Is it REALLY worth it to change oil yourself? (price aside)

TiAg335i · 01-09-2007, 09:45 PM

What do you think? Excluding price, which is really not an issue, how much more advantageous/beneficial is it to change it yourself?

BTW, I have never done an oil change on any car before, and have none of the supplies. But I may cancel my upcoming appt. if the dealers can "mess" it up somehow, and damage my engine.

Walked U · 01-09-2007, 09:51 PM

I pay 100 bucks for my oil to be changed at an independent shop. I know I got quoted $230 bucks at the dealership.

krazykanuck · 01-09-2007, 09:52 PM

I don't think it is, but you do get the peace of mind of knowing exactly what was done to your car. But if you ever go to sell your car, you will not have documentation of oil changes other than your word.

John 070 · 01-09-2007, 10:09 PM

I know with my Nissan, I had the dealership do it exclusively through the 5/60 powertrain warranty. I do it myself with a box of OEM filters in my garage.

I'm so tempted to DIY on the 335, esp. when I read the thread. As I was turning it over in my head, someone mentioned there is paint that indicates when the plug "seal" is broken. I think I'll just let the dealer do it until my 4 yr. maintenance expires. Just don't want any issue about the warranty, although I don't think there would be any. But because it's an expensive car to me, I don't want to take any chance to save maybe $50-$60 per interval change......my .02......I multiply that savings by 4 years (since I'd do it twice as often as recommended, maybe every 7,500) and I'd save $240, so I'll wait.

CokerRat · 01-09-2007, 10:16 PM

I change my own oil on my "special" cars, mainly because I enjoy doing simple mechanical things on them. On my daily driver or my wife's van, ha, not a chance. Besides, oil changes on a Honda cost $20 and I supply the oil.

solex · 01-09-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazykanuck

I don't think it is, but you do get the peace of mind of knowing exactly what was done to your car. But if you ever go to sell your car, you will not have documentation of oil changes other than your word.

I always do my own oil changes. I kept the oil filter receipts as proof.

triton. · 01-09-2007, 11:08 PM

I did my first one at 1310 miles, then I found a place that will do it for $20 if I bring the oil and filter. Worth it for me to have them dispose of the oil. So basically $43 in parts, plus $20 labor.

Walked U · 01-09-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triton.

I did my first one at 1310 miles.

Ya since I did a hard break in mine, I changed the oil at 1200 miles. Ill change it again at 3000, then after that every 5000 miles.

KevinC · 01-09-2007, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walked U

I pay 100 bucks for my oil to be changed at an independent shop. I know I got quoted $230 bucks at the dealership.

Hideous! Here in Snottsdale, my stealership charges $69.95 for genuine BMW (Castrol) synth + filter. Hell at that price I almost can't do it myself! Plus free loaner if desired, usually an X3, not some Dodge Neon turd. That deal's like a sore schlong: you can't beat it. :rocks:

Walked U · 01-09-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

Hideous! Here in Snottsdale, my stealership charges $69.95 for genuine BMW (Castrol) synth + filter. Hell at that price I almost can't do it myself! Plus free loaner if desired, usually an X3, not some Dodge Neon turd. That deal's like a sore schlong: you can't beat it. :rocks:

Ya my area milks you for all you got. What can I say california is just plain expensive.

Chesmu · 01-09-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

Hideous! Here in Snottsdale, my stealership charges $69.95 for genuine BMW (Castrol) synth + filter. Hell at that price I almost can't do it myself! Plus free loaner if desired, usually an X3, not some Dodge Neon turd. That deal's like a sore schlong: you can't beat it. :rocks:

is that bmw N Scottsdale? They used to use hertz rent-a-POS for their loaners when we lived up there. We're in Central Phx now and use Chapman on McDowell Road...I got a 330 when I took my car in for its first oil change.

742 · 01-09-2007, 11:57 PM

There are several advantages to doing it yourself other than cost (which is minimal). One is time, since I can do an oil change in less than the time it takes me to drive to the dealership.

Another is simply looking for problems, which a hurried technician is unlikely to do. For example on the last oil change on one of my other cars I found a seeping fitting on a power steering line. Even though I took it to the dealer to get fixed, I saved myself a possible problem while away from home and perhaps even the cost of a power steering pump.

And with regard to the marking paint on the filter cap, the purpose is almost certainly opposite of what many of you seem to think. It is not unheard of for people to have failed engines at 30 to 40k as a result of never having had the oil changed, and the marking paint is just a simple/quick way for BMW (and any other manufacturer) to identify an engine that has never been serviced. For the same reason you may find on other brands that the oil filters put on at the factory are marked differently than those available in the aftermarket, including the dealerships.

STE92VE · 01-10-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triton.

I did my first one at 1310 miles, then I found a place that will do it for $20 if I bring the oil and filter. Worth it for me to have them dispose of the oil. So basically $43 in parts, plus $20 labor.

$20? I think a stripped oil pan drain could be more costly than that..

SuperSport · 01-10-2007, 12:22 PM

Does anyone know the location of the oil filter on the 330 engine ?? or what the part# is of the filter. I would like to order some filters, to have them on hand. 12,000 miles between oil changes seems a little long for a BMW interval.

Josh49 · 01-10-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSport

Does anyone know the location of the oil filter on the 330 engine ?? or what the part# is of the filter. I would like to order some filters, to have them on hand. 12,000 miles between oil changes seems a little long for a BMW interval.

Search. The information is everywhere. Oil filter is right on top, extremely easy location. See the oil change DIY..

SuperSport · 01-10-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

Search. The information is everywhere. Oil filter is right on top, extremely easy location. See the oil change DIY..

Thanks, I am not sure why I just didn't search for it in the first place

NaTuReB0Y · 01-10-2007, 01:41 PM

real men do their own oil changes......

btw....$45 oil filter and 7 quarts of oil

Josh49 · 01-10-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

$45 oil filter and 7 quarts of oil

Damn, you got screwed on the filter.. Mine was only $12..

j/k

NaTuReB0Y · 01-10-2007, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

Damn, you got screwed on the filter.. Mine was only $12..

j/k

$45 oil filter and 7 quarts of oil

i paid $9.95 for the oil filter at Bavarian Autosport

Josh49 · 01-10-2007, 02:31 PM

Hahaha, just messing around with you..

Damn. 10 bucks is good.

F32Fleet · 01-10-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

What do you think? Excluding price, which is really not an issue, how much more advantageous/beneficial is it to change it yourself?

BTW, I have never done an oil change on any car before, and have none of the supplies. But I may cancel my upcoming appt. if the dealers can "mess" it up somehow, and damage my engine.

If you bought the car with the intention of keeping it over 100k miles, yes.

neuronpetkowski · 01-10-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

If you bought the car with the intention of keeping it over 100k miles, yes.

+1

01-09-2007, 09:45 PM	#1
TiAg335i Trance Life 333 Rep 4,706 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (4)	Is it REALLY worth it to change oil yourself? (price aside) What do you think? Excluding price, which is really not an issue, how much more advantageous/beneficial is it to change it yourself? BTW, I have never done an oil change on any car before, and have none of the supplies. But I may cancel my upcoming appt. if the dealers can "mess" it up somehow, and damage my engine.
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01-09-2007, 09:51 PM	#2
Walked U Brigadier General 184 Rep 3,125 Posts Drives: Too many to list Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (5)	I pay 100 bucks for my oil to be changed at an independent shop. I know I got quoted $230 bucks at the dealership. __________________ Previous - E90 335i, E82 135i, E89 Z4 3.5SI, Range Rover S/C, Ultra White RCF, Maserati Granturismo Current Lexus: SMG LC500 performance package Porsche:1973 911E Ferrari 575 SA, 458 Italia
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01-09-2007, 09:52 PM	#3
krazykanuck Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 275 Posts Drives: 2004 IS300 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 IS300 [0.00] 2004 IS300 [0.00]	I don't think it is, but you do get the peace of mind of knowing exactly what was done to your car. But if you ever go to sell your car, you will not have documentation of oil changes other than your word.
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01-09-2007, 10:09 PM	#4
John 070 Lieutenant General 1725 Rep 14,825 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	I know with my Nissan, I had the dealership do it exclusively through the 5/60 powertrain warranty. I do it myself with a box of OEM filters in my garage. I'm so tempted to DIY on the 335, esp. when I read the thread. As I was turning it over in my head, someone mentioned there is paint that indicates when the plug "seal" is broken. I think I'll just let the dealer do it until my 4 yr. maintenance expires. Just don't want any issue about the warranty, although I don't think there would be any. But because it's an expensive car to me, I don't want to take any chance to save maybe $50-$60 per interval change......my .02......I multiply that savings by 4 years (since I'd do it twice as often as recommended, maybe every 7,500) and I'd save $240, so I'll wait.
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01-09-2007, 10:16 PM	#5
CokerRat Private 3 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 2015 F10 535i xDrive Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I change my own oil on my "special" cars, mainly because I enjoy doing simple mechanical things on them. On my daily driver or my wife's van, ha, not a chance. Besides, oil changes on a Honda cost $20 and I supply the oil.
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01-09-2007, 11:08 PM	#7
triton. Captain 66 Rep 805 Posts Drives: 2009 Honda Fit Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Wilmington, DE iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 FIT [2.00]	I did my first one at 1310 miles, then I found a place that will do it for $20 if I bring the oil and filter. Worth it for me to have them dispose of the oil. So basically $43 in parts, plus $20 labor. __________________ 2009 GE8 Fit SPORT AT Navi - Blue Sensation Pearl My E90 OEM Front/Side Bumpers for Sale -Here
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01-09-2007, 11:57 PM	#12
742 Major 13 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: E90 325i; F10 528i; 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	There are several advantages to doing it yourself other than cost (which is minimal). One is time, since I can do an oil change in less than the time it takes me to drive to the dealership. Another is simply looking for problems, which a hurried technician is unlikely to do. For example on the last oil change on one of my other cars I found a seeping fitting on a power steering line. Even though I took it to the dealer to get fixed, I saved myself a possible problem while away from home and perhaps even the cost of a power steering pump. And with regard to the marking paint on the filter cap, the purpose is almost certainly opposite of what many of you seem to think. It is not unheard of for people to have failed engines at 30 to 40k as a result of never having had the oil changed, and the marking paint is just a simple/quick way for BMW (and any other manufacturer) to identify an engine that has never been serviced. For the same reason you may find on other brands that the oil filters put on at the factory are marked differently than those available in the aftermarket, including the dealerships.
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01-10-2007, 12:22 PM	#14
SuperSport Lieutenant 49 Rep 456 Posts Drives: '20 X3MC, '16 Cayenne S Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Redondo Beach, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Does anyone know the location of the oil filter on the 330 engine ?? or what the part# is of the filter. I would like to order some filters, to have them on hand. 12,000 miles between oil changes seems a little long for a BMW interval. __________________ '20 X3MC -Bm3 Stg1 91, dragy 11.10@124.91 (0-60 3.20),'16 Cayenne S - Sold,
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01-10-2007, 01:41 PM	#17
NaTuReB0Y Powered By 36DD 366 Rep 7,369 Posts Drives: 2006 E90 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Inland Empire iTrader: (12)	real men do their own oil changes...... btw....$45 oil filter and 7 quarts of oil __________________ 2006 E90 330i Jet Black \| 20" WORK VS-XX \| FK452 \| H&R Sport on Koni Yellow \| REMUS QUAD
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01-10-2007, 02:31 PM	#20
Josh49 Major General 254 Rep 6,664 Posts Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (33)	Hahaha, just messing around with you.. Damn. 10 bucks is good. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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