oil change!

[318itx]

hey, getting my first oil change in this car. what is the usual oil that they use in the bmw's? is it synthetic or just regular 10w30? i know the filters are a bitch. but im wanting to make sure i put the correct oil in before i go and get this done.i was going to go to the dealership, but for 90 bucks i think i'll pass.

[BMW Kraft]

doesn't jiffy lube work fine?

yeah i need to change my oil 2, and for the first time

[318itx]

well shit i dunno. i was gonna take it to a jiffy lube place, but wasn't sure what kind of oil the bmw's took or whatever.

[drz]

I put synthetic (Mobil1 5w30) on my e36, but it is not necessary. I do my own oil changes because I don't trust Jiffy-Lube places and the like. I hear stories about them not letting all the oil drip, or just topping the oil off. The one time I took my car to Wal-Mart, they looked very confused, plus I had to provide the filter (that one cost me about $15 at Autozone). Just get good, high quality regular oil (don't go for the cheap stuff). Changing the oil on my 6-cyl has never been too much trouble, but I don't know if it is any harder on a 4-cyl.

[318itx]

well cheapest i found it was 60 bucks. i believe my car already has synthetic oil so its a good idea to stick with it. i still am unsure what ima end up doing..

[BMW Kraft]

is there a DIY on how to change the oil?

[drz]

Originally Posted by 318itx

well cheapest i found it was 60 bucks. i believe my car already has synthetic oil so its a good idea to stick with it. i still am unsure what ima end up doing..

Yeah, stick with synthetic if that is what you have. The cheapest what is $60? I always get two 5-quart jugs of Mobil1 5w30 at Wal-Mart for about $20 each, and a filter online for about $7. I use a little under 7 quarts, so my total cost is about (7/10)*($40) + $7 = $35.

It is easy: jack the acr up, put drain pan in place, remove drain plug, lower the car, wait for oil to drip, take out old filter while waiting, replace with new filter while waiting, reinsert drain plug (may need to raise car again), top off with oil, dispose of oil and filter properly (I take them to Wal-Mart).

For a proper DIY:
http://www.bimmerdiy.com/diy/e36oilchange

[318itx]

i've never done a filter change like that one exactally..could you be more specific about the filter. i saw how it looks and it is ALOT different then my rx7

[Red_Rocket]

Usually at wal-mart or pep boys or what ever, they will have one of those computers that tell you specificly what filter you need for your make, year, model etc. or you could just google it and then go buy one at walmart

[drz]

Originally Posted by 318itx

i've never done a filter change like that one exactally..could you be more specific about the filter. i saw how it looks and it is ALOT different then my rx7

I had never done a filter change before I did mine. What are you so concerned about? The housing unscrews easily (I bought a 36mm socket). The filter pulls right off. Then you just put a new filter in and screw the thing back on. It is even very easy access, from above the car and everything -- no bending over or getting under the car or anything like that. If you have ever done any kind of an oil change on a motor vehicle bfore, this should be no problem.

[318itx]

ohh ok. the person made it sound like it was alot worse. where exactally is it located? just so i know. thanks!

[318itx]

http://www.bimmerdiy.com/diy/e36oilchange


wow i feel dumb. thanks guys, this should be alot cheaper

[drz]

Definitely. Compared to the dealership's prices, I save $90 per oil change.

[4evrwyntr]

Mobil1. It shouldn't cost more than $50... otherwise you're being ripped.

[318itx]

ya thats how much they said. now..one place said they'd do it for 60. its a bmw mercedes, audi work place called stuggart auto

should i still do it myself? or is that pretty close to what i'd be paying?