ok allow me to clarify
.. I want to replace the oring on the filter housing so I would need to take out the filter housing .. my original question was: "would i need to drain the pan first" ..cause in the x5 4.8i, the oil filter is located near the pan .. i am aware that some oil will drain from the filter housing itself, which is ok. my only concern was that the oil in the pan will come out as well thru the filter (which I didn't think it would) ..