I usually wait for the Valvoline 5W40 MST to be on sale at Napa for around $5 / qt. They typically do have to order it in, though my local Advance Auto started carrying it and will price match.
It's nice to an option from Pennzoil.

First, thanks to the OP for the thread, was nice to know what tools to have at the ready before starting.

Performed my first oil change on our new (to me anyway) 35d, and DEF Fill (got a warning a week ago)..

DEF fill was very easy and straight forward, but I apparently did not buy enough Fluid to fill both tanks. Fille the active tank, then the passive. But after 3.5 gallons of DEF, there was apparently still room in the Passive tank, so I guess I will top that up again at a later date..

When we bought the car in July, the Carfax showed a recent dealer oil change. So I let it go till the computer told me to change it, and grabbed an oil sample to send off to Blackstone labs.

Will see what the sample report shows and see if I am comfortable with the computer requested intervals on the BMW 0-30 LL04 oil, or if I switch to Redline Diesel Oil, or just shorten the interval and ignore the computer..

First observation, looks like the dealer decided to toss the Plastic access cover from the stiffener plate, as it was missing, and the carfax shows a history of dealer oil changes from the beginning...

Next, and more of a pain, the straight down drain splatters ridiculously when it hits the bottom of the drain pan (quite the mess). Not sure if angling the drain pain until there is an inch or so of oil in it would help alleviate that or not, any suggestions?

If you're talking about the cover over the oil pan drain bolt, I've replaced it twice and it's missing the very next time. Not sure if my experience is unique or not.