[KCee]

Bought my 2016 328iX GT last May and it's now due for it's first oil change under my watch at almost 45K miles. I was hoping my good friend that always worked on my 2006 TL would continue to work on all my cars, but he's not too keen to work on anything German. There are no dealerships really close, but I could go to one or find a decent shop nearby. I was using Valvoline for the TL as they were so convenient and quick, but I worry they have never seen a filter element.

I'm tempted to just do it myself though. I'm fairly competent mechanically although my engineering degree is electrical and I've done a fair amount of basic work on all my cars. Are BMW's that much trickier/worse?

Thank you

[Gran_Turismo]

It's way easier than the TL. I actually also have an 05 TL and the filters are always a bitch to remove. It's way easier to change oil on the GT. Especially the filter in the hood. Definitely do it yourself. Just get the right oil. I recommend Castrol that's LL-01 approved. But you can also do your own research on the forums of what lol to use. For the filter go with MANN HU816x

[KCee]

Originally Posted by Gran_Turismo

It's way easier than the TL. I actually also have an 05 TL and the filters are always a bitch to remove. It's way easier to change oil on the GT. Especially the filter in the hood. Definitely do it yourself. Just get the right oil. I recommend Castrol that's LL-01 approved. But you can also do your own research on the forums of what lol to use. For the filter go with MANN HU816x

Yes the TL is huge pain just to reach the filter. I only did it twice and had enough. The 328 looks easier, but just wondered if I was missing anything. Thanks!

[KCee]

It's odd that every website says my car needs the HU816Z kit, but Google searches say use the HU816X kit because of the drain plug

[Gran_Turismo]

Originally Posted by KCee

It's odd that every website says my car needs the HU816Z kit, but Google searches say use the HU816X kit because of the drain plug

I don't think it really makes a difference. I don't remember changing my drain plug. (Oops?)

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by KCee

It's odd that every website says my car needs the HU816Z kit, but Google searches say use the HU816X kit because of the drain plug

Google is correct. The Z kit is for RWD, which has a plastic oil pan. It comes with a new plug, also plastic, as that's supposed to be one use only. The X is for xDrive, which all US GTs have. It has a steel pan, and steel plug. The filter comes with a new oil plug washer, as well as O-rings.
The only hassle with changing the oil is lifting the car, but you have to do that with any car. I use a pair of ramps. You'll need an adapter to remove the oil filter cover with a standard ratchet, but all oil filters require some sort of wrench as well.

[KCee]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Google is correct. The Z kit is for RWD, which has a plastic oil pan. It comes with a new plug, also plastic, as that's supposed to be one use only. The X is for xDrive, which all US GTs have. It has a steel pan, and steel plug. The filter comes with a new oil plug washer, as well as O-rings.
The only hassle with changing the oil is lifting the car, but you have to do that with any car. I use a pair of ramps. You'll need an adapter to remove the oil filter cover with a standard ratchet, but all oil filters require some sort of wrench as well.

Good to know. I have some ramps. They were actually too low to use with the TL without using some boards as ramps to the ramps, but the GT looks higher. Was almost wondering if I needed the ramps. My buddy may let me use his lift even though he won't touch the car lol.

[Billfitz]

The GT is higher, but I still wouldn't consider trying to get back to the oil drain without being lifted. It's not a transverse engine, so the plug is pretty far back.

[KCee]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The GT is higher, but I still wouldn't consider trying to get back to the oil drain without being lifted. It's not a transverse engine, so the plug is pretty far back.

I'm also older and fatter than the last time I changed my oil lol. I had to crawl under my daughter's '99 Accord a few years ago and that was not fun.

[KCee]

So FWIW, it was pretty easy. This car is higher and doesn't push my ramps like the TL so no extra boards needed. It would have taken me only a few minutes if it didn't take so long for me to find the ramps and my socket set. It also took me a couple of tries with the electronic reset for some reason.

[rambleon84]

Good to know this isnt too bad. Looks like HU816X for the filter and then what is everyone's preferred LL-0? Saw a mention for Castrol, any thing else good? Bonus if I can find locally and not have to order. Then seems like 5 liter is the all the 2.0l's take, so Ill need to buy six quarts to have enough. Anything else noteworthy about the oil change on these?

[sspade]

Currently using this, with positive results. Change every 5k with filter mentioned above and you'll be golden.


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Castrol-E...bucket=__bkt__

[KCee]

Originally Posted by rambleon84

Good to know this isnt too bad. Looks like HU816X for the filter and then what is everyone's preferred LL-0? Saw a mention for Castrol, any thing else good? Bonus if I can find locally and not have to order. Then seems like 5 liter is the all the 2.0l's take, so Ill need to buy six quarts to have enough. Anything else noteworthy about the oil change on these?

FWIW I used Castrol. Actually ordered the oil and filter off Amazon as we have the Prime card and had credit. I was tempted to buy the synthetic from Costco as it's only $15 for 5 qt instead of $25, but I had Amazon credit so it was essentially "free" for me this time. I thought about springing for Liqui Moly but I take care of my cars and it only has 44K miles so maybe that's something I will look at again as it racks up the miles.

Nothing noteworthy I can think of. I watched a couple of videos from Kies Motorsports just to be sure, but the main thing was the reset button on the dash. For some reason I had to do that twice, but it worked. The car seems to be running exactly the same, which is good.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by rambleon84

Saw a mention for Castrol, any thing else good?

I use Liqui Moly Molygen. I like that you can quickly and easily trace a gasket leak with a UV lght, and with BMW a gasket leak isn't an 'if', it's a 'when'. I use Liqui Moly Cera Tec too. I started using them at the same time, so I can't say where the credit is due or if it's the combination of both, but my mileage went up by 2 MPG when I did.
I haven't seen a quart or gallon container of oil for quite a few years. Most now come in one liter and 5 liters.

[KCee]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I use Liqui Moly Molygen. I like that you can quickly and easily trace a gasket leak with a UV lght, and with BMW a gasket leak isn't an 'if', it's a 'when'. I use Liqui Moly Cera Tec too. I started using them at the same time, so I can't say where the credit is due or if it's the combination of both, but my mileage went up by 2 MPG when I did.
I haven't seen a quart or gallon container of oil for quite a few years. Most now come in one liter and 5 liters.

Hopefully the leaks wait a while lol. I'll have to track my mileage and see if there is any change. When I first got the car I pretty much drove it in Sport mode and was dismayed by the gas mileage. Now I mainly commute in Comfort mode and the mileage is noticeably better.

[Billfitz]

I never use Sport unless I anticipate needing to have quicker acceleration, like when passing. The days when I morphed into Mario Andretti every time I got behind the wheel of my car are long gone. I don't use Eco either. I might if it really made a difference, but after trying it for a while I didn't find it worthwhile.

[KCee]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I never use Sport unless I anticipate needing to have quicker acceleration, like when passing. The days when I morphed into Mario Andretti every time I got behind the wheel of my car are long gone. I don't use Eco either. I might if it really made a difference, but after trying it for a while I didn't find it worthwhile.

When I first got the car my initial thought was "this thing drives like a Prius unless it's in Sport Mode". Coming from the '06 TL I was used to just 1 mode and then of course you could go "Automanual" and shift. After a bit I realized that Comfort mode was good for commuting which is sadly 95% of my driving.

I wouldn't mind if Comfort was a bit sportier, but a number of passengers have commented on how smooth the car rides in Comfort mode so it seems to work as intended.

[R BMW]

My 2014 just came off of free maintenance so now I'll start doing my own oil changes. I'm planning on doing 1 year or 7K miles, which usually comes in under 6K. I change it mid winter.
The on line costs between BMW oil and Liqui Moly are close so I plan on using Liqui Moly unless someone proves there is a difference enough between them.

[Billfitz]

Any oil that meets all of the oil industry certs that the BMW oil specified for your car does is just as good. 'LL' is not an oil industry spec, it's a BMW trademark.

[rambleon84]

thanks for the feed back everyone

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I use Liqui Moly Molygen. I like that you can quickly and easily trace a gasket leak with a UV lght, and with BMW a gasket leak isn't an 'if', it's a 'when'. I use Liqui Moly Cera Tec too. I started using them at the same time, so I can't say where the credit is due or if it's the combination of both, but my mileage went up by 2 MPG when I did.
I haven't seen a quart or gallon container of oil for quite a few years. Most now come in one liter and 5 liters.

Most of the large jugs i see are all 5 quart jugs. At least in my other cars where i run Mobil1, they are all 5q. Same for the Castrol that sspade linked to:


You might be right when it comes to the single bottles, i never buy those so those could be standard in 1L bottles. I usually just buy a couple or few 5q jugs to have on hand

[Billfitz]

You can't even buy Coke in quart bottles anymore.

[sspade]

rambleon84

Correct, In the US... you will only find 5qt (not the required 5L). Unless you're shopping online or specialty store and paying $$$

I was using Liqui Moly but switched off because Im not sold the additional cost is worth it. Blackstone corroborates this theory with actual analysis of my oil from N20. Both posted on this forum if you search.

Ive used the following Mobil 1 with excellent analysis blackstone results:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-A...-5-qt/23636902