First oil change

[gt3racerich]

I am about to do my first oil change on my wifes 2005 325 wagon. Anything special I need to know? Any additional O rings or anything else I need in addition to the filter? Also any recomendation as to where I can get the parts? Thanks in advance.
Rich

[HKmitsubishiman]

If you purchase the oil filter from the dealer, it will probably come with a new o-ring and washer for the filter resovoir, and also a new washer for the oil pan bolt. So all you need to get is probably a new oil filter and motor oil. No worry

[sub006]

If you belong to the BMW Car Club of America ($45/yr) any dealer and most aftermarket suppliers will give you 10% or more off parts purchases. There are also importers of OEM German parts who advertise in the club magazine "Roundel" who have deals.

Wherever you buy your filter, open the box before you leave the store. There should be a little cello envelope with TWO o-rings of different sizes and maybe the copper gaxket for the drain plug. The old ones are usually rock hard - I carefully and patiently pry them off the plastic center stem of the filler cap with the tip of a sharp knife, then slip the new ones on.

You may have trouble getting under the car with most floor jacks. You need one that is long yet low to reach the front center jacking point. My wife's 325ci has the Sport package, which is even lower.

Handy hint: if no proper jack is available, position your car as if to parallel park in front of your driveway. Then carefully drive the right front wheel onto the driveway apron and up on the curb. Set parking brake. Now you have an extra six inches so you can wriggle under the car with your drain plug wrench and pan!