F15 X5 35i Oil Change

[M302_imola]

Feel like a noob asking, but I've searched and can't seem to find much info on oil change intervals as well as preferred oil choice. Keep finding info on 35d and 50i. Please be so kind to point me in a direction. Thanks

[menelaos]

I change it every 5 to 6K miles, personally.
Mobil 1 OW-40.

[Jenya B]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Feel like a noob asking, but I've searched and can't seem to find much info on oil change intervals as well as preferred oil choice. Keep finding info on 35d and 50i. Please be so kind to point me in a direction. Thanks

Buy oil filter , and oil , remove engine cover , open the lid , unscrew oilfilter housing and lift up the SUV , from the bottom open access "door" unscrew the bolt , drain the oil for 10 minutes . Use NEW copper washer from oilfilter set , put on bolt and screw it back , do not overtight . Close access door . Put truck down . Put oilfilter and screw the cap , dont forget new oil ring . Use funnel to fill up the oil into the engine , check oil level .

[Jenya B]

Mobil1 0/40 is good , Castrol Also not bad .

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by Jenya B

Buy oil filter , and oil , remove engine cover , open the lid , unscrew oilfilter housing and lift up the SUV , from the bottom open access "door" unscrew the bolt , drain the oil for 10 minutes . Use NEW copper washer from oilfilter set , put on bolt and screw it back , do not overtight . Close access door . Put truck down . Put oilfilter and screw the cap , dont forget new oil ring . Use funnel to fill up the oil into the engine , check oil level .

Seems really straight forward similar to my old E46 M3. There's a local place that I've trusted over the years that will do an oil change for $15 as long as I provide the supplies. Seems like a no-brainer. I assume I can reset the interval pretty easily? Is there a cheap place online to purchase OEM oil filter and such?

[Jenya B]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Seems really straight forward similar to my old E46 M3. There's a local place that I've trusted over the years that will do an oil change for $15 as long as I provide the supplies. Seems like a no-brainer. I assume I can reset the interval pretty easily? Is there a cheap place online to purchase OEM oil filter and such?

ask oilshop , they supposed to have discounts at dealers parts , i pay 25$ canadian for OEM filter at bm dealership.

[Mr.47]

Oil Spec for N55 (35i) are LL01,

Castrol edge 0w-40 European formula, you can find them in wal-mart for $22-$24/gallon and most automotive store for higher tho, you'll need 6.5 Quarts. can pick up an oil filter at dealer for around -+$20

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by Jenya B

ask oilshop , they supposed to have discounts at dealers parts , i pay 25$ canadian for OEM filter at bm dealership.

Ok, but I'm not sure who oilshop is.

Originally Posted by Mr.47

Oil Spec for N55 (35i) are LL01,

Castrol edge 0w-40 European formula, you can find them in wal-mart for $22-$24/gallon and most automotive store for higher tho, you'll need 6.5 Quarts. can pick up an oil filter at dealer for around -+$20

Walmart has everything! I'll check that out. Also, going to look for the OEM filter on ebay.

[Mr.47]

Originally Posted by M302_imola

Walmart has everything! I'll check that out. Also, going to look for the OEM filter on ebay.

Check with the dealer for oil filter, sometimes they're cheaper than Ebay or Napa Autoparts and they will likely have in stock.

When i got my oil filter for my X5 35d, napa autoparts was charging around $49.99 for a oil filter (because it was "specialty" BS filter) while the dealer was only $15, but i had a random discount and it came out to be $10. So check around with the dealers around your area.

However if dealer is expansive (more then $12-15 is overpriced for N55 filter)

Your aftermarket options are
Mahle (oem) Part# OX 387 D
Mann (Very good aftermarket) Part# HU 816x

Avoid (filter element will collapse and twist)
FRAM
WIX
Beck & Arnley

[tntp]

well, just go to the dealer for an old change every 5k miles or 6 months for around $75 and enjoy coffee and checking out new cars, unless you enjoy playing with your dirty hands!

If you are out of warranty, just go to your local trusted mechanics for bigger jobs.

[CeeTeeX5]

Honestly curious, is there a reason folks are changing their oil at 5-6k vs the recommended intervals from BMW?

Has anyone done a blackstone lab analysis of their engine oil at 5-6k vs 10k? I'm curious if there is a notable degradation of the oil at the higher mileage interval.

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

Honestly curious, is there a reason folks are changing their oil at 5-6k vs the recommended intervals from BMW?

Has anyone done a blackstone lab analysis of their engine oil at 5-6k vs 10k? I'm curious if there is a notable degradation of the oil at the higher mileage interval.

For me, it's just a "bad" habit. Started with my SAAB back in '09 as prior owner was very diligent and transferred the bug to me.

I do understand where you're coming from, but I think frequent oil changes are the best car insurance, second to none.

[Mr.47]

Originally Posted by tntp

well, just go to the dealer for an old change every 5k miles or 6 months for around $75 and enjoy coffee and checking out new cars, unless you enjoy playing with your dirty hands!

If you are out of warranty, just go to your local trusted mechanics for bigger jobs.

Honestly I don't really anyone working on my vehicle (a few well established indy is who i somewhat trust), also given that most oil change (in dealership) are done by lube technician (basically if you can hold a wrench correctly you got the job...) you can often get sloppy jobs or sometimes incorrectly/incomplete jobs, not risking a +$15,000 engine on that, and besides it gives me a peace of mind that I was able to do perform the service correctly and in kempt manner.

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

Honestly curious, is there a reason folks are changing their oil at 5-6k vs the recommended intervals from BMW?

Has anyone done a blackstone lab analysis of their engine oil at 5-6k vs 10k? I'm curious if there is a notable degradation of the oil at the higher mileage interval.

Modern oil can last slightly longer then the recommended miles under normal operations, to one who changes their oil earlier is just a peace of mind, they go tracking or towing.

On my X5 35d i usually replace at 7500k miles or 6mo. My reasons, too many.

Originally Posted by menelaos

I do understand where you're coming from, but I think frequent oil changes are the best car insurance, second to none.

Concur

[Duke I]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

Oil Spec for N55 (35i) are LL01,

Castrol edge 0w-40 European formula, you can find them in wal-mart for $22-$24/gallon and most automotive store for higher tho, you'll need 6.5 Quarts. can pick up an oil filter at dealer for around -+$20

Do you consider LL01 to be critical? I run Mobil 1 5W50 in my sports car and the engines get great UOAs with it. I just wonder if the lack of LL01 for Mobil 1 by BMW is a business tantrum between the companies.

[Mr.47]

Originally Posted by Duke I

Do you consider LL01 to be critical? I run Mobil 1 5W50 in my sports car and the engines get great UOAs with it. I just wonder if the lack of LL01 for Mobil 1 by BMW is a business tantrum between the companies.

LL01 means it has correct weight, additives/detergents that will run up to BMW Maintenance specification (under normal operation conditions with no track days) which is 1yr-10k miles trouble free I'd stick with LL01 if you plan to run 1yr-10k oil change intervals.

Ironically Mobil-1 0w-40 European Formula used to have LL01 when it was
first introduced, but LL01 was later dropped in 2014 with no formula change, and now recently (2016) they've switched out Oil company, from Castrol to Shell, its probally who can provide the right oil formula for BMW for the least amount of cash looks like Castrol lost out this time around.

[DuSh]

You have 2015 35i - I thought BMW had 4 year free maintenance plan no? If I'm wrong then here's what you'll need:
1. 17 mm socket to remove and tighten the drain plug
3. 16 flute 86.4mm oil filter removal tool (3/8” RATCHET, 27MM SOCKET, OR 1-1/16” SOCKET): https://www.amazon.com/Motivx-Tools-...r+removal+tool
4. 7 quarts (or 6.5L) oil + filter (Mann/Mahle as Mr.47 posted above) https://www.amazon.com/Mann-Filter-H...ds=11427566327 or https://www.amazon.com/Hisenic-Filte...ox+387+d&psc=1

I won't be contributing to the endless oil brand and viscosity holy-war, but whatever oil you go with - stick to it, don't change oil brands every time.

[Mr.47]

Originally Posted by DuSh

You have 2015 35i - I thought BMW had 4 year free maintenance plan no?

If OP is 2nd owner, the maintenance program is non-transferable.

[fosterelli]

Originally Posted by Duke I

Do you consider LL01 to be critical? I run Mobil 1 5W50 in my sports car and the engines get great UOAs with it. I just wonder if the lack of LL01 for Mobil 1 by BMW is a business tantrum between the companies.

Longlife-01 is BMW's approval of the oil for gasoline engines, (-04 for diesel). And now FE coming into play.

Mercedes has theirs (MB-Approval 229.5 / 229.52).

The car manufacturers who use their own specs (just like GM dexos) have a program where they take what they know about their products, performance characteristics, engine wear, failure modes, etc. and decide which additives (and concentrations of additives) prevent the most problems for their engines. This leads to less warranty costs on their part. (eg some engines need more wear additives, dispersants, EP additives, and so on).

Other auto manufacturers simply stick with API, ILSAC, and ACEA specs - and if the oil meets these specs it'll be suitable for use in their vehicles.

It should be noted that some manufacturers consider their oil spec approval process to be a nice revenue stream, charging oil companies "fees" for submitting tests for processing.

Additionally, the "first-fill" battle will always rage. Your oil cap may say Castrol today, Mobil1 tomorrow, and Shell in-between. Getting your oil brand as a factory fill, having your logo on the oil cap, and being listed in the owner's manual as a recommended brand are all very attractive benefits for oil manufacturers...thus they pay heavily for the privilege (ie severely discounted factory oil supplies for production fills, marketing co-ops, and so on).

So, the real deal? Use what keeps your vehicle protected, your warranty in place (if applicable), the brands you prefer, and keep rolling!

FWIW I use Liqui Moly Leichtlauf 5W40 in our Euro cars.

[blau iii]

Our maintenance just expired and I'll be doing my first oil change on the wifes 35i x5. Plus/coils as well since she's at 55k miles. I checked the maint schedule and looks like a tranny flush is about due as well. Any good DIY's for maintenance on this one? I have a n54 335i that i've taken apart 1,000 times. Any "gotchas" on this motor/chassis?

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by blau iii

Our maintenance just expired and I'll be doing my first oil change on the wifes 35i x5. Plus/coils as well since she's at 55k miles. I checked the maint schedule and looks like a tranny flush is about due as well. Any good DIY's for maintenance on this one? I have a n54 335i that i've taken apart 1,000 times. Any "gotchas" on this motor/chassis?

On 35i it's as straightforward as it can be for a BMW lol. It's same old n55 engine.

[M302_imola]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

If OP is 2nd owner, the maintenance program is non-transferable.

That is correct...thanks

Originally Posted by blau iii

Our maintenance just expired and I'll be doing my first oil change on the wifes 35i x5. Plus/coils as well since she's at 55k miles. I checked the maint schedule and looks like a tranny flush is about due as well. Any good DIY's for maintenance on this one? I have a n54 335i that i've taken apart 1,000 times. Any "gotchas" on this motor/chassis?

I've read spark plugs at 60K but wasn't aware that included ignition coils as well. Sounds like your X5 and mine are right around the same mileage so I'll be interested on what all maintenance you're performing.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Mr.47

If OP is 2nd owner, the maintenance program is non-transferable.

or is it