Change the oil yourself?

[jmillet]

Originally Posted by chickdr

Interesting as there is a thread about Castrol TWS 10W60 being available at O'Reilly Auto Parts now and one of the M3 posters(link below) mentioned Liquid Moly was problematic in his car(froze in low temps)... I am using Greddy 10W60 currently. No issues so far.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...7&postcount=15

I've used both Greddy and Red Line 10W-60 in my Z4MC with good Blackstone analysis reports. Good Red Line pricing from I/O Port Racing.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by DeutschRennfahrer

Where is the filter located?

In a can with a bolt through the top near the top front of the engine.
You can't miss it, but you might think it's something else.

[OptionlessM]

For cars with oil filter housings up top, get a mityvac from Amazon and DIY.

1. Get oil to operating temp
2. Open oil filler cap (for air flow)
3. Stick mityvac tube down dipstick tube to the oil pan
4. Pump that nasty oil outta there.
5. Remove pump line.
6. Remove oil filter - use a grocery bag to catch it without a mess
7. Install new oil filter- wet the filter and housing with about .5 liter. Use new gasket that comes with the filter
8. Torque the oil filter housing to spec
9. Fill with oil through valve cover
10. Run engine for a minute to verify oil level. Add as needed.
11. Take dirty oil to recycle facility. It is free here.

Takes 20 minutes max. No need to climb under there and deal with the drain plug. I do it in my work clothes.

[David70]

Originally Posted by Taylorguy74

Do you find the pump pulls out a significant amount more than a simple drain plug pull? I've seen the youtube videos for all sorts of cars this way, but have not found any first hand info on the Z4M using a pump to pull oil out the stick hole. (Yeah - I said stick hole!) I don't know if it's worth the trouble changing my oil that way even once a year. Plus my E90 makes me get under the car anyway with it's lack o'the old dipstick.

I don't think it pulls out more than the drain just do it because it is easy and clean. With the filter on top no putting the car on ramps, jacks, etc. and getting under the car. See the above post.

Not a huge deal to get under the car either, just thought it would be easier to not deal with it. Once you have to get under the car for the filter probably not worth the purchase.

[Patrick Gent]

Hey Deutsch--couple of thoughts. Get the Mike Miller Lifetime Maintenance Schedule from Mike Miller at BMW Car Club of America. Free, tells how to maintain your car for a long time, not just the length of the warranty. You should probably change your oil at least every 7,500, and I think better at 5,000 even though I do use that expensive BMW 10-60 in my S54. Also this may be just me, others rave about it, but I can't seem to get the oil fully drained using the mighty vac, and once overfilled it by putting the recommended amount back in.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by OptionlessM

For cars with oil filter housings up top, get a mityvac from Amazon and DIY.

1. Get oil to operating temp
2. Open oil filler cap (for air flow)
3. Stick mityvac tube down dipstick tube to the oil pan
4. Pump that nasty oil outta there.
5. Remove pump line.
6. Remove oil filter - use a grocery bag to catch it without a mess
7. Install new oil filter- wet the filter and housing with about .5 liter. Use new gasket that comes with the filter
8. Torque the oil filter housing to spec
9. Fill with oil through valve cover
10. Run engine for a minute to verify oil level. Add as needed.
11. Take dirty oil to recycle facility. It is free here.

Takes 20 minutes max. No need to climb under there and deal with the drain plug. I do it in my work clothes.

Same process here. I dump the old oil back into the jugs I used to fill her up and then take those to the local auto parts store for recycling. Been using liquid molly also for probably the last 3 oil changes, no issues so far.

I doubt it gets as much oil as drain plug, however it gets pretty damn close.

[DeutschRennfahrer]

Not having to get under the car to drain the pan does seem great. I will look into one of these vacuums. Is the Z4 oil filter near the top of the engine?

[OptionlessM]

It is right up top on the driver side of the engine. Canister with a hex head on top. Can't miss it.