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      01-20-2014, 12:44 AM   #1
StickMon
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Question Magnetic Drain Plugs

I'm shopping for magnetic drain plugs.
Have the ECS oil plug, but having seen threads saying that they snapped off or the magnet fell out, I think I'm going to can it and go with Dimple.

Can somebody verify these sizes?
Bavauto seems fuzzy on all but the diff plug.
On the oil and trans part numbers I get:
"Warning! The part number you searched for has not been verified to fit a 2006 Z4 M Roadster. Click here for more information..."

Oil: M12x1.5x18
Trans: M18x1.5x12
Diff: M22x1.5x9
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      01-20-2014, 02:26 AM   #2
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My trans plug ('06 MC) is M18. I have three Dimple plugs in my C63…well worth getting IMO.
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      01-21-2014, 06:18 PM   #3
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those look really nice. i've wanted a magnetic drain plug, but always afraid to use the pos ECS ones.

Where do you get replacement crush washers?
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      01-21-2014, 06:33 PM   #4
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New crush washers come with your new oil filter.
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      01-21-2014, 06:36 PM   #5
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good call. i usually replace the oem plug and was thinking they came with the plug.
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      01-21-2014, 09:33 PM   #6
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Those look like quality plugs. May have to get one for the next oil service.
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      01-21-2014, 09:59 PM   #7
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Duh. Just remembered I have a sack of old plugs and this is why I bought a caliper.
The diff checks, but the stock oil plug is 12mm long, not 18mm.
Conversely, the stock trans plug is 18mm long, not 12mm.
Hmmmm. Now I see where Bavauto's coming from.
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      01-22-2014, 10:19 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
Duh. Just remembered I have a sack of old plugs and this is why I bought a caliper.
The diff checks, but the stock oil plug is 12mm long, not 18mm.
Conversely, the stock trans plug is 18mm long, not 12mm.
Hmmmm. Now I see where Bavauto's coming from.
do keep us updated with what you go with and how well it works out...got a oil change coming up this spring and want to do the drain plug swap as well...
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      01-22-2014, 11:26 AM   #9
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The oil plug should be fine. I don't think the extra length is an issue.
I seem to remember the ECS was long, too
Not so sure about the trans. I want to make sure it uses all the available thread.
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      01-22-2014, 12:26 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StickMon View Post
The oil plug should be fine. I don't think the extra length is an issue.
I seem to remember the ECS was long, too
Not so sure about the trans. I want to make sure it uses all the available thread.
Searching for a 2006 M3 on Bavauto, you get the M12x1.5x12mm drain plug for $26.95. I'd rather have the business end of the magnet as close to the bottom of the pan as possible. Sound right?
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      01-22-2014, 12:59 PM   #11
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Thanks!!
I was just thinking, the ECS plug is aluminum, which is why they break off, but it also means the swarf will only stick to the magnet, not the plug.
I'm pretty sure the Dimple plugs are steel, so exposed thread in the sump will end up with swarf stuck to it and possibly jam when you try to unscrew it.

I saw an M12x1.5x12 on Dimple's website, but I wasn't sure about the sealing face.
It's for "DUCATI WATER COOLED ENGINES".
They're also hawking one in that size on their main page for 2014 Indian bikes.

When I search Bavauto, I get:
Showing products for 2006 M3.
...
M12 x 1.5 x 18 mm long.
Part Number SS M12X1.5

Wow, if I use the left side menu to drill down from "oils and lubricants" I get a different result:
Showing products for 2006 M3.
...
M12 x 1.5 x 12 mm long.
Part Number SS M12X1.5X12

So I guess that settles the oil plug. No luck searching Bavauto for "ss m18x1.5x18", so the trans is still debatable.
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      01-22-2014, 01:17 PM   #12
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Yeah, based on this, i'm going to order the

M12 x 1.5 x 12 mm long.
Part Number SS M12X1.5X12

and see how it goes...
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      01-22-2014, 02:59 PM   #13
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Just to add to the confusion I checked the length of a brand new, never used transmission drain plug sourced from my dealer years ago. It's 18mm.
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      01-22-2014, 03:09 PM   #14
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That's what I measured on an old one, too.
Doesn't look like Dimple has an 18mm.

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

The 12mm might work. Need to know what the thread depth of the trans drain is.
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      01-22-2014, 04:05 PM   #15
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I counted threads on the new unused dealer plug…there are 9. Dimple has a M18x1.5x"long" plug under "Volvo" that has 11 threads plus a tiny extrusion of the magnet. I see it listed with a 21mm length on the "purchase by thread size" page.

http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/volvo.php
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      01-22-2014, 05:23 PM   #16
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FWIW I've spoken to Richard (Pres. of Dimple) before. I'm pretty sure he'd be open to a run of custom length trans plugs given a minimum quantity or if he decides it's a viable stock option going forward. Something to think about.
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      01-24-2014, 12:28 PM   #17
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Just bought the oil and diff plugs from bavauto.
ss m12x1.5x12
ss m22x1.5
The 2nd gear crumbs in the trans will have to wait.
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