I have a 2001 BMW 330Ci..It has been dripping oil for about six months now. Several mechanics have had trouble locating the source of the leak. My oil engine light comes on for 30 seconds every time I start the vehicle then goes off. The oil levels have not been low. I had the gasket replaced that houses the oil filter and the leak stopped for a few months. My car is currently in the shop and they still can't find the source of the leak. Any ideas?

Dear,
Check th below:
1)Check if the torx screw -(it's a screw that allow you to drop out the Engine oil)- is not dripping out any oil.
2) check if the crank shaft sealing is ok.
3) check if the oil pan is cracked or not (especially if you made any accident).
4) check if the oil filter is mounted properly and sealed very well.
5) if the oil is not dipping out of your car but it disappear after short period that means that your engine rings should be replaced or the engine needs an overhaul.
Regards, Eng. Ghassan Alasmar

Im not sure if you are still complaining of a leak or a low oil level warning when level is good. did they replace the oil filter gasket or the oil filter housing gasket. the housing gasket is a common leak that can easily be misdiagnosed because oil runs down the block and can look like a lower oil pan gasket or even a rear main gasket leak.if the oil level is good you need to replace the oil level sensor on the bottom of the oil pan and if it has never been done this paticular year of e46 can have this problem because of an instrument cluster coding issue and you should have the cluster encoded if the level sensor doesnt fix your problem