BeemerGaz Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 Hi all, Just wondered whether anyone has any opinions on the servicing intervals for my 330ci? It currently has about 99400 miles on the clock and was last serviced on the 18/06/15 when it was showing 94642. There is no indication on the relevant service stamp area on whether it was just an oil service, Inspection I, Inspection II etc. The one before that (mileage 84445 10/08/12) highlighted that it was an 'Inspection II' I was contemplating having just an oil service done as I'm looking to go away for a few days this coming weekend and thought that would be beneficial for the trip. Thanks for your thoughts/ideas/opinions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMan Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 (edited) I at least do an Oil/Oil Filter change once a year irrespective of only low miles covered. I think this is what generally is advised anyway... Edited June 22, 2016 by MangoMan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 +1. Oil service once a year when the weather is nice. My one drinks so much oil im convinced i would get away with just changing the filter Megadodo and bennno2005 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted June 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 Thanks for the replies guys, I usually did an oil change at least once a year on my old Mk3 Golf VR6 and that had way loads more miles on it...160000 if I remember rightly. Just phoned National Tyres and Autocare in Greenwich and they quoted me £73 (incl VAT) which includes an engine flush before hand. They use Premium Fuchs Fully Synthetic oil which sounds ideal. I've done oil changes on most of my cars in the past but admittedly they've been older style classic types with a quick and easy change...Oh and the missus got fed up of the dozen or so old milk cartons full up with used oil in them. Does that price (£73) sound good or does it put people off? Ta muchly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMan Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 (edited) I used to have an old Anglia, yes a Ford Anglia 105e, that used to drink oil, about a pint every 2 weeks! Considering it only held about 6-7 pints meant it got an oil change every 3 months...!!! But then again it was pretty cooked. Once I took the plugs out and spun the motor, it carried on spinning for about 30 seconds AFTER I released the starter....lol. Also some idiot who had it previous to me must have put a stage 3 cam in the damned thing. At idle it would go "BLRA-BLRA-BLRA".... But I drove it for years like that. A bit like this.... Edited June 22, 2016 by MangoMan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted June 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 I've also got a voucher for a 10% discount which makes it more of a reasonable price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted June 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 Aaah! The Ford Anglia, I used to love the front grill and the way that it spread across nigh on the entire front of the car. Used to love my old Fords (still do!)...although the ones I had were never quite as old as the Anglia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMan Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 Sorry to detract, but I had a BMW "NEW CLASS" -2000 at the same time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted June 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 So to recap...is £73 an ok price to pay for an oil change including filter? (From National Tyre and Autocare using Fuchs oil!) Ragamuffin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragamuffin Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 Not that bad a price for oil and filter. You cannot go wrong with Fuchs oil. Insist on them using 5W/40 with the miles on your engine. Fuchs GT1 XTL is a very good oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMan Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 (edited) Bosch Oil Fliter, Mann Air Filter and 6 litres of Petronas 5W40 is at the moment £35 at ECP Delivered using Discount CODE "SALE25" (Ends Soon). £40 buys lots of booze...lol. (Or food). I do it myself, takes all of 30 minutes.... Hour tops! Edited June 22, 2016 by MangoMan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted June 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 Cheers for the replies guys, I appreciate it. I'm still not too sure what to do as I've always enjoyed doing oil changes...well apart from having the used oil laying about. I'll post an update on here tomorrow. In your opinions what are the pro's and cons of doing it myself and getting them to do it? Thanks again for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragamuffin Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 If you do it right, you know it's done right, and if you prefer a certain brand and grade of oil, you know that its in. I like doing my own servicing, and oil changes are something I enjoy doing. It gives you a chance to have a look underneath to give it a check over. Take your old oil to a re-cycling centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMan Posted June 23, 2016 Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 I reiterate what Ragamuffin has just posted. It saves you a bit of money and you fit what you wanted fitted - and you know what they say, "If you want it done right - do it yourself"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted June 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 I've decided to have a bash and do it myself. I took over a dozen old milk and oil cartons to the dump about a month ago and spent over 5 mins glugging it all into their humongous oil bucket thingymajig...I quite enjoyed doing that!! When I drop missus off later to go shopping I'm going to have a trip to ECP to pick up the oil and filter gubbins...I may even treat myself to a proper oil drain pan. I've had a quick look on the do's and dont's, basically... Jack up car, undo filler cap, undo drain plug, undo filter cap and change filter and gasket then refit, refit drain plug and new washer then pour in some fresh oily stuff, start car and check for leaks before finally standing back to feel smug and pleased with oneself. I'm assuming it's best buying 2 4l cartons of new oil thus having some spare for the odd top up when it's needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadodo Posted June 23, 2016 Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 Even with buying a proper oil drain and trip to the dump to dispose of the old oil you can save a lot on a simple oil change and if you have the the correct tools it really is only a ten minute job, most of that is waiting for the hot oil to drain. As mentioned already you can choose your oil and filter brand, you can bung in "extra" oil services for peace of mind in addition to the "official" intervals. The only issue I have is remembering to some paper down under the oil drain as there is inevitably some oil splashing going on! Get the engine warm before draining. Tools required, jack (can use the cars at a pinch), screw driver for the oil drain cover, spanner for the sump bolt, oil filter socket and ratchet, small pick for seal removal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMan Posted June 23, 2016 Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 (edited) I bought this one: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/tools/workshop-tools/lubrication/oil-drainer/?553772120&0&t5_549 Perfect for the job! And for around 4 quid with discount you can't go wrong! Edited June 23, 2016 by MangoMan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted June 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 Thanks a bundle for the replies. I'll post an update on here later. Before I forget to ask a daft question...I'm led to believe that the drain plug is hidden behind a smallish plastic cover!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted June 23, 2016 Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 Its at right angles to the sump and is hex shaped, you cant miss it. E46's are the easiest oil change of any car ive owned so you made the right choice in doing it yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMan Posted June 23, 2016 Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, BeemerGaz said: Thanks a bundle for the replies. I'll post an update on here later. Before I forget to ask a daft question...I'm led to believe that the drain plug is hidden behind a smallish plastic cover!? You're welcome. Yes, it is. It is centrally situated towards the rear of the engine, so you have to get underneath the car so please make sure it is firmly on axle stands! It is released by a 90* quick-release fixing using a Phillip's screwdriver. The Plug is a 16mm. (well mine was). I use a deep socket so you don't get your fingers burned when the hot oil gushes out. The oil comes out towards the driver's side of the car and reaches about 10-12 inches so correct positioning of the catch-tank is advisable. ps. I always use an Engine Flush when I do an Oil Change - usually Wynn's or Normfest. ECP sell both. Enjoy! Edited June 23, 2016 by MangoMan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted June 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2016 Once again thanks very much for the replies... Back from a long weekend away and suffice to say I didn't have time to do the oil change as I wasn't too enamoured with the prospect of getting drenched while attempting it. In hindsight I should have just drove to ECP last Thursday just to buy the stuff that I needed and then done it all today...oh well! I'm planning on going there today to pick it all up with the idea of doing it later today...depending on weather obviously. BTW On a side note the car drove faultlessly there and back albeit only a fairly short journey of 120 miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted July 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 Hi all, I'm in need of help ASAP please. I've eventually pulled my finger out and bought all the oil,filter and drain pan from ECP. I've managed to jack the car up using the supplied jack but was wondering where to put the axle stands so it's safe to get under the car. I've also used my trolley jack as well but not sure where to put it...it's currently propping the car up underneath the wishbone. On closer inspection I've noticed that apart from the large plastic cover/tray underneath the front of the car there is no smaller plastic cover that I can see...but there is a square(ish) gap near to the rear of the engine nigh on in the middle (should there be a cover there)?. It seems a long way towards the middle of the car for the oil drain plug to be located. I didn't realize I had to crawl that far underneath the car...!! Thanks folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edges Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 Yeah you're looking for a 17mm drain bolt. Between the front wheels pretty much. I generally use the black blocks on the sills to jack up, then stands under the wishbone rear bushes or the chassis rail just back of them Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerGaz Posted July 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 Cheers Edges, Do you jack both sides of the car up as at the moment the car is in the garage over towards the passenger side which allows me room around the drivers area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MangoMan Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, BeemerGaz said: Hi all, I'm in need of help ASAP please. I've eventually pulled my finger out and bought all the oil,filter and drain pan from ECP. I've managed to jack the car up using the supplied jack but was wondering where to put the axle stands so it's safe to get under the car. I've also used my trolley jack as well but not sure where to put it...it's currently propping the car up underneath the wishbone. On closer inspection I've noticed that apart from the large plastic cover/tray underneath the front of the car there is no smaller plastic cover that I can see...but there is a square(ish) gap near to the rear of the engine nigh on in the middle (should there be a cover there)?. It seems a long way towards the middle of the car for the oil drain plug to be located. I didn't realize I had to crawl that far underneath the car...!! Thanks folks. I used a pretty long-winded procedure, but one I felt safe doing as follows. 1) Jacked up the car using the cars Jack at the Jacking Point, (Yellow Square) to the height of the lowest setting of the Axle Stands. 2) Placed the Trolley Jack within the Green Square in photo and raised the car just enough to be able to remove the Jack. (I used a flat piece of wood between the Trolley Jack and the Rail). 3) Placed the Axle Stand under the Jacking Point and then lowered the Trolley Jack until car is held by the Axle Stand. 4) Do the same for the other side. I found the car is as steady as a rock like this as yes, you do to have crawl under the car from the front to reach the Drain Plug in line with the rear of the Front Wheels. Also the Drain Plug is to the rear of the Sump as far as I could make out so being raised at the front actually aids draining. ps. You Drain Cover must be missing as it does unhook. PHOTO: DO NOT RAISE AT THE RED SQUARE. Edited July 2, 2016 by MangoMan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
