300M and oil changes: always some oil dripping?

I usually get some old oil on the front subframe of my 300M during a filter change. I never smell oil burning. Check the filler cap and make sure it is on tight, maybe the PCV valve and dipstick too.

The LH cars have several tranny and engine oil cooler lines that have clamped-rubber-hose-to-metal-line joints right at the radiator (driver's side) that are famous for leaking (almost guaranteed to) after a couple of years. They are hard to get to to tighten, but may be the source of your leaking. Any oil/ATF that leaks gets blown back to cover the underside of the oil pan, etc. Not sure that that is the source of what you're observing, and I know you said that it is related to oil changes, but worth considering/checking.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

If done at my dealer, there was always a mess. One time it was smoking so bad I drove the 300M back to make sure a fire wasn't imminent.

Yes, that's my experience as well. I don't need to have my car undercoated or oil-sprayed.

What exactly is the oil hitting that's so hot? Exhaust pipes?

I used to know but my in-laws have that car now, half a east coast away and I don't remember exactly what got covered with oil.

UGH. Never had that but the fake chrome or plastic came off of the door handle.

I also needed front brakes including rotors. I only had 26K miles. Is this normal?

No, but not unheard of.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address with the letter 'x')

I had rotors turned around 45k miles. There should have been enuf metal for one turning.