How to change the engine oil on a BMW 3 series by yourself for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Filter wrench, gloves, drip pan, stands, safety glasses, wheel clocks, engine oil, engine oil filter, funnel, and engine oil drain container are necessary items to have on hand when changing an engine’s oil. You can change engine oil once you have everything.
- You must remove the engine shield protection in order to access the engine oil drain plug.
- Remove the drain plug from the engine.
- Remove the engine oil filler cap, open the hood, and allow the engine’s oil to completely drain.
- The driver’s side under the hood is where you’ll find the engine oil filter.
- Unscrew the engine oil filter cover to reveal it, then remove it.
- Replace the old engine oil filter by removing the old one.
- O-ring must be changed.
- Reinstall the fresh filter.
- The engine’s drain plug should be reinstalled.
- Fill a funnel with the fresh motor oil.
- To find out how much oil should be applied, consult the service handbook.
In This Article...
Anyone able to change a BMW’s oil?
If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’re looking for information on whether you have to take your BMW to the dealer for maintenance or an oil change. Can I take my BMW to any mechanic? is a question you may have already questioned yourself. In summary, you can take your BMW to whichever mechanic you choose for maintenance and oil changes. There is a little more to it than that, but overall, you are under no need to visit the BMW dealer ever again if you choose not to.
You must keep in mind that not all mechanics are certified to operate on your BMW, even though you have a choice in who does so. Even though all modern cars have four wheels, many of them are very specialized, and sometimes that’s where the similarities between various manufactures end. We’re going to go into the specifics of getting your BMW serviced today, including some warning signs you should watch out for. In the end, we’ll provide you with enough knowledge to locate a skilled BMW mechanic in your neighborhood. Since it’s in their best financial interest to have you return to them for everything, including the needless nitrogen for your tires, you probably won’t hear this information from your BMW dealer.
The dealership industry has a little-known secret: “Service and repair” is their “bread and butter.” They make every effort to prevent you from taking your repairs elsewhere because of this. They advocate against independent mechanics since it will put more money in their own wallets even though they are fully aware that they provide the same services for less money. You need to hear this if you’re still wondering, “Can I take my BMW to any mechanic for service?”
Can you perform a DIY BMW oil change?
For a BMW owner, performing an oil change themselves is a terrific endeavor. if you have the resources. Fortunately, if you have the oil filter cap wrench—which costs around $20 if you can’t borrow one from a friend—they are not difficult to complete.
After a few usage, the instruments typically pay for themselves. For $89.26 with free shipping, Turner Motorsports offers an oil change package that includes a BMW oil filter, 7 gallons of BMW synthetic oil, and a new drain plug. I’ve done a lot of articles and videos on oil changes because it’s a relaxing way to use your BMW.
How frequently should a BMW 3 Series have its oil changed?
When to Change the Oil in a BMW 3 Series. Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles on average, an oil change is required. However, you should always consult your owner’s manual to find out how frequently to have your vehicle serviced.
A BMW 330i oil change costs how much?
A BMW 330i oil change typically costs between $219 and $240. The cost of labor is expected to be between $55 and $69, while the cost of parts is between $164 and $171.
For a BMW 328i, how much does an oil change cost?
Oil change price range for a BMW 328i. A BMW 328i oil change typically costs between $210 and $237. While parts are priced between $154 and $166, labor costs are predicted to be between $56 and $70. Taxes and levies are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or special location taken into account.
How much does a BMW X3 oil change cost?
A BMW X3 oil change typically costs between $199 and $226. While parts are priced between $144 and $157, labor is predicted to cost between $55 and $69 per hour. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account. Additional fixes could be required.
How much does an oil change for a BMW cost?
How much does a BMW oil change cost? BMW oil changes typically cost between $135 and $175, with parts and fluids accounting for roughly $90 to $110 of that total and labor making up the remaining percentage.
How much does an oil change for a 2022 BMW cost?
An oil change for a BMW typically costs between $120 and $180 at a BMW dealership or between $120 and $180 at an independent service. However, you can do-it-yourself (DIY) for about $80, as we’ll explain in this post.
According to BMW, you should change the oil in your vehicle every year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, if you want to extend the life of your engine, you should change it earlier. See more below on that.
By going to a nearby independent mechanic that has been highly rated, you can also save money on your oil change.
How frequently should a BMW have its synthetic oil changed?
BMWs are unique automobiles, and the most recent versions are designed to use synthetic fluids and oils that require less frequent replacement than conventional lubricants. They are made to go up to 12,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes, or nearly one driving year.
How much time does an oil change at BMW require?
Timely oil changes are a priority for our BMW specialists. You might be wondering how long an oil change takes if this is your first time visiting our Norwood service center. Our BMW oil changes typically take between 30 and 45 minutes.
Do BMWs require particular oil?
You shouldn’t skimp on the quality or type of motor oil you put in your BMW because it’s the second-most crucial fluid after fuel in your car. Because of this, BMW advises using only synthetic motor oils in all BMW engines.
Do BMW oil changes cost more money?
Response given by. You are correct! An oil change for a more cheap automobile will often cost between $35 and $75, while an oil change for a BMW will typically cost between $135 and $175. There are three reasons why prices differ: oil type, components, and labor
A BMW 3 Series has a dipstick, right?
Under the hood, BMW has removed the oil level dipstick and replaced it with an oil pan sensor (the shaded part in the figure). If the oil level inside the oil pan falls below the safe level, the sensor should sound an alarm. Not accountants who determine how long you may drive without changing or checking the oil in your automobile, but engineers who created the engines who computed this number. Another thing to keep in mind is that these electronic level meters do occasionally malfunction.
BMW wants you to think that your car’s engine oil only needs to be changed every 15,000 miles and that the transmission oil never needs to be changed. Does that strike you as reasonable?
Did you know that BMW claims that a quart of oil is consumed by each of their vehicles every 800-900 miles? This equation’s irrational component is the 15,000-mile oil change interval with certain models’ oil pans holding up to 7.5 quarts of oil.
If you used this formula, your oil pan would entirely run dry after 8,000 miles of driving. That is around half of the suggested oil change interval of 15,000 miles. Not to mention that the oil pump will be unable to refuel well before the fifth quart runs out. The end consequence is a defective engine that needs a significant and pricey service. You would require an oil pan with a capacity of roughly 20 quarts to address this issue. There are only 8 quarts in the typical BMW. That is a tragedy waiting to happen!
Keeping with the lifespan fluids described earlier, how long is the “lifetime”? According to manufacturers, “lifetime” is often defined as 8 to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Be advised, nevertheless, that you shouldn’t adhere to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule if you intend to retain your automobile for longer than five years. Autoscope advises having your oil changed every 7,500 miles with synthetic fluids and every 3,500 miles with petroleum-based fluids to prevent costly repairs.
Why do oil changes cost more for fancy vehicles?
Any automobile you drive, from a modest economy car to a stylish, powerful luxury car, needs fluids to operate at its best. Although it is true that a smaller budget car would cost much less to keep up, especially when it comes to oil changes. Due to the time required and the higher cost of speciality oils, an oil change for a luxury vehicle can be considerably more expensive than for a smaller vehicle.
Nowadays, full synthetic or a synthetic blend of oil is used in most automobiles. A luxury car, especially one with a European design, needs a specific oil made in Europe. This is due to the fact that the European Union has stricter emissions regulations than the ones set forth by the EPA of the United States.
Early in the 1990s, diesel engines were incorporated into European vehicle design in an effort to lessen the amount of carbon dioxide that contributed to pollution. In order to achieve their goal of lowering vehicle emissions, European car engineers have created more environmentally friendly applications in automobiles throughout time. Catalytic converters and specialized filters to capture dangerous particulates are examples of these attempts.
By including specialized additives and making sure the oil is free from sulfated ash, phosphorus, zinc, and sulfur in comparison to regular engine oils, specialty oil was created to preserve European vehicle emissions systems.
Is it costly to maintain a BMW?
BMWs are by far the most expensive car manufacturer to repair, claims Your Mechanic. The competition is not even close. With an average maintenance cost of $17,800 over ten years, BMW comes in #1. Mercedes-Benz came in second with an average maintenance cost of $12,900 during a 10-year period. In contrast, the typical Toyota only cost $5,500 to maintain during a 10-year period because they are recognized for requiring less maintenance.
According to Your Mechanic, such high maintenance costs are usual in German premium vehicles. Audi comes in sixth with an average $12,400 maintenance expense over a 10-year period. This is primarily a result of the pricey, high-end parts that these luxury vehicles require. Naturally, it will cost a lot of money to fix those pieces when they break or need maintenance.
However, while being premium vehicles, they also have ongoing problems. For instance, according to Your Mechanic, a BMW is four times more likely to not start than a typical automobile. It was ranked seventh overall as a result. Additionally, the window regulator on the BMW required replacement 18 times more frequently than the window regulator on the ordinary car.