BMW E36 Oil Change

Tools needed:

Jack w/ jack stands & wheel chocks
Socket wrench
17mm socket for the oil drain plug
13mm socket for the oil canister bolt
Mahle brand oil filter--BMW P/N 11-42-1-730-389
oil collection pan
7 Qt. oil--that's for a 3.0L M3
funnel for the oil and a buncha paper towels

Oil Canister Diagram
Exploded View

Top of Oil Filter

Step 1: This is where the oil filter is located in an E36 engine (silver canister). You should be aware of this since this is what you're trying to get to. You should chock the back wheels, put on the parking brake, then jack up the car, and then put some jack stands under the car for support. The Bentley manual says to warm up the oil first before draining.

Oil plug

Step 2: This shot is underneath the engine on the passenger side. Note the bolt that the arrow is pointing at--this is the oil drain plug, the plug that keeps the oil in the oil pan. Pull this out and the oil falls out. Kinda self-explanatory. Oh yeah, and unless you have a convertible or an M3 LTW, you won't have all them bars underneath the oil pan, so don't get worried that you're missing parts.

Oi Draining

Step 3: Put your oil drain pan underneath the plug, and then loosen the plug with your 17mm socket. Remove the plug completely and let all of the oil drain out.

Oil Filter

Step 4: Undo the bolt on top of the filter canister with your 13mm socket wrench, and then pull off the top to reveal the oil filter.

Oil Filter Replacement Parts

Step 5: The parts that come with the filter are shown on the right side--the filter itself, a small O-ring, a big O-ring, an aluminum crush washer, and a copper crush washer. The small O-ring goes on the end of the long bolt, the aluminum washer also goes on the long bolt, the big O-ring fits on the bottom of the filter lid. The copper washer goes on the oil drain plug. Remove the old O-rings, wipe some oil on the new ones for a better seal and replace. Wipe some oil on the rubber on the filter and put it in the filter canister. Tighten the filter bolt down to 15-18 ft-lbs, and then tighten the oil drain plug to 18 ft-lbs (Do not over-tighten the drain plug). You can pour oil into the filter before putting back in the car, but it is not necessary

Step 6: Pour in your oil. For the 95 M3s with the 3.0L engine, it's 7 quarts. Your choice of oil weight and quality depends on weather, driving style (BMW uses 20W-50 for summer). Check for leaks and your done.