Hey everyone! This is my first BMW so I don't know if it's just me but, I feel like the 15,000 miles between scheduled oil changes is a little long. I know that BMW uses synthetic oil and what not but it would make me feel better to change it more often anyway. For peace of mind at the very least, and I figure it couldnt hurt right? Well, I have a 2004 325ci and I was thinking I wanted to change the oil say every 7500 miles maybe just once in between every scheduled maintanence. But, I dont want to fork over the extra dough for the dealers to do it, so I was thinking maybe I could learn to change the oil myself. So I would really appreciate it if anyone knew where I could get step by step instructions, and some helpful tips on what oil to use, how much to use and so on. Thanks a lot in advance guys! Just wanna keep my new baby in tip top shape.
car maintanence
- Thread starter pydo82
- Start date
That is what I did. As soon as the service indicators were in the middle of the green I changed my own oil, using a genuine Mahle filter and Mobil 1. The step by step instructions, I am not sure where you'd find such a beast. It is not hard at all. Get a drain pan and drain the oil from the oil pan drain plug (17mm), remember to replace the gasket on the plug (bronze washer, should come with a new filter), remove the dipstick and wipe it down, remove the oil filler cap and wipe it off. Now remove the fiter by taking the housing bolt out (13mm, I can't remember) and discard the old filter. Wipe out the filter housing and place new filter in the housing. Replace the washer on the housing bolt (should come with a new filter) and the o'ring. Tighten it down and replace the drain plug. Fill with your oil choice (BMW synthetic use to be Mobil 1, the last I heard it is now Castrol Syntec). Start the car and check for leaks.
Your oil should be warm when it is changed. Did I miss anything? Somebody double check me and let him know.
Your oil should be warm when it is changed. Did I miss anything? Somebody double check me and let him know.
Try My330i.com
Great site. Changing the oil on a BMW is easy since the oil filter is up top. My friends have been doing it themselves using an oil extractor so they don't have to open up the oil pan. Much easier that way. I plan on doing that too once I hit 7500 miles also.
Great site. Changing the oil on a BMW is easy since the oil filter is up top. My friends have been doing it themselves using an oil extractor so they don't have to open up the oil pan. Much easier that way. I plan on doing that too once I hit 7500 miles also.
wow. thanks for the input guys. Codex thats a great site. Is everything the same for the 2.5 liter engine tho? I mean the photos are still accurate? Also this is off the topic but, I hate my front bumper reflectors. The orange looks whack as hell...I wanted to change them but bimmian is the only site i know and they are backordered for jet black. Anyone know where i can get just the front bumper reflectors for 2004 e46 coupe? Thanks again everyone! Oh and Im sure I'll be asking a hellava lot more questions once I actually try to change the oil myself..haha.
I have an Acura MDX (ok its my dads) and they suggest every 7500 miles and I still take it in every 4000. The dealer I go to is very fast and offers competitive pricing, they use top quality genuine parts and only charge $25 to do it. Plus they have a 8 foot Projection TV with surround sound that you can watch while sipping your complementary Starbucks coffee.
If you own a Mercedes, there is a dealer near me that now has a on staff masseuse, so you can get free massages and for the ladies free facials and other stuff.
If you own a Mercedes, there is a dealer near me that now has a on staff masseuse, so you can get free massages and for the ladies free facials and other stuff.
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codex57, nice site, my only additional comment regarding the oil extractors is that they do not get any metal shavings, larger dirt particles and cannot get all the dirty oil. I use to use one with my boat, inboard and found when I had to have the engine removed and the oil pan removed that some gunk was collecting in the bottom of my pan. Just a thought.
![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
I do not have the boat any longer, wife gave up skiing. I have a 91 318is (daughter is using for college), 91 750iL, wife drives to work, a 98 M roadster (we use for fun) and my old standby 97 Chevrolet pickup. They are all pictured in the Gallery. As far a retirement, I am 49, worked hard, invested, and have a few side interests. Anyone can do it.
err, Bimmian is getting real bad reviews lately. I think they just got too big to handle. There's another site that has them too I believe for a similar price. Can't think of the name right now.
The 330i site basic maintenance should basically apply to the 325 engines too. There's a 325i site that's almost identical but I can't remember the link (on my g/f's computer right now).
I know the oil extractor doesn't get all the metal shavings and other crap out, but I figure that's what the regular maintenance is for. My thinking is that a BMW engine shouldn't have as much shavings and crap that a boat motor would produce. Therefore, it should be fine when the BMW mechanics drain the oil at the regular intervals.
The 330i site basic maintenance should basically apply to the 325 engines too. There's a 325i site that's almost identical but I can't remember the link (on my g/f's computer right now).
I know the oil extractor doesn't get all the metal shavings and other crap out, but I figure that's what the regular maintenance is for. My thinking is that a BMW engine shouldn't have as much shavings and crap that a boat motor would produce. Therefore, it should be fine when the BMW mechanics drain the oil at the regular intervals.
either change your own oil or have BMW do it every 7500 miles (you pay for the first, they pick up the second, you pay for the third, they pick up the fourth, etc ....) and yes ... i also believe that 15000 miles is a little harsh ... not really on the oil but on the oil filter.
dont think of it as a 60$ oil change ... think of it as a 30$ change cause 1/2 are free =)
Ben
dont think of it as a 60$ oil change ... think of it as a 30$ change cause 1/2 are free =)
Ben
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