Awesome write up.

Is there anyway to make this a sticky?

I was able to remove the filter cover just fine with a crescent wrench.

I once replaced a snowmobile starter rope in the Antarctic using only a beer can opener...


Check the sixth message down in this link:

M52 Oil Leaking near filter HELP! [Archive] - E46Fanatics

DIY-oil filter housing seal - Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum


I'd stick with the socket myself, just in case.

Socket for diesel oil filter removal
 

I just bought a Lisle 14700 socket from amazon. <---- This one for BMW Diesel

It is a 32mm six point 3/8" drive socket specially designed for oil filter canisters. It's inexpensive, low-profile, and most importantly it is designed to not round off the corners of the plastic filter housing. Oddly, it is marketed as being just for the GM Ecotec 2.2, but it fits fine on my X5 35d's filter housing.


I've been using its big brother, a Lisle 14500 (36mm) with fine results for years on my Volvo. I think it may also fit some petrol BMWs.

I know this thread is old, but just wanted FD to know its usefulness lives on. I did my 2011 X35D's oil change yesterday and it was quite easy, except for the (my fault) challenge of not having a large enough oil pan on hand. Not that it took me by surprise; I had 3 or 4 yogurt etc containers on hand but there was still a little mess. As I have rubber matting on my garage floor cleanup was easy.

I also used the Lisle 14700 and it worked great, thanks Comedian. Came in in one day using Amazon prime (even tho I didn't pay for 1 day).

I was able to put in 7.75 quarts before getting a full reading, both on the stick and the e-gauge. Maybe the small discrepancy is due to the car not being perfectly level (I used the same wooden 'ramps' that FD did, having already made a pair a few years ago. Simple to make and very useful, recommend to all). I also have store-bought ramps that raise the car about 8" but I don't use these for oil changes.

Thanks FD!

For those that want a part number for the oil, from BMW's Operating Fluids PDF dated January 2013...

4.0 Diesel Engine Oil Requirements and Specifications
The BMW approved motor oil for the diesel powered 335d and the X5 xDrive35d as announced in Service Information
bulletins B00 04 08 and B00 05 08 is the "low-ash" synthetic Castrol SLX Professional OE SAE 5W-30. This oil is
available through BMW via the virtual warehouse with Castrol under part number 07 51 0 037 195 (1 qt. bottle).

And it goes on in Section 5 Engine Oil Change Intervals to state...

E70 X5 3.0D:
The oil change interval has been slightly reduced with an average baseline distance of 11,000 miles.
Use only "low-ash" synthetic oils such as Castrol SLX Professional OE SAE 5W-30. This oil will be available at BMW
centers soon. Oil information also appears on a label in the engine compartment as a reminder.

EDIT: and here's a note from ISTA/D in regards to consequences of not running low ash oil.

Thanks FunfDreisig!
I have 2 suggestions. The first is to purchase a magnetic drain plug. For whatever reason, BMW doesn't provide these from the factory. Maybe it's a means to shorten the life of the engine so you buy another car or use their service to fix your engine? :) I didn't even get a magnetic drain plug on my M6 but it has one now. The other suggestion I have is to pour a quart of oil in the filter housing after you replace the drain plug. The sooner you can get oil to the filter, the less time your engine will run after start-up without oil. I know the housing drains into the oil pan but when I poured the quart in, a few inches of oil remained in the bottom of the housing. It can't hurt anything so even if it doesn't help I did it anyway.

I have seen that on the electronic indicator on my M6 but haven't had the X5 long enough to see that yet if it does occur. Just changed my oil on the X5 and put in 7 quarts and my electronic graph shows Max but on the dipstick it's half-way between min & max.

Mine took 8.5 qts to reach max with a brand new filter. 7 is not enough for the X5

The electronic gauge did eventually show a little less than max so I added 3/4 quart and it went to max.