This happened on 12/24/13 & I'm just remembering to mention what I learned on my first oil change on the N62 engine (with oil filter below the engine).
Thanks to those that posted the DIY and the tools required (24mm socket for oil filter lid, 6mm hex bit for drain in oil filter lid, and 8 mm hex bit for oil pan drain bolt).
My 85 325e, 91 735iL & 95 525iT had the correct tools in the trunk/tailgate tool kit to do an oil & filter change...and my 97 740iL & 99 540iT had everything too except the 36mm socket to loosen the oil filter lid.
Unfortunately I didn't have a 24mm socket nor did I have a 6mm bit socket...so I went to trusty old Sears. But I discovered that my
15/16 socket works as well as the 24mm socket, and my
T50 torx bit socket works as well as an 8mm bit socket, and my
T40 torx bit socket works as well as the 6mm bit socket. So I returned the 24mm to Sears...but I kept the 6mm bit socket since I actually used it (wish I had thought about trying out the T40 first
).
And I must confess that I do prefer the top side oil filter location that BMW was using in the previous decades. Its so much easier only having to undo one thing on the underside of the car...instead of 3 things (like on the N62)
Again, tools I found that work on the N62 are:
- 15/16 socket or 24mm socket to undo oil filter lid
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- T40 torx or 6mm hex bit socket to open drain plug in oil filter lid
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- T50 torx or 8mm hex bit socket to open oil pan drain plug
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