Just an update for those of you who have cared to read this.
I cannot use mobil-1, according to everyone at BMW I spoke to (and I spoke to three different dealers, and they all told me the same thing).
The only off-the-shelf- synthetic they recommend is Castrol. The car requires 6-7 qts of oil, so it cost me roughly $80+ in parts alone (not including the socket).
Even though I can’t remember who quoted me the $100 oil change, I’m starting to wonder if putting my foot down was the smart thing to do. Oil is changed, but I also have to dispose of the used oil. I don’t know if the savings outweigh the ease of having the dealer do it.
<sigh> Do it yourself shouldn’t cost the same as the dealer, but in this instance, it was pretty close.
Don’t take your car to the dealer for an oil change - find a local independent BMW shop.
I’ve come to the conclusion that BMW dealers simply don’t know what they’re doing. You can use Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula in the E46 engines - it is BMW LL-01 certified. My local NAPA stocks it.
Finally got around to changing the oil tonight. First, I find out that everyone’s 3 series looks different underneath. My access panel is there, but doesn’t look like the one provided in the link (not the linker’s fault, as my reading on a number of forums has suggested). Anyway, after removing two access panels, I crawl under the car and I don’t see an oil drain plug. The only thing I see that is remotely possible is a bolt/plug with a torx fitting. I think someone upthread mentioned that he has this.
So, before buying the huge torx head wrench that I currently don’t have, I try to track down exactly what I have… and I can’t. At least my google-fu hasn’t come up with anything yet.
In the meantime, I discover that I have probably purchased the wrong type of oil. I bought the super-expensive jumbo deluxe Castrol syntec, but apparently I didn’t buy the right one.
So, I’m now looking for my receipt for the oil. I will take it back, get my money back, and pay BMW the $100.
I’ve spent over 3 hours on a freakin’ oil change. Time’s up.
Here are the oil recommendations for your car:
2003 BMW 325xi 2.5L 6-cyl Engine Code M54 B25
LUBRICANTS & FLUIDS:
Engine Oil
Grade 1…SEO[1]
Signature Series 0W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil (SSOQT)
SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (ASLQT)
All TEMPS…5W-30
[1] Use oil formulated to meet BMW part No 07 51 0 017 866 or
equivalent.
FILTERS:
Oil Filter MANN Oil Filter (HU9254x)
CAPACITIES:
Engine, with filter…8 quarts [1]
[1] After refill check oil level.
1] Tightening torque, oil drain plug:
with thread size M12x1.5 - 25 Nm (18.4 ft-lbs)
with thread size M18x1.5 - 35 Nm (25.8 ft-lbs)
with thread size M22x1.5 - 60 Nm (44.2 ft-lbs)
You can get the AMSOIL full chemical PAO synthetic 25,000 mile/1 year oil 5w30 for $53 and the filter for $5 wholesale.
Since Tim’s already performed necrophilia on this thread…
If you (or anyone else) is going to do regular DIY oil changes on a BMW of this age, the best thing to do is to buy an “oil extractor”. That takes the oil out via the top - no need to go under the car, wrestle with the drain plug, and so forth. There’s a DIY here.
Unfortunately, on at least some of the current BMW models, you can’t do this any more. And you can’t even drain the oil the old-fashioned way - the car needs to be hooked up to the dealership’s computer to do it. And there’s no dipstick.
What’s in it for BMW making it so difficult to change the oil? They don’t get a cut of dealer service proceeds do they?
I guess they might sell more “genuine BMW parts” with the dealers doing all the service. If you do it yourself, you might install a, gasp, Fram filter or something.
I don’t know what the inner workings of BMW are. However, at several times they’ve stated that a) their cars come with free maintenance during the warranty period (funny how the recommended service intervals went up at the same time) b) most owners don’t keep their car past the warranty (5/50) or optional extended warranty / CPO warranty (7/100), and c) most owners don’t do their own service.
Given the horror stories I’ve heard about the independent quick oil change shops (stripping the threads on the oil drain plug, emptying the transmission instead, etc.) there might also be some intent to keep their cars out of the hands of those outfits.
The dipstick issue (which affects many more models than the dealer computer needed issue) have generated a lot of heated discussion among BMW owners in both the online forums and the Club magazine (Roundel).
Partially in response to legislation requiring manufacturers to offer service info to 3rd parties, there’s a web site (http://www.bmwtis.com) where anyone can sign up for $30/day (discounts for longer periods) and obtain almost all info. In addition, with a purchased programming cable you can use that service to perform most of the computer functions the dealer can.
I’d say, “This is why you should rely on professionals for such stupid-easy things as changing your oil,” but my 1984 Dodge Colt had a filter that was nearly inaccessible, especially from below, and the “pros” put 5qt of oil into a sump with a max of 4qt, blowing out the sender unit and leaving me smoking on the interstate with an engine that died well before its time.
Just 1400cc and a 4-speed, but it was built to challenge taxis in a city. Miss the little bastard.
Neither the SSO nor the ASL cover the BMW longlife-01/04 specifications. I’ve seen UOA for LL-04 Castrol Edge 0W-30 and its condition was marginal after 25,000km. I wouldn’t trust a non certified oil for extended service intervals.
Since the SSO is a 35,000 mile synthetic PAO oil and the ASL is a 25,000 mile chemical synthetic PAO oil and BMW lists [1] Use oil formulated to meet BMW part No 07 51 0 017 866 or equivalent and AMSOIL has determined their oils are equivalent to that part number, these oils can be used. AMSOIL also backs up these recommendations with their own warranty should these oils ever fail and has oils that have successfully used 25,000 mile extended service intervals for 37 years.
You can also ask your manufacturer, dealer or mechanic if using these oils will void your warranty. If for some reason they say they will, ask them to put it in writing on company letterhead. At this point, if they know consumer law for US and Canada, they will back down. If they don’t, send it in to AMSOIL who will inform them of US and Canadian consumer laws and may face legal action. AMSOIL knows their stuff and has never voided a single warranty in 37 years.
You can also ask AMSOIL if they recommend their 5w40 Synthetic European Oil which lists BMW LL-04.
That site doesn’t actually have a great authentication system, so if you know the SIB number you’re looking for, it’s fairly easy to look up the bulletins you need. You can always bookmark them, and save them for later as well.
