[vapore0n]

Ive done oil changes on different cars for a long time. But yesterday was my first time doing it on my BMW.

Lifting car - 1st attempt:
I used 2x4s to lift the car high enough so I could reach the middle jack point. My jack sucks. The head is not big enough to fit the middle jack point, and the wheels were not rolling due to the floor, so when I tried to lift the car the jack started to slide out of place, risking the car falling off. Failed attempt to use middle jack point. Not to mention, once up, where the hell was I supposed to put the jack stands? I have standard Y cup jack stands that would have crushed the plastic lift points, and I wouldn't have felt safe putting them there. Maybe next time Ill remove those plastic cups.

Lifting car - 2nd attempt:
Used some borrowed metal ramps. I still needed to use 2x4s just to get the car high enough to go on the ramps. The whole process was painful. The ramps were making terrible metal noises, which made me think they were going to collapse. My wife was driving, and she sure wasn't comfortable with my car. Took a while, but finally got the car up the ramps. I used a jack right on the center point just as a safety. Can never have enough of those.

Now on to changing the oil. Very easy. Pop the plastic cover, remove lug nut, and collect oil. No issues there, except that the car was hot, and I burned my finger tips. Oil coming down had the consistency of water. Guess its better than sludge. Not bad for 10k miles.

Changing the oil filter was impossible, as the car was hot and I didn't have a proper tool to remove the cover. Will do that this Saturday.

Bringing the car down was far easier than getting it up. I did the driving this time. Will never use those ramps again. Next time Ill just buy some Rhino.

Lesson learned: Get proper lifting equipment for this car. Change oil while car is cold. Get a better garage.

[Gizm0]

I just built myself some custom ramps by nailing pieces of 2x6 lumber together... Don't even need a jack stand. An 8ft long piece of 2x6 cost about $6 at lowes...



Oil change takes 20min top. I love the cartridge oil change on top of the engine, it's so easy to replace. Be careful where you put the large o-ring when replacing the oil filter though... There are two groves and the right one is the one just above the threads, not the grove next to the outside part of the plastic cap. Putting the o-ring up too high will result in a nasty oil leak covering all your engine bay in fresh oil... Look in the pic below where the large o-ring goes. Note it's not in the grove all the way up.

[vapore0n]

Thanks for those pics.
Have never done filter change on these cars either, so I only had to worry about making sure the old filter gasket came out and the new filter gasket was oiled up.

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by vapore0n

Thanks for those pics.
Have never done filter change on these cars either, so I only had to worry about making sure the old filter gasket came out and the new filter gasket was oiled up.

You either need to buy the special BMW tool to remove the oil filter cap or you can buy one of these at any autozone store... They work just fine

[vapore0n]

I should get one of those. My dad has one and Ive used it on all types of filters. They work great.
The BMW specific tool would be great if I wanted to torque it to specifications. Ill just do a good enough hand tight

[MGT81]

Use the right tools dude. I work in health and safety and you'd be amazed at how many hurt themselves by not being patient/rushing/using the wrong tools. It'll make it easier to DIY in the future too.

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

I just built myself some custom ramps by nailing pieces of 2x6 lumber together...

Haha - I have the same setup. Except I had to use 2x12s to accommodate my MASSIVELY WIDE tires Rolling the car up the ramps is a breeze, and that car ain't going anywhere once it's up there. Jeesus they weigh about a ton each tho.

OP, the rubber jack pads are made for the jackstand y-cups. You gotta get the cups pointed north-south tho. Then the rubber pads should fit right into the y-groove. Like this:



Also, get yourself a decent jack already!

[Gizm0]

Originally Posted by vapore0n

I should get one of those. My dad has one and Ive used it on all types of filters. They work great.
The BMW specific tool would be great if I wanted to torque it to specifications. Ill just do a good enough hand tight

Put a mark on the cap and on the housing, so when re-tightening it, you know how far you need to go

[Tom Droze]

I've been researching this, as I've decided its best to change my own oil in between the no charge BMW oil changes; and obviously, after the warranty period expires, I'll be doing my own oil changes. I have a floor jack and jack stands, but because my car has been lowered, it's a bit of a pain. I've decided for me and the convenience factor, ramps are the best way to go. After some research, I've discovered that the 56-inch Race Ramps, with a 10.5 degree angle will work and will provide 8 inches of lift. They are not cheap at about $200, but that's the way I'm going.

[Miller335]

You got a long road ahead of you OP.

[Wires]

Wow.... I found this car to be easier than pretty much every other vehicle I owned for oil changes. Heck, you can do it with a beer in one hand!

I think the OP's issue is you need the proper tools for the job. Not the car's fault here....

I do like those 2x6 car ramps though. Only thing to make them better would be another piece mounted 90 degrees at the front so they couldn't roll sideways. Looks like I have a new winter project!

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by Miller335

You got a long road ahead of you OP.

Haha - I was there! In fact, I'm probably not too far ahead of there at this point

Don't sweat it OP. Keep at it. Just be SAFE!

[ThatRWD]

This car is much easier to do oil changes on than most due to the oil filter being on top, but you really need the right tools. If the bolt is a hex bolt but you have a 12point socket it might come to a point where it has stripped the edges and no longer works. I've recently started working on my car and I'm quickly coming to that realization, having the right tools beforehand makes things much quicker and easier. Also I've broken 3 wrenches on the oil filter, get the BMW oil filter removal tool for the car.

[ccraig13]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

You either need to buy the special BMW tool to remove the oil filter cap or you can buy one of these at any autozone store... They work just fine

Strap wrench FTW!

I just use rhino ramps from autozone and have never had any issues accessing things :

[bender rodriguez]

Rhino ramps... Should have done some research.

[MrToastywaffle]

I also did my first oil change a couple days ago. Quite a pain in the rear trying to jack up the front, so I invested in a pair of ramps to help lift up the front end (I also used jack stands underneath the dedicated jack points on the passenger and drivers side-safety first!)

[Gizm0]

Forget Rhino Ramps... This is what I use

[MrPig]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

I just built myself some custom ramps by nailing pieces of 2x6 lumber together... Don't even need a jack stand. An 8ft long piece of 2x6 cost about $6 at lowes...

That .. Is awesome. Getting under my e30 makes me want to filp tables. And the car.

Do they slide when you drive up them?

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by MrPig

Do they slide when you drive up them?

Those babies aren't going anywhere!! And the cool thing is they nest for storage.

[PichaDis11]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

Forget Rhino Ramps... This is what I use

Show off.. lol

[parabola]

It looks like only way to lift a car now-days is to have a truckload of wood planks ready...

[drewnel22]

Originally Posted by MrToastywaffle

I also did my first oil change a couple days ago. Quite a pain in the rear trying to jack up the front, so I invested in a pair of ramps to help lift up the front end (I also used jack stands underneath the dedicated jack points on the passenger and drivers side-safety first!)

I just tried to do it yesterday with these but they wouldn't fit without the front bumper hitting. The angle was too steep for my car. I also tried it with a 2x8 underneath as well but that didn't work either. So i had to buy 56" Race ramps.