DIY Oil & Filter Change

[CosmosBlack]

I'm going to start doing my own oil and filter change in between the service intervals. However, I have 2 questions:

1. Is it necessary to tighten the filter canister to 25nm? Can I just tighten it by feel and trial & error, or do I have to invest in a torque wrench?

2. I can't get my head under the car to get to the drain plug! If I drive the car up a pair of ramps, the car won't be level, will the engine oil completely drain that way?

I would appreciate advice, ideas, suggestions from those of you who do oil & filter changes yourself. Many thanks!

 

[CosmosBlack]

Great! Nobody on this forum does their own oil & filter change...

 

[SoonerE39]

I'ld like to know the torque wrench part. It's probably ok to tighten it like you would on any other car. As for the tilting, my sister has a storm shelter in her garage that is like a pit in a oil service center. The car straddles the pit and you can work on it from underneath so I guess that will be my new oil change place.

 

[adrean8j]

bump (noone could answer this almost 3years ago?)

 

[adrean8j]

oops...scratch the above: http://www.540isport.com/DIYoilchange.htm

 

[CosmosBlack]

Adrean8j, Thanks for exhuming the grave!!!
That is a good link, and there's also guide for the M5 bumper installation as well!

 

[Montana]

most driveways are sloped. Park downhill, jack up front slightly = level. Drain.

 

[epj3]

Great! Nobody on this forum does their own oil & filter change...

BAHAHAHhahaahhaa

 

[adrean8j]

Adrean8j, Thanks for exhuming the grave!!!
That is a good link, and there's also guide for the M5 bumper installation as well!

Yeah I was reading into that because I wanted to know how to remove mine.....Looks like it could save me some money on labor if I remove and install it myself and just get the paint shop to do the paintwork for me. I also am planning on doing the oil change this weekend and wanted to make sure there werent any little things i would be missing(strap wrench....doh!...where to find one in Germany....matter of fact how the hell do I say that in German?????). So I did a little search in the 5er section and saw that everyone let this one slip thru the cracks....LOL

 

[CosmosBlack]

I ended up putting the idea of changing the oil myself away,
coz' I couldn't jack the car up! My front lip spoiler won't go up the ramps I got from Walmart, and the hydraulic jack that I bought could barely make it under the car. Then, there was the problem of no proper jack-point under the car! (besides the four side jack-points).
So, it's back to the shop, $90 for oil and filter change and service/look around inspection.

 

[tuckster]

I got an oil pump from Griot's. Since my BMW's filter is on top (not like my previous Acura), it's great to have the oil pump and replace everything without jacking up the car or dealing with the drain plug, etc.

 

[adrean8j]

I got an oil pump from Griot's. Since my BMW's filter is on top (not like my previous Acura), it's great to have the oil pump and replace everything without jacking up the car or dealing with the drain plug, etc.

Yeah that is a good idea. Did you think about that Cosmos? Also where I live the military has a Garage that you can pay $5/hr to use and tools to check out for free! Along with lifts and fluid dumps and everything you would ever need to do almost any type of maintenance on your car!

 

[adrean8j]

car. Then, there was the problem of no proper jack-point under the car! (besides the four side jack-points).

Actually there is another jack point under the center portion of the front end...but it is a little far back...to far back for a little 5-ton jack and definitely not easily accesible for our lowered vehicles.

 

[Big Daddy]

Actually oil pumps are a bad idea as they never get the last bit of oil from the bottom of the pan along with any grit or dirt there. The oil pan is designed to allow warm/hot oil to flow out flushing out any sledge or grit with it when the plug is removed.

 

[adrean8j]

Actually oil pumps are a bad idea as they never get the last bit of oil from the bottom of the pan along with any grit or dirt there. The oil pan is designed to allow warm/hot oil to flow out flushing out any sledge or grit with it when the plug is removed.

Ahhhh....thanks for the info BD!!!