Originally Posted by BimmerBreaker

The area you outlined does not see any oil, above it or in that area. There is no oil flowing into the intake manifold. The upside down U shaped piece in that area, just below the intake at rear of block, is a coolant passage. The nearest potential oil leak to the area you outlined is the valve covers.

However valve covers will not be a large leak.



The alternator bracket gasket sees very high pressure oil, this is where they supply oil coolers on other N62 models with those equipped. Without the oil cooler the oil flows into a channel in the alternator bracket and straight back to the engine. This oil is sealed with a rubber gasket and is a common source of leaks.



Locate the alternator and then look at the piece it bolts to. If the leak is from the alternator bracket gasket the oil will be between this piece (the alternator bracket) and the block.