DIY: Let's Change the Engine Oil

Saw a request for this. I let the dealer do the 1200 mile service because of the power requirement for transmission fluid change, so I have not changed my own oil yet. I am planning on it at 5000 miles, along with a Blackstone oil analysis. The handwritten notes shown include torque values. Oil filter kit part number is 11 42 7 837 997. This includes the O-ring for the filter cover and all crush washers.







Update 8 years later:

Use 25 Nm for the drain plug. The other torque values I have handwritten in my notes are for the oil filter housing and other projects. I am tired of reading about confusion. Hopefully this helps. Also, BMW changes torque values all the time, that's why they always refer you to a torque table instead of putting the torues in the repair documents. Do your research before you take your car apart.

Does anyone know the exact amount of how many liters of 10w-60 are needed? I read on an invoice it's 9 liters but just want to make sure. I've heard parts guys giving the techs a liter more than what's really needed.

this is very much appreciated

All BMW V8, V10 and V12 take 7.5 litres of oil.

aussiem3 wrote

All BMW V8, V10 and V12 take 7.5 litres of oil.

nope. 9 litres are required for 1200 mile service, so i think that the capacity is around 8.8 or 8.9 litres.

BMWguy206 wrote

Does anyone know the exact amount of how many liters of 10w-60 are needed? I read on an invoice it's 9 liters but just want to make sure. I've heard parts guys giving the techs a liter more than what's really needed.

The owner's manual quote the numbers for with and without filter change. I will post it if I can bust out of work to get my manual, unless someone beats me to it.

Well, I can't find the oil capacity in my manual. Hard to believe. I think I read it in BMWTIS.com, but I didn't print it. Next time I drop $30 for a subscription I will print it out and post.

JonM wrote

Well, I can't find the oil capacity in my manual. Hard to believe. I think I read it in BMWTIS.com, but I didn't print it. Next time I drop $30 for a subscription I will print it out and post.

TIS says 8.8L with oil filter.

BMWguy206 wrote

TIS says 8.8L with oil filter.

That sound right, though my 1,200 service invoice only lists 8L.

I just changed my oil myself and it took a total of around 8.4L to fill. The oil level marker is right at the top arrow, so I would say 8.25 should do you just fine. I did let the oil drain for a while so it may take less if you do not let the oil drain completely from the openings in the oil pan.

The oil amount with filter change as noted on BMWtechinfo.com is 8.8 liters or 9.3 quarts.

rmashman wrote

The oil amount with filter change as noted on BMWtechinfo.com is 8.8 liters or 9.3 quarts.

Use that if you want, but that does not account for the little bit of oil that gets left in the motor. When I changed the oil myself and put it in it took less than 8.5L to get the oil level marker to the top arrow (and this was with allowing the oil to drain for a while until it was slowly dripping out at the end). I think if you out in the full 8.8L you will overfill which can cause serious engine problems. For anyone changing the oil I suggest putting in 8L and then checking your oil level indicator afterward. If it is on the low side I recommend putting in only 0.25L at a time and rechecking the level...

the oil filter cap requires a 36mm socket. just bought one so i know

JuniorDee wrote

the oil filter cap requires a 36mm socket. just bought one so i know

I think that's the same size as used for the axle nut for changing wheel bearings, at least it was on the 2002.

I changed mine today at 8k miles (in 8 1/2 months) -- Service Indicator is showing 8k to service.

I used ramps at the rear, and jacked the front fromt the central jack point and supported the front on jack stands at the suspension arm pivot points. I noticed when the filter is removed there is about 1/10 liter of oil in the bottom of the housing. I used my MityVac to suck it out, though you could use an old turkey baster. I poured about the same amount of fresh oil into the bottom before reinstalling the filter.

I put in 8 1/4 liters before restarting the car. It took quite a while to get a reading, and was then showing near the bottom of ths scale with a "+1" notation. I added another 1/2 liter, but was unable to get a different reading in the garage. I'll check it again after driving.

The car always seems to run better after an oil change--pyscholocical, I know, but it makes you feel good.

Edit: The electronic oil monitoring system and lack of a dipstick continue to frustrate me. If the system were secondary, that's fine, but why do away with the dipstick? After putting in 8.75 liters (stated capacity is 8.8) and driving a couple times, the system is still telling me to add 1 quart -- would you trust it? If it had a disptick there would be no question. Just really stupid!

Nice pics Greg.

Greg - Thanks for posting..couple questions for you:
1. What size socket is needed to remove the drain plugs?
2. Did you pay $17 for the oil filter kit? That seems really high, but that's the cheapest I could find it.
3. Where exactly is the central jacking point in the front?

alpineweissM3 wrote

Greg - Thanks for posting..couple questions for you:
1. What size socket is needed to remove the drain plugs?
2. Did you pay $17 for the oil filter kit? That seems really high, but that's the cheapest I could find it.
3. Where exactly is the central jacking point in the front?

Answers:
1. It's not a socket, but a 6mm hex.
2. List is $17.77; I paid $15.99 with club discount.
3. It's that plastic knob in the second photo, midway between the front and rear sumps.

Cheers, Greg

Excellent...thanks again for the awesome pics!

Would you mind indicating on a photo the 2 drain plugs? I recall someone commenting that there was "another" similar looking plug in the area. Thanks

rfedele wrote

Would you mind indicating on a photo the 2 drain plugs? I recall someone commenting that there was "another" similar looking plug in the area. Thanks

Here are the drain plugs for the front and rear sumps (I have pointed them out in the second photo of the original post):

Thanks Greg.