General topics » Tip-toeing into "owner maintenance"

Rather than fork over what almost amounts to a monthly mortgage payment to my dealer for simple maintenance tasks, I'm planning to do some of the easier items myself. Like oil/filter change...

Where can I get the following (if not from dealer):

1. Oil filter removal tool
2. Drain plug crush washer
3. Final drive gasket/washer
4. Engine oil (BMW synthetic)...5W40?
5. Final drive oil

I've read some posts about using torque wrenches on drain plugs and the hazard involved in over-tightening. Do those of you who do your own oil changes use a torque wrench, or simply do it by "feel"?

P.S. One of the reasons I want to do my own engine/final drive oil changes is (a) they always overfill the engine oil, and (b) they put 200ml of final drive oil in during the drive oil change, instead of the recommended 180ml. Is that going to cause a problem with the final drive??? It's to the point where I have to double-check everything they do, and then they just say it's "no problem" when something like this is pointed out. "No problem" for them, I'm sure...

I've used a hybrid service - home for oils/filter engine and bevel drive but then every two years I use the dealership at time of brake fluid change.

Luckily? my local bmw shop will do 'all the rest' apart from oils and I pay for the partial service, and I ignore the 'service spanner' for the year in between. ( do not own any reset device/alarm code reader)

Visited the bike showroom last week and just bought the crush washers/rubber bevel drive seal pieces for 2 oil changes (around £3 - bargain!) and use fleebay for oils/filters.

Here in uk some dealerships (not my local one) have an ebay shop so I can get their recommended oil and filter, although you will see here on the forum that Mahle make bmw oil filters for OE.

I always use a torque wrench BUT with a bit of common sense, feel how tight you are applying it and stop if you feel "it is enough" - recheck the manual and your setting 'just in case'

I agree on the bevel drive 180cc, maybe someone didn't wait long enough for all the old stuff to drain out so a check on what you remove is never a waste of time.

Also the same on enegine oil - I add 3.8 litres rather then 4 litre, then run the check procedure on a warm engine.

Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #1

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Rather than fork over what almost amounts to a monthly mortgage payment to my dealer for simple maintenance tasks, I'm planning to do some of the easier items myself. Like oil/filter change...

Where can I get the following (if not from dealer):

1. Oil filter removal tool
2. Drain plug crush washer
3. Final drive gasket/washer
4. Engine oil (BMW synthetic)...5W40?
5. Final drive oil

...

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Zitat von BEARR im Beitrag #1

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1. Oil filter removal tool
2. Drain plug crush washer
3. Final drive gasket/washer
4. Engine oil (BMW synthetic)...5W40?
5. Final drive oil

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Zitat von zer0netgain im Beitrag #4

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[quote=BEARR|p55117]

I don’t know of any gaskets or washers for the final drive. If you mean the drain and fill plugs, at most it’s just an o-ring.

Final drive oil I bought from BMW and use large shop syringes to measure out the amount needed. One quart will last several changes.

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I use an old plastic mni refill jug that came free to add water to an iron when steaming clothes, clear see-through.

Before removing from the house (borrow indefinitely?) put it on the kitchen scales, calibrated to zero.

Very easy now, add water (not oil) and mark the jug at 150/180/200 grammes and you now have the bevel drive measure ready.

That metric system - 100cc = 100 gramms // 1 litre = 1 kg of fluid - water, does make some sence.

Lastly - clear away any evidence, replace scales, clean worktop and deny any knowledge of missing household items!

It's what I refer to as "Essex Rules! "If it ain't nailed down, you can borrow it"

Oil is less dense than water though. So 100g of oil might give (for example) 110ml of oil.

I checked prices of Oil Filters, Air Filters and spark plugs for the US members.

Mahle 619 Oil filter BMW $21.50, Beemer Boneyard $14 and includes a washer for the oil drain plug (1$12.60 for MOA members) Amazon $19

Mann Air Filter BMW $38, Beemer Boneyard Mahle Air Filter $24 ($21.60 for MOA) Amazon Mahle Air Filter $33

NGK LMAR8AI-10 Spark Plug BMW $56 a pair, Beemer Boneyard $38 a pair ($34.20 for MOA) Amazon $42 a pair

Boneyard charges shipping. Free shipping at Amazon if spending more than $25 or a Prime member.

Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #8

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I checked prices of Oil Filters, Air Filters and spark plugs for the US members.

Mahle 619 Oil filter BMW $21.50, Beemer Boneyard $14 and includes a washer for the oil drain plug (1$12.60 for MOA members) Amazon $19

Mann Air Filter BMW $38, Beemer Boneyard Mahle Air Filter $24 ($21.60 for MOA) Amazon Mahle Air Filter $33

NGK LMAR8AI-10 Spark Plug BMW $56 a pair, Beemer Boneyard $38 a pair ($34.20 for MOA) Amazon $42 a pair

Boneyard charges shipping. Free shipping at Amazon if spending more than $25 or a Prime member.

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Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #8

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I checked prices of Oil Filters, Air Filters and spark plugs for the US members.

Mahle 619 Oil filter BMW $21.50, Beemer Boneyard $14 and includes a washer for the oil drain plug (1$12.60 for MOA members) Amazon $19

Mann Air Filter BMW $38, Beemer Boneyard Mahle Air Filter $24 ($21.60 for MOA) Amazon Mahle Air Filter $33

NGK LMAR8AI-10 Spark Plug BMW $56 a pair, Beemer Boneyard $38 a pair ($34.20 for MOA) Amazon $42 a pair

Boneyard charges shipping. Free shipping at Amazon if spending more than $25 or a Prime member.

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