DIY: Let's Change the Engine Oil

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by m3larson

What size socket is needed for the drian plug?

It's a hex wrench--going from memory, I think 5mm.

[graves4r6]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

It's a hex wrench--going from memory, I think 5mm.

It is 6mm.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by graves4r6

It is 6mm.

...uhh, di I say 5? Yeah, 6 is the number!

[Grey Space]

I changed my oil today at 6772 miles. Thanks for the info and pictures - it made the process much easier!

It took about 8.75L to get the oil level to the 3/4 full mark. I'm a compulsive extended drainer

[Gemcoska]

Where did you guys get the oil filter kit for $17? My stealer (long beach bmw) quoted me $47 for the filter kit, and $10.06 for each quart of oil.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

Where did you guys get the oil filter kit for $17? My stealer (long beach bmw) quoted me $47 for the filter kit, and $10.06 for each quart of oil.

List for the filter was $17.77 last year. I paid $15.99 w/ club discount at my dealer. Sure he's got the right part number (I can look it up tonight)?

[Gemcoska]

Just called them back to check: 11 42 7 837 997 just like in the OP, and still $42.97 (not $47). They said each dealer assigns their own prices...? This makes no sense, but I'm on the phone with South Bay BMW now.

[Gemcoska]

So South Bay BMW was $36 and Crevier BMW is $18 through a Roadfly Web discount.

What a bunch of stealers!

[JonM]

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

What a bunch of stealers!

Dealers frequently inflate retail (i.e.: "suggested" retail) on maintennance items. Both of the local Seattle dealers are horrendous in this regard.

[sard]

Ok, just received my oil change kit from getbmwparts.com. It's 9 bottles of engine oil, 2 small metal washers (obviously for the 2 drain plugs), one large rubber ring (i'm assuming for the oil filter), and one small rubber o-ring roughly 5 mm in diameter. Where does the small o-ring go? I was also surprised that it's only the inner filter element. What do you guys use to remove the oil filter housing? A big mutha f'n socket? Just to be sure, you can do the oil change when the engine's completely cold right (so cal room temperature), because I read in that manual the car has to be above 70° ... not sure if they meant if you're checking oil level only, or also when you do a complete oil change.

[Gemcoska]

When you clean the filter cap off you will see where it goes. At the very tip is the rubber o ring.

Use a socket to take off the housing, just go buy it, you'll need it to get the torque settings right anyhow.

If you don't do your oil change with warm oil, it'll just take longer to get out, (~45 mins) and you may not get it all out. I did mine cold, drained forever, filled up 8.5 bottles and I'm dead center on the oil levels.

How much was your oil change kit?

[Gemcoska]

This is what i got off the website... I couldn't find a "kit" for the e92... linky?

Description Qty MSRP Price Your Price Core Price Total Cost
OEM BMW TWS Motorsport 10w60 Synthetic Motor Oil 9 $10.65 $9.75 $0.00 $87.75
Maintenance and lubrication, Engine service, Filters, Oil filter, Oil filter, m series 1 $18.12 $14.50 $0.00 $14.50
Total: $102.25

[sard]

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

This is what i got off the website... I couldn't find a "kit" for the e92... linky?

Description Qty MSRP Price Your Price Core Price Total Cost
OEM BMW TWS Motorsport 10w60 Synthetic Motor Oil 9 $10.65 $9.75 $0.00 $87.75
Maintenance and lubrication, Engine service, Filters, Oil filter, Oil filter, m series 1 $18.12 $14.50 $0.00 $14.50
Total: $102.25

$115 shipped... from getbmwparts.com

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

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by sard

Ok, just received my oil change kit from getbmwparts.com. It's 9 bottles of engine oil, 2 small metal washers (obviously for the 2 drain plugs), one large rubber ring (i'm assuming for the oil filter), and one small rubber o-ring roughly 5 mm in diameter. Where does the small o-ring go?

Hmmmm...don't remember.

I was also surprised that it's only the inner filter element. What do you guys use to remove the oil filter housing? A big mutha f'n socket?

36mm socket. You can use an open end or combination wrench, as well.

ust to be sure, you can do the oil change when the engine's completely cold right (so cal room temperature), because I read in that manual the car has to be above 70° ... not sure if they meant if you're checking oil level only, or also when you do a complete oil change.

Best to have the oil hot. They mean 70°C (158°F).

[JonM]

Originally Posted by sard

...and one small rubber o-ring roughly 5 mm in diameter. Where does the small o-ring go?

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

When you clean the filter cap off you will see where it goes. At the very tip is the rubber o ring.

Correct.

I received this question via PM and it is worth answering publicly for all...

Hi in that manual what's the difference between m6 and m8? Do the two drain plugs have different torque values?

M6 and M8 are the diameters of the 2 drain plugs. Yes, they have different torque values as specified in my original post. The torque value for the 36mm oil filter cap is also shown. My car has the same plugs in both locations. I assume BMW called out 2 torque values because some build dates or engines have one size and some have the other. Check the thread size before you torque to be 100% sure.

Look here:

[sard]

Thx!

[elp_jc]

Hey folks, an observation why I think we get wrong oil readings: Manual says oil sensor reads oil level EVERY time ignition (or engine?) is turned on, which means if engine is cold, sensor won't read level until oil heats up above 70ºC, which will happen when engine is running, therefore showing a low reading.

I haven't done it, but plan to do the following, since my car is still reading 1/2 full after 9 full liters (hope I didn't overfill it): with car fully hot, will shut it down inside my garage, wait a few minutes for oil to drain back to the sump, then check level with ignition on and see if it reads higher. If not, will start engine and check again, to determine if oil level is checked with engine on or off. Once we learn how level is checked, we should be able to consistently read level correctly. But yes, why the hell BMW couldn't put a damn dipstick is beyond me. Take care.

[aus]

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

This is what i got off the website... I couldn't find a "kit" for the e92... linky?

Description Qty MSRP Price Your Price Core Price Total Cost
OEM BMW TWS Motorsport 10w60 Synthetic Motor Oil 9 $10.65 $9.75 $0.00 $87.75
Maintenance and lubrication, Engine service, Filters, Oil filter, Oil filter, m series 1 $18.12 $14.50 $0.00 $14.50
Total: $102.25

Was that from Crevier? Seems like a pretty good price.

[Gemcoska]

Yeah... there's another site that sells cheaper oil. Think it something like www.getbmwparts.com. I'm too lazy to figure it out.

[Adonislike]

Originally Posted by Gemcoska

Yeah... there's another site that sells cheaper oil. Think it something like www.getbmwparts.com. I'm too lazy to figure it out.

TISCHER BMW!!!

Pretty sure thats their site. Great place to buy from

[bigsky]

How do you reset the oil change indicator computer?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by bigsky

How do you reset the oil change indicator computer?

If you're doing in-between changes you don't reset it.