First oil change

[Raularango]

Looking get a oil change should I buy the filter or buy it when I get the oil change at bmw they should have the filter in stock rite? 135i

[fast1eddy]

They will have the filter in stock. Do yourself a favor and find an independent BMW shop. You're always going to overpay at a dealership.

[tracer bullet]

Not sure I understand the question. Who's doing the oil change, you or the dealer (or a shop)?

The dealer and / or a specializing indy shop will have the filter and o-rings, etc.

Go for the lower cost option and if indy be sure they use good oil. Not much to it. Sometimes the dealer can win out if they have a promotion going on.

Generally speaking I'd skip the quick oil change places on the street corners. Odds are they'll be fine but I have had enough small stupid things happen at those I finally quite going to them and just generally recommend against it. Employees don't always know what they are doing.

[BMWGuy4852]

This is the most important service item.

You can always count on the dealer doing the job correctly. If they don't, you won't have any problems getting them to cover the damage. Anyone else, who knows?

[fast1eddy]

I realize that not everyone likes to diy but oil change is one of the simplest things to do on a vehicle.

[NorthernDancer]

Originally Posted by Raularango

Looking get a oil change should I buy the filter or buy it when I get the oil change at bmw they should have the filter in stock rite? 135i

You really, really should join BMWCCA and learn more about your car and the good BMW garages in your area from other members. A 135 will cost you a ton of money if not maintained by knowledgeable BMW indy garages.

[Raularango]

I would do the oil change myself but I don't have a jack or jack stands and I need to change the oil in the transmission

[NorthernDancer]

Originally Posted by Raularango

I would do the oil change myself but I don't have a jack or jack stands and I need to change the oil in the transmission

No one mentioned jack or jack stands. The car needs to be level to change oils, NOT "up" on jack/ 2 jack stands [assuming you didn't mean/think of 4 jack stands]
My driveway has a good slant down to the street; I use 2 ramps-back car into driveway then run it up on the ramps which gets it pretty much perfectly level [I use a circular level to confirm]

[BMWGuy4852]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

No one mentioned jack or jack stands. The car needs to be level to change oils, NOT "up" on jack/ 2 jack stands [assuming you didn't mean/think of 4 jack stands]
My driveway has a good slant down to the street; I use 2 ramps-back car into driveway then run it up on the ramps which gets it pretty much perfectly level [I use a circular level to confirm]

Actually not true. The oil drains completely with the nose up. You can accomplish this by driving the car up on some cheap ramps. An added advantage is you have room to crawl under the car and get to the drain plug.

As for the OP, take the car to the dealer. You don't have a clue how to do any service on the car, and I can think of a ton of mistakes you are likely to do. What the dealer does for this critical service won't bankrupt you.

Finally, don't even think about servicing the transmission. This isn't a job for the novice DIYer.

[JimD]

During my "free" maintenance period, the dealer did not install the plastic piece covering the drain plug properly so it is gone and they also cross threaded the plug at least a little to the point it would not turn with finger pressure when lose. With my oil changes, the drain plug turns properly now but the cover is still missing.

The dealership is capable of doing anything your BMW needs but they do not put their best mechanic on oil changes. They put their worst. They use impact tools too much. I'm too cheap to ever pay for an oil change at the dealer but I honestly do not feel the quality is better either.

I do not do my best work when I rush. So if the OP really needs it done now, I think the best choice is an independent that works on BMWs. It should be at least a little cheaper than the dealer and it might not be the trainee that does the work. But BMW oil changes are not that hard. Oil filter is stupid simple (but takes a special cap wrench) and drain plug is not that hard to get to but the car needs to be raised. I've tried raising just the front and raising both ends and did not see a difference in the amount of oil that drained. So now I just drive up on ramps.

Longer term, I would get a jack that will go low enough (needs to be less than 4 inches) get the special oil filter housing wrench, Get a couple jack stands, and get the socket required for your drain plug. Should be a DIY that will tell you. You can pay for all the equipment in an oil change or two. I use $10 Mann filters from Amazon and oil from Walmart. I buy in 5 quart jugs so I have to get two to start and again periodically. Material cost is thus about half the dealer price for an oil change - but they have specials which can reduce this.

If it's a manual transmission it isn't that hard to do. I've never done an automatic and probably will never do one. I've done my BMW manual twice now. It has a drain and a fill plug like other cars I have done. Seems like access to one of them wasn't great but it's been awhile. Hardest part was getting the car up on 4 jack stands, however.

[fotontom]

When I bought my '12 cabrio with 94K miles but excellent condition, the first thing I had done was change fluids. I work for a chain of automatic trans specialists, so it was easy to get done. Just for the learning experience, I watched the process.

When the plastic chassis pan was dropped, we spotted an engine oil pan gasket leak. Not bad, but I wanted it dry, and we changed it. Well, I never could have done that at home as the front subframe needed to be dropped for clearance. Do not believe the 'lifetime' ATF representation by BMW. The fluid in my car was black, but not burnt, so I believe I had it changed in time. Btw, if you need this done, make sure the trans is flushed and not just drained. You don't want to know how much a rebuild of this trans will run.

I do plan to change my own oil as I've done it on every BMW I've owned. It is a little inconvenient because of the need to jack it up, but otherwise straightforward. I will miss the ease of the S54 engine in my former M Roadster, which was the easiest oil change I've ever done.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by fotontom

Do not believe the 'lifetime' ATF representation by BMW.

They try to say the same thing about the DCT fluid. Nope! That's why places sell DCT service kits.

Here's one for example:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...3220440214kt1/

[Raularango]

Thanks for the information have a appointment at bmw of Monterey Looking to get some work done on my car

[BMWWorld]

Do it yourself, it's an easy DIY job. You'll save some money & you'll start to know your car a little more.

[c0bra]

I do my oil changes on ramps just because it's easier that way. The car takes in over 6.5 liters, so I see no issues.

My oil drain access cover was also missing when I bought the car. It was always dealer serviced, so I'm guessing they were too lazy to reinstall it at some point. I bought a used cover off eBay for under $10. That extra bit of aero must be worth at least 5hp!

[WDE82]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

No one mentioned jack or jack stands. The car needs to be level to change oils, NOT "up" on jack/ 2 jack stands [assuming you didn't mean/think of 4 jack stands]
My driveway has a good slant down to the street; I use 2 ramps-back car into driveway then run it up on the ramps which gets it pretty much perfectly level [I use a circular level to confirm]

You aren't changing transmission fluid without it up on 4 jack stands. It only needs to be level for transmission and diff fluids. Engine oil can be whatever angle since you add a known amount then check the level with the sensor.

Originally Posted by BMWGuy4852

Actually not true. The oil drains completely with the nose up. You can accomplish this by driving the car up on some cheap ramps. An added advantage is you have room to crawl under the car and get to the drain plug.

As for the OP, take the car to the dealer. You don't have a clue how to do any service on the car, and I can think of a ton of mistakes you are likely to do. What the dealer does for this critical service won't bankrupt you.

Finally, don't even think about servicing the transmission. This isn't a job for the novice DIYer.

Needs to be level for the transmission fluid level to be correct.

[BMWGuy4852]

I've "lost" the flap that covers the drain plug twice during the time the car was under warranty. Mechanics must hate the bother of unflapping the drain plug!

[BMWGuy4852]

Originally Posted by WDE82

You aren't changing transmission fluid without it up on 4 jack stands. It only needs to be level for transmission and diff fluids. Engine oil can be whatever angle since you add a known amount then check the level with the sensor.



Needs to be level for the transmission fluid level to be correct.

For a complete drain of a manual transmission, it depends upon where the drain plug is located. However, level is best for filling it. Sometimes you can get away with just adding the number of qts specified in the owner's manual.

Stay away from the DCT or any automatic transmission. Servicing them does require an experienced technician. The price of any mistakes will cost you big time.

I know exactly the procedure for the DCT, and I'm afraid to take it on.

[Raularango]

Originally Posted by BMWGuy4852

For a complete drain of a manual transmission, it depends upon where the drain plug is located. However, level is best for filling it. Sometimes you can get away with just adding the number of qts specified in the owner's manual.

Stay away from the DCT or any automatic transmission. Servicing them does require an experienced technician. The price of any mistakes will cost you big time.

I know exactly the procedure for the DCT, and I'm afraid to take it on.

Thanks for all the help bmw 135 is now at the shop can't wait till I can drive it new brake disc and brake pads going to get installed

[NorthernDancer]

$2500.00 ?