Where Does This Part Go?

[ozarkbikeracer1]

I've got a 96 328 automatic convertible. After looking through realOEM.com, I discovered a couple of parts that I knew my newly-acquired 'vert didn't have. Figuring that the previous owner/owners or the dealer didn't replace some things after working on it, I took a chance and bought one, called "covering lower", with a part number of 51 71 8 179 954. For the life of me, I can't figure out where it goes. Anyone on here know? Also, I was thinking about buying another one called "connecting support" with a part number of 51 71 2 693 023, but now I'm a bit leery. Does that one fit on here somewhere obvious? Thanks for all your help.

[m3yellowm3]

if u bought this part knowing it was missing, shouldent u know where it goes?if not then how did u know it was missing in the first place?

[ozarkbikeracer1]

As I said in my original post, the part showed on RealOEM.com as coming stock on my car. After changing oxygen sensors, tranny fluid & filter, and differential fluid, I didn't see anywhere under my car that I had this part in place. So I took a chance and ordered it, thinking it would be obvious where it would mount. Well, it's not... to me, anyway. That's why I was asking for help.

[palomino]

I've got a 96 328 automatic convertible. After looking through realOEM.com, I discovered a couple of parts that I knew my newly-acquired 'vert didn't have. Figuring that the previous owner/owners or the dealer didn't replace some things after working on it, I took a chance and bought one, called "covering lower", with a part number of 51 71 8 179 954. For the life of me, I can't figure out where it goes. Anyone on here know? Also, I was thinking about buying another one called "connecting support" with a part number of 51 71 2 693 023, but now I'm a bit leery. Does that one fit on here somewhere obvious? Thanks for all your help.
in the diagram, they look like the same part, but they have different names & prices. regardless though, its just a panel that goes beneath the oil pan area. it should have a cut-out so that you can access the drain plug without removing the panel. i believe the early convertibles have them instead of the x-shaped cross brace that is shown in the same parts diagram. your car should already have that cross brace and it shouldn't need these parts that you bought. if your dealer wont take them back and/or if you have a place to mount them up though, by all means go for it. i wouldn't recommend removing the cross brace to install that though. there's a reason bmw stopped using that and started using the brace. :dunno

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=717329

[ozarkbikeracer1]

Maybe you've put your finger on my problem! I don't have ANY kind of panel under the car around the oil pan; it's all open. I do have the cross-brace there, however. That's why I've wondered how much might be missing underneath. I'm not certain what is supposed to be on a '96 as compared to my other BMW, which is a 2001 330ci. Sometimes things get added to a series as the years go on. Could it be that the "connecting support" (PN #51 71 2 693 023) is my missing panel? I can't get any sense of the size of that part from the picture on RealOEM.com. Thanks for your help. I have enjoyed many of your posts on here, and have put lots of your suggestions and tips to good use.

[palomino]

Thanks. :)

I have never noticed a piece like the straight bar beneath my car, and i've spent quite a bit of time beneath it. my car doesn't have the panel either - just the cross brace. i have 330ci as well, and i know it has that big panel with the little plastic door for changing the oil. i think that panel that you bought is the closest thing to the e46 panel, but its not required. maybe you can install it with the x-brace? i dont know. but if theres only room for one or the other, id stick with the x-brace.

[ozarkbikeracer1]

For sure, I'll stick with the cross brace. I failed to mention that the piece I bought is made from fairly thin aluminum. I can bend it easily with my hands if I tried, so I know it is only a shield of some kind. It has no structural strength at all.