Losing oil from somewhere, need some help!

[Hawkeye]

Hey guys,
It seems with the new year my car has new problems to go with it, yipeee! (sarcasm)

Over the last two days i have been smelling burnt oil when i get out of the car after driving somewhere, so i had a look around and have been seeing some oil on the ground where i have the car parked, not heaps but enough to see that it has been losing some oil for the past week or so i would say. I jacked the car up today to see if i could see anything under the car and it seems like there is some sort of residue just back from the engine which someone said could be oil that has come out of the engine while driving and coated the underside of the car. Now i couldnt get close to see what it was as i only have the one jack (never get under a car only supported by a jack etc) but i think i might have a crack somewhere that is causing this. any ideas? (will probably take it to the mechanic and see what he says)

Also does anyone have an pictures of what the underside of a 318ti e46 looks like? i think i am missing a plate under the car (when i jacked it up it didnt seem to look right, could just be me though)

thanks guys