2018 BMW 540i Oil Change

DIY process for the oil service on my 2018 BMW 540i x-drive, the G30 body with the B58 motor. One major change from prior 6 cylinder BMW's is the location of the oil filter, but not a big deal.
This is my first video so please forgive the production. I hope you pick up a few tips or that this gets you to do this rather simple job and skip the dealer.
Edit - I used 25Nm for the drain plug torque, same as on other BMW's I've had in the past. That has come up as a question in the comments.
Socket sizes are 17mm for the drain plug and 32mm for the oil filter cap.

[@universal_wisdom3416]

Couldn’t find the damn filter for the life of me. Thanks a bunch bro.

[@gregleingang9409]

Very well done video. Thank you for taking your time to document this. Taking delivery now of a 2018 540i. You showed the tools, steps and considerations, which is what i was looking for. Besides saving some money, I agree the big reason is knowing the job was done right. I've had dealerships crush new oil filters and driving away with leaks, leaving undercarriage covers off or loose etc. No more - I do the oil changes on my entire fleet now. My only recommendation to you is to use clean new oil on the oil filter o-ring and not the used oil. Used oil is very corrosive. Thanks again!

[@fredb711]

Thank you for the kind comment and congrats on the new to you 540i. I still have this car and I don't see a reason to replace it any time soon. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I am mine. Cheers!

[@victoria19853]

Could you access the oil filter housing cap trough the bottom of the car after you remove bottom covers? The reason why am asking is because I think that’s how it could be done but Iam not sure if there something blocking access from the bottom I seen many shops working on German cars and a lot of time depending on what it is they go trough the bottom of the car assuming there’s a lift to lift the entire car. Thank you.

[@fredb711]

That would not be practical. The cap faces upwards and you need to lift it up. You would have to be a contortionist to access from bottom.

[@bobsingh2403]

Thanks - Very helpful. Specially how to reset oil maintenance check and checking oil levels. I agree why would they not have a dipstick beats me.

[@ahhason]

Yo you talk too much

[@dkotanto]

Thank you, this was very helpful.

[@fredb711]

Thank you

[@salimsbenaty1597]

Thank you for the fantastic video!

[@fredb711]

Thank you

[@korencek]

22 l/100km. what the fuck. the car just came from a drift race?

[@fredb711]

haha. Yep... Or it just sat idling for a while. It's one of those. It's been averaging 25-26MPG or 9l/100km per tank under normal conditions.

[@chrismalveaux7638]

Super helpful not sure if I’m ready to do it myself but I do feel more comfortable now taking it to my normal mechanic vs having to take it back to the dealer for oil change which is close to 200 bucks but man I tell you there is no enthusiasm in your voice as you do that video but you’re spot on on the information thank you.

[@fredb711]

That was my first video and on a bad camera at that. Maybe I should redo it. Glad the info is helpful.

[@qs2364]

Great informative video

[@fredb711]

Thank you

[@ImplicitUnity]

What size sockets. Please name next time

[@aphillyatedkz4265]

Has this car given any reliability issues and is maintenance as expensive as people say it is? Was looking to get a 2019 530i any feedback much appreciated!!

[@fredb711]

No issues. BMWs get crazy expensive if you go to the dealer for non warranty work, but that is true of all car brands. Maintaining it properly at a competent independent shop or DIY is the way to go.

[@aphillyatedkz4265]

@@fredb711 thank you brother!

[@chrismalveaux7638]

I drive the 530e and love this model I agree as with former BMWs dealer repairs are excessively high find a great mechanic if your not so inclined. But not much more than many other cars but it’s so worth it.

[@michalnistor1409]

Hi I'm have same car so gerbox put on parking after engine sometime for 1 second shaking

[@r.f464]

nice vid, can you do a cost of ownership for this vehicle

[@fredb711]

My yearly running costs posted on this thread. www.bimmerfest.com/threads/2018-540i-x-drive-anniversary-updates.1402332/#post-13483959

[@hassandawudi4810]

0w-40? You sure about that?

[@deltalight584]

It definitely should be 0w20 Also the one that ideally passes BMW Longlife-17 FE+ (2018) for maximum performance standard

[@ir655]

Wrong, ya'll should be running LL04 oils used for diesel engines as people have come back with bearing material wear from their oil analysis running the watery crap. 5w-30/40 LL04 will give the best engine protection. It has a high HTHS value. Lots to read about the B58 oil recommendations on various forums.

[@hassandawudi4810]

@@ir655 You should call the man who designed that engine & tell him that. Most people hear something & parrot it without sources. If CAFE requires thin oil for efficiency, I doubt the engineers don't have this knowledge.

[@ir655]

@Hassan Dawudi its not parroting. It comes straight from the BMW technical manual regarding the B58. LL04 is approved for the B58, in fact, here in europe, that is what the dealer will change your oil with in your B58, 5w-30 LL04 oil. Maybe 0w-30 if you're in Russia during winter. What's the HTHS of LL17FE+ and that of LL04? You want protection or fuel economy?

[@marklinfante54]

When resetting the oil change reminder - after hitting the engine start button 3x quickly, what button were you pressing/holding to actually reset the computer? you mentioned 'button on the left' but then also just 'button'

[@fredb711]

The button at base of instrument cluster, on the left.

[@onsturn]

Would you know the torque spec for the drain plug?

[@fredb711]

I used 25nm like on my other cars.

[@keziahsylvester9039]

18

[@ir655]

25nm as per BMW manual.

[@vaskok70]

do you have sometime problem with che change the oilfikter becouse in some b58 the oilfilter disentegrating ???

[@fredb711]

Never had a problem on any BMW or Mini. I use either Mann or Mahle filters and normally change oil at 6,500 miles / 10,000km for the cars that get driven regularly or once a year for the cars that are not used very frequently. I've gone more like two years on the 650i given COVID prevented me from traveling to France where it lives and no issues.

[@capt.balkaya]

It wast helpful actually...

[@TheToxicity187]

Where is the center jack lift point at on this model?

[@fredb711]

I have only used ramps.

[@bmwsincekid]

Hi did your Burn any coolant?

[@fredb711]

no coolant loss or overheating in 2+ years of ownership.

[@terminator4974]

How much money per year do you save on diy maintenance compared.to a dealer or.indie?

[@fredb711]

It's not about the money necessarily. 1. I like doing this. 2. I know it's done and done right. For example, I won't discover 6 months down the line that undertray has gone missing because it was not put back. 3. It actually takes me less time and is less disruptive to do it myself than to drop off the car at a shop and then either wait for it to be done or arrange for a ride back in the middle of the week when work is my primary focus. From financial perspective, I spend about $50-60 on oil and $10-15 on a filter depending on which of the six cars I am doing this for. Some will say that dealer frequently offer oil change specials for about $100 or less, but I think full retail is $200, possibly more. So I have anywhere from $20 to $125 per oil change, I have six cars all of which get at least one oil change a year and then dailys 2 or 3 so as much as $1,000 and as little as $120. Where the $$$ saving comes in is for troubleshooting codes and doing brakes. I save at least $500 on a single brake job compared to dealer and that is using OE rotors. Then the troubleshooting. The Mini threw a misfire code, I ordered four new coils and plugs for overnight delivery, and I had it running by 4PM the next day. I probably could not have gotten it done that fast and certainly not for just the price of parts anywhere else.

[@terminator4974]

@@fredb711 yeah man i like doing it too im a newby though still there is lots of resources i managed to find out everything from oil to brake disk/pad changes and all the filters and plugs. Its so good to be able to diy it. I just wonder where I need to improve to be able to spot more serious stuff needing attention. What do you use to read the car diagnostic info?

[@wordtruth6116]

Dude, you didn't show anything. Not a very good how to video. Lol!

[@fredb711]

Like I said first try at this.

[@hyunkim2728]

I think he explained pretty well. Oil changes are all very similar, just need to find out socket sizes and location. Thanks and cheers!