That dreaded yellow light... Only had a 03' 325xi for just over a month now

I know it's "easy" and all, but I don't have all the equipment/tools... ramp, wrenches, etc .. wondering if anyone has time tomorrow to meet me (inside the beltline ) and do it for a small fee perhaps

Most indy shops around here ( Shady Tree Garage ) require appointments, or that the vehicle be left overnight and that's simply not an option right now

TIA

5/18/2013 8:54:54 PM

just go to walmart and buy set of ramps they are like $20. you need like 2 tools to do this. just buy individual pieces for another $6-7.

or go somewhere like peak auto in apex. most shops know how to change oil on bimmer.

5/18/2013 9:01:45 PM

bmw oil is easy due to remote filters. a big adjustable wrench and a single socket/crescent wrench are all you need. use the spare tire jack if you dont want to buy a floor jack or ramps

5/19/2013 12:00:48 AM

Gotta ask, does the the yellow light come on only during startup and go off after 10-20 seconds or is it constantly on? If the former, check your oil level and if its good your oil level sensor is just burnt out. If the latter, yeah do like ^,^^ said. The yellow light operates independently of the oil change service reminder on the dashboard info display.

5/19/2013 11:03:32 AM

I have a set of metal ramps I'll sell you for $20

5/19/2013 1:14:25 PM

I hope you didn't wait for this light to come on to tell you that you needed to change the oil.

5/19/2013 1:22:38 PM

not sure if you fuckers are being deliberately unhelpful, or just suck at reading comprehension

5/19/2013 3:07:18 PM

Just take it to fucking jiffy lube. There is nothing special about your car. Who gives a fuck about chassis codes.

5/19/2013 3:17:31 PM

Agreed. Jiffy-lube that bitch.

I, too, have an e46 and change my own oil (because I can), but if I couldnt I'd be fine with letting them do it. It's a fucking oil change, not a tranny overhaul.

Also - it'll cost you about $80 for synthetic Mobile 1 and a filter if you do it yourself, just fyi.

5/19/2013 3:47:48 PM

We all have the newb predator instinct. Meaning that if your post count is <1000, be prepared to take it in the shitter.

Sideways.

Dry...well, no...some are nice enough to spit on it first.

All that said, I'd do it for 30 dorra if you supply all the goodies.

5/19/2013 4:31:56 PM

yeah, ended up taking it to JL. Kopped Mann 925 /4 X and Mobil 1 00 40 from advance auto, I like how everything is so convenient on Western Blvd.

Hardly the best scenario, but I'm glad I got it done on a Sunday... Flying out tomorrow morning
I'll invest in the tools in the near future, and do as much maintenance as I can on my own, but this is my first car ever, and as I mentioned before, haven't even owned it for 30 days yet.

JL charged me $40, I know, I know Authorized/Indy Bimmer Shop yadda yadda yadda .. but I figure it's almost impossible to screw up an oil change, whatever

plus, I feel good because by not doing it myself I contributed to the livelihoods of the two ex-con guys at JL who performed it

5/19/2013 9:26:46 PM

Quote :

"but I figure it's almost impossible to screw up an oil change, whatever"

I heard that before about jiffy lube...

5/19/2013 9:57:23 PM

Good god.

I can't believe anyone seriously recommended Jiffy Fucking Lube. I'm sure the internet is full of horror stories of people whose cars got fucked up there. I wouldn't take my car there if it cost $5...and they charge $40+

Quote :

"I'll invest in the tools in the near future"

You should have invested that $40 into tools and had like $20 left over, with the bonus of not have your car manhandled by buffoons. It's a ridiculously easy job BTW - https://www.google.com/search?q=e46+oil+change

Quote :

"it'll cost you about $80 for synthetic Mobile 1 and a filter if you do it yourself, just fyi."

Are you fucking with him or being serious? I get my synthetic oil from the Autozone type places when they're running the synthetic oil change special...it's like $30 (or maybe $40, but that's no big diff) for 5 quarts of Castrol Syntech or whatever they call it now, and a filter (which you can return for store credit). Hell the Mann filters for my 335i are like $10. Can't imagine other BMW's are more expensive, plus they don't use as much oil. And I'm pretty sure Walmart has Mobile 1 for #Rhody.

5/19/2013 10:33:48 PM

Spot on. He probably meant $80 for the ten quarts, I paid around 65 for the 10 quarts and around 10 for the filter. Of course amazon is better ( there's a rebate going on right now $15 I think ), but I wanted it done yesterday, and the yellow light is gone so I'm a happy camper.

Will I be going to JL again anytime soon? Probably not, case closed. Crisis averted.

5/19/2013 10:41:42 PM

GTFO Synapse. You're a goddamned idiot.

Also, OP, you chose a 10+year old e46 as your FIRST CAR? Lord help you dude. You're in for a world of hurt. Even if you ARE mechanically inclined (which it sounds like you're not).

Good luck though.

[Edited on May 19, 2013 at 11:00 PM. Reason : .]

5/19/2013 10:57:56 PM

You recommended someone take their car to Jiffy Lube, and you're calling me the idiot?

5/19/2013 11:32:06 PM

Yes. Waiting for the last minute to do work on your car= idiot.

5/20/2013 10:22:06 AM

I always get my oil at Walmart. Hard to beat a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 for $25.

Since he was flying out of town who cars if the car just sat there without an oil change?

[Edited on May 20, 2013 at 10:29 AM. Reason : k]

5/20/2013 10:27:00 AM

Today we are all cars for the car.

5/20/2013 12:51:33 PM

10 mf'ing quarts?

5/20/2013 7:09:14 PM

2 one gallon jugs

5/20/2013 7:55:19 PM

+ one half gallon jug

5/20/2013 10:25:16 PM

Quote :

"10 mf'ing quarts?"

More like >5 and <10 quarts.

5/21/2013 9:38:59 AM