[accel]

I guess a lot of people at the forum change oil sooner than suggested 15k or so interval. So what supplies do you use?

I bought today OEM oil 7qt and OEM oil filter for (before taxes):
OIL : $11.70 / qt * 7
FILTER: $19.94

Yesterday I checked Autozone\Pepboyz and saw Purolator filter for around $15, and BMW approved Castrol 0w30 for $7.50/qt (although either store didn't have enough supply for 7qt oil change).

I guess BMW uses Castrol as their OEM oil (at least OIL cap says they recommend Castrol) so I'd preffer to use Castrol in between paid oil changes for better compatibility... once free services are in the past I'd use any one of the recommended oils.

So, my question #1 - what's your best source for OIL/Filter and approx. prices in your area?

And another question I have which, I guess, will get no answer, but.... :
do you actually have to use Longlife-01 oil if you DO NOT WAIT until 15K to make an oil change? I guess appropriate SAE oil should work damn well for 5-7.5k oil change interval. At least in service and warranty brochure they say API SM or higher is OK if recommended is not avail. May be blackstone oil report would tell?

[noro]

I buy LL-01 oil such as Mobil 1 0W40 at Autozone. The filter I get at egermanparts.com. Any german made brand is good. I like Mann in particular because it generally has the larger filter media.

p.s. I would only use LL-01.

[BTM]

The kit is $62 from Tischer BMW

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

[Houman21]

Tischer. You can order the whole kit for cheap.

[accel]

Originally Posted by BTM

The kit is $62 from Tischer BMW

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

Shoot... this is where I should have bought supplies.... Thanks!

[ttomczak]

Actually, thats not that good a deal...

I bought the filter, 7 qts of oil and the Wrench from BAV and it was only a liitle over 70 bucks...

Going forward, it will only be about 45-50 total...

The other kit does not even supply the special "oil cap wrench" to take off the oil cap...

Check BAV for specials...

[ctuna]

The BMW oil isn't really any more expensive than other aftermarket synthetics and a lot of the Indy BMW shops carry it to.

[NaTuReB0Y]

10 OEM oil filters from Tischer $80 shipped

$4.99/quart Mobil1 0W40 or Castrol 0W30........sale price only(Kragen/Autozone)

I wouldn't pay more than $5.00/quart(before taxes).......

Both are BMW LL-01........

[chowser51]

I wait for Autozone to have sales on the Mobil 1 0W40 LL01 oil.
I think it's like any 5 qts + filter for $30. I buy the filter for my wife's car and I have spare oil from last time. So an oil change for me runs about $45. The first time I bought 10 qts of oil since I needed 7 qts for the change. So now I have three spares sitting in the garage. After this change, I'll have 1 left over and I will have to buy 10 again after that.

I buy filters from either tisher or bavauto. I will probably break down and buy a 10 pack.

I do my own oil change at 7k-8k miles and go back to the dealer when the computer tells me to since it's still free.

ok, i lied, my LT does the oil change because he has a lift in his garage and I just hand him the stuff. he likes working on cars.

[NaTuReB0Y]

Now, the big question............how do you reset the onboard computer after the oil change?

I'll be ready for an oil change change in a couple of weeks, currently at 79,386 miles.

but I have -1,300 miles service light for oil change

[fdriller9]

You don't need an oil cap wrench if you have a strap wrench....just clean the oil filter cap really well so there is no dirt.

Pick up an oil canister to catch the oil....usually under $20 at an auto parts store.

You can reset any (if not all then many) conditional service intervals via the turn signal stalk as per a DIY in the DIY section.

[ska///235i]

Get some rhino ramps and approved oil at auto zone or advance auto
They always have them on sale

[Bcube]

I tend to build relationships with my dealers and negotiate prices:

I pay $5.50 per quart of BMW oil and ~$12 for the OEM filter before taxes.

Recently I bought a new 189 front wheel from my dealer (part in stock - no waiting) and the price after taxes was within $25 of Tischer price + shipping.

I'm rather impatient when it comes to waiting for parts or services, so will rather work with my local dealer. I get good prices and they get a somewhat constant revenue stream from me.

[accel]

Did the change yesterday. Everything is pretty straightforward but drain-bolt is too far under the car - so one has actually to get under the car at least slightly - which is scary for me. I do not have ramps, but I do have jack stands and I used two of them together with my aluminium racing jack. I also dismounted left front wheel so I could reach and see better. Everything else was pretty straightforward.

I paid high price for supplies, but will avoid this next time by ordering online in advance.

[742]

Originally Posted by accel

And another question I have which, I guess, will get no answer, but.... :
do you actually have to use Longlife-01 oil if you DO NOT WAIT until 15K to make an oil change? I guess appropriate SAE oil should work damn well for 5-7.5k oil change interval. At least in service and warranty brochure they say API SM or higher is OK if recommended is not avail. May be blackstone oil report would tell?

The basis of LL01 is the European spec ACEA A3. This is a much tougher/more demanding spec than the American API standards. You are going to have a hard time finding a simple API spec oil that meets the LL01/ACEA A3 HTHS requirements, to cite one simple example.

In Europe the fluid standards are controlled by the car manufacturers -- and it shows. In North America they are controlled by the petroleum industry (look up "API") -- and it shows.

I use API oil in my lawnmower. And I don't like my lawnmower.

[Bcube]

Dealer was running a special this weekend. $65 and a minor inspection and car wash/vacuum. No computer hook up at this price, which was fine as this was an interim oil change and I didn't want the oil counter reset.