Changing the Life Blood of your BMW

Changing the oil on a 1995 BMW M3 (E36 with the S50US engine in North America) is a straightforward job.

What You'll Need

• 7 quarts of high-quality engine oil (BMW originally specified 15W-40 or 15W-50 depending on climate; many enthusiasts run 10W-40, 15W-50, or 5W-40 synthetic)

• Oil filter kit (includes filter, large O-ring, and crush washer)

• 17mm socket for the drain plug

• 36mm socket for the oil filter housing cap

• Torque wrench

• Drain pan

• Jack and jack stands or ramps

• Shop towels

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Step 1: Warm the Engine

Start the car and let it reach operating temperature. Warm oil drains faster and carries away more contaminants.

Shut the engine off and let it sit for a few minutes.

Step 2: Safely Raise the Front of the Car

• Park on a level surface.

• Set the parking brake.

• Lift the front of the vehicle and support it securely with jack stands.

Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Step 3: Drain the Old Oil

• Locate the oil drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan.

• Position your drain pan underneath.

• Remove the 17mm drain plug carefully.

• Allow the oil to drain completely (10–15 minutes).

Inspect the drain plug for damage and replace the crush washer with the new one from your filter kit.

Step 4: Replace the Oil Filter

The S50 engine uses a cartridge-style filter located in the engine bay.

• Use a 36mm socket to loosen the oil filter housing cap.

• Pull the cap and filter assembly out.

• Remove the old filter from the cap.

• Replace the large O-ring on the cap.

• Install the new filter onto the cap.

Lightly coat the new O-ring with fresh oil before installation.

Step 5: Reinstall Components

• Reinstall the drain plug with the new crush washer.

  • Torque: approximately 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

• Reinstall the filter housing cap.

  • Torque: approximately 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Avoid overtightening either component.

Step 6: Add Fresh Oil

• Remove the oil filler cap on the valve cover.

• Pour in approximately 6.5 quarts initially.

• Reinstall the cap.

Step 7: Check Oil Level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds.

• Check underneath for leaks.

• Shut the engine off and wait a few minutes.

• Check the dipstick.

• Add oil as needed until the level reaches the upper mark.

Total capacity is typically about 6.9–7.0 quarts (6.5 liters) with a filter change.

Step 8: Final Inspection

• Verify there are no leaks around the drain plug or filter housing.

• Reset your maintenance records.

• Properly recycle the used oil and filter.

Enthusiast Tip

The S50 is happiest with regular oil changes. Many E36 M3 owners change oil every 3,000–5,000 miles, especially if the car sees spirited driving, autocross, or track days. A quality filter from BMW, Mahle, Mann, or Hengst is worth using.