[John_01]

I don't think there is much point in flushing as you wrote unless you are going to fill the engine and start it up.

[john_e90bimmer]

Thanks for the DIY. I used UltraRamps 6500 with the UR2000 extensions. Thanks for the tip to put a rubber mat under ramps so they don't slide.

[red_eg]

sweet diy!

[chowser51]

my '06 325xi also has the drain hole pointing straight done. used a strap wrench to get the filter off. wasn't too bad. went real easy. did it at my boss' house (he has a lift in his garage)

[georgelb]

Nice write-up; I'm going to send you a PM with some details on image hosting.

Edit: Well, I guess I can't use the PM system yet; you can drop me a line if you want somewhere to host the images.

PM Sent, email removed

[jeffvb9]

Originally Posted by Lagger1

I just did my first last week, same as post #49. Lowered on pro-kit w/ 19's and the 2-ton jack fit under rear jack point with like 1/4" clearance. No ramps needed.

Also, I recommend this filter wrench

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...=filter+wrench

Buy it at Autozone for $8.99. WAY better than straps or jaws. $30 cap removal tools are overrated. GL

That filter wrench is great if you like tearing up the filter cap itself. I'll stick with the $20 cap wrench and be able to tighten it to spec.

[M3 Eater]

Oh my GOD. How do you get the oil filter cap to turn.... how do they do it at the dealership??? and do you turn clockwise or counter clockwise.... there are contradictions throught this thread.... I really need an answer and some insight on how to get this damn thing off. left loosy has always been my model... and i have turned with all my might, gloves, and oil filter strap... Am I freakin nuts ??? there is an arrow here but someone said that was the direction to tighten.... lefty loosey how do you get a hold of this damn thing??? I bought 2 penzoil straps, wrap them around and they just spin on this damn thing.... I am a bit slow when it comes to really really easy things... its frustrating but Im used to it.... so some one tell me whats the secret??:

[aah78]

Originally Posted by M3 Eater

Oh my GOD. How do you get the oil filter cap to turn.... how do they do it at the dealership??? and do you turn clockwise or counter clockwise.... there are contradictions throught this thread.... I really need an answer and some insight on how to get this damn thing off. left loosy has always been my model... and i have turned with all my might, gloves, and oil filter strap... Am I freakin nuts ??? there is an arrow here but someone said that was the direction to tighten.... lefty loosey how do you get a hold of this damn thing???

I use the Oil Filter Wrench (BMW P/N: 83 30 0 493 936) with a 1-1/8" (or 29mm) socket mated to a 1/2" drive wrench.

[swin500]

Just use a pair of really big pliers and a rag. You might spend $25 on the pliers, but they are at least useful for other things.

[JamesAT]

Just a question? how much oil does it take?

[roc_E90]

Good question.

[John_01]

from experience, I drained 6.3 litres out of mine which is a 325i. Officially the figure is supposed to be 6.5 litre, which is equivalent to 6.9 quarts.

[iflyjetzzz]

Originally Posted by JamesAT

Just a question? how much oil does it take?

I'd recommend putting in 6qts and then waiting until the computer gives you an indication of how much more oil is needed. Then top off as necessary.
I ran my engine for ~5 minutes before I finally got a reading; another reason why I would prefer a dipstick. It reads full - I put in a bit more than 6.5qts. I now wish that I had stopped at 6qts. The guage doesn't read overfull, but I would've felt better if it read a bit less than full.

I just changed my oil today. The mechanic at the dealership must've been Magilla Gorilla. I had to use an extender bar on the socket wrench to get the drain plug moving - apparently the grease monkey doesn't understand the concept of a crush washer. I had the same problem with the filter; it was overtightened by ~3/16" based on the paint markings.

I just bought the car last week; 40K mi. Just a bit more than 11K mi and ~13 months since the last change. The car sat on the dealer's lot for almost 3 months with only ~100 miles put on it. The oil was very dirty.
The computer says that I'm due for another oil change in 4000 miles. I'm happy with that; it'll be my last change under the free mx plan. After that, I'll change it every 7500 miles or so - for me, that'll be just under a year between changes.

[MELLO]

So I did my oil change yesterday and I was told by the auto parts store that the vehicle used Lucas Synthetic 5w30 oil. They didn't have it and I figured fully synthetic oil is fully synthetic oil so I used Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil with oem oil filter .Should I drain and refill with lucas sythetic or bmw oil ?






I have a 2006 bmw 525i . I know this is for 3 series but the 5 series section seems to be lacking ....

[mags]

I did my change yesterday, a little messier than I thought, the big surprise for me was how far the oil shoots out of the oil pan hole once you open it up.
Took 6.5 quarts, BC says it is at max. Engine running less noisy (or my brain is fried from the fumes )

Thanks to all the guys who post nice DIY

Awesome DIY

[bmw6953]

"So I did my oil change yesterday and I was told by the auto parts store that the vehicle used Lucas Synthetic 5w30 oil. They didn't have it and I figured fully synthetic oil is fully synthetic oil so I used Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil with oem oil filter .Should I drain and refill with lucas sythetic or bmw oil "

Change it back to the BMW oi. For the pirce or infirior oils at the local autoparts store might as well pay for the bmw oil it cost the same if not less. I persnaly would not riskt running anything else.

[John_01]

If it is Mobil 1 0W40, then it has BMW LL01 rating so its perfectly fine.

If it is Mobil 5W30, then I don't think it has LL01 rating - probably ok if you don't run it for extrg long BMW drain intervals. Personally I'd stick the the BMW LL01 rated stuff. I am not aware of special oil requirements from BMW for cold climates.

[iflyjetzzz]

Originally Posted by mags

I did my change yesterday, a little messier than I thought, the big surprise for me was how far the oil shoots out of the oil pan hole once you open it up.

I noticed that too; the oil overshot my pan initially.

Originally Posted by John_01

If it is Mobil 1 0W40, then it has BMW LL01 rating so its perfectly fine.

If it is Mobil 5W30, then I don't think it has LL01 rating - probably ok if you don't run it for extrg long BMW drain intervals. Personally I'd stick the the BMW LL01 rated stuff. I am not aware of special oil requirements from BMW for cold climates.

I think that the LL01 rating allows you to leave the oil in there for extended periods of time. I used Castrol Syntec when I changed the oil; it's not LL01. I hit the 'mandatory' oil change and just had it changed on BMW's dime yesterday. That should be my last change prior to 50K miles.
I don't plan on using LL01; instead, I'll change my oil at least once a year and 7000 miles. LL01 = long life. If I change my oil at least once a year with oil that's already certified to last a year (all synthetics), why bother with LL oil?
I plan on using Castrol Edge 5W-30. I'd go with Mobil 1, but after Exxon bought Mobil, I've read stuff indicating that they're using inferior ingredients in Mobil 1.


EDIT: I just had my oil changed at the dealer under the maintenance warranty. The service menu on my nav screen now states that I need another oil change 9/2012 or 25,000 miles from now. I didn't own the car for the last oil change; did the service menu read 25,000 miles on oil changes prior to September? That's way excessive.

[ararefind]

Just wanted to thank you for the posting and picture of oil change . Couldn't have done it with out your assistance.

[dd330i]

I attempted to change my oil today but ran into a problem jacking up the car...I couldn't find a spot to fit my jackstand under. For example I have my 3 1/2 ton michelin floor jack on the dedicated lift point (front left side) and I can't find another suitable spot for my jack stand as almost the entire bottom of the car is covered in plastic. I raised the car quite high on the front left side and tried fitting a jack stand on the rear left side lift point but the stands wouldn't fit. Then I was worried of the load the entire right side of the car was experiencing due to the left side jacked so high and let her down.
Apologize for the drawing, just in case anyone didn't know what I was talking about.

[M3 Eater]

I cannot express how disgusted I am with BMW Service. Without my permission, BMW drained my oil and put in more and then tightened my drain bolt so much that its never coming out..... I have tried every wrench, socket, everything to try to get this damn thing off and now I have stripped the damn bolt. I never tightened it this much....Its not the way I left it and I cannot express ......oh I said that. Unbelievable......I mean unfucking believable how tight this thing is. They have no business touching my shit..... I have told them, and told them and told them not to touch my shit without my permission!!!! I need to get it in writing.... when I come in for a fucking headlight....do not not not fucking not touch any GODDAMN thing else. I don't care who you think you are or how much a service you think you might be doing me. Every time I go near a damn dealership they end up messing me up big-time. I was looking forward to my oil change, I was going to put in a drain plug that drains without tools... I was going to enjoy my car and they have done it again. I just spent the last hour trying to get this damn drain plug out...its a fucking bolt for god sakes....nothing should cause this much aggravation.....lefty loosy for god sakes.. I used to body build and bench 365 for reps and I cant turn a damn wrench???

[M3 Eater]

wow...it took a hammer to get that bitch off.... I was about to loose it for sure. Hammer and some very accurate strikes to the end of 17mm wrench whilst holding the head of the wrench on the bolt with my thumb. The casing around the bolt only allows room for a thin walled open end wrench while using the closed end. Even my sockets were too thick to lock on the bolt without being pushed away by the oil case...I imagine its easier if the car is on a lift and you can pull with both hands while standing. Much different on your back with your hands up by your face. Waah Waaaa. Had to bitch, hope the drain plug I bought to go in its place fits properly...