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E36General discussion and technical help for (E36) 1992-1999 3 series cars. 318, 323, 325, 328.
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Your Ride: 1995 325i
This is a bit off from the main topic but addresses the latest post, my '95 with 5-speed takes 8 qts., no kidding. Although the owner's manual says the capacity is 7, putting in that amount just brings the level to the bottom notch on the dipstick. Go figure.
Your Ride: 1991 318is (e30 m42), 2007 Mazdaspeed 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by c1apton
This use to be the case, but synthetics have improved and aren't as "thin". As long as your car isn't prone to burning oil and doesn't show signs of seepage, I wouldn't hestitate switching to a good name brand syn.
Thanks for the new info I will keep that in mind for my next oil change.
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Your Ride: 95 318iS
Quote:
Originally Posted by BhndTheWheel
My question is should i do this myself or have a local garage/station do it? Is there a major difference in cost?
I wouldn't recommend using a local lube shop. Places like this tend to employ low qualified technicians which results in stripped drain plugs, unpredictable service, etc.
Best bet is to do the oil change yourself if you are comfortable getting dirty and capable of properly using a torque wrench. Otherwise I would take it to an authorized BMW service center.
There is a great pictorial DIY on how to perform your own oil change on an e36 here
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Your Ride: 1995 325 IS
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3050rpm
This is a bit off from the main topic but addresses the latest post, my '95 with 5-speed takes 8 qts., no kidding. Although the owner's manual says the capacity is 7, putting in that amount just brings the level to the bottom notch on the dipstick. Go figure.
95 325 IS
I have to do the same thing, 8 qts puts it right on the mark.
i put 7 in there and its at the lower end of the range there, i just left it, ive heard thats it bad to overfill(although overfilling means OVERFILLING)
maybe it depends on what kinda oil you are using, i used Castrol Syntec SAE 5W-30 Fully synthetic
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by c1apton
I keep forgetting that - I have a great memory but it doesn't last long
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Your Ride: 1995 325i
True, I've heard that overfilling leads to frothing of the oil, and hence loss of its ability to lubricate and cool, but as you say, I think that applies if one REALLY OVERFILLS. But it just doesn't make sense that a supposedly filled crankcase would only reach the lower notch on the dipstick, otherwise how would one know when he's down? As to type of oil, I've been using Castrol GTX (did use Mobil 1 for awhile, but not convinced of its worth for the type of driving I do), and with 213+K on the odometer with no engine troubles, I don't think I've been overfilling for all this time.
My own suspicions are that there was some change during the production run of the M50 engine leading to increased oil capacity that wasn't picked up in the printing of the owner's manual, but how credible this fanciful thinking might be is a bit doubtful in that I have come across zero references to any such modification, something that I think is significant enough to have warranted notice. But hey, who knows...?
i put 7 in there and its at the lower end of the range there, i just left it, ive heard thats it bad to overfill(although overfilling means OVERFILLING)
over filling will cause excessive pressure on gaskets - causing seepage from pan, spark plug "O" rings, etc...
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Your Ride: 1995 325i
That'd be my guess... Incidentally, I haven't experienced any leakage or seepage problems such as c1apton mentioned, not even in the spark plug wells, so again I think my correct capacity is 8 qts., however that came about...
a quart over is enough to mess up most cars (especially when they get older). Oil tends to expand a little when hot, I fill it to specs then run it about 50 miles then check it again after sitting about 1/2 hour - on level ground, then add if needed. Be thankful you don't own Porsche,my old 930 used to hold 14qts of oil (air cooled) - after a few of those oil changes "OPEC" takes on a whole new meaning.
a quart over is enough to mess up most cars (especially when they get older). Oil tends to expand a little when hot, I fill it to specs then run it about 50 miles then check it again after sitting about 1/2 hour - on level ground, then add if needed. Be thankful you don't own Porsche,my old 930 used to hold 14qts of oil (air cooled) - after a few of those oil changes "OPEC" takes on a whole new meaning.
yea my bro had a 928, the previous owner told him 12 quarts but he only put 8 in there and it was full.. meh(this was water cooled, though)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c1apton
I keep forgetting that - I have a great memory but it doesn't last long
03-28-2007, 09:53 AM
I keep forgetting that - I have a great memory but it doesn't last long
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