Oil change for newbie

Pendle996

Pendle996

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2023
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18
Hi all. New to all this and I am after some recommendations for an oil change. It’s a minefield of over information! Just bought a 99 2.0 litre six. And always I like to get the oil changed straight away. Was thinking I’ll take it kwik fit, but not sure I can trust them. Then thought I’ll do it myself, but as yet don’t know my ass from a sump plug yet. My question is if you were off to Halfords what oil should I pick up, or order maybe thru Opie oils.,I like to put the oil in myself and not sure I can trust k fit. Is the oil change a pita?
 
Just use KwikFit — they always treat me very well here in Banbury. It seems "clever" and "funny" to knock KwikFit, especially by people that have never used them.

If you do decide to buy your oil from Opie, you just put the make & model in and they will advise the correct oil.
 
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Thanks. I wasn’t knocking them, and I know they have to put the right spec oil in. 👍
 
If you're anywhere close to Lincoln you can come and do it at my place. ZedShed (Midlands).

Tony.

ps. Order from Opie Oils, oil and filter, they'll see you right.
 
I changed my oil for the first time last weekend. Genuinely annoyed with myself for not having had a go sooner. Total piece of cake!

It was a little bit more expensive as I needed to get an oil pan and oil filter socket too, but for all future changes now it will just be the oil & filters
 
Yeah was thinking about doing it myself, but experience has taught me that summat usually goes wrong. Any particular tips and how difficult is it?
 
t-tony said:
If you're anywhere close to Lincoln you can come and do it at my place. ZedShed (Midlands).

Tony.

ps. Order from Opie Oils, oil and filter, they'll see you right.
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Thanks opposite side of the country👍
 
Pendle996 said:
Yeah was thinking about doing it myself, but experience has taught me that summat usually goes wrong. Any particular tips and how difficult is it?
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Same! lol That's actually one of the main reasons behind me buying the Z3.

I'm probably not the best person to give advice after only just popping my oily cherry. But honestly, it's really easy and pretty quick, even for a first timer!

I followed this guide: https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/te..._Engine_Oil/54-BASICS-Changing_Engine_Oil.htm

Although I am sure there are tons of other articles and videos stepping through the process
 
Thanks. I like the idea of doing it myself so will think about it today and look underneath. Just tell me what you put in it as it’s hard work cutting through all the specs. Regards👍
 
Also how much does the 2.0 litre flat 6 hold with oil and filter change? 6.5 litres?
 
Thanks. Trying to weigh up if it’s worth buying all the tools. Gave all my tools up when I left GB. Now I’m back I need to buy again. That’s why I thought Kwik fit. Must say people on here are super helpful it’s much appreciated. No such thing as a dumb question I guess👍
 
Do it yourself just for peace of mind! The great thing about the Z3 is everythings accessible ie oil filter up top next to steering fluid so the only bit underneath is the drain plug.
 
Pendle996 said:
You guys are making me do it then! I’ll give it a go
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So done it was easy, pleased had to jack it up. So moved onto taking the wheels off, jacked it up, got bolts out. Could I get the wheel off, no way! Hit it with a dead blow hammer, nothing.
Any ideas you good people?
 
Pendle996 said:
So done it was easy, pleased had to jack it up. So moved onto taking the wheels off, jacked it up, got bolts out. Could I get the wheel off, no way! Hit it with a dead blow hammer, nothing.
Any ideas you good people?
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I had the same thing mate, all 4 wheels siezed solid. sprayed WD-40 into the bolt holes and through the spokes, aiming around the edge between the wheel and hub. Left it overnight and the next morning they all popped off with a swift hammer blow
 
Cheers, if I get them off I’ll smear mating surfaces with a bit of copperslip
 
Bit academic now but I replace the two little rubber O rings on the oil filter cap spigot every couple of years or so, doing oil service/Mot next month🤞
 
Pendle996 said:
Cheers, if I get them off I’ll smear mating surfaces with a bit of copperslip
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No, quite definitely no. The mating surfaces are there for a reason, to carry the weight of the car, all the driving/braking/cornering loads, and to locate the wheel in the first place. If you look at the hub you'll probably see a build-up of corrosion aroound the central spigot, take a stiff wire brush to it and the matching part of the wheel, and just leave it clean. So long as the wheels are taken of off fairly regularly for normal servicing they should be Ok. Putting copperslip or something similar reduces the friction between the mounting faces and can (not always) result in an unscheduled catastrophic separation, better to just keep things clean.
 
I use the halfords own brand they recommend for my 2.8. Many different makes can be used but the main thing is to change the oil every 5 to six thousand miles as recommend and change the filter.
 
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