Changed my oil yesterday. First time DIY on x5 also first time in 30 years or so. I removed my skid plate a couple days ago to clean up the disaster of a major oil leak which made it easier.

Helping hints for people interested in DIY on their e53:

1) you need a 36mm socket to remove the oil filter. I have a 12 sided because also works on axle nuts
2) absolutely imperative to replace the o-ring on the filter. My mechanic who did my last oil change didn't and that was the cause of my leak: what a disaster!
3) 17 mm box wrench worked great to remove drain plug. Open won't do it. Socket I think it'd avoid as it's easier to clean the wrench
4) imperative to replace the copper seal on the drain plug
5) when replacing the filter, do not over tighten, the seal is radial not axial so there is no benefit to extra tight
6) the stream of oil or of the oil pan shoots nearly horizontally! I over shot the catch bucket onto the ground
7) to get some extra working room I drove up onto some cement blocks. A stack of three "half blocks" blocks got me 8" in the air. The oil pan has a slight pitch in the back that countered the front being raised. Maybe if 5-6" raised the last bit of oil will come out faster.
8) I have read varied reports of how much oil is required when doing an oil change. I put in 7 to start with and was low but when I put in 8 it was seemingly over filled. I think that was due to the car being up on blocks. I checked later and the level was in the middle of the range.
9) one of the easiest oil changes. Saves about $20/30 USD to do myself. I think I'll start doing my own again.



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2011 E70 • N55 (me)
2012 E70 • N63 (wife)