E90 Oil Change (DIY)

I would like to share my experience of changing the oil in my 2006 BMW 325i (e90) with sport package. My car has only 2300 miles on it, but I thought I should do a post break-in period oil change. ...

Just changed my oil - thanks for the instructions. Here in Europe BMW will only sell you the new Castrol LL04 oil - 18 euros a liter! At the current exchange rate, that is about 22 USD...I searched everywhere in the US, apparently it is not yet available....

Yes, LL04 is the latest standard, and is a requirement for diesel E90 with particle filters.

Its not available in all markets yet

I have a 325i with a stick and sport package and I just changed my oil at 1600 miles following this great post. I used the 12000 lb Rhino Ramps and had no problems with slipping or tire width. My drain bolt is painted black and parallel to the ground. With a little touch up paint the dealer will never know, imo. The oil looked pretty clean but I am happy I dropped it anyway. I live in Houston where the heat and humidity take a toll on a vehicle. Interestingly, my wife has an '06 Infiniti G35 sedan and the dealer provides 24 months free service. Based on our climate they recommend and will change the oil at 3750 miles (non-synthetic).

By the way, as an owner of an '06 BMW and '06 G35, I can say with the utmost conviction that Inifiniti is not the "Japanese BMW" as my sales rep said. The G35's 270 hp engine provides a lot of low end torque but if that's all you want buy a Mustang. The handling isn't even close. Additionally, BMW's seats and leather quality are superior to Infiniti. (My G has the premium package without navigation.) In fact, the interior in the G is somewhat cheap looking.

so hey E90fleet, do you possibly know if changing the oil is a no no from a warranty standpoint, or not? Not asking if the tech would notice, but specifically speaking, would it void the warranty?

Thanks!

Id say only if you did something wrong that caused a problem

Hi fleet - do you know if this oil is good for a non-particulate filter car?

haven't changed the oil yet. I would like to do it myself (mostly for fun), but I don't want to do it if it's going to void something, or cause an issue down the line.

Great job, i am still wondering what does breakin oil change mean, the owners manual does not mention anything like that.

Break-in oil change is an oil change around the end of the break-in period (1200 miles or so). BMW does not mention it in the manual because it's not recommended by them or covered by the maintenance plan.

I've read all 5 pages and could not find an answer to this one. If the dealer performs the 1st oil change say at 6K miles and I pay for it. Will they reset the computer so that the 1st scheduled oil change occurs now at around 21K miles? Or will they perform the oil servie at 15K and pay for it? Thanks.

Yes.

just did my first oil change on the E90, woohoo! It was cool to "get my hands dirty" again.

E90 wraith, thanks for all the awesome pics!

found a site to buy oil and filter called bavauto.com
prices seem ok.
can anyone recommend these guys or an additional site or two for comparison. would rather just order this stuff online than talk to the dealer.

thanks

i've bought from them before. good prices. I would check out www.turnermotorsports.com. There oil filter is cheaper and you can drool over the header and exhaust package.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=11427541827

i'm doing my third oil change in a couple of weeks.......15,000 miles

does oil change require any programming to the computer?

just got my first oil change today after the low oil light came on around 12'000km. brought it in and it was done in about 20 mins. oil+filter+change was around $120 cdn. woulda done it myself but i dont have a ramp or nuttin i dont think they reset your computer. ill still make them change the oil when i go in for my next scheduled service

aren't the oil changes included if the car computer tells you to change your oil?

No way the car told him to go in at only 12,000 KM, the first "scheduled" oil change should be near twice that.


Jesse

is there any way to get the pictures back up for this DIY? Perhaps we can make a PDF for the fellow members interested as I am.

I changed my oil myself at 5k, 10k 15k with Mobil-1 and the dealer changed it at 21 k. Also after the first oil change the oil change indicator went back to 16k on its own but I talked to the dealer and they said they will change it every year even if the car's OBD doesnt say it needs it.

Here is some more info about Castrol's latest oil - LL04 - which is recommended for both diesel and petrol engines:

‘Clean Performance TechnologyTM’

Castrol, strategic partner of BMW, have developed a new lubricant with `Clean Performance TechnologyTM` in close cooperation with BMW, which sets new standards in the industry. Castrol SLX LL04 0W-30 is specially engineered to keep the engine and exhaust system clean, reducing harmful emissions to the environment. SLX LL04 is developed for the new generation of BMW’s with particulate filters and meets the latest specifications BMW Longlife-04. Due to its `Clean Performance TechnologyTM`, SLX LL04 reduces long term blocking of the particle filters and can be used in all BMW diesel and petrol engines (excluding M series). Castrol is the first lubricant manufacturer to bring a `Clean Performance TechnologyTM` oil onto the market.


BMW have started fitting diesel particulate filters (DPF’s) to their cars. Initially the BMW 5 series will be offered with a DPF, other models such as the new 3 series will follow. These new diesel engines fitted with a DPF need an engine oil based on new lubricant technology. Together with the engine management system the DPF ensures long-term reduction of particle emissions. In order to prolong the durability of the DPF the so called ‘Low SAPS’ oils are required. Castrol’s `Clean Performance TechnologyTM` is a totally new ‘Low SAPS’ formulation containing lower levels of Sulphated Ash, Phosphorous and Sulphur compared with conventional oils.