Changing the oil in an E46 M3 - how hard can it be?

[Andrew Coates]

Was thinking of changing the oil over the Winter in my E46 M3 (2003).

Which oil will I need; how much and is it best to use a genuine BMW oil filter.

Also, any tips to make it easier and what are the do's and dont's

Any help or advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

[caterpillar]

Castrol 10w-60, it has for m-series engines on the can, oil filter is pretty easy 13mm spanner for the top cap and swap. I used a syphon pump down the dipstick tube to change mine had about 5.5L out, new filter on voila!!

[Frik]

Changing the oil shouldn't be too tricky.

Settling the PH argument over what oil to replenish with may take slightly longer...

[MattOz]

Castrol Edge 10W60 is what you need. Get an OE filter from BMW. It's a 15 minute job.

[mmm-five]

MattOz said:

Castrol Edge 10W60 is what you need. Get an OE filter from BMW. It's a 15 minute job.

Not to be picky, but isn't it specifically 'Castrol Edge 10W60 for M Engines' rather than vanilla 'Castrol Edge 10W60'?

Although I'm sure if you want to save a few quid (or £1-£2.5 per litre) you could go for the normal stuff, or an alternative 10w60.

Assuming you're registered with them, OpieOils are selling the ///M version for £40 for 4 litres, the non-///M version for £36, Gulf Competition for £30, Millers CFS for £46 and Mobil 1 EL for £50.

Their 'service kits' (oil & filter) used to be cheaper than buying the oil by itself, but now you end up paying more for less oil and a filter you'll probably throw away to use an OEM one anyway.

Edited by mmm-five on Friday 31st December 20:08

[Davidonly]

I buy the reccomended oil and OEM filter (and sealing rings etc) from BMW dealers (easy and only a few quid in it really) and the change I do at around 7k intervals supplements the reccomended service interval. Its easy to do but hard to get a trolley jack that fits under the car. I have used my wife's car jack ok but would rather lift the whole front up to get some axel stands underneath...

What's the best jack for an E46 M3?

Edited by Davidonly on Saturday 1st January 13:40

[mmm-five]

I just drive my Z4M up a couple of wedge-shaped blocks of wood I've got for this purpose. Then any normal jack fits underneath, but I've recently been using a Costco low-entry one which takes it up to where I need it in about 3 pumps.

Very similar (except a 3 tonne version) to the one shown below (from an unconnected thread), and was about £70...


Or there's one on Amazon called a LiftMaster for £45.

Edited by mmm-five on Saturday 1st January 15:11

[MigX]

oil filter is about 17 pounds with the o rings from bmw.
about the oil you might find that at retail price if you shop around.
last time i changed the oil on mine with the proper stuff(320d unfortunately) i managed to get the oil at nearly half price from a customer that supplies forecourts.

[cringle]

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=34...

[Davidonly]

Thanks for the info on jacks, could not find one at Halfords, so will order one as per your advice

[Andrew Coates]

Thanks for all the information guys; the link with the photos is very helpful.

Cheers

[sk7ine man]

IIRC you need to fill the oil filter housing with the new oil, once the new filter has been installed...

[rash_decision]

sk7ine man said:

IIRC you need to fill the oil filter housing with the new oil, once the new filter has been installed...

No you don't.

[rassi]

rash_decision said:

sk7ine man said:

IIRC you need to fill the oil filter housing with the new oil, once the new filter has been installed...

No you don't.

You don't have to, but it would make good sense to do so anyway as per the link:

"Now, here's a little anal engineer trick. Pour the first quart of oil in through the opened oil filter housing on the outside of the filter and inside of the housing. This will saturate the filter with fresh oil and reduce the time the engine experiences no oil pressure by a couple of seconds during the first start-up."

[rash_decision]

rassi said:

rash_decision said:

sk7ine man said:

IIRC you need to fill the oil filter housing with the new oil, once the new filter has been installed...

No you don't.

You don't have to, but it would make good sense to do so anyway as per the link:

"Now, here's a little anal engineer trick. Pour the first quart of oil in through the opened oil filter housing on the outside of the filter and inside of the housing. This will saturate the filter with fresh oil and reduce the time the engine experiences no oil pressure by a couple of seconds during the first start-up."

It is an anal hint. I've seen it done. In theory, yes it's a good measure, but for all the oil that you actually get in there, compared to the ammount you lose, trying to pour it in and making a mess down the front of the engine, it isn't worth it. It makes no difference to the ammount of time it takes for the oil pressure to build up and put the pressure warning light out. But each to there own.

[clabcon]

Castrol TWS, 2 x 4 litre bottles & a Genuine Oil Filter. Job Done.

[mat205125]

Opie oils have been my source of proper M Engine Castol Edge ever since I've had M cars.