DIY - E90 Oil Change (with Pics! - 56K Beware)

Sho · 10-28-2005, 06:30 PM

I am planning to do the oil change this weekend, and I will look the blot.

e90wraith · 10-29-2005, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triton.

Hey e90wraith, that's my Bolt was _ along with the other bolt _. That's what I was saying, my bolt and holder are slightly differeny than the picts you took, both of mine are parrallel.

That is rather odd! Maybe someone else with a 330i can verify whether there's a difference in the oil pan shape between the 330i and 325i. I would have assumed the same shape since the part numbers are supposed to be the same for the 3-liter block. Perhaps BMW made a change during manufacture. When was your car built? My car was built in May, 2005.

HRC · 10-29-2005, 02:35 AM

mine is the same as the pictures.

Danny

StewtheBassman · 10-29-2005, 08:25 AM

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....4500&SKU=10122

At this online store there is available this oil extractor. Problem is, it goes down the dipstick!

I would like to get one to do my X5 oil changes, but I wonder if it work on the E90???? I had better call them Monday to ask.

arnold · 10-29-2005, 10:41 AM

hi, could anyone please tell me whether royal purple oil is BMW approved ? i would like to use it in my E90 330i engine.

mc68386 · 10-30-2005, 02:44 PM

Here's some pics from my oil change. I jacked it up from the right-rear jack point, then placed a jack stand under the right-front jack point for safety.

As you can see, my drain plug is parallel to the ground, unlike Wraith's.
I've got a 330, late July production.

A couple of things I found:
The copper crush washer was glued to the drain plug with paint, so it took me a bit of looking to see that I needed to pry it off first.

After the change, I parked my car on my slanted driveway, and when I later moved it, there were some oil drippings. I figured I had under-tightened the plug, so I checked it out. There didn't seem to be any oil around the plug, and it was plenty tight. However, there was oil on the underside of the plastic underbody cover. I'm guessing that the oil stream went a little wild while it was draining, and got oil in there. Once I sopped it up, I haven't seen any more drippings.

I got about 6.25 quarts of drained oil out, so I initially refilled with 6.5 quarts. I took it for a drive, and at first it showed up as full. As I drove more, it soon showed one notch low. I added another quarter quart, and it still showed a notch low. A little more, still low. Then I took it for a longer drive (around 20 miles) and it eventually showed as full. In all I added about 7.5 quarts. The lesson is, when you think it should be full, take it for a long drive before adding too much oil.

I used jacks on the right side instead of ramps. After I had drained it fully, I dropped it back down to level ground, and another 1/2 quart drained out. If you want to be really anal, this a good way to get the most oil out.

E90Fleet · 10-30-2005, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnold

hi, could anyone please tell me whether royal purple oil is BMW approved ? i would like to use it in my E90 330i engine.

No, no Royal purple oils appear on BMW's approved lists

E90Fleet · 10-30-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90wraith

That is rather odd! Maybe someone else with a 330i can verify whether there's a difference in the oil pan shape between the 330i and 325i. I would have assumed the same shape since the part numbers are supposed to be the same for the 3-liter block. Perhaps BMW made a change during manufacture. When was your car built? My car was built in May, 2005.

USA 325i and 330i have same oil pan

It must be a change in the production part
Ill check if the number changed recently early next week

e90wraith · 10-30-2005, 10:52 PM

mc68386,

Indeed, your oil pan looks different than mine - a lot larger. I think BMW changed the oil pan between May and July. Let's wait for E90Fleet to verify. I'm sure he will come through for us.

Sho · 10-31-2005, 11:30 AM

Any one figure out if the bolt in front of the drain door is actually the front jack point? The plastic cover shape looks like for jack pad.

mc68386 · 10-31-2005, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90wraith

Indeed, your oil pan looks different than mine - a lot larger. I think BMW changed the oil pan between May and July. Let's wait for E90Fleet to verify. I'm sure he will come through for us.

It looks the same size to me, just different.

E90Fleet · 11-02-2005, 06:41 AM

Looks like the difference is between auto and manual cars

Please post your type of drain plug ( straight down or sideways ) and what transmission you have

mc68386 · 11-02-2005, 07:32 AM

Straight down, 330, MT, July production

e90wraith · 11-02-2005, 04:53 PM

I have a 325i with automatic transmission. The drain bolt is sideways.

From what I see of HRC's signature, he has a manual transmission but said his drain bolt is oriented like mine - sideways...

HRC · 11-02-2005, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90wraith

I have a 325i with automatic transmission. The drain bolt is sideways.

From what I see of HRC's signature, he has a manual transmission but said his drain bolt is oriented like mine - sideways...

Yes, just like yours! I dunno?

Danny

shutterbug · 11-02-2005, 09:28 PM

Really great write-up. Thanks for this. Just a question...has anyone considered using the Fumoto valve to make the oil changes easier? You can read about it here: http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2029/article.html

Don't know if it would fit on the E90 however?

db17k · 11-03-2005, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shutterbug

Really great write-up. Thanks for this. Just a question...has anyone considered using the Fumoto valve to make the oil changes easier? You can read about it here: http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2029/article.html

Don't know if it would fit on the E90 however?

that's a great little invention, hmm wonder why nobody thought of it sooner.

silverado · 11-03-2005, 07:48 AM

Very cool, yet just a little scary.

NaTuReB0Y · 11-06-2005, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the DIY.....just got done with my first oil change.
For those of you who wants to wait until 15,000 miles....go ahead.
But today, when I empty the used oil into the recycler container....
there were quite a few pieces of metallic debris that I could clearly see......NASTY!
The engine was LITERALLY Breakin' In!

lux.sh · 11-06-2005, 05:20 PM

definitely getting mine done before 15,000. Thanks for info nautreboy.

mr_blond · 11-06-2005, 10:44 PM

I'm new to this world and was wondering if the oil filter can be changed without changing the oil. After a 7.5k oil change and the dealer paid 15k oil change I had the idea to change the oil filter every 7.5k and then having the oil services done every 15k. Is this possible and/or reasonable? Make any sense?

mc68386 · 11-06-2005, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_blond

I'm new to this world and was wondering if the oil filter can be changed without changing the oil. After a 7.5k oil change and the dealer paid 15k oil change I had the idea to change the oil filter every 7.5k and then having the oil services done every 15k. Is this possible and/or reasonable? Make any sense?

I had the same idea. I decided to look at the oil after break-in (1550 mi) and see how it looked. If it looked OK, I'd just change the filter. If it looked bad, I'd change the oil too. Why change anything? Because all break-in is is wearing off of metal shavings inside the engine. Big shavings get caught by the filter (shortening its life). Small shavings are too small for the filter to catch, so they just flow through the engine, which doesn't sound like it could possibly be a good thing.
So, I looked at the oil (by opening up the filter compartment) and saw lots of metal flake in the oil. Based on that, I changed the oil and filter both.

I'll take another look at the oil at around 5K miles.

10-28-2005, 06:30 PM	#45
Sho Lieutenant 35 Rep 574 Posts Drives: E90 325i 6-speed Join Date: May 2005 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I am planning to do the oil change this weekend, and I will look the blot.
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10-29-2005, 02:35 AM	#47
HRC MAUI BUILT 485 Rep 7,781 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2002 E46 325i [0.00] 2012 E70 35i [0.00]	mine is the same as the pictures. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
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10-29-2005, 08:25 AM	#48
StewtheBassman Major General 199 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: 2011 X5d 421,000kms Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hudson, Quebec iTrader: (1)	http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....4500&SKU=10122 At this online store there is available this oil extractor. Problem is, it goes down the dipstick! I would like to get one to do my X5 oil changes, but I wonder if it work on the E90???? I had better call them Monday to ask. __________________
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10-29-2005, 10:41 AM	#49
arnold butchie 0 Rep 28 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: cape town sa iTrader: (0)	hi, could anyone please tell me whether royal purple oil is BMW approved ? i would like to use it in my E90 330i engine.
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10-30-2005, 02:44 PM	#50
mc68386 Private First Class 8 Rep 121 Posts Drives: '06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	Here's some pics from my oil change. I jacked it up from the right-rear jack point, then placed a jack stand under the right-front jack point for safety. As you can see, my drain plug is parallel to the ground, unlike Wraith's. I've got a 330, late July production. A couple of things I found: The copper crush washer was glued to the drain plug with paint, so it took me a bit of looking to see that I needed to pry it off first. After the change, I parked my car on my slanted driveway, and when I later moved it, there were some oil drippings. I figured I had under-tightened the plug, so I checked it out. There didn't seem to be any oil around the plug, and it was plenty tight. However, there was oil on the underside of the plastic underbody cover. I'm guessing that the oil stream went a little wild while it was draining, and got oil in there. Once I sopped it up, I haven't seen any more drippings. I got about 6.25 quarts of drained oil out, so I initially refilled with 6.5 quarts. I took it for a drive, and at first it showed up as full. As I drove more, it soon showed one notch low. I added another quarter quart, and it still showed a notch low. A little more, still low. Then I took it for a longer drive (around 20 miles) and it eventually showed as full. In all I added about 7.5 quarts. The lesson is, when you think it should be full, take it for a long drive before adding too much oil. I used jacks on the right side instead of ramps. After I had drained it fully, I dropped it back down to level ground, and another 1/2 quart drained out. If you want to be really anal, this a good way to get the most oil out. Attached Images __________________ 2006 330i \| Black Sapphire Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| 6SP MT \| ZPP \| ZSP \| ZCW \| Sirius
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10-30-2005, 10:52 PM	#53
e90wraith Private 37 Rep 69 Posts Drives: E90 325i Jet Blk Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	mc68386, Indeed, your oil pan looks different than mine - a lot larger. I think BMW changed the oil pan between May and July. Let's wait for E90Fleet to verify. I'm sure he will come through for us.
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10-31-2005, 11:30 AM	#54
Sho Lieutenant 35 Rep 574 Posts Drives: E90 325i 6-speed Join Date: May 2005 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Any one figure out if the bolt in front of the drain door is actually the front jack point? The plastic cover shape looks like for jack pad.
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11-02-2005, 06:41 AM	#56
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1311 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Looks like the difference is between auto and manual cars Please post your type of drain plug ( straight down or sideways ) and what transmission you have
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11-02-2005, 07:32 AM	#57
mc68386 Private First Class 8 Rep 121 Posts Drives: '06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	Straight down, 330, MT, July production __________________ 2006 330i \| Black Sapphire Metallic \| Black Dakota Leather \| 6SP MT \| ZPP \| ZSP \| ZCW \| Sirius
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11-02-2005, 04:53 PM	#58
e90wraith Private 37 Rep 69 Posts Drives: E90 325i Jet Blk Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	I have a 325i with automatic transmission. The drain bolt is sideways. From what I see of HRC's signature, he has a manual transmission but said his drain bolt is oriented like mine - sideways...
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11-02-2005, 09:28 PM	#60
shutterbug Private 18 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Really great write-up. Thanks for this. Just a question...has anyone considered using the Fumoto valve to make the oil changes easier? You can read about it here: http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2029/article.html Don't know if it would fit on the E90 however?
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11-03-2005, 07:48 AM	#62
silverado Captain 288 Rep 874 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Very cool, yet just a little scary.
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11-06-2005, 04:56 PM	#63
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD 337 Rep 7,369 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire iTrader: (12)	Thanks for the DIY.....just got done with my first oil change. For those of you who wants to wait until 15,000 miles....go ahead. But today, when I empty the used oil into the recycler container.... there were quite a few pieces of metallic debris that I could clearly see......NASTY! The engine was LITERALLY Breakin' In! __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD
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11-06-2005, 05:20 PM	#64
lux.sh missing two turbos. 577 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	definitely getting mine done before 15,000. Thanks for info nautreboy. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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11-06-2005, 10:44 PM	#65
mr_blond First Time Bimmer Owner, Long Time Bimmer Admirer 1 Rep 16 Posts Drives: E90 Blk/Blk 6SP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	I'm new to this world and was wondering if the oil filter can be changed without changing the oil. After a 7.5k oil change and the dealer paid 15k oil change I had the idea to change the oil filter every 7.5k and then having the oil services done every 15k. Is this possible and/or reasonable? Make any sense?
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