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)
- 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
- Rags, shop towels, jack and jack stands if you don't have ramps.
- 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
- 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
- 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
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