buying the valve (with a hose) he links above and it worked great, before I traded-in the car lol.

Regardless, I'd get the shield just for the protection it provides (for us lowered guys) vs the OEM shiznit. To me, that alone was worth the money. I once hit a manhole cover on a not yet paved road in Charlotte, NC that I could have SWORE tore something...it came real close and the sound it made when it hit my exhaust flange was BRUTAL. I'm actually waiting for one for my M56x...can't wait to get that protection .

[CPJ LB]

thanks for the link on the drain plug valve/hose!!! I'll be getting one for all of my cars -- just makes life easy with draining the oil.

As far as the TBW Under Tray is concerned, I still stand by the product and it has protected my undercarriage on a couple occasions. My car is lowered on Eibachs so the extra protection is great! If the AWD and RWD guys are having issues with draining the oil thru the oil pan door, just remove the second section of the under tray -- leaving the front section attached to the front bumper -- I think it's still less screws to remove as compared to the plastic OEM under tray.... just a thought....

Anyway, if I still have my M by the time we move to CT next year, I'll be very glad to have the under tray ready for the 'wicked' East Coast weather...