M54 Engine Oil & Filter Change
The one job every owner should be comfortable doing themselves. Fifteen minutes of actual work, the rest is just waiting for the oil to drain — and doing it yourself means you know exactly what went in.
▶ Go to videoParts
| Part | Qty | Brand | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OEM | Castrol Edge 5W-30 LL01 | 6.5L | BMW | ~€75-85 | Get → |
| 5W-40 | RAVENOL HCS | 6.5L | Ravenol | ~€40-45 | Get → |
| 5W-40 | Motul 8100 X-cess 5W-40 LL01 | 6.5L | Motul | ~€55-62 | Get → |
| 5W-30 | LIQUI MOLY Special Tec LL | 6.5L | Liqui Moly | ~€55-62 | Get → |
| OEM | BMW genuine · FCP Euro | 1 | BMW | ~€25-30 | Get → |
| Non-OE | MANN-FILTER · Autodoc | 1 | MANN | ~€14-18 | Get → |
| OEM | BMW genuine · FCP Euro | 2 | BMW | ~€2-4 | Get → |
| Non-OE | Elring | 2 | Elring | ~€1-3 | Get → |
Tools
Torque Specifications
| Fastener | Notes | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| Oil drain plug | New copper washer, clean threads first | 25 Nm (18.5 ft-lbs) |
| Filter housing cap | Housing is plastic — don't overtighten | 25 Nm |
Get the engine warm
Run the engine until it's up to temperature — warm oil flows faster and carries more contaminants out with it than cold oil does.
Crack the filter cap first
Unscrew the oil filter cap to let oil start running down into the housing and pan below. Give it 1-2 minutes before you go any further — this saves time later since it's already draining while you get under the car.
Drain the oil
Get under the car, place your pan under the sump, and remove the drain plug. Let it fully drain — give it a good 10 minutes, it takes longer than you'd think.
Warning: The oil will be hot — wear glovesReinstall the drain plug
Fit a new copper crush washer — never reuse the old one, it's what actually seals the plug. Screw the drain plug back in and torque to 25 Nm.
Change the filter
Head back up top. Swap in the new filter element, replace the O-ring at the top of the housing, and don't forget the 2 small O-rings at the base of the cap stem — they're easy to miss but they're what seals it. Put the cap back in and torque to 25 Nm.
Refill and check the level
Fill with 6 liters to start, then let the car run for a few minutes and let it cool back down. Check the dipstick once it's settled and top up from there until it's right. Do this whole job again every 7,000–10,000 km.