How to Change Engine Oil on a BMW 3 Series E90

Tutorial for replacing engine oil & filter on BMW 3 Series E9X (06-12) with N51, N52, N54, N55 engines.

Tools:

• 17 mm socket and ratchet
• Lisle Oil Drain Pan
• Assenmacher Oil Filter Housing Wrench
• 21 mm socket and ratchet if using Assenmacher oil filter wrench
• RhinoRamps (Pair, 12,000lb. GVW Capacity)  

Parts:  

• Mann Oil Filter (Comes with drain plug and two O-ring gaskets) 
• Synthetic motor oil, options below:
• Genuine BMW 5W-30. Part number 83212365946
• Mike Miller from Roundel Magazine uses Red Line 0W40 Motor Oil - 12 Quarts 
• 2 x Castrol EDGE 0W-40 - 5 Quart European formula
• 2 x Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil 0W-40, 5 Quart 
• Shell PurePlus synthetic oils

Recommended:  

• Rags, shop towels, jack and jack stands if you don't have ramps.
• I use Scott Shop Towels Pack of 2.
• Camco Wheel Chock - Pack of 2. If you jacking the front or using ramps, chock rear wheels to prevent your BMW from sliding. 
• Flat head screwdriver or General Tools Scriber
• Lumax Plastic Funnel

Steps:

• If engine is cool, start your car for 5-10 minutes to warm oil. If engine is hot, wait around 30 minutes to prevent being burned.  

• Lift BMW with a jack and jack stands or drive onto ramps. 
• Driving onto ramps is preferable if equipped with sports suspension and/or aerodynamic package due to low clearance.
• Jack one side and place jack stand or a ramp. Repeat on other side if  front bumper will be damaged driving up ramp or low profile jack cannot access the front jacking point. 
• Use a BMW Jack Pad Adapter to prevent destroying plastic side jack points.  

• Open hood and remove oil filter using Assenmacher Oil Filter Housing Wrench.
• The oil filter cap is shown below and the oil filter wrench goes on top. Place a 21 mm socket where the red circle is and loosen filter cap. 
• Place rags or shop towels around the oil filter to minimize spills when pulling out filter. 

• Locate oil drain plug access door. Door is located behind the front jacking point on RWD models and behind the transfer case beef up plate as shown below. Use a flat head screw drive and turn screw counter-clockwise to unlock shown in red circle below.

• Place an oil drain pan beneath door.

• Use a 17 mm socket and remove oil drain plug. Around 7 quarts (6.5 liters) of oil will drain out. 
• Drain plug is highlighted in red below. 
• I suggest wearing gloves to protect your hands.

• Remove and replace oil filter and two rubber O-rings while oil is draining. 

• Remove old filter from cap by pulling.
• I use a scribe to remove the old O-rings. Be careful not to damage the oil filter cap, especially the threads.
• Install new oil filter and two O-rings. Refer to the picture below from the Bentley BMW 3 Series Service Manual.
• Coat sealing O-rings with new oil
• Place large O-ring in correct location. Do not place in gap between cover and threads, place it in the correct gap below.

• Install new filter into oil filter housing and torque to 18 ft-lbs.

• Remove and replace copper washer on drain plug.

• Reinstall drain plug using 17 mm socket and torque to 18 ft-lbs. Do not over tighten. 

• Close access door and lock with screwdriver.

• Remove drain pan and lower BMW. 

• Remove oil fill cap and refill crankcase with 7 Quarts (6.5 liters) of oil.
• I pour 1 quart of oil into oil filter housing and 6 quarts into the engine. 
• Oil fill cap may be round or square depending on year and engine. N55 is pictured below.

• Reinstall oil fill cap and start engine. Check for any oil leaks and confirm the oil warning light is not on or goes out. 

• Check oil level in iDrive or the information center on the dash. Two conditions must be met to show oil level:
• Oil must reach normal operating temperatures 
• Start engine and idle or drive around for at least 6 minutes

Notes:

• Dear BMW, bring back the oil dipstick.
• Wipe away old oil in the oil filter housing after removing the filter.
• Many enthusiasts like Mobil 1, Castrol Edge European formula, or Shell PurePlus 0w-40 synthetic oils. As long as BMW's oil requirements are met you will be fine. Please refer to the owner's manual. 
• I recommend using wheel chocks for safety. 
• Picture below has useful information from Bentley's BMW 3 Series Service Manual   
• To reset CBS go to CBS explained