I changed the oil on it today... Started off by making a bit of a mess by having the drain pan under the drain plug instead of a foot or so to the right side of the vehicle; that stuff shot out of there like it was under pressure! That's not a mistake I'll make again.

Then I went to remove the oil filter, and do you think I've got a 36mm socket or wrench around? Nope. I tried a 12" Crescent Wrench on it, but it was on there pretty snug, and with the angle it was hitting the cap, I didn't want to end up dinging up the plastic by pushing too hard. So I ran around, hitting three stores before finding a socket that would fit (and wouldn't cost $30.) Got a cheapo 1 7/16" socket for $8.

I also discovered that the filter can kinda go in the wrong way, but then you can't tighten the cap properly. Note to self (and anybody else listening): if the filter doesn't slide onto the housing easily and snap into position at the end of its travel, you've probably got it on backwards. Flip it around.

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2001 X5 Sport 3.0/5-speed
1998 318ti/5-speed
1988 735i/5-speed
1984 528e/5-speed (soon to be M20B25-powered 525i!)