Oil Change

I own a 2001 BMW 325 i. I am going to change the oil in it soon and was wondering if I have to use synthetic, synthetic blend, or if I can use regular oil? My dealership wants around $100 to change the oil and I would like to do it myself.

Also, if I can do it myself how do I reset the maintence mileage counter?

Thanks,

SP

Yeah , for this car you have to use a good synthetic, which meets, BMW specification (BMW LL98 or LL01), or at least ACEA: A3 (read the oil bottle back label to find this).The following brands and grades of motor oil are exemples, which meet these spec. : Mobil 1 0w/40 , Castrol Syntec 0w/30, 5w/40 and 5w/50, Pennzoil 5w/40, Valvoline 5w/40 or BMW High Performance Synthetic 5w/30(very good one !).Do not use any other 5w/30 grades(except BMW one), because they do not meet mentioned above spec. and in most cases are only ACEA:A1 or A5 approved.
Regarding reseting oil service indicator, check e-site below:
http://www.bimmerzone.com/resettool.htm#3

far u have to buy a tool to reset it :S that sucks

far u have to buy a tool to reset it :S that sucks
You can do it other way by connecting 2 wires for few sec. in dignostic connector, but you have to know how to proceed with that-too risky !

use synthetic oil ... drive to autozone and have them clear your code :D

You can do it other way by connecting 2 wires for few sec. in dignostic connector, but you have to know how to proceed with that-too risky !

Go to www.BMWe30.net (http://www.BMWe30.net) and click on Articles and Tips ... you may have to search around for it a bit, but I saw a posting in there on exactly how to reset the lights on various systems without the tool, but with a homemade fused wire. I've done it twice on my 89 e30, once for Oil Service and once for Inspection II. Works like a charm IF you do it exactly like it says!

Actually, I just found the link ... http://www.bmwe30.net/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=articles&report=view&ID=00042&Section=02

That site is GREAT!!!

Good luck!

Paul (pada)
89 325iA
204k and still looks new!

the synthetic oil i really like is the platinum penzoil .. excellent oil...

the synthetic oil i really like is the platinum penzoil .. excellent oil...
Yeah, for japs and american cars only.....

Yeah, for japs and american cars only.....

wrong

wrong
Does Pennzoil Platinium meet ACEA: A3 ? NO !
Does it meet BMW LL 98 or LL 01 ? NO !
Does it have HTHS> 3.5 cpp requirments for eureopean engines ? NO !

So you are wrong, big time wrong !!!
Best regards.
D.

For a 2001 3 series you reset your light through the instrument cluster, not under the hood. Only 99/00 E46's you reset under the hood.

For a 2001 3 series you reset your light through the instrument cluster, not under the hood. Only 99/00 E46's you reset under the hood.
Agreed !

Does Pennzoil Platinium meet ACEA: A3 ? NO !
Does it meet BMW LL 98 or LL 01 ? NO !
Does it have HTHS> 3.5 cpp requirments for eureopean engines ? NO !

So you are wrong, big time wrong !!!
Best regards.
D.

nobody said penzoil platinum did ..

&

you said synthetic is for jap and american only !! sorry dude ... some synthetics dont meet all the requirements. but they do have synthetics that do meet the above you listed.

do your homework

nobody said penzoil platinum did ..


they do have synthetic for cars other than jap or american though ... so you are wrong in that statement. which is what i pointed out.

:shakehead
This is a BMW forum and we exchange here information regarding BMW cars not American and Japs.
Btw Gentlemen above has asked question about oil suitable for E46 3 series BMW.

This is a BMW forum and we exchange here information regarding BMW cars not American and Japs.
Btw Gentlemen above has asked question about oil suitable for E46 3 series BMW.


really ?? cause thats what i read too. i was just following up your post. wher you mentioned american and japs.



and here is a little something for you to read

Castrol SYNTEC European Formula is engineered to meet the Mercedes Benz 229.5 specification. Exceeds European ACEA: A3, B3, B4; VW 502 00, 505 00, 503 01; MB 229.1, 229.3, 229.5; BMW LL-01; GM-LL-A-025, GM-LL-B-025 and the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils.

thats one for example ..


so your wrong !!
Big Time !!

Best Regards !!

For a 2001 3 series you reset your light through the instrument cluster, not under the hood. Only 99/00 E46's you reset under the hood.

Right you are, Antiburn ... I guess I've got the old iron on my brain and I spaced out on the model year. :screwy: Thanx for the correction.

Paul (pada)
89 325iA
204k and still looks new!

really ?? cause thats what i read too. i was just following up your post. wher you mentioned american and japs.



and here is a little something for you to read

Castrol SYNTEC European Formula is engineered to meet the Mercedes Benz 229.5 specification. Exceeds European ACEA: A3, B3, B4; VW 502 00, 505 00, 503 01; MB 229.1, 229.3, 229.5; BMW LL-01; GM-LL-A-025, GM-LL-B-025 and the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils.

thats one for example ..


so your wrong !!
Big Time !!

Best Regards !!

Absolutely ! I agree with you, except one thing, oil you mentioned above castrol syntec has those approval in 0w/30 grade only, none of 5w/30 oils off the shelf sold in USA and Canada carry those number including Pennzoil Platinium , which is 5w/30 BTW.Exception is only BMW High Performance synthetic oil in 5w/30 grade , which only at this viscosity carry ACEA :A3 spec.

Absolutely ! I agree with you, except one thing, oil you mentioned above castrol syntec has those approval in 0w/30 grade only, none of 5w/30 oils off the shelf sold in USA and Canada carry those number including Pennzoil Platinium , which is 5w/30 BTW.Exception is only BMW High Performance synthetic oil in 5w/30 grade , which only at this viscosity carry ACEA :A3 spec.


off the shelf....

any request can be met at a parts store. in fact if i bet if you request that they get it for you they will carry more on hand at that particular store. just say so.

platinum was just the oil i like. i wasnt suggesting that it was for this vehichle.

off the shelf....

any request can be met at a parts store. in fact if i bet if you request that they get it for you they will carry more on hand at that particular store. just say so.

platinum was just the oil i like. i wasnt suggesting that it was for this vehichle.
Sir would you please remove this" mother fucker" picture from your avatar- it is offernsive in nature.

Administrators please !!!!

im sure my avatar is not your real problem..

your views are not mine. and if that is a problem please discuss it via PM and if you can talk to me decent and convince me i would be most happy to remove it ..

Ok. I'll attempt to get this thread back on track ... :-)

Does anyone know the details of the ACEA A3 spec? And why is it that most of the 5w-30 oils sold in the US can't / don't meet it? I've been searching everywhere but can't seem to find the technical details. If so, could someone please post the details?

Also, my 2001 325i owners manual and shop manual do not mention this spec (or any ACEA or BMW spec) at all. The only mention is that it be 5W-x grade synthetic with API rating of SH or higher. Also, my oil fill cap actually says "BMW perfers Castrol Oil". Pretty interesting - since Castrol doesn't even sell a 5W-x oil in the US with an ACEA A3 rating.

Given the fact the some newer car models are recommending oil changes about every 15k miles, I'm suspecting that the ACEA A3 rating probably addresses the oil's ability to maintain its properties even after prolonged use.

I personally change my oil every 5-7k miles.

Anthony

Ok. I'll attempt to get this thread back on track ... :-)

Does anyone know the details of the ACEA A3 spec? And why is it that most of the 5w-30 oils sold in the US can't / don't meet it? I've been searching everywhere but can't seem to find the technical details. If so, could someone please post the details?

Also, my 2001 325i owners manual and shop manual do not mention this spec (or any ACEA or BMW spec) at all. The only mention is that it be 5W-x grade synthetic with API rating of SH or higher. Also, my oil fill cap actually says "BMW perfers Castrol Oil". Pretty interesting - since Castrol doesn't even sell a 5W-x oil in the US with an ACEA A3 rating.

Given the fact the some newer car models are recommending oil changes about every 15k miles, I'm suspecting that the ACEA A3 rating probably addresses the oil's ability to maintain its properties even after prolonged use.

I personally change my oil every 5-7k miles.

Anthony

im not sure of the exact technical details ..i =m sure its just reccomended that it be a high grade (hence bmw)

Ok. I'll attempt to get this thread back on track ... :-)

Does anyone know the details of the ACEA A3 spec? And why is it that most of the 5w-30 oils sold in the US can't / don't meet it? I've been searching everywhere but can't seem to find the technical details. If so, could someone please post the details?

Also, my 2001 325i owners manual and shop manual do not mention this spec (or any ACEA or BMW spec) at all. The only mention is that it be 5W-x grade synthetic with API rating of SH or higher. Also, my oil fill cap actually says "BMW perfers Castrol Oil". Pretty interesting - since Castrol doesn't even sell a 5W-x oil in the US with an ACEA A3 rating.

Given the fact the some newer car models are recommending oil changes about every 15k miles, I'm suspecting that the ACEA A3 rating probably addresses the oil's ability to maintain its properties even after prolonged use.

I personally change my oil every 5-7k miles.

Anthony
Here are some usefull information:
http://www.flpoland.pl/www_eng/ch_wiecej_interspec_acea.htm

Specification BMW :

"The BMW specification is generally known as the "Long Life" specification. It concerns three categories of products, which can obtain the extension of the oil change interval - after successful passing some additional tests.


"BMW Special Oils" 1996 Minimum requirement: ACEA A3/B3. Additional test M42 is indispensable for obtaining the possibility of using products of the 0W/5W/10W-x viscosity gradation all year long.
"BMW Long Life Oils" 1998 Minimum requirement: ACEA A3/B3 is connected with the following viscosity gradation: 0W/5W/10W-30/40. Oils, which successfully passed M44 test, enable the extension of the oil change interval to 20 000 km, or for every second year.
"BMW Long Life" 2001 Minimum requirement: ACEA A3/B3. The following viscosity gradation meets the requirements: 0W/5W/10W-30/40. The new version of the M44 test warrants 20/40 000 km between the change of oil intervals, or every second year. This is an obligatory specification for new cars, which require Long Life 01 oil and it can substitute previous ones"

How about in simple terms instead of all your ratings
Bmw uses on all their E46, E39's and E38's Castrol 5w-30 synthetic
for their older models, (1998 and prior) the use Castrol 15w-30 non synthetic
If you want to do your own oil change, buy any make of 5w-30 snythetic oil. And just beucase one quart is 9$ and the other is 7$ doesnt mean its any better, they all lubricate your engine, and your throwing it out in 15000 miles. Just buy castrol 5w-30 and you will have no worries.

How about in simple terms instead of all your ratings
Bmw uses on all their E46, E39's and E38's Castrol 5w-30 synthetic
for their older models, (1998 and prior) the use Castrol 15w-30 non synthetic
If you want to do your own oil change, buy any make of 5w-30 snythetic oil. And just beucase one quart is 9$ and the other is 7$ doesnt mean its any better, they all lubricate your engine, and your throwing it out in 15000 miles. Just buy castrol 5w-30 and you will have no worries.
You can put even tractor or canola oil - your car , your brain ,your business.
Everybody does , what is proper according to personal knowledge in the specific field, in this case oil industry and its applications.
Do not compare castrol syntec 5w/30 with a BMW High Performance 5w/30 oil, blended by Castrol for them.
They are completly different oils in their chemistry and formulation.Viscosity indexes and High sheer high temperature numbers are totaly different, that is why syntec 5w/30 is not suitable in E46 cars M52TU and M54 engines.
BTW BMW oil is the same thing ,what in Europe is called Castrol TXT Softec, which in its wight is close to "40" viscosity oils.Are you really, a BMW Mechanic ? I doubt it, perhaps a lot attendant...

I forgot your the rocket scientist of fucking oil! Go to the dealer and buy the oil they use. Go pay 5$ a quart when you can buy the same thing at pep boys for 3.25. Please go pay more since you obiviously know so much more.

I forgot your the rocket scientist of fucking oil! Go to the dealer and buy the oil they use. Go pay 5$ a quart when you can buy the same thing at pep boys for 3.25. Please go pay more since you obiviously know so much more.
Yeah, Mr. "home made " BMW mechanic , as a matter of fact I am oil scientist by education, perhaps place you live (Cambodia?), BMW dealer sell and recommend Castrol Syntec 5w/30 for their engines, for sure not in United States.
Call them or visit them personally, there is still time for you to learn something...

Please do not confuse other folks on this forum , when you know shit regarding motor oils applications.
Best regards:
Daniel.

Who ever thought motor oil could be so controversial. :comprage1

Quite entertaining indeed.

L