[mingus]

150k on my car, just a few drops of oil, I've been told it's the oil pan gasket.

is it possible to just tighten it, or is it time to replace it?

the car is in nice shape, oil changed every 5k since new, doesn't burn a drop. (only leaks it)

[stein_325i]

Eh, only if its a significant amount of oil leaking. I've learned from my experience of buying BMW's they're going to leak oil no matter what. If you can do the work yourself that's even better.

[Kitzhabersucks]

After 150k miles and 14 years, that original gasket has held up well to this point.
If you were to pull that pan and take a look at that gasket, it will likely be fairly brittle so that odds are against solving your leak by tightening it. Long term, you're better off replacing the gasket.
NOW.. that being said...
IF you want to see if tightening it will temporarily postpone the replacement, start by putting a socket on the bolt on either side of the leak. Just make sure they are snug, don't torque them just yet. Now you can tighten the one (or two) closest to the leak, but again just snug. Go all the way around just like you would if you were to tighten a wheel, alternating from side to side.
The idea would be to put equal pressure on your old and brittle gasket.
Pinching it at the leak is what you're trying to avoid. Once they have all been equally snugged up, then you can start to torque them down.
Good luck Sir

[mingus]

Thanks for this, I was in So Cal for a few days and my mechanic there needed some PC work, it was a partial barter and he replaced it.

now a strut mount is rattling!

Thanks again