DIY Oil Change -- Diesel E70

I searched the forum, and couldnt find a dedicated post to the diesel so creating a sticky thread would be useful.

Approved Oil by BMW:
Castrol SLX 5W30 Professional, BMW part number 07510037195

Not Approved, but carries the more stringent BMW LL-04 Certification but not LL-01 and same or better API:
Amsoil European Car Formula Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil (AEL) http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/ael.aspx

If anyone could give a step-by-step guide that would be great!!!

cheers,

I will update the thread as new information becomes available.


Good Articles for DIY, but nothing diesel specific.
http://www.xoutpost.com/file-x5tips.htm


Use the information contained in this post at your own risk,

Originally Posted by m3the01

I searched the forum, and couldnt find a dedicated post to the diesel so creating a sticky thread would be useful.

Now from what i understand, the Amsoil European Car Formula Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil (AEL) is about the best oil available that carries the certifications required for BMW warranty.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/ael.aspx

If anyone could give a step-by-step guide that would be great!!!

cheers,

I will update the thread as new information becomes available.


Good Articles for DIY, but nothing diesel specific.
http://www.xoutpost.com/file-x5tips.htm


Use the information contained in this post at your own risk,

No, No, No...absolutely wrong

Amsoil is NOT an approved oil. It may be BMW LL04, but that is NOT a singular spec! (just because an oil is LL04 does not mean it is approved for a specific car of engine)

The ONLY oil approved by bmw for oil changes in the USA is ONE OIL:

Castrol SLX 5W30 Professional, BMW part number 07510037195

no other oil is recommended for full fills...top off oil is a different issue.

Thanks so much for the info,

I will update the post,

Originally Posted by ard

No, No, No...absolutely wrong

Amsoil is NOT an approved oil. It may be BMW LL04, but that is NOT a singular spec! (just because an oil is LL04 does not mean it is approved for a specific car of engine)

The ONLY oil approved by bmw for oil changes in the USA is ONE OIL:

Castrol SLX 5W30 Professional, BMW part number 07510037195

no other oil is recommended for full fills...top off oil is a different issue.

Mobil 1 ESP 5w/ 30 meets BMW LL -o4 spec, I picked up a quart just for top off reasons, says it right on the label, cost approx 10.00 for the quart, http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...ula_5W-30.aspx Also, isn't the reason why BMW specs Castrol the same reason that they recommend BP Gas, I understand the meaning between approved and meeting the spec but in reality is their really any difference between the Mobile 1 above and the Castrol ?

Originally Posted by ductman

Mobil 1 ESP 5w/ 30 meets BMW LL -o4 spec, I picked up a quart just for top off reasons, says it right on the label, cost approx 10.00 for the quart, http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...ula_5W-30.aspx Also, isn't the reason why BMW specs Castrol the same reason that they recommend BP Gas, I understand the meaning between approved and meeting the spec but in reality is their really any difference between the Mobile 1 above and the Castrol ?

This is one of those elemnetary school lessons about logic and grouping...Apologies if I have an attitude, but.

The BMW approved oil meets LL04 specs.
LL04 is a BMW specification
Mobil 1 ESP meets LL04

IT DOES NOT MEAN Mobil 1 IS APPROVED FOR A BMW Diesel!!!

Most people think "oh, all I need is LL04 and I am good to go" Wrong

People fail to understand that LL04 IS NOT AN ABSOLUTE AND ALL INCLUSIVE SPEC. It simply says 'this oil will meet a long life specification and can go for long change intervals'


People need to be rigorous in their logic about this question. If the question is "what does BMW recommend?" the answer is short, clear, and undeniable. One oil, period.

If the question is "are there other fine oils that will work as good OR EVEN BETTER than what BMW recommends?" the answer is likewise clear: yes.

Prior to the end of the warranty: BMW SLX.

After the warranty: Lots of choices, and LL04 is really not a concern to me as I change oil frequently.

Originally Posted by ductman

I picked up a quart just for top off reasons, ?

You should never mix oils. Different chemistries, different stabilizer packages...

Originally Posted by ard

This is one of those elemnetary school lessons about logic and grouping...Apologies if I have an attitude, but.

The BMW approved oil meets LL04 specs.
LL04 is a BMW specification
Mobil 1 ESP meets LL04

IT DOES NOT MEAN Mobil 1 IS APPROVED FOR A BMW Diesel!!!

Most people think "oh, all I need is LL04 and I am good to go" Wrong

People fail to understand that LL04 IS NOT AN ABSOLUTE AND ALL INCLUSIVE SPEC. It simply says 'this oil will meet a long life specification and can go for long change intervals'


People need to be rigorous in their logic about this question. If the question is "what does BMW recommend?" the answer is short, clear, and undeniable. One oil, period.

If the question is "are there other fine oils that will work as good OR EVEN BETTER than what BMW recommends?" the answer is likewise clear: yes.

Prior to the end of the warranty: BMW SLX.

After the warranty: Lots of choices, and LL04 is really not a concern to me as I change oil frequently.

No offense taken , the wording in the manual says " approved oils can be identified by the following specs" BMW LL-04, it says nothing about only using Castol, just states that they recommend Castrol

BMW is the ones who stated Amsoil also has a BMW LL-04 spec oil that can be used now. Amsoil is a deadly awesome product, but i dont wanna jeopardize anyones warranty.

I wrote bmw a letter asking about the amsoil oil and BMW LL-04 specification, which is superior to LL-01 rating and if i can use and still have complete coverage as the local dealer said the same thing that any BMW LL-01 or LL-04 oil is adequate.

cheers,

Originally Posted by ductman

No offense taken , the wording in the manual says " approved oils can be identified by the following specs" BMW LL-04, it says nothing about only using Castol, just states that they recommend Castrol

Parse the manual. IT ACTUALLY DOESN'T EVEN TELL YOU WHAT IS APPROVED!!!!

it is absolutely stunnung, but the manual says 'contact the dealer to see what is the approved oil'.

The only documented oil- by BMWNA for north america- is the one I listed above.

It is stunning and maddening, but in actual fact BMW only recommends one oil for full fills- all the other verbiage addresses "top off" oil, if and only if "the recommended oil is unavailable"

Originally Posted by m3the01

BMW is the ones who stated Amsoil also has a BMW LL-04 spec oil that can be used now. Amsoil is a deadly awesome product, but i dont wanna jeopardize anyones warranty.

Prove it. Never happened.

Originally Posted by m3the01

I wrote bmw a letter asking about the amsoil oil and BMW LL-04 specification, which is superior to LL-01 rating and if i can use and still have complete coverage as the local dealer said the same thing that any BMW LL-01 or LL-04 oil is adequate.

cheers,

1. BMW will likely respond with "You should contact your local Sport Activity CEnter for technical recommendations..."... betcha an e-beer?

2. Local dealers have their heads up there asses. Tell them to put it in writing.

3. LL01 and LL04 are not just serial improvements- as I recall there are some cases where LL04 is not recommended, yet ll01 is...bobistheoilguy.com (aka BITOG)..for all things oil. I quickly came to discover that my knowldge and understanding of oils and lubrication was juvenile. For that reason I rarely discuss the relative MERITS of oils- but I will discuss the inane BMW recommendations.

Because I've been wanting to get a spare quart of oil to carry in my 2010 x5, 35d, I decided to research a bit and pretty much found what ard is indicating:

- Owner's Manual: On page 243 in my Owner's manugal (http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...3iE3r1WcysmWw=), it indicates what ard has pointed out. Only approved full fill oil is BMW, although they don't provide the Castrol detail ard has...but do have a little note in there saying "BMW recommends Castrol". They also indicate to call or check the BMW USA website or contact your local BMW SAV Center for approved oils.

- So, I checked out www.bmwusa.com and found: http://cache.bmwusa.com/Pdf_2861cf6b...5-bf45db277fe8. Sounds good, but no mention of approved oils for a diesel at all!!

It's obviously possible a call or talking to a SA at a BMW shop might net something different, but nothing other than what ard pointed out that I could find.

I could have sworn I had a pdf of a bmw document...

Anyway, From the Warranty and Maintenance manual (2010): (not the owners manual)

All 2010 model year X5 xDrive35d vehicles are
factory-filled with BMW High Performance
Synthetic oils.We recommend BMW High
Performance 5W-30 Diesel Synthetic Oil (BMW
part number 07 51 0 037 195) for regular
scheduled engine oil changes.
BMW recommends that you check your engine
oil level whenever you add fuel to your vehicle. If
you need to add oil between oil changes and
BMW High Performance Diesel Synthetic Oil is
unavailable, you may top up the oil level with a
fully synthetic, low-ash synthetic oil meeting
BMW's LL-04 specifications.
The synthetic oil listed below meets BMW's
Long-life rating LL-04:
 Castrol SLX Professional OE SAE 5W-30 Fully
Synthetic

I can guarantee a CALL and a CONVERSATION will net different inputs- even with BMWMA. But i've pinned down BMWNA in new jersey and they said "yes, there is only one oil that we currently recommend for the diesel"

I wonder what's recommended for diesel in Europe. Can't be just this particular Castrol.

I think 'ard' (corrected :-)) nailed it, conversation net different outcomes. Although the dealership i spoke to said BMW LL oils are acceptable, i doubt all dealers will state the same and BMWNA will likely reply to my request with a simple, "contact ur nearest service center".

Maybe someone can update the post with more relevant information such as some pictures for the oil change?

Originally Posted by mdog

I wonder what's recommended for diesel in Europe. Can't be just this particular Castrol.

Now you are touching on the crux of the issue:

What BMW recommends (in the USA) and what, from a TECHNICAL viewpoint, is acceptable are entirely different things.

The tortured language in the USA oil recommendation is driven by lawyers, specifically due to the 'free maintenance' program. BMW doesn't want to have to provide free top off oil, so they have to come up with an exclusion that gets them out of this. (Magnusen-Moss)

One the last E70 rolls off of the maintenance plan, the recommendations will change and duplicate the EU text. Just like it has done on E39 M5s.....

IMO

Originally Posted by m3the01

I think 'art' nailed it, conversation net different outcomes. Although the dealership i spoke to said BMW LL oils are acceptable, i doubt all dealers will state the same and BMWNA will likely reply to my request with a simple, "contact ur nearest service center".

ard...

Been at this one for a while.

Originally Posted by ard

I could have sworn I had a pdf of a bmw document...

Anyway, From the Warranty and Maintenance manual (2010): (not the owners manual)



I can guarantee a CALL and a CONVERSATION will net different inputs- even with BMWMA. But i've pinned down BMWNA in new jersey and they said "yes, there is only one oil that we currently recommend for the diesel"

Section 4.

As an update to this post i thought i would list the procedure for a DIY oil change on the LCI x5 diesel 2012, i have about 1400 miles and happy to do its first oil change personally.

I can for sure say, the vehicle is noticeably smoother,

Parts required:
-torque wrench good for 25 newton meters or 18ftlbs
-32mm socket
-17mm socket
-BMW oil filter kit for the diesel
-8 litres of Castrol slx 5w30 professional oil
$79.95 from ECS tuning for oil and oilfilter kit
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/E7035DOIL/ES2526603/


Procedure:
-drive vehicle for 15 minutes to get system warm so oil drains easily
-drive onto some jack pads or raise vehicle and support accordingly
-remove engine cover, pull up, two snaps and then pull towards the front of the vehicle and it slips out.
-remove air snorkel that is just above the oil filter on the drivers side of the engine. It extends from the airbox to the the fresh air intake in the front.
-remove oil cap
-jump under the vehicle there is a little 4inch or so diameter cover that has a small clip that one can release. Then remove entirely as it makes it easier to work, u will notice the engine oil level sensor directly adjacent to the oil drain plug
-take a 17mm socket and remove the oil drain plug and drain oil. Make sure u have an adequate container as there is going to be close to 8 litres
-once drained cleanup and use new crush washer included in the BMW filter kit and torque to 25 Newton Meters or 18ftlbs
-reinstall 4inch diameter cover and verify it fully seats or clips in. Seems to be two stages...
-use 32mm socket on the top of the oil filter housing and have a clean towel close so u dont drip oil all over
-pull filter off filter holder and put new filter on with number on the bottom, not sure if this matters but figured i would install exactly the same as factory. Filter looks the same though both ways
-remove rubber seal and install new rubber seal with a little bit of oil so it doesnt bind while reinstalling it. There is actually a little notch to aid in the removal of the oil rubber seal.
-reinstall filter housing to body, screw in. Should be very easy and should not be difficult to screw in. Torque to 25 Newton Meters or 18ftlbs. DO NOT OVER TORQUE. For those that dont have a torque wrench or adapter for such a large socket this is just snug feeling once it is fully seated. Dont be lazy though, get a torque wrench as it is a super useful tool.
-add 7.5 litres of Castol SLX 5w-30 professional approved oil.
-check engine oil level in idrive

Originally Posted by m3the01

-take a 17mm socket and remove the oil drain plug and drain oil. Make sure u have an adequate container as there is going to be close to 8 litres
-once drained cleanup and use new crush washer included in the BMW filter kit and torque to 25 Newton Meters or 18ftlbs

-reinstall filter housing to body, screw in. Should be very easy and should not be difficult to screw in. Torque to 25 Newton Meters or 18ftlbs. DO NOT OVER TORQUE. For those that dont have a torque wrench or adapter for such a large socket this is just snug feeling once it is fully seated. Dont be lazy though, get a torque wrench as it is a super useful tool.
-add 7.5 litres of Castol SLX 5w-30 professional approved oil.
-check engine oil level in idrive

Great Post! Thank you. I was waiting for this to do my first oil change.

Are those torque values you mention 100% correct? Checked and double checked? I'm not disputing whether or not they are correct but I want to make sure that you feel 100% about their accuracy. My NSX's drain plug (same size) calls for 33 lb/ft.

The torque number is listed on the oil filter housing and i got the torque number for the drain plug from another DIY video for a diesel 335d.

Likely, someone can say for sure if this is accurate. One thing, the plug was for sure not very tight when i removed it.

cheers,

Funny!!! All the BMW recommends oil comments above are funny. Especially when BMW also recommends annual oil changes but not many will stick by that recommendation. LOL.

Originally Posted by m3the01

As an update to this post i thought i would list the procedure for a DIY oil change on the LCI x5 diesel 2012, i have about 1400 miles and happy to do its first oil change personally.

I can for sure say, the vehicle is noticeably smoother,

Parts required:
-torque wrench good for 25 newton meters or 18ftlbs
-32mm socket
-17mm socket
-BMW oil filter kit for the diesel
-8 litres of Castrol slx 5w30 professional oil
$79.95 from ECS tuning for oil and oilfilter kit
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/E7035DOIL/ES2526603/


Procedure:
-drive vehicle for 15 minutes to get system warm so oil drains easily
-drive onto some jack pads or raise vehicle and support accordingly
-remove engine cover, pull up, two snaps and then pull towards the front of the vehicle and it slips out.
-remove air snorkel that is just above the oil filter on the drivers side of the engine. It extends from the airbox to the the fresh air intake in the front.
-remove oil cap
-jump under the vehicle there is a little 4inch or so diameter cover that has a small clip that one can release. Then remove entirely as it makes it easier to work, u will notice the engine oil level sensor directly adjacent to the oil drain plug
-take a 17mm socket and remove the oil drain plug and drain oil. Make sure u have an adequate container as there is going to be close to 8 litres
-once drained cleanup and use new crush washer included in the BMW filter kit and torque to 25 Newton Meters or 18ftlbs
-reinstall 4inch diameter cover and verify it fully seats or clips in. Seems to be two stages...
-use 32mm socket on the top of the oil filter housing and have a clean towel close so u dont drip oil all over
-pull filter off filter holder and put new filter on with number on the bottom, not sure if this matters but figured i would install exactly the same as factory. Filter looks the same though both ways
-remove rubber seal and install new rubber seal with a little bit of oil so it doesnt bind while reinstalling it. There is actually a little notch to aid in the removal of the oil rubber seal.
-reinstall filter housing to body, screw in. Should be very easy and should not be difficult to screw in. Torque to 25 Newton Meters or 18ftlbs. DO NOT OVER TORQUE. For those that dont have a torque wrench or adapter for such a large socket this is just snug feeling once it is fully seated. Dont be lazy though, get a torque wrench as it is a super useful tool.
-add 7.5 litres of Castol SLX 5w-30 professional approved oil.
-check engine oil level in idrive

thank you

Noone should be doing 15,000 miles between oil changes in the first place, so the special extended life rating of LL-04 is irrelevent.

Even BMW has some concerns that 15,000 oci doesn't work. Google "LL-04".

For GAS cars, I suggest using Mobil 1 0w40, which is LL-04 rated, and do a 7,000 oil change interval.

Noone can argue with that.

I used Mobil 1 0w40 (a "thinner" forty weight) after I bought my used X5 (gas version).

Oh please, I went 16K miles b/w oil changes on my previous bimmer (325i), sent the used oil to Blackstone Labs and their report indicated it was within specs and good for few more k's at least.

But hey, if 7,000 oil change interval makes you sleep better, certainly go for it, it's your $$. For diesels the scheduled interval is ~10k, btw.

Even 10k is considered risky by a lot of people at Bob's oil forum.

7k is the real OCI for gas.