[MfiveLeo]

I am in the middle of attempting to change the diff fluid. the drain and fill plugs are on the passeger side of the vehicle, right?

all the diy threads i have found say that they are a 17 mm socket.
on my car it seems to be a 17 mm allen key?? am i looking at the right "plugs"?

TIA

Leo

 

[DouglasABaker]

Hi Leo,

You have the correct plugs. They are on the passenger (US right) side of the vehicle.

We all talk about sockets because it is hard to find a 17mm allen in any form other than socket. I didn't have enough room for the wrench on the socket, so I pressed the allen key out of the socket and then put a box wrench on it. I think I also put a breaker bar on the wrench.

Remember - open the fill plug first, then then drain...

d-

 

[MfiveLeo]

Hi Leo,

You have the correct plugs. They are on the passenger (US right) side of the vehicle.

We all talk about sockets because it is hard to find a 17mm allen in any form other than socket. I didn't have enough room for the wrench on the socket, so I pressed the allen key out of the socket and then put a box wrench on it. I think I also put a breaker bar on the wrench.

Remember - open the fill plug first, then then drain...

d-

Thanks

Although i just purchased a 17 mm allen key, and it is WAY too big. Looks more like a 13-14 mm?

 

[NextCeo]

Thanks

Although i just purchased a 17 mm allen key, and it is WAY too big. Looks more like a 13-14 mm?

Yup i made the same mistake and purchased a 17mm allen key, way to big. I need to change mine as well, would be nice to know the exact size. No more guessing game.

 

[ard]

12mm allen

I got one with a 1/2" drive, and then ground it down so it is *just* long enough to engage the plug fully- this leaves me enough room for a breaker bar with the exhaust right there.

A

 

[MfiveLeo]

mine was a 14mm key. maybe sizes change for different model year M5's

MY00
-Leo

 

[ssittig]

Mine was a 14mm also. Got it in socket form, opened her up no problem. I think there are some gaskets with those plugs that you might consider replacing when you remove them. I think its part 07119963355.

 

[DouglasABaker]

Thanks

Although i just purchased a 17 mm allen key, and it is WAY too big. Looks more like a 13-14 mm?

Ugh, sorry - I forgot I never updated my notes with the different size!

14mm. Easiest thing to do is to get the 3 pack of allen key sockets (14,16,17 I think) from Autozone for about $10...

d-

 

[TopEnd]

14mm is guaranteed to work!

 

[rneedham1979]

if the exhaust is off an allen socket works no problem. If the exhaust is on you can use either a socket or a allen wrench but it can be a pain in the but. I found the best thing to do is get a 14mm allen wrench, cut it and use a ratchet wrench to move the cut allen wrench. It makes everything much easier and much faster!

Ryan