Slightly OT, but lots of BMW folks here...

[Rick Lee]

Someone please respond. Thanks.

First oil change in E36...

[targa911man]

Richard--

My wife's is a 92 325i. If you think it's close enough I can go home and see what's in the owner's manual and Hayne's. Just PM me.

[Joeaksa]

Richard,

REAL BMW's have two wheels, are aircooled and have cylinders that stick out the sides!

Joe

PS have owned the "four wheel versions" before but just no match to a 911!

[Rick Lee]

Thanks guys. I love all BMW's - bikes, bicycles, skateboards (they do have them now) and cars. The Bentley's and owner's manuals suck on the fluid topics. They say you can go 7500 miles or once a year on oil changes, they say oil level should be bewteen the two marks on the stick. My girlfriend's E36 dipstick has a plastic end with a bunch of notches and marks on it (no sexual connotations here). They say to change the oil when the car is fully hot. They say change brake fluid every 2 yrs, coolant every 3 yrs. I think it's a load of $hit and just want to hear from an E36 DIY'er who knows what to do here.

[Emission]

Notice, between the pointed end and the blub at the top, there is a flat section (1" long or so?). The oil should be in that area. It can be confusing.

BMW suggested 7,500 mile changes. I did them every 5,000 with either 15W/50 or 5W/40 synthetic oil.

The dealer used 15W/40 oil.

I owned a 1998 328i (5-spd, sport) for three years. It was a blast to drive (but nothing next to the Porsche) and took it to High Performance Driving Schools often.

[///Mink]

Originally posted by Richard LeSchander
Someone please respond. Thanks.

First oil change in E36...

Done.

Tom Mink
'98 M3