4.8is first owner-performed oil change...comments?
 

Like for example: where's the damn filter cartridge container? Is it really under the car? My M3 had it front & center: quite easy.

Any other quirks to mention? 8.5 quarts correct?

I'm off to the BMW dealer to use OE oil & filter per so many people's recommendations on this forum: thanks guys.

Mark

for some reason i always took my rides to a dealer for an oil change, even the '94 E34 with 160K and '98 E39 with 207K on it... it ran me about $100 on I-6 and close to $150 on V8 models... just a couple of weeks ago got the 4.8 changed for $107 at BMW of Fairfax... I think it is worth it, considering the parts and labor... Even if you were to take your precious ride to a Jiffy Lube (oh my GOD, did I say it out loud???!!), it still would have cost you close to $80-90...
Check your dealer, he might have some specials...

Na I'm a learner & had a few bad experiences (yes, a few) from oil change geniuses.

I'll stay true & use OEM (from dealer) filters & oil though.

Filter, o-ring and crush washer kit - $15
Oil - on sale with online discount from Advanced Auto $40

So $55 bucks isn't bad considering it's a very eash change and takes all of 15 minutes to do with most of the time being used to wait for all of the oil to drain.

Sorry, i can't give advice on the location of your filter. Mine is under the hood, on top, front driver side.

4.4 and the 4.8 are fairly similar for the oil change. THIS thread should help you out.

N62 motors have the oil filter assembly
On the bottom while M62 has it on top to the left. Drain plug is on the bottom on both so either way you are getting under there.

With filter I go to the dealer oil I get from autozone etc.

Just for the heck of it if would you consider taking a pic of your oil and filter (maybe oil on a white paper towel to potentially see its condition)?

I was thinking of starting another thread that may be of interest to the forum, or could die right away... basically list along with the pic of the filter and the oil itself, if possible-
1) What Oil Used, How many qts, & Cost, where obtained, why;
2) What filter used, what cost, where obtained;
3) Time since last oil change,
4) Changed crush ring, drain plug (Y/N)
5) Changed O ring (Y/N)
6) How long it took you, use jack stands, ramps et...
7) Tips
8) Notes


Example
1) 7.8 qts. Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30, $60 Autozone, recommended oil
2) Mann filter, crush, $12 shipped, BAVauto
3) 8k miles since last change
4) No change on crush ring, drain plug
5) Yes changed O ring
6) 20 minutes with ramps
7) Use 16 qt catch pan instead of 8 to make less of a mess, drop cardboard under catch pan
8) Noticed the white goop in oil- looking into; saw potential coolant leak - looking into


Maybe this is of interest? Maybe not? Dunno. I'll post the thread. If you want to post I think it may be beneficial and you can be the first unless someone else happens to be doing an oil change and beats you to it.:dunno:

Oil colour has no bearing on its condition, unless it is milky white and therefore full of water.

$93 for BMW 5-30 synthetic + the oil filter replacement element: so I figure the element is correct. :)

I'd wager it's under the car as per the above picture show whereas the counter salesman thought it was on top. We'll find out soon enough!

Mark

I order the filters online (Filter is Located beside the expansion tank, driver side, top side) and buy my synthetic oil at Wal-Mart. Around $60 all in, then I do it myself in the driveway. Easy job to do, then I take the savings and buy sushi. :)